Finding a Volunteer Opportunity is as Easy as 1-2-3

What if you want to volunteer but don’t know where to start? Well then, you aren’t alone! The list of volunteer opportunities can seem endless. On top of that, there are schedules to juggle, time commitments to work around and even practical considerations that need to be considered. Here are some tips to help get you started.

Recently, I wrote an article about how volunteering can boost your physical and mental health (Give Back to Yourself: 6 Reasons Why It's Good for You to Volunteer). Now, let’s talk about finding volunteer opportunities that are a good match for you.

Step 1: Identify Your Interests

Research shows that experiences are much more enriching when they have meaningful connection to your life. Choose opportunities that align with your interests. Start by taking a couple of minutes to write down your top 5 interests and then think about organizations that align with these interests. For example, if you like pets, start with local humane societies, animal fostering agencies and pet charities. Has a loved one, close friend or family member battled a disease? Almost every illness has a representative organization, and many of these community organizations have local volunteer opportunities. For example, the American Cancer Society is a national society that has local volunteer opportunities. There’s no more rewarding way to give back than to honor the memory of a loved one by paying it forward.

Step 2: Search Online for Ideas

Most communities in the U.S. have a United Way presence, so that’s a great place to start. Local and regional United Ways work with nonprofit organizations, schools and community partners. Many of them connect volunteers with opportunities. These opportunities range from community service projects and mentoring children to volunteering at food pantries and preparing meals for community members. Note that many volunteer opportunities have age restrictions, so keep this in mind if you are looking for opportunities for the entire family. Another option is searching on Idealist (formerly Volunteer Match), which is the largest online volunteer platform, matching more than 15 million people a year with volunteer opportunities. You can search by location, cause, skills or even narrow your search by age so that teens and kids can participate. Like any online platform, however, please do your research because organizations vary widely, and an online presence does not equal an endorsement. Sometimes listings are outdated as well. I view online platforms as an initial step toward getting ideas and fine-tuning your interests.

Step 3: Think Local & Be Open-Minded

This is the most important step. Ask friends, community members, mentors and trusted friends where they volunteer and what their experience was. Personal connections can be one of the easiest ways to discover meaningful volunteer opportunities that aren’t widely advertised. Trying something new can also help you discover hidden interests, new skills and new connections. Smaller organizations can offer unique, hands-on opportunities and often allow you to see the direct impact of your efforts. Reading this article means you are on your way to helping others!