Getting Out and Volunteering (or Staying In and Volunteering!)
It's Always a Great Time to Give Back
When you share your time, energy, and skills to help others — and to connect with the community — it can infuse your life with meaning.
Volunteering can bring a sense of fulfillment to your life. It can even improve your mental and physical well-being.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when you are considering volunteering:
Do you want to volunteer locally, or virtually?
There are many opportunities for you, whatever your comfort level.
What causes are important to you?
The range of volunteering opportunities is endless, from food banks to animal shelters, children’s causes, or meals for the elderly.
What organization is the right fit?
Consider the size and culture of the organization, its funding, and its impact.
Does your employer offer benefits around volunteering and donating?
Many employers offer volunteer hours so that their employees can spend some time helping in the community. If you are donating, check to see if your employer offers a donation match.
Do you plan to volunteer somewhere short-term, or are you looking for a longer-term service? You can choose to volunteer through the holidays, and you can decide to extend your service beyond. Many organizations need help outside of the holiday months.
How much time do you have to volunteer?
You may have really great intentions, but limited time. Be realistic about how much time you can commit to volunteering. This will benefit you and the organization from the start.
Volunteering Resources
You’d like to volunteer, but don’t know where to start? There are many resources available that can help you do just that! Here are a few.*
🙋🏽 Search for local or virtual opportunities on Volunteermatch.org, one of the largest databases for connecting volunteers to nonprofits.
🙋🏽 Passionate about conservation and nature? Check out the many opportunities listed on Volunteer.gov.
🙋🏽 From community giving to crowdfunding — search for opportunities, events, and communities on GiveGab.com.
🙋🏽 If you’re over 55, check out Encore.org. They bring younger and older community members together to work toward making change together.
🙋🏽 You can use Engage (formally AllForGood) to connect to local volunteer opportunities, or you can start a new project on the site and find collaborators.
🙋🏽 Justserve.org can also help you find nearby volunteer opportunities. You can browse through success stories on the site as well.
🙋🏽 Dosomething.org is a youth-led movement that can help you take action and make an impact when you choose a campaign.
🙋🏽 Catchafire.org matches professionals who want to donate their time with nonprofits in need of their skills. Search for a project right on the site.
*Unless as otherwise stated, A3 Mobility LLC is not affiliated with the organizations profiled in this email.