Values in Action

The Link Between Religious Identity and Volunteering

Why do people volunteer?
While motivations such as gaining skills, meeting people, or supporting a cause are often discussed, recent findings from the Giving in Aotearoa New Zealand survey by Community Foundations Aotearoa New Zealand highlight another important influence: personal and religious values.

The research found a strong relationship between religious identity and volunteering.

Among respondents, 88.9% of Muslims indicated they volunteered because it was "part of their values", compared with 73.3% of Buddhists and 72% of Christians. The report concluded that "religious identity correlates strongly with giving time to the community."

This finding is not particularly surprising. Throughout history, faith communities have played a significant role in supporting individuals, families, and communities through acts of service. Across many religions, helping others is not viewed as an optional extra—it is an expression of deeply held beliefs and values.

For community organisations, this provides an important insight into how people make decisions about volunteering and how volunteer opportunities can be communicated more effectively.

Volunteering as an Expression of Values
While different faith traditions have unique teachings and practices, many share common principles that naturally align with volunteering.

These often include:

• Compassion for others
• Service to the community
• Generosity and giving
• Caring for vulnerable people
• Social responsibility
• Stewardship of resources and the environment
• Hospitality and inclusion
• Justice and equity

For many people of faith, volunteering is not simply about completing a task. It is about living their values.

Helping at a foodbank, supporting refugees, mentoring young people, participating in environmental projects, visiting isolated older adults, or assisting at community events can all be seen as practical ways to express beliefs through action.

Volunteering becomes a reflection of who they are and what they stand for.

Beyond Religion: Values Matter for Everyone
Although the survey highlights the relationship between religious identity and volunteering, the findings have relevance far beyond faith communities.

Many people who do not identify with a religion are also motivated by values.

They may volunteer because they care about social justice, environmental sustainability, community wellbeing, animal welfare, inclusion, education, health, or supporting future generations.

In many cases, the underlying driver is similar: a desire to contribute to something larger than themselves and to act in accordance with personal beliefs.

This is an important reminder that volunteering is often an identity-based behaviour.

People volunteer not only because they can help, but because helping aligns with the kind of person they want to be.

Why Values-Based Motivation Matters
When values are the primary motivation, volunteers are often seeking more than a list of tasks.

They want to know:

• Why does this work matter?
• Who benefits?
• What impact will my contribution have?
• How does this align with what I care about?

A volunteer role that focuses only on operational requirements may miss the deeper reasons people choose to become involved.

For example, "We need volunteers to sort donated goods" may be factually accurate.
However, "Help ensure families experiencing hardship receive the support they need" speaks directly to the values that motivate many people to volunteer.

Both statements describe the same activity, but one focuses on the task while the other focuses on purpose.

The Opportunity for Community Organisations
Many organisations recruit volunteers by describing duties, hours, and responsibilities.
While these details are important, they are rarely what inspires people to take action.

If personal values are a major driver of volunteering, recruitment messaging should focus on the difference volunteers make and the principles that underpin the organisation's work.

This does not mean using religious language unless it is appropriate to the organisation and audience.

Instead, it means clearly communicating purpose.
Potential volunteers should be able to understand:

• Why the organisation exists.
• What problem it is trying to solve.
• Who benefits from the work.
• How volunteers contribute to positive outcomes.
• What values guide the organisation.

People are often attracted to organisations whose values align with their own.

Recruiting Through Shared Values
Values-based recruitment focuses on creating a connection between what the organisation stands for and what prospective volunteers care about.

For example:
An environmental organisation might highlight stewardship, sustainability, and protecting future generations.

A youth organisation might focus on opportunity, belonging, and supporting young people to thrive.

A food rescue programme might emphasise reducing waste, supporting communities, and ensuring resources are shared fairly.

The goal is not to persuade people to adopt the organisation's values. It is to help people recognise that the opportunity aligns with values they already hold.
When that connection is made, volunteering becomes personally meaningful.

Building Relationships with Faith Communities
The survey findings also highlight opportunities for organisations to engage more intentionally with faith communities.

Places of worship often bring together people who already have strong service-oriented values and established traditions of community contribution.

Building relationships with local faith communities can help organisations reach people who may be highly motivated to volunteer but are unaware of available opportunities.

Successful partnerships are built on mutual respect and understanding. Organisations should focus on shared goals and common values rather than assumptions about particular groups.

Many faith communities are already deeply engaged in volunteering, charitable work, and community support. Creating pathways for collaboration can strengthen outcomes for everyone involved.

Leading With Purpose
The Giving in Aotearoa New Zealand Survey reinforces something many volunteer-involving organisations already know: volunteering is about more than giving time.
For many people, it is an expression of identity, beliefs, and values.

Whether those values are shaped by religious faith, cultural traditions, personal experiences, or a commitment to particular causes, they often provide the motivation that turns interest into action.

Organisations that understand this are better positioned to attract and retain volunteers. Rather than leading with tasks alone, they lead with purpose.

Because when people can see how volunteering reflects what matters most to them, they are more likely to step forward, stay involved, and make a lasting contribution to their communities.

Resources:
Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ/BERL Giving in Aotearoa NZ research (2026). And for now you can add this link: https://communityfoundations.org.nz/latest-news/what-the-data-tells-us-about-volunteering-in-aotearoa-and-why-it-matters -

Volunteering NZ State of The Decade of Volunteering - The past, present and future of Volunteering in Aotearoa New Zealand - A comprehensive review of the the previous decade of reports 2015 to 2025. https://www.volunteeringnz.org.nz/data-advocacy/state-of-volunteering