Robert T. Grimm Jr., director of research and policy development at the service agency, cited several factors that may have contributed to the increase in volunteering. More teenagers are volunteering as part of service-learning programs through their schools and colleges, more middle-aged adults — many of whom delayed getting married and having children — are now involved in their children's school activities, and more older Americans who are living longer are more able to stay active and donate their time. Mr. Grimm said if baby boomers continue with the higher rate of volunteerism that the analysis found, this set of individuals will create a "service explosion" as they age, presenting a dramatic change for which organizations need to prepare.

The service agency is currently involved in a campaign to encourage more people to volunteer, and is working to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a holiday during which Americans volunteer.

David Eisner, chief executive of the service agency, said nonprofit groups should use the study's findings as a signal to prepare for what he calls a "bumper crop" of potential volunteers, led by young people, that is emerging. He suggested charities need to re-engineer how they manage their volunteers.

"The core finding is one that should really stimulate a lot of optimism," Mr. Eisner said. "We are seeing a tidal shift in volunteering that is likely to be lifting a lot of boats in the philanthropic bay. If we do what we need to do to cultivate this shift, I think we'll be seeing for the next generation, a very strong civic participation."

The report is available on the organization's Web site, http://www.nationalservice.gov.

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