Volunteers are vital to the success of many nonprofit and community organizations, bringing needed skills and resources to bear on pressing social concerns. Volunteerism also provides benefits to those serving such as connections with others, career experience and skill-building, and the satisfaction of incorporating service into their lives.

In 2017, 30% of Arkansas residents reported volunteering in the past year, up 6 percentage points from 2004, and at the same level as the nation as a whole. The national rate increased 5 points from 2015 to 2017. Arkansas' rate increased by 9 points in the same time period. It is worth noting that changes to the survey structure may have contributed to the increase from 2015 to 2017 as every state except South Dakota saw an increase in their volunteer rates over this time period.

The state volunteering rate in 2017 was similar for whites (30%) and blacks (29%). There were differences by gender with a greater share of women volunteering (33%) than men (27%). Within the state, the Fayetteville and Little Rock metro areas both had rates higher than the state as a whole (37% and 43%).

Data from 2017 onwards is from the Corporations for National and Community Service (CNCS) which sponsors the Volunteering and Civic Life Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS). The survey varies in important ways from prior supplements in that the volunteering and civic life supplements are now combined resulting in a longer survey which may make the data less comparable to prior years.

Data from prior to 2017 is based on the Volunteer Supplement. The frequency of CPS supplemental inquiries (such as the Volunteer Supplement) vary; some are conducted annually, others every other year or on a one-time basis.

No county data is available. Data is reported for years available. The sample is selected so that it is reliable at the national and state level, data for smaller geographic areas (such as Metropolitan Statistical Areas) is not as reliable.