Volunteerism after Retirement: An Evaluation of the Give 5 Civic Matchmaking Program

Communities are increasingly focused on leveraging the skills and resources of older adults entering retirement to benefit the community and ensure these individuals remain integrated and valued within society. Launched in 2017, the Give 5 “Civic Matchmaking” Program is an award-winning volunteer recruitment program for near-retirees and retirees that matches participants’ skills and interests with meaningful volunteer opportunities. This study examined participants’ mindsets and perceptions of loneliness before the program, as well as their motivations for volunteering and sense of belonging afterward. Overall, participants in Give 5 improved in empathic concern and in recognizing the need to equip those they help with knowledge and skills. Loneliness and mindset were associated with different volunteer motivations. Loneliness was predominantly associated with desires to improve social and emotional well-being, whereas a growth mindset was associated with personal growth and altruism. Loneliness at the beginning of the program, but not at the end, was associated with a sense of belonging. This study reviews the implications of the Give 5 program for extension workers and those engaged in volunteer programming.