Volunteering is a way to give back to the community, and a way for people to give back to themselves. Individuals can reap many benefits from volunteering, including improving self-esteem and building professional relationships. Finding the right volunteer opportunity takes a little bit of effort.

  • Focus on your passions. A great place to begin is identifying causes you are passionate about. Consider your hobbies, social issues that matter to you, and your professional experience to help narrow down some volunteering options.
  • Identify your skills and what you have to offer. Nonprofit groups often seek people for help in specific areas. Skills like fundraising, public relations, marketing, or event planning are highly valuable within the nonprofit community.
  • Try a short-term project. Sometimes it is best to start small. Try taking on a short-term project or committing to a few hours per week. If it does not seem like the right fit, you can move on to something.
  • Determine your availability. Figure out how much time you can realistically commit to an organization. A group that requires daily effort might not be the right fit if you only have a few hours a week to spare.
  • Use a volunteer matching service. Resources like VolunteerMatch or All for Good can help you find organizations that align with your interests.
  • Seek recommendations. Talk to friends, colleagues, neighbors, or family to ask if they can offer insight about volunteer organizations.
  • Think about your reasons for volunteering. Think about why you want to get involved in charity work. Whether its wanting to gain new experiences, or supporting a cause that is dear to your heart, knowing why you want to volunteer can help narrow down the opportunities.