How to Volunteer: 7 Steps for Making a Difference in Your Community

We hear a lot of bad news every day, whether it’s about politics, global pandemics, or poverty. It may feel at times like you’re powerless to make anything better… but that’s where you’d be wrong.

There are so many ways you can give back and make a difference right in your own community. What may feel like small gestures can actually mean the world to those on the receiving end.

How to Volunteer

If you’re interested in volunteering but aren’t sure how to start, these steps will help you find the right opportunities and make meaningful change.

1. Choose a cause you care about.

Volunteering, by definition, is optional—no one is forcing you to do it, or it wouldn’t be called volunteering. That being said, you have the freedom to choose a cause you’re truly passionate about and that you can really throw your efforts behind, so take some time to figure out what really matters to you.

For example, you might be a huge animal lover, or maybe you’re concerned about the environment and the increased pollution in your area. Most likely, you’ll care about more than just one cause, but it’s still important to prioritize your interests.

You can’t do everything, and choosing just 1–2 areas to focus on will also ensure that you give your best to the cause.

Below are just a few examples of causes or issues you might be interested in supporting:

Animal welfare
Civil rights
Education
Food drives
Environmental protection
Homelessness
Religious organizations
Research for specific health issues
Senior interests
Women’s issues

2. Identify what you can offer.

Next, you should identify what you can offer as a volunteer in terms of time, resources, and energy. It’s important to get this clear before you end up over-committing yourself.

Understanding what you can offer will also help you find opportunities that are the best match for your schedule and abilities.

Also brainstorm any special ways you might be able to help. Do you have certain knowledge, skills, or expertise that would be helpful? Access to important resources? Talents that might be useful (such as sewing clothes, baking, or designing art)? With this list in mind, you can begin your search.

3. Research volunteer opportunities near you.

Once you’ve established your interests and availability, you can start looking for opportunities to volunteer within your community.

You might start by asking friends and family if they know of any roles that might fit you well. Most high schools and colleges have clubs and organizations you can join based on your philanthropic interests, or organize special events for volunteering.

Sometimes, companies and organizations partner up in support of certain causes, so you might try asking around at work as well, to see if there are any special opportunities to donate your time outside the office.

Then, there are volunteer websites you can consult to help you find the perfect match. For example, VolunteerMatch can pair you with opportunities based on your interests, location, and time availability.

4. Apply for volunteer positions.

Many organizations accept any and all volunteers, only requiring you to fill out a few forms before getting started.

Others, however, are more selective, especially if you’re applying for an unpaid position that just a few volunteers will hold at once.

In this case, the process might not be very different than applying for a job (though maybe a bit less stringent). You could be asked to summarize your past volunteer experience, provide reference, or even sit for an interview.

Make sure you understand the application process and what’s expected of you before jumping in.

5. Complete any required training.

Once you’ve been given the green light to start your volunteer work, be sure to complete any required training in a timely manner.

Some organizations might want you to obtain special certifications or complete a course, though most likely your training will be minimal. However, you should take all training seriously! Even if you’re volunteering, you should still give it your best effort and do what you can to make an impact.

You also don’t want to become a burden on the organization, so make sure you learn how to complete your tasks properly.

6. Be professional.

Building on that last note, you should treat your volunteer work like any other professional endeavor or commitment.

This means you should:

Show up prepared and on time.
Do what’s expected of you.
Give your best effort to your work.
Interact with others in a polite and professional manner.

Even if you’re not being paid, people are counting on you to follow through on your commitments, so make sure you give volunteer work your best effort.

7. Build a volunteering resume.

Once you’ve gotten some volunteering experience under your belt, consider building a volunteering resume to keep track of what you’ve done.

This can be particularly helpful when it comes to applications for schools, jobs, or scholarships and grants.

It can also help you to land more volunteer gigs in the future, since some organizations require previous experience.

Ideas for Volunteering

If you’re still wondering what exactly volunteering might look like, here are some examples of ways you can help support the causes you care about:

Donate your time. Volunteering can be as simple as spending time with some people who will really appreciate your presence. For example, you can visit senior centers or nursing homes, and spend time chatting with people who may not have family nearby. Similarly, you can also volunteer to hang out at animal shelters and spread some love by walking, cuddling, and playing with furry friends who are still waiting to find homes.

Organize or donate to drives. You can also donate resources to the organizations of your choice. (This might include food, money, books, or other critical supplies specified by the organization. Ask what they need first!) Or, you can take initiative and organize your own drive with help from your school, church, or even social media.

Use your skills. Maybe your baking skills are legendary, or perhaps you’re an artist or jewelry maker who crafts beautiful creations. If you have a special talent, you might consider selling your goods and donating the profits to a charity of your choice.

Lend a hand. Roll up your sleeves and help clean up your neighborhood, or a local park or beach. Or, if you have neighbors who are elderly or have physical challenges, you can ask them if they need help doing yard work or other household chores.

Why Is Volunteering Important?

Volunteering can help advance your educational and professional career, as many recruiters want to see what you’ve contributed to the community. However, volunteering can also benefit you and others on a much deeper level.

For one, it connects you with others who care about the same things you do. This is why volunteering is an especially great idea if you’ve just moved to a new area and want to meet your neighbors or make new friends. You’ll also develop your social skills and break out of your shell, which is particularly helpful for all us introverts.

Science has also shown that volunteering is good for your mind and body. According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering can combat depression, reduce stress, provide a sense of purpose, and help you stay physically and mentally active.

So in addition to all the ways you can help your community, volunteering can actually do a lot of good for you, too!

Explore Volunteer Opportunities

There are countless ways to do good in your community. Start by identifying what’s most important to you, and determine how much time and energy you’re able to give.

Then, ask around in your city or consult a volunteer site like VolunteerMatch to discover all the opportunities available for you to help out!

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

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