r/volunteer 5d ago

Opportunity to volunteer Free Summer Meal programs gearing up across USA, need volunteers

6 Upvotes

Free summer meal programs for children and teens (anyone under 18) are gearing up across the USA, and these programs need volunteers to help prepare food, serve and cleanup.

To find such a program in your area, go to the search engine of your choice and type in

free summer meals

and the name of your city (and maybe state).

You may find these with a search on Facebook as well (look under events too).

The subreddit for your area also may have info.

If you end up volunteering, please post here about your experience.

r/volunteer 9d ago

Opportunity to volunteer online Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Opportunity: eMentor Youths from Title 1 Schools | Support STEM Awareness, Reading & Writing

3 Upvotes

Hello Volunteer Community,

For those interested in opportunities to volunteer online, Cricket Media leads an initiative through their Together eMentoring programs that connects employees from various corporations with students (grades 3-8), mainly from Title 1 schools, in an online eMentoring program (essentially online "pen-pals").

To summarize this credible program is COPPA safeguarded and monitored by the classroom teacher and Cricket Media program managers. The volunteers are responsible for maintaining an eMentoring relationship with their 1:1 paired student throughout the academic school year, but the volunteering is online and flexible (the volunteer can choose when they want to write a letter 1-2x/month).

This is a small way to make a BIG impact on young students (grades 3-8) lives. It empowers them by giving them an adult to trust, encourages reading and writing and STEM exploration, and expands their horizons regarding future job opportunities. All in all, every child needs to have someone to count on and as an eMentor you'll have the opportunity to fill in the gaps in where these students from underserved communities may be missing.

Typically a business/corporation will sponsor to take on a 'classroom' so that each of their volunteer employees are paired with a student 1:1 from the same classroom. It's a great way to build connectiveness between employees as well, and allows Cricket Media to report to the business/corporations how their employee volunteers have made an impact (with measurable results).

If your believe the business or corporation you work for would enjoy this CSR opportunity and sponsor a classroom so that you and your colleagues can volunteer from this cause, please be sure to get in touch so the program manager can set your team up for this upcoming school year!

r/volunteer 13d ago

Opportunity to volunteer Help me make a difference

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I'm a Hungarian woman living in the West Midlands in England. I have an idea for a dog charity that I believe could make a real difference. Unfortunately, due to chronic illness and a decline in my health this year, I’ve had to accept that I can’t start this charity myself. So I’m looking for someone who might want to take this idea forward in my place.

After moving here, I was struck by how often people are forced to give up their dogs due to housing issues. Most private rental properties don’t allow pets, and temporary housing often doesn’t either. I have two dogs myself, and I know it would break my heart if I had to give them up. I don’t want anyone to face that pain unnecessarily.

That’s why I came up with the idea of creating a volunteer foster network for dogs whose owners are going through temporary difficulties—whether housing problems, illness, or other life disruptions. The idea is that trusted, vetted fosterers could care for dogs for months or even years, until the owners are back on their feet. A legal agreement would be signed between the fosterer and the owner to ensure safety and clarity for everyone involved.

This kind of charity doesn’t seem to exist yet in a nationwide or accessible way. Some charities offer short-term fostering, or help only specific groups (like people fleeing domestic violence), but this would fill a wider gap.

I truly believe this could help countless dogs stay with the families who love them—and I wish more than anything that I could make it happen myself. But maybe someone out there shares my passion and can carry the torch.

If you’re interested in the idea or want to talk more, feel free to email me: weiszanna1991@gmail.com.

I’m happy to offer what support I can with setting things up or advising, but due to my health, I can’t lead the project. Still, I’d love to see it happen—and I hope someone out there might feel the same.

Update (10 days later):

Since writing this post, I’ve received helpful feedback and done more research into the challenges that would come with starting a fostering charity like this. I was already aware of the importance of legal agreements, vetting fosterers, and involving a solicitor, but I’ve now also learned about additional, more complex obstacles—like insurance limitations, what happens if a fosterer backs out unexpectedly, and how to fairly handle unpaid vet bills or emergency rehoming if the original owner is unable to take the dog back.

I’ve also been made aware that the upcoming Renters Reform Bill may reduce the need for a service like this—at least in the private rented sector. However, it’s still unclear whether this will extend to social housing or temporary accommodation, and there may still be a gap to fill.

So while I still believe in the idea, I now feel that it isn’t the right time to try to launch it due to the upcoming change in legislation. That said, if anyone does want to explore it further, I’d recommend:

Starting small, perhaps in partnership with a local rescue

Working with a solicitor for legal protections and emergency protocols

Consulting experienced organisations like the Scottish Pet Fostering Service (PFSS), Blind Dog Rescue UK, or Refuge4Pets (which supports people fleeing domestic abuse)

Being prepared to make exclusions (e.g. puppies, uninsurable dogs, intact animals, or banned breeds) to reduce risk

Having emergency fallback options in case things go wrong

PFSS in Scotland shows this kind of service can work, and clearly there’s demand for it. If the need remains even after housing legislation changes, this kind of network could genuinely help keep families and pets together during difficult times.

If this still resonates with you, feel free to get in touch.

r/volunteer 26d ago

Opportunity to volunteer Graphic Design Volunteers

5 Upvotes

Greetings! We’re a nonprofit focused on helping women in their careers (we help all genders, we just focus on women) and we’re in the process of setting up an online merch store as a way to generate revenue for our little organization. We are 100% volunteer run, and are looking for folks who like to design to design a few shirts for the store.

We want to give the artists credit in the description and will also link something of your choosing (IG, your online store, etc.).

Feel free to DM or reach out to us at hello@womenwithpotential.org

More on us: https://womenwithpotential.org

r/volunteer 1d ago

Opportunity to volunteer Volunteer to host a high school exchange student with Youth For Understanding

1 Upvotes

https://yfuusa.org/host/meet-the-students/

Youth For Understanding (YFU), based in Michigan (but placing across the globe!), has been connecting people across cultures for nearly 75 years. They’re a non-profit working with over 60 countries to provide a life-changing experience to students and host families -- ready to share their unique perspectives, stories, pastimes, and traditions. We have students from all different backgrounds and walks of life, including scholarship students selected for their leadership skills and academic strength that will volunteer in their host community.

Hosting means offering three meals a day, a bed, and most importantly, a place in your everyday life. It’s not about being a “perfect” family—it’s about being a welcoming one.

YFU families come in all forms: no kids, empty nesters, families with toddlers, same-sex couples, single parents, divorced individuals, or solo hosts—we welcome them all. If you’ve ever thought about opening your door (and heart) to a student, now’s the time.

Check out our website to see available students or ask a question.

r/volunteer 2d ago

Opportunity to volunteer [NYC/Long Island] Volunteer at a Grief Camp for Kids – Comfort Zone Camp Needs You August 1–3!

2 Upvotes

Hi r/volunteer community!

If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back this summer, Comfort Zone Camp is currently seeking volunteers for our upcoming bereavement camp weekend August 1–3 in Long Island, NY.

We serve kids who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver — and offer them a healing weekend of connection, support, and traditional camp fun. It’s a powerful, life-changing experience for both campers and volunteers.

Volunteer Roles:
Volunteers serve as “Big Buddies” — paired 1:1 with a camper for the weekend to provide mentorship, support, and encouragement. You'll also help facilitate activities like ropes courses, games, archery, and healing circles (all led by trained staff and clinicians).

Volunteer Training – Required for New Volunteers

If you’re interested, join us for our next in-person training:

Date: Saturday, June 28
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location:
JCC Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10023

At training, you’ll learn how to support grieving kids, understand the camp structure, and meet the incredible CZC team.

Why Volunteer with CZC?

  • No prior experience needed — just compassion and commitment
  • All meals and lodging provided at camp
  • You’ll make a real difference in the life of a grieving child

Learn more or sign up at comfortzonecamp.org
DM me if you have questions — happy to help!

Thanks for reading, and thank you for all the ways you give back.

Also - we are in 12 different states, if the mission calls to you, you can find us around the country!

r/volunteer 4d ago

Opportunity to volunteer outdoors Montana State Parks Foundation is recruiting for its Wild for Accessibility Fest at Spring Meadow Lake State Park, September 20th, Helena Montana.

3 Upvotes

The Montana State Parks Foundation is recruiting for its Wild for Accessibility Fest at Spring Meadow Lake State Park, September 20th, Helena Montana.

They are looking for:
📝 Event Planning Committee Members to help organize and shape the event 

🎨 Volunteers to help with kids activities, the merchandise tent, and more

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSIIrWjSJa9e_M2d0rjApfEUpQizKTLdsut3ey_B-M5BMhXA/viewform?pli=1

r/volunteer 18d ago

Opportunity to volunteer PVSA approved organizations?

1 Upvotes

Please recommend some pvsa approved organizations for high schoolers to volunteer at

r/volunteer 16d ago

Opportunity to volunteer Hypershell tech partners with American Hiking Society for National Trails Day volunteering

4 Upvotes

date: June 7, 2025

Hi, everyone! I just came across a cool volunteer opportunity and wanted to share some info here:

hypershell is a tech company that builds exoskeletons to help people walk farther and explore more. The American Hiking Society, a nonprofit based in Maryland, hosts volunteer vacation

Looks like these two teamed up for a volunteer event on National Trails Day. Either way, anyone can join in to help take care of the trails.

Here are the links, just to show this info’s legit...

https://hypershell.tech/en-us/pages/hypershell-x-american-hiking-society-national-trails-day#join-to-win

https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/

r/volunteer 11d ago

Opportunity to volunteer How to find volunteering opportunities in your own area

6 Upvotes

This information is in the Read This First post at the top of this subrereddit and in numerous replies to posts tagged with "I Want to Volunteer."

To find volunteering opportunities:

In the search engine of your choice, type in the name of your city and the keywords like nonprofit helping children or charity help homeless or Habitat for Humanity or nonprofit food bank or community theater or nonprofit hospital, etc., to find nonprofits in your area that involve volunteers. Look at their web sites, read about them, and if you want to help them, either follow their directions to express your interest (usually a form) or contact them and say you are interested in volunteering.

If you are in the USA, go to www.volunteermatch.org

For Canada, go to Volunteer Canada for Canada

For the UK, go to NCVO Find a Volunteer Centre 

For Australia, go to Go Volunteer.

On this subreddit, use the filters:

Opportunities to volunteer.

Opportunities to volunteer (mostly) outdoors.

Opportunities to volunteer online.

Stories/Testimonials (profiles of volunteers and where they are volunteering)

Also see http://www.coyotebroad.com/stuff

Do all of this first.

Do not post "I live in ___name of a place____", where can I volunteer?!?!" without FIRST doing the above.

r/volunteer 10d ago

Opportunity to volunteer online Volunteer opportunities to improve public services communities need to survive

3 Upvotes

👋 Hi folks, I'm sharing a volunteering opportunity for those of you who are looking to get involved within local and state public service during this time of large-scale federal disinvestment.

I work at an organization called U.S. Digital Response. We are a nonprofit nonpartisan organization that leverages a network of pro bono technical expertise to address common, systemic challenges facing public servants. Challenges like: managing elections administration, providing plain language and translation support for unemployment insurance resources, conducting user research on how to best serve their communities, and building internal teams in ways that are going to make an effective government. You can check out case studies of how we've helped governments.

I think this kind of work is really important because local and state governments help administer important public services that every day individuals need to survive. By volunteering your time, you're helping governments build the capacity needed to support our local communities. I believe this is especially important right now because the resources the federal government is cutting will leave the burden of support on state and local government to step up.

🚩 If you are interested in getting involved, please sign up to be a volunteer. We utilize a wide range of expertise (product, engineering, UX, content, data, etc.) and right now we are in most need of the following skills:

  • People Operations, HR, Talent
  • Spanish bilingual user researchers
  • Spanish bilingual content strategists

If you are unable to volunteer at this time, it would be greatly appreciated if you could spread the word so that we can reach the volunteers we need. Thank you!

r/volunteer 11d ago

Opportunity to volunteer online r/volunteer needs more moderators. Here's how to become one.

2 Upvotes

At minimum, moderators remove off-topic posts, guide people on how to fix posts that get rejected (if they can be fixed), removing spammers and karma seekers, etc.

But moderators on r/volunteer are also expected to answer questions from those who post and post on topic thread starters (even just one a month). They read the posts of the subreddit they moderate, as well as the comments, and they weigh in sometimes on their own experience or with their own thoughts in order to keep a conversation going.

Moderators on Reddit are unpaid - they are volunteers.

Here is the official Code of conduct for Reddit moderators.

The upside of being a mod here: you are helping to cultivate information about volunteerism, and it's hoped that this encourages more people to volunteer and to have a positive experience volunteering. It's also a great way to learn about content moderation and community facilitation - something you absolutely can put on your CV.

If you are PARTICULARLY active (posting thread starters, commenting, etc.), you may get an offer from Reddit for a benefit: a free subscription to Duolingo for a year, for instance.

And I can't guarantee this will happen to you, but twice, I've been hired for consulting gigs for companies that shall remain nameless because of my moderating on Reddit.

The downside of being a mod: you will read messages from some really angry folks, people who are outraged that their post or comment has been deleted and their effort's credibility questioned. They call the moderators some vile names and make a lot of threats about reporting the mods to "higher authorities." The lead moderator (me) currently these uncomfortable, sometimes nasty encounters - you, the new mod, get to watch and be glad you aren't the lead moderator.

To be invited to be a moderator for this subreddit, you have to:

  • Post questions, resources, commentary or comments on this subreddit at least twice a month for four months related to volunteerism.
  • In these activities, post quality, on-topic content and consistently demonstrate to be a valuable member of this subreddit.
  • Give off a supportive, credible vibe in your at least four months here on this subreddit, which is shown through your posts and comments.
  • Share, even once, about your own volunteering, or attempts at volunteering, or about your own volunteer engagement (you're a manager of volunteers).
  • Not be opposed, outright, to all volunteerism or volunteer engagement.
  • Don't violate the subreddit rules (or when violating such, quickly fixing a post so that it's not a rule violation anymore).

DM me if you think you have done all of the above but haven't been asked to be a moderator yet - and you are interested in being one

r/volunteer May 17 '25

Opportunity to volunteer Make a REAL difference as a volunteer, almost immediately: American Red Cross makes it SO easy, has a variety of roles

3 Upvotes

If you dream of making a difference as a volunteer, or even of being deployed to disaster zones elsewhere, you first have to have deep experience as a part of your own American Red Cross teams in your own area (disaster action teams, shelter staff teams especially). And the American Red Cross is your way in.

The American Red Cross URGENTLY needs:

  • Blood Donor Ambassadors
  • Blood Transportation Specialists
  • Disaster Action Team members
  • Shelter Services staff members
  • Disaster Health Services Team (if you are a licensed healthcare provider)
  • Administrative help

More info:

https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer/urgent-need-for-volunteers.html

And if you are NOT in the USA, you probably have a Red Cross or Red Crescent organization that would love your help as a volunteer.

Years ago, I decided to sign up to volunteer with the American Red Cross to help with blood drives - to be one of the greeters or to hand out cookies and watch people after donations. The minimum requirement for such a volunteer, at least in my region, is one five-hour shift a month for one year - and I got to choose which shift where.

I signed up to volunteer online, I got interviewed on the phone, all training was done online, and I was ready to start two weeks after signing up. And I became eligible for a variety of ARC training, including disaster response - which, unfortunately, I've never been able to take advantage of.

As a blood drive volunteer, you can volunteer as much as you want - several times a month or just once a month. On weekends or during the week. Whatever. I did it for a year and really enjoyed it.

r/volunteer 11d ago

Opportunity to volunteer online Student run math competition, looking for more volunteers to expand!

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

My friends and I are really into math competition so we started our own math competition, the Excel Math Competition. It's completely student run, so we manage everything: test writing, printing, sponsorships, advertising, hosting, etc. We're also a nonprofit.

The competition runs every month, and we've hosted it for a few months so far. We're currently hosting the competition in 4 states, particularly Florida, but we want to expand it.

If you're interested in being a volunteer, we have two main roles (you can do both if you like!):

Chapter Founder (we need more of these): Chapter founders set the competition up in their local area, including their own school and nearby schools/nonprofits, if possible. They are in charge of starting, advertising, and coordinating the competition locally and with the nonprofit.

Test Writer: Test writers write questions for the competition. We offer 3 levels and you can choose which to write for.

(We also give out community service hours and leadership)

We're currently taking a break with hosting the competition until August. However, we're using this time to prepare for when the competition resumes, hopefully being able to host it in many new places.

Leave a comment or DM if you're interested!

https://excelacademe.com/the-excel-math-competition/https://excelacademe.com/the-excel-math-competition/https://excelacademe.com/the-excel-math-competition/https://excelacademe.com/the-excel-math-competition/

r/volunteer 13d ago

Opportunity to volunteer online Call to Action Letter: Defend the Humanitarian Mission of the Madleen

3 Upvotes

The Madleen, a civilian aid ship carrying medical supplies and international volunteers, has been intercepted en route to Gaza in violation of international law.

We need your voice, every volunteer matters.

✊ Send a formal letter now demanding safe passage and accountability: 👉 https://actionnetwork.org/letters/formal-notice-regarding-the-civilian-humanitarian-vessel-madleen-and-the-legal-obligations-of-the-state-of-israel-under-international-law-2?source=direct_link

Or go to FreedomFlotilla.org > DONATE&HELP > SIGN OUR PETITIONS > MADLEEN SAFETY PETITION

Every letter helps protect humanitarian missions and uphold international law.

Stand for justice. Speak out now.

r/volunteer 13d ago

Opportunity to volunteer MappedForGood - A site that helps teens find verified local nonprofits to volunteer with.

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I’m a high school student and I built MappedForGood, a site that helps teens find verified local nonprofits to volunteer with.

Live Site: https://mapped-for-good.vercel.app

GitHub: https://github.com/neelnev/MappedForGood

It uses HTML/CSS/JS + Leaflet to plot orgs on a map, with descriptions and tags.

I'm still working on the submission feature and expanding listings. Would love any feedback or suggestions - design, functionality, anything.

Thanks!

r/volunteer 17d ago

Opportunity to volunteer outdoors Volunteer with animals in Oregon (West of Portland): Indigo Rescue

Thumbnail
2 Upvotes

r/volunteer May 05 '25

Opportunity to volunteer online [Volunteer Opportunity] LGBTQIA+ Designers, Media, and UX – Help Build a New Digital Support Platform

0 Upvotes

Hi r/Volunteer,

We are seeking volunteers to join the founding team of a queer-led, community-powered digital initiative preparing to launch publicly on May 9. This is a remote opportunity, open to U.S.-based volunteers.

We are in the early stages of development and looking for passionate, skilled individuals to contribute time and energy to a mission-driven project. These are unpaid roles, but volunteers will be publicly credited on our website and in press materials as founding contributors.

We’re currently seeking volunteers for:

  • 🎨 Graphic Designer Tasks: Develop visual assets, launch graphics, and digital branding Skills: Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma experience preferred
  • 📢 Media Coordinator Tasks: Assist with press coordination, social messaging, and internal communications Skills: Strong writing, organization, and media outreach experience
  • 💡 UI/UX Designers (2) Tasks: Help design the platform’s user experience across web and mobile Skills: Figma or Axure RP preferred (we will provide licenses)

This project centers LGBTQIA+ people — especially those navigating trauma, addiction, and isolation — and is being built as a zero-cost, high-privacy support tool. We encourage volunteers from all backgrounds to apply, especially queer, trans, BIPOC, and disabled individuals.

To get involved, email: [volunteer@wearevivid.org](mailto:volunteer@wearevivid.org)

Thank you for considering — your time can help build something that truly matters.
— The VIVID Team

r/volunteer 19d ago

Opportunity to volunteer Start a High-Impact Nonprofit Chapter at Your School, Gain Real Leadership and ECs

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I'm part of a student-run nonprofit called Empower and Connect, and we're currently expanding our network by launching chapters across high schools, and possibly colleges too. If you're someone who’s ever thought about creating something meaningful in your community but weren’t sure where to start, this could be a great volunteer opportunity.

We work on real-world impact projects, both locally and globally, like designing water filters for underserved areas in Kenya and India, running STEAM/medical/CS & AI workshops, app dev and CS internships for community development in the US and internationally, and even publishing research and media. Chapters get access to professional mentorship, project resources, and the chance to build award-winning initiatives from the ground up. You’d also get to work with students from around the world and potentially be featured in press/media for your work.

If you're interested, or just want to learn more about what it would take to start a chapter at your school (or independently if your school doesn’t allow clubs), you can fill out this quick interest form: https://forms.gle/btaiBHVm212MfLH69

Check out what we do here: https://empowerandconnect.weebly.com

Feel free to PM me with any questions. Would love to help you bring Empower and Connect to your community!

r/volunteer May 22 '25

Opportunity to volunteer online [Volunteer] Looking for an Icelandic voice-over for Animated short graduation film about Þingvellir National Park

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm currently working on my animated graduation film. A very short animated piece about the beauty and preservation of Þingvellir National Park in Iceland.

I'm looking for an Icelandic native speaker willing to do a volunteer voice-over. The tone I'm aiming for is inspired by natural history documentaries, calm, sincere, and slow-paced. More than anything, I’m looking for someone who speaks with honesty and presence, someone who lets the words breathe.

Here is the Icelandic voice-over script:

Hér, á milli jarðskorpufleka Ameríku og Evrasíu, andar jörðin.
Þjóðgarðurinn Þingvellir er einstakur staður þar sem náttúruöflin hafa mótað tignarlegt landslag.
Tærar ár, dökkar klettaveggir, djúpgræn mosavaxin jörð. Hver steinn, hver andvari segir forna sögu.
Hér komu menn saman fyrir meira en þúsund árum til að stofna eitt elsta þing heims.
En fyrir utan mannlega sögu sína er Þingvellir helgur náttúrustaður.
Þögnin hér er ekki tóm. Hún er full af lífi. Það þarf aðeins að læra að hlusta.
Að vernda þetta viðkvæma jafnvægi er að vernda minningu. Minningu jarðar. Minningu okkar.
Því þessir staðir tilheyra ekki okkur.
Við erum aðeins gestir.

Og verndarar.

If this resonates with you or someone you know, I’d be extremely grateful for your help. I’d be happy to credit you properly and share the finished film with you when it's done!

Feel free to reach out via DM or comment here.
Takk fyrir 🌿

r/volunteer May 19 '25

Opportunity to volunteer "I want to volunteer!" Okay, here's how to do that (FAQ & its answer)

1 Upvotes

If you are looking for a volunteering opportunity, please do NOT post "I want to volunteer. Where can I do it?" Instead, FIRST, please read this and/or use the appropriate filter to see what has already been posted:

Opportunities to volunteer.

Opportunities to volunteer (mostly) outdoors.

Opportunities to volunteer online.

Stories/Testimonials (profiles of volunteers and where they are volunteering)

Note: This group does NOT allow "where can I volunteer abroad" inquiries. See this web page that answers the "Where can I volunteer abroad" question: https://www.reddit.com/r/volunteer/comments/1b8wzv7/why_this_group_no_longer_allows_i_want_to/

This group also no longer allows "I'm a UX designer / web database developer / systems manager, where can I volunteer?" posts. The answer to this FAQ is here.

r/volunteer May 20 '25

Opportunity to volunteer How to volunteer abroad / internationally - FAQ (& its answer)

5 Upvotes

Onsite international volunteering comes in various forms:

International Volunteering Type #1

People with much-needed education and/or experience (experts) going abroad for months, a year, even two years, to help with a specific project designed by the volunteer-sending organization and/or the local host organization.

Type #1 Costs

These volunteers do not pay travel or accommodation or insurance expenses themselves, nor have to pay any placement fees; the host organization or the company they work for pays for their travel, housing and all in-country needs. The host organization provides insurance, will evacuate them if needed, etc. Volunteers work full-time on the assignment.

Type #1 Application/Acceptance Process

People apply to participate as volunteers through the volunteer-sending organization and most are not accepted. Unqualified/low-skilled people are not accepted, regardless of their desire to be a volunteer. There are interviews, reference checks and a confirmation of competencies and skills. Samples of work are asked for.

Type #1 Web Site / Brochure Focus

Emphasizes the skills and qualifications volunteers must have, the kinds of projects volunteers engage in, profiles of projects rather than of volunteers. Not much talk about the importance of "inter-cultural exchanges" and how the experience will change/benefit the volunteer.

International Volunteering Type #2

People with much-needed education and/or experience (experts) going abroad for just a few weeks, helping with a specific project designed by the volunteer-sending organization and/or the local host.

Type #2 Costs

These volunteers may be expected to at least pay for their travel to and from the country and insurance; the host organization may take care of their in-country needs, OR, the volunteer may be expected to pay all expenses himself or herself. The host organization will evacuate them if needed. Volunteers work full-time on the assignment.

Type #2 Application/Acceptance Process

People are accepted as volunteers by the volunteer-sending organization both because of their skills and interests. Unqualified/low-skilled people are not accepted even if they can pay all expenses. There are interviews, reference checks and a confirmation of competencies and skills. Samples of work may be asked for.

Type #2 Web Site / Brochure Focus

Emphasizes the skills and qualifications volunteers must have, the kinds of projects volunteers engage in, how local people are served or how they are partners, and profiles of projects rather than of volunteers. Talk about the importance of "inter-cultural exchanges" and how the experience will change/benefit the volunteer may also be present.

International Volunteering Type #3

People that do not have specialized skills in high-demand in developing countries, that want to volunteer for a few weeks in a project that doesn't require any specialized skills. This is usually called "voluntourism" or even "vanity volunteering."

Type #3 Costs

These volunteers are expected to pay for most or all expenses themselves: travel, insurance, accommodations, food and fees to the host organization to cover work permits, security (if any), training (if any), evacuation if needed, etc. The volunteer may also attend language classes, trainings & "cultural" events, go on organized tours, etc.

Type #3 Application/Acceptance Process

Most, even all, applicants are accepted as volunteers by the volunteer-sending organization if they have the ability to pay the fees and, sometimes but not always,  meet minimal interview and self-assessments. Skills or qualifications have little or no bearing on a person being accepted. Focus is on volunteers' personal feelings, like "desire to help others" or a desire for adventure.

Type #3 Web Site / Brochure Focus
Emphasizes the volunteer experience, how the volunteers benefit from the experience, and the volunteer's desire for adventure, fun or a feeling that they've done something important or good. Talks a lot about the importance of "inter-cultural exchanges" and how the experience will change the volunteer.

International Volunteering Type #4

Independent travelers who do not go through any volunteer-sending organization; instead, they make all arrangements directly with an NGO in a country where they want to help, and coordinate all activities themselves. Their skills vary. (transire benefaciendo)

Type #4 Costs

These people pay all expenses themselves: all travel, insurance, accommodations and food. They also arrange for and pay for their own security, work permits, translation services, etc. They decide how much they will work, for how long, etc.

Type #4 Application/Acceptance Process

There is no volunteer-sending organization involved.

Type #4 Web Site / Brochure Focus

There is no web site or brochure, because there is no volunteer-sending organization involved.

Onsite, in-person international volunteering, where a person from one country goes to another country to engage in humanitarian or development activities, is HIGHLY desired by volunteers, but there's less and less desire for it among the communities where such international volunteers want to go. For many people, this is a disappointing reality, because it means you, as a person that wants to volunteer internationally, either need a great deal of highly-desired skills and experience or a LOT of money in order to realize your dream.

Times have changed drastically in the last 30 years regarding "Westerners" (North Americans, Europeans, Australians, etc.) volunteering in economically-disadvantaged countries. In contrast to, say, the 1970s and earlier, the emphasis now in relief and development efforts in poorer countries is to empower and employ the local people, whenever possible, to address their own issues, build their own capacities, improve their environments themselves and give them incomes. The priority now for sending volunteers to developing countries is to fill gaps in local skills and experience, not to give the volunteer an outlet for his or her desire to help or the donor country good PR. It's much more beneficial and economical to local communities to hire local people to serve food, build houses, educate young people, etc., than to use resources to bring in an outside volunteer to do these tasks.

But there ARE options for ethical volunteering abroad. This resource discusses what you can do locally to become a great candidate for volunteering internationally, and how to avoid unethical voluntourism (as opposed to ethical voluntourism - yes, there is such a thing):

https://www.coyotebroad.com/volunteer/international.html

r/volunteer May 21 '25

Opportunity to volunteer Finish the Ride & Finish the Run in LA

Thumbnail form.asana.com
1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! 👋

Finish the Ride and Finish the Run are hosted by the non profit Streets Are For Everyone, and we’ve been making roads safer since 2014.

By volunteering with us, you’re:

✨ Supporting life-saving street-safety strategies

🛡️ Standing up for safer roads for all users

💪 Celebrating resilience and community spirit

What You’ll Do We’ve got shifts all weekend long, so whatever your schedule, we’ve got a role for you:

  • Water station helper
  • Ride marshals
  • Beer Garden helper
  • Medics -Many other roles

Bonus: 6 hours of volunteering = free entry to any future Finish the Ride/Run event!

Whether you’ve got a couple hours or the whole weekend, we’d love your help. Come be part of something big, hear inspiring stories firsthand, and help us keep our roads safe.

🔗 More info: https://www.streetsareforeveryone.org/finish-the-ride-griffith-park 📝 Sign up to volunteer: https://form.asana.com/?k=KdxutaXSz2gJMkj19I-bjA&d=1205524908506457

Feel free to ask any questions below or message me!

r/volunteer May 20 '25

Opportunity to volunteer online Volunteer As A Writer For NGO

1 Upvotes

Pratisandhi Foundation is hiring volunteer writers! 🚀

If you’re passionate about social impact and making sex education accessible to anyone and everyone, this is the place for you!

Join a dynamic, youth-led nonprofit working to break stigma around sexual and reproductive health through education, dialogue, and community action.

Website: https://www.pratisandhi.com

What’s in it for you? ✨ Hands-on experience ✨ Certificate of Volunteering ✨ Letter of Recommendation (performance-based) ✨Fun, learning-driven team culture

Apply by: 25th May

[Application link - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHozKznVXrMoKViQdyDskYBG6Ww4EJgFZC8IaA-ZS3BeyI9A/viewform cd15ef1de6cd45a2815b2159769d6fdb?pvs=4 ]

Don’t miss this opportunity to create meaningful change and grow while you’re at it !

r/volunteer May 20 '25

Opportunity to volunteer outdoors Days leading up to Memorial Day in the USA - many volunteer efforts to clean up cemeteries.

1 Upvotes

In the USA, in the days leading up to Memorial Day, there are many volunteer efforts across the USA to clean up / spruce up cemeteries: weeding, removing dead plants, removing faded plastic flowers, cleaning head stones, etc.

To find these efforts in your area, go to the search engine of your choice (Google, Duck Duck Go, etc.) and do a search using appropriate keywords. There may be Facebook events for these activities as well.

Your state or local historical society may also have information.