If you need help finding opportunities, there are lots of resources available:

  • Check out national volunteer opportunity aggregators such as All for Good, VolunteerMatch, or Create the Good, which match you to volunteer opportunities based on your interests and location.
  • Many larger metropolitan areas have volunteer opportunity aggregators, such as Boston Cares, L.A. Works, and NY Cares. Don’t live in one of these cities? Points of Light exists in many communities throughout the US.
  • Living in London? Shanghai? Melbourne? Follow the links to find an opportunity that suits you. Most cities have volunteer opportunity aggregators to make searching easier.

Need volunteering inspiration? Ask yourself “What matters to me?” and find ways to connect your answer to your community.

  • Is it your parents or grandparents? Call your local senior center to ask how you can assist.
  • Is it books or art? Call your local library or museum and see what opportunities they have.
  • Is it food? Call your local food pantry.
    • Rescuing Leftover Cuisine helps eliminate food waste by working with restaurants to have volunteers pick up unused food and deliver it to local shelters. The volunteer opportunities can take as little as 30 minutes.
  • Is it your dog? Call your local SPCA and see how you can help.
  • Is it giving back to veterans? Many communities have a veterans assistance program that does anything from serving meals to providing career advice. The New England Center and Home for Veterans has two opportunities every day to help serve meals to Boston-area vets.
  • Is it helping disaster victims?
    • All Hands and Hearts is a volunteer-powered disaster relief organization dedicated to rebuilding hope for people impacted by natural disasters all over the world. They accept spontaneous volunteers from any background or faith, providing on-the-job training free of charge.
    • American Red Cross – Many of their disaster relief projects require training; however, those such as sorting clothing and supplies to be shipped to disaster effected areas don’t usually require training, and are a way for those living elsewhere to give back and help those directly affected.