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Guide to Volunteer Opportunities Online

These Matching Services Make It Easy to Volunteer

By , About.com Guide

Happy Volunteers

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It has never been easier to volunteer, and it seems to be more popular than ever as people of all ages and abilities look for ways to improve their communities. Just use this guide to finding volunteer opportunities online, and you're bound to come up with some great ideas and contacts.

Besides the online volunteer resources listed on this page, there are volunteer centers in states and cities. Looking locally might turn up the fullest list of volunteer opportunities right in your own backyard. 1-800-Volunteer.org provides a map where you can find a volunteer center near you.

Before you commit to your volunteer gig, though, check out these tips for picking just the right volunteer spot and getting the most out of it. Volunteer experience is highly valued by employers too, so document your experience and add it to your resume and your social networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook.

Online Volunteer Matching Sites

U.S. Government-Sponsored Volunteer Programs

International Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities for Students and Youth

Volunteer Opportunities for Professionals and Executives

Volunteer Opportunities for Older Adults and Retirees

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

Microvolunteering

  • Sparked - If you've just got a sliver of time to give, try this service.

Virtual Volunteering

Some of the organizations listed above provide ways to volunteer virtually through your mobile devices or computer. 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.
  • OnlinVolunteering.org is part of the UN volunteer program.
  • Sparked specializes in volunteering by smart phone and computer in small amounts of time. Perfect for the volunteer on the go.
  • VolunteerMatch has a virtual volunteer op list that is well stocked.
  • Donate Your Brain is a service of TechSoup, which provides technical help to nonprofit organizations. Tech wunderkinds answer questions from the TechSoup community. Free registration required, then search for "Donate Your Brain."

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