Return on Volunteerism Tool: Methodology

The Return on Volunteerism tool translates the time an individual gives through volunteerism into three topics: economic value, health impact, and skill growth. The results displayed reflect independent, third-party research as well as The Cigna Group’s research on Vitality.

1. Economic Value of Time

Hands-on: Independent Sector — 2025 Value of Volunteer Time (the national hourly rate, updated every April during National Volunteer Week)

Skills-based: Taproot Foundation — 2024 Pro Bono Valuation (the current weighted-average rate for skilled/professional service, last updated 2024).

2. Health & Well-Being Benefits

Cognitive Health: University of Texas at Austin & UMass Boston (2025), published in Social Science & Medicine.

Cardiovascular Health: Carnegie Mellon University (2013), published in Psychology and Aging.

Physical Function: Kim et al., Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2020), published in American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (2025), published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society; Jiang et al. (2021), Aging & Mental Health.

Vitality: Vitality in America 2026

3. Skills Development

20-hour rule for new skill functional proficiency: The first 20 hours — how to learn anything | Josh Kaufman | TEDxCSU

Skills: Pro Bono Service Drives Development of Human Skills in a Changing World of Work | Taproot