This study examines the significant changes in philanthropic and volunteering behaviours among CCP and non-CCP members across three waves of the Civic Participation in China Survey in 2018, 2020 and 2022. Although the increase in these behaviours cannot be solely attributed to the new political messaging encouraging philanthropy and volunteerism, evidence suggests a general rise in voluntary activities and philanthropic donations over time. The most substantial increase in donations was observed between 2018 and 2020, with a decrease in donations among non-CCP members between 2020 and 2022, coinciding with the peak of “common prosperity” and “tertiary distribution” messaging. CCP members consistently dedicate more hours to voluntary activities compared to their non-CCP counterparts, reflecting the effectiveness of CCP’s messaging. While initial motivations for volunteering differed between CCP and non-CCP members, they converged in later waves. However, motivations directly aligning with Party messaging ranked lower, indicating a gap between state rhetoric and individual actions. As China faces economic challenges, the emphasis on “common prosperity” and the expectation for wealthy elites to contribute more to society is likely to persist; adding further credence to the study’s findings.