How to Find Volunteer Opportunities

 

When you volunteer for an organization, you apply your skills and contribute your time to a worthwhile cause. Volunteering can even help you improve your resume and grow your professional network. Whether you're a student looking for new skills or an older person with a lot of expertise to share, you can find a volunteering opportunity that suits your needs.

Still, it can be difficult to know where to begin when looking for a volunteer opportunity. There are so many great volunteer opportunities out there, and they can all be difficult to choose from. The good news is that there’s no need to worry about making the wrong choice - because the best opportunities will come to you. The more time you spend looking for opportunities, the more opportunities will come to you.

In this article, Cindy Imperato from the American Red Cross discusses how to find a volunteer opportunity and list 30 websites to get you started.

 

Do your own volunteer research

The key to finding the right fit is to firstly figure out what type of volunteer experience you want to have. There are many different types of volunteer experiences, and they all have their own unique benefits. Make sure that you understand the different types of volunteerism and the benefits that each of them offer. Once you’ve identified the type of volunteerism that you want to pursue, the next step is to narrow down your search. 

One of the most important things you can do when looking for a volunteer opportunity is to do your own research. This means looking at different volunteer opportunities and taking the time to read through the information. Not only will this help you understand what kind of experience is available, but it also will help you make the best decision for yourself, explains Cindy Imperato, Chairman Board of Directors at American Red Cross Broward County Chapter.

By doing your own research, you’ll also be able to find out about the different benefits that volunteering has for you. You’ll be able to see how volunteering can benefit your career or your social life, and you’ll be able to make the best decision for your time and energy.

 

Join a volunteer network

Volunteering networks are a great way to find volunteer opportunities that match your interests and skills. By joining a network of volunteers, you’ll be able to connect with other volunteers who have similar interests and skills. This will help you to find the right opportunity and make the most of it.

 

Look for volunteer opportunities in your home region

Volunteering is a great way to make a positive impact on the world. It’s something that you can do on your own time, and it’s something that you can do for a reason.

You don’t need to leave your comfort zone to find volunteer opportunities. You can look for volunteer opportunities in your home region by using online search engines or by visiting local organizations that are dedicated to helping the community.

By looking for volunteer opportunities in your home region, you’ll be able to find opportunities that match your interests and skills. You won’t have to travel far either - many organizations are located right at home.

For example, the American Red Cross, where Cindy Imperato serves as immediate past Board Chair and current Co-Event Chair, offers plenty of local volunteer opportunities.

 

Ask friends and family for their volunteer experience

If you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity that’s close to home, ask your friends and family for their experience. This will help you to get a sense of what types of volunteer opportunities are available in your area and also provide you with some great leads.

You can also use social media to find volunteer opportunities. Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are all great platforms for finding volunteer opportunities. Use these platforms to search articles, pictures, or videos about the different types of volunteerism that are available in your area. You can also search through social media for volunteer opportunities by topic or organization.

 

Volunteer at an organization that you're interested in

If you want to volunteer for an organization that you're interested in, there are a lot of great options. You can volunteer at a local organization, or you can volunteer with a global organization like the American Red Cross. There are also many organizations that offer opportunities for staff members to volunteer their time.

Each organization has its own unique benefits and challenges, so it's important to find an opportunity that feels right for you, advises retired judge Cindy Imperato.