How to Find Your Ideal Volunteer Opportunity Right Online

It has never been easier to volunteer, and it's becoming more popular than ever as people of all ages and abilities look for ways to improve their communities and support other causes close to their hearts.

The Corporation for National and Community Service reports that as of 2017, one in three Ameican adults volunteered for an organization. That means almost 77.4 million Americans volunteered 6.9 billion hours in that year. The estimated value of that volunteer service was close to $167 billion. 

Furthermore, people of all ages have found that volunteering makes them feel better. United Health found in a study that 76% of people who had volunteered in the past year said that their volunteer work had made them feel healthier.

Volunteering also helps people find work, whatever their gender, age, ethnicity, or geographical area. Employers also value the volunteer work of job applicants. A study by Deloitte found that more than three of every four Human Resource executives consider a job applicant's volunteer experience when making hiring decisions.

So document your experience and add it to your resume and your social networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook.

If you're looking to make your contribution, start with this guide to find volunteer opportunities online and turn up an assortment of great causes with contact information.

Before you commit to a new volunteer gig, check out these tips for picking just the right volunteer spot and getting the most out of it.

You can also visit the Points of Light website for an app that helps you find the nearest volunteer opportunities that fit your talents and interests.

Start looking for a volunteer gig by perusing the following list of sites to get a feel for the types of opportunities available. If you find yourself honing in on a particular cause, you can then research more specifically to turn up volunteer needs in that area.

• All For Good
• VolunteerMatch
• Idealist.org
• Points of Light Foundation

These established government-sponsored programs offer many opportunities for volunteer work and travel, both domestic and international.

• Corporation for National and Community Service
• Peace Corps (Not just for recent college grads. The "new" Peace Corps welcomes all adults, including retirees and seniors. Also, there are short-term opportunities in addition to the traditional two-year commitment)
• AmeriCorps (A US-based version of the Peace Corps.) Full-time placements pay a stipend)
• Senior Corps (Servicing seniors by seniors)
• Volunteer.gov/gov (Pitch in for America's Natural and Cultural Resources)
• Ready (Part of the Department of Homeland Security. Focus on emergencies such as fire, flood, and hurricanes)

Many international volunteer opportunities require you to pay for the experience. Some people find this acceptable and a great way to travel. Find out why and how to combine volunteerism and travel. 

• United Nations Volunteers
• Global Service Corps
• Transitions Abroad
• GeoVisions
• VolunTourism
• GoVoluntouring
• Volunteer World

Get your kids started early and help them gain valuable experience to broaden their horizons and enhance their college applications.

• City Year
• Do Something
• Youth Volunteer Corps of America
• GenerationOn (for kids 5-18)

Put those valuable years of work experience to use by helping others in need of guidance for their small business or financial management.

• Catchafire 
• Taproot Foundation
• International Executive Corps
• Financial Services Volunteer Corps
• Executive Service Corps
• SCORE (Mentor Entrepreneurs)

Many of the volunteer programs on this page welcome older Americans. Here are a few specifically designed for that group.

• Create the Good - AARP
• Senior Corps, Foster Grandparents - For volunteers 55 and over. Run by the Corporation for National and Community Service
• Experience Corps - AARP (Tutoring in schools)

Here are some sites with a focus on virtual volunteering or that have the ability to search for virtual opportunities.

• Catchafire has virtual opportunities for skilled volunteers.
• VolunteerMatch has a virtual volunteer list that is well stocked.
• Help from Home focuses on virtual, micro-volunteer actions.

Besides searching volunteer portals for ways to volunteer virtually, check out the numerous sites for people with specific interests. For instance:

• Amateur historians can collaborate with The Smithsonian to help make historical documents accessible.
• Birdwatchers can help track bird populations and migration patterns with eBird. 
• Weekend astronomers can contribute to mapping the skies at Zooniverse.
• Virtual globetrotters can work with UN Volunteers online to do good around the world. 

Don't forget all the unique opportunities during the year when volunteering is promoted. Here are just a few.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - 3rd week in January
• National Volunteer Week - 3rd week in April
• National Day of Service and Remembrance - September 11
• National Family Volunteer Day - Saturday before Thanksgiving

Regardless of the type of skillset you have, there's a cause out there that wants your help.