$24.69 ... That's what your volunteer time is worth in the USA on average.

One of the earliest inspirations for this blog is to figure out how to get Congress to allow the value of volunteer time donated to nonprofit by all levels of capacity to be deducted along with expenses incurred in that service.

I get the same answer always from the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the US Department of Commerce: "Volunteer hours are not calculable." Here is a link to  their excuse. Basically, because it resembles women's work.

Poppycock! has been my standard reply. It is the replacement value of paying someone to do the work!

Likewise, childrearing, homemaking and housekeeping done in the family  aren't included in the Gross Domestic Product of the USA.

Points of Light Foundation and Independent Sector calculate the average value of volunteerism each year. It's an average, including work in young professionals helping out in soup kitchens, medical specialists who do surgery in war zones, grandparents who do family day care so parents can work, etc. According to the latter:

"(WASHINGTON, April 19, 2018) – Today, Independent Sector, in partnership with IMPLAN, announces that the latest value of a volunteer hour is $24.69 – up 2.2 percent from the previous year. That figure, estimated from data collected in 2017, shows the incredible contributions volunteers make to our communities and our country.

"Currently, 63 million Americans volunteer about 8 billion hours of their time and talent to improve people’s lives and the natural world. With the new value of volunteer time, these Americans are contributing approximately $197.5 billion to our nation."

Just a reminder: Your Holy Beggar works for a living, as meek as it might be. She also volunteers her expertise, time and other valuable resources.

You are welcome.

And remember ...
 No matter what,
DON'T FORGET TO ASK FOR THE MONEY.