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Volunteer seeking work (for free!) |
Having recently moved to a new city for the third time in the last 5 years (though I think I’m sticking around here for a while), I’m faced again with finding the perfect volunteer opportunity. I work from home, so volunteering regularly is the perfect way for me to get out of the house, meet new people and of course, do something good for my community. I’ve been lucky enough in my past two cities to find the perfect volunteer commitments but here, it’s been a bit more difficult.
My search began on VolunteerMatch. All organizations that need volunteers use VolunteerMatch, right? Hmm, not so much. Maybe there are other sites or communities where non-profits post their volunteer opportunities or maybe non-profits in my area just don’t need volunteers, because the postings here for my criteria were few and far between.
When that route proved unfruitful, I tried the old-fashioned way and started asking people. I found a few great spots around town that need volunteers and visited their websites. Again, confusion… by the looks of their volunteer sections (if there was one), I’m not exactly sure what their needs are and if I’d fit in, but once I’ve finished my applications, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
So, what are your thoughts on providing ways for volunteers to find you? Are there sites or communities other than VolunteerMatch that you’re using and if not, is there a need for a new avenue for providing this information? And also, once I do find you, what kind of information do you provide for me that will indicate that I can find a great opportunity with you? Are there barriers to that information such as a rigorous application process? Perhaps a follow-up is to come on great volunteer sections so stay tuned…
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URL: http://www.firstlightindia.org
First Light is a Non-profit organization in India. We are giving service to the Santhal Tribal community. We are running a school in a remote village with 70 tribal children. We need volunteer's help to teach basic English to the tribal children. http://www.firstlightindia.org
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You can't forget http://www.idealist.org. Like VolunteerMatch, it lets you find volunteer opportunities (though fewer), but it also lets you find like-minded people. The social component I believe gives it extra attraction for the volunteers.
URL: http://www.power-of-giving.com/charity-giving.html
Lacey, Thank you for posting this question. I am in need of some volunteers myself. And, although I am sure your services have been inundated with requests from this post, I was made aware of some wonderful resources that I can utilize in my quest. Thanks again.
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thanks to all for your comments. Roger, your blog is a great resource for some other volunteer communities, my favorite being idealist. And Sally, PledgeBank is a great concept for beginning those relationships with potential volunteers. It looks like it would allow the org to collect email addresses from those that sign the pledge so they could easily get back in touch with them later - thanks for sharing!
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It's not exactly a volunteer match type site per se, but I've always been a fan of PledgeBank, which nonprofits could certainly make use of to build a corps of volunteers around a specific event.
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Well our agency Building Bridges Child Development Center is listed on Volunteer Match, but I came across your statement searching on yahoo keywords "matching funds". Our agency is in need of a grant-writer, proofreader, fundraiser, and perhaps other tasks. So feel free to contact me if you feel you can be of some assistance. Thanks for your comment.
URL: http://volunteer-opportunities.blogpot.com
I am glad you have not given up your search for a way you can volunteer. I have started capturing many ways to find your ideal volunteer opportunity at a blog called How to Find Volunteer Opportunities. Good luck and please don't give up!
URL: http://www.letshelpbrazil.org
I am promoting a new undertaking, Let’s Help Brazil! http://www.letshelpbrazil.org. Our mission is the relief of poverty and advancement of education for Brazil's homeless children. Chris Haney Let’s Help Brazil!