Volunteering can be incredibly fulfilling work, and it’s important to find an organization that will enable you to create the impact that you feel is needed in the world. Whether your aim is to solve a problem, give back, be a voice for the voiceless, or learn something new about others, the organization you work with will greatly influence your ability to reach your goal. Following these steps can help you find an organization to volunteer for:
Find your cause & set a goal
We all have something we’re passionate about–that one topic that we can talk about endlessly to whoever will listen. Volunteer work enables you to turn your passion into action. No problem is too big to be tackled by a group of dedicated volunteers, from feeding those in need to climate change. Find more than one organization that deals with a cause you feel passionately about so you can evaluate how you might be able to help. Many organizations have entire sections of their website dedicated to opportunities available.
Setting a goal will help guide your passion into concrete results. Use your strengths to reach this goal; if one of your strengths is in your ability to analyze numbers, you can offer services to track the progress of certain programs to help allocate resources accordingly. This can help reach a goal of making a non-profit work more effectively.
Start local
Smaller, local nonprofits are most in need of money and resources. With a smaller geographical area to serve, there are also fewer individuals in the immediate area to offer their time and volunteer. Explore how organizations near you are working to solve a problem you feel passionately about. Volunteer work done locally is rewarding because immediate results can be felt in a short amount of time. One on one work with members of your community enriches the place you live, strengthening a community bond. It’s easy to find an organization in your community that is working toward solving a problem you may encounter every day.
Decide how much time you’re able to donate
Volunteer work is rewarding, though it can become burdensome if it competes with the amount of time spent doing your paying job. It’s okay to set limits on how much you can give, as it enables you to be at your best every time you show up. Each organization has differing expectations on how much time their volunteers spend with them. You can become a catalyst for volunteer recruitment within your circle of family and friends if you like the organization, but the time commitment is too burdensome. Organizations have a variety of rules when it comes to the amount and type of volunteers they can take on, so it’s important to look into whether or not they require a background check.
Attend an event they’re holding
The best way to see how you might fit into an organization is by seeing it in action. Attend an event planned by the organization to see what their management style is, how large-scale their projects are, and what type of work they may need volunteers for. Events can give you the opportunity to meet the team and feel out how you’d fit in. If it suits you, be candid about your interest in their work and inquire about volunteer opportunities in person.
Explore online resources
Especially if you’re new to an area, utilize online databases to find volunteer opportunities. https://www.volunteermatch.org has a search feature where you can plug in a cause you care about plus your geographic location. https://www.idealist.org will also enable you to search by interest, keyword, or skill.
Dr. Barbara Edwards Princeton is an internist with a passion for volunteering and living your healthiest life.