The Cigna Group's Vitality in America report finds people who volunteer feel healthier, more connected, and more resilient
Research links employee volunteerism to higher job satisfaction, workplace pride, and engagement
New tool measures the economic, health, and skills value generated through service
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) finds that volunteering is associated with better health, stronger workplace engagement, and greater connection to community. According to the company's fifth annual Vitality in America report, people who volunteer are nearly twice as likely to report high vitality, a measure of how healthy, connected, and capable a person feels. The research also found that employees who participate in employer-supported volunteer activities are significantly more likely to go above and beyond to help their workplace succeed (79% vs. 59%) and be proud of where they work (80% vs. 58%).
People who volunteered in the past year reported higher vitality scores (76.7 vs. 68.4), underscoring the connection between volunteering and well-being.
The Cigna Group’s fifth annual Vitality in America report explores the connection between volunteering and vitality, revealing how giving back may benefit individuals, workplaces, and communities.
The Cigna Group’s research offers a snapshot of volunteering in America, highlighting who volunteers, how often they give back, and the role service plays in communities nationwide.
The Cigna Group’s first-of-its-kind Return on Volunteerism tool helps individuals explore the economic, health, and workforce value generated through volunteer service.
The Cigna Group’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year Diana Lenis shares how she turned heartbreak into purpose, using employer-sponsored volunteerism to support a cause close to her heart.
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The Cigna Group employees contributed nearly 114,000 volunteer hours in 2025, generating an estimated $7.1 million in economic value and increasing volunteer service by approximately 30% year over year.
"Our research continues to show that health is bigger than physical or emotional well-being," said Dr. Stuart L. Lustig, National Medical Executive for Behavioral Health Strategy and Product Design, Cigna Healthcare. "Things like purpose, connection, and resilience play an important role in how people feel and function every day. This year's findings suggest that volunteering can be a simple yet meaningful way to build purpose, strengthen connections, and boost resilience while helping others."
Volunteers feel healthier, more connected, and more resilient The research found that people who volunteer report better physical and mental health, a stronger sense of belonging, a greater ability to bounce back from life's challenges, and a stronger sense of purpose. In fact, 67% of volunteers said they are confident they can do meaningful things with their lives, compared with just 46% of non-volunteers.
Compared with people who did not volunteer in the past year, volunteers were more likely to say:
Their physical health is excellent or very good: 55% vs. 42%
Their mental health is excellent or very good: 57% vs. 49%
They feel a sense of belonging in their community: 62% vs. 42%
They can bounce back from hardship: 59% vs. 45%
They are choosing to pursue life with meaning and purpose: 66% vs. 45%
Volunteers also reported a higher average score (76.7 out of 100) on the Evernorth Vitality Index, which measures one's capacity to pursue life with health, strength, and energy, compared with 68.4 among non-volunteers.
Employer-supported volunteerism is linked to greater engagement, job satisfaction, and workplace pride Employer-supported volunteerism offers companies a practical way to strengthen engagement, connection, and pride at work. Among employees surveyed, those who participated in employer-supported volunteer opportunities were more likely than those who did not participate or were not offered an opportunity to say they:
Are proud to work for their company: 80% vs. 58%
Will go above and beyond to help their workplace succeed: 79% vs. 59%
Are satisfied with their job: 70% vs. 55%
Feel their employer fosters a positive work environment: 55% vs. 35%
Despite the potential benefits, opportunities remain limited. For example, only 27% of employees said their workplace has offered volunteer opportunities during work hours in the past year. Among employees without access, nearly half (49%) said they would participate if given the opportunity.
"The Cigna Group's Vitality Report shows that volunteer service creates impact in many ways and impacts individuals and communities on deeper levels," Jennifer Sirangelo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service and civic engagement. "As Points of Light leads a coalition to double volunteering by 2035, reports like this make the case for employers to create more opportunities for everyone in their workforce to get involved in volunteering."
First-of-its-kind tool measures the economic, health, and skills-based value associated with volunteering Alongside the report, The Cigna Group is launching a new Return on Volunteerism, a first-of-its-kind tool that estimates the economic, health, and workforce value generated by volunteerism. The tool draws on The Cigna Group's research and established valuation methodologies to help individuals and employers better understand the often-overlooked personal, workplace, and community value created through volunteer service. It measures the impact of volunteering in three ways:
Economic value: The estimated dollar value of volunteer hours
Health value: The relationship between volunteering, well-being, and vitality
Skills value: Workplace capabilities that volunteering can help strengthen, including leadership, communication, adaptability, and resilience
"Volunteering is one of the few activities that benefits everyone involved. Communities receive support, organizations advance their missions, and volunteers gain purpose, connection, and skills that can enrich their own lives," said Sara Quist, Senior Director, Community Programs and President, The Cigna Group Foundation. "Beyond the immediate impact on communities, volunteering can help people strengthen uniquely human skills, like leadership, empathy, problem-solving, and adaptability, which are even more essential for workers in an AI-enabled world. The new tool helps individuals and organizations better understand that broader value."
Employees at The Cigna Group are increasing their impact through volunteerism The findings align with The Cigna Group's longstanding commitment to volunteerism and community engagement. The company provides employees with paid volunteer time, volunteer rewards that support eligible nonprofit organizations, and opportunities throughout the year to participate in both hands-on and skills-based service. These programs are designed to encourage volunteering while helping employees strengthen connection, purpose, and community impact. The company also champions service by celebrating employees through recognition and rewards.
Employee volunteerism continued to grow in 2025, with team members contributing nearly 114,000 volunteer hours, up approximately 30% from the previous year and generating an estimated $7.1 million in economic value through volunteer service.
Vitality in America 2026 report methodology: The Cigna Group conducted an online survey with 5,000 U.S. adults from June 2 to July 14, 2026, in collaboration with YouGov using the Evernorth Vitality Index. This bilingual (English and Spanish) survey assessed health, vitality, volunteerism, and workplace engagement and productivity across generations.
About The Cigna Group The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the vitality of every individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services marketed under Evernorth Health Services, Cigna Healthcare, or its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 markets and jurisdictions, and has over 180 million customer relationships around the world. Learn more at thecignagroup.com.
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