Volunteering is one way to give back to the community, and also for people to give back to themselves. Individuals can reap many benefits from volunteering, including improving self-esteem and building professional relationships. With so much to be said for volunteering, people may wonder how to find the best places to volunteer their time and skills. Finding the right match takes a little bit of effort, and these strategies can further such attempts.
Focus On Your Passions
A great place to begin when considering volunteering is to identify causes you are passionate about. Consider your hobbies, social issues that matter to you and your own professional experience. This process can help narrow down some volunteering options.
Identify Your Skills and What You Have To Offer
Nonprofit groups often seek people who can help them in specific areas. Skills like fundraising, public relations, marketing, or event planning are highly valuable within the nonprofit community.
Try a Short-Term Project
When testing the volunteering waters, it might be best to start small. You can take on a short-term project or commit to a few hours per week. If an opportunity does not seem like the right fit, you can move on to something new relatively easily.
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 From Individuals You Trust
Talk to friends, colleagues, neighbors, or family to ask if they can offer insight about volunteer organizations based on their own experiences.
Think About Your Reasons For Volunteering
Ponder why you want to get involved in charity work. Some people want to network while others want to gain new experiences. For others, volunteering is a means to getting involved with a charity that supports an effort near to their hearts. Knowing why you want to volunteer can help you narrow down the opportunities.
While volunteering is a meaningful experience for those involved, it can take time and effort before those who want to give back find the right opportunity to do so.
