Volunteer
How to Find Volunteer Opportunities Near You
The right volunteer role fits your schedule, uses something you're good at, and leaves you wanting to come back. Here's how to find it.
Start with three questions
- How much time do you really have? An hour a week? One Saturday a month? A week in the summer?
- What do you want to do? Work with people, work with your hands, work behind the scenes, or use a professional skill?
- Who do you want to help? Kids, seniors, veterans, animals, neighbors in crisis, your congregation, the environment?
Write down your answers. They're the filter for everything that follows.
Where to look
- Online matching sites. VolunteerMatch and Idealist list thousands of local and virtual roles you can filter by cause, distance and schedule.
- Local volunteer centers. Many communities have one, often run by the United Way or a Points of Light affiliate.
- AmeriCorps. Includes full- and part-time service programs, plus AmeriCorps Seniors for people 55 and older.
- Places you already go. Your church or place of worship, your children's school, the library, the hospital, the senior center.
- Veterans. VA Voluntary Service places volunteers in VA medical centers and national cemeteries.
- Just ask. Call the food pantry or shelter you admire and ask what they need. Small groups often don't post openings online.
Kinds of volunteering
| Type | Good fit if... | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | You want a steady routine and relationships | Weekly tutoring, a monthly food bank shift, hospital greeter |
| Episodic | Your schedule is unpredictable | Park cleanups, build days, race-day water stations |
| Skills-based | You have professional know-how | Bookkeeping, website help, legal clinics, marketing |
| Virtual | You can't easily travel | Online mentoring, transcription, crisis text support (with training) |
| Board service | You want to shape an organization | Serving on a nonprofit board or committee |
What to ask before you sign up
- What exactly will I be doing, and who will I report to?
- What's the minimum time commitment?
- Is there training? A background check? Any cost to me?
- Is there insurance coverage for volunteers?
- Who do I call if I can't make a shift?
Make it last
- Start smaller than you think. It's better to add hours later than to burn out.
- Bring a friend or your family. Commitments shared are commitments kept.
- Track your hours. Students, scouts and employer programs often need records. Use the Volunteer Hours Log.
- Give feedback. If a role isn't working, say so. Good coordinators would rather adjust than lose you.
Start a volunteer log
Track hours, miles and organizations, then export it any time.
Questions people ask
Where can I find volunteer opportunities near me?
Try VolunteerMatch and Idealist, your local United Way or volunteer center, AmeriCorps (including AmeriCorps Seniors for people 55 and older), your place of worship, schools, hospitals, libraries and animal shelters.
How many hours do I need to volunteer?
As many as you can keep up. Many organizations would rather have two reliable hours a month than an ambitious schedule that fades. Ask what minimum commitment a role requires.
Do I need a background check to volunteer?
Often, especially for roles with children, older adults or people with disabilities. Organizations that serve vulnerable people should screen volunteers. That's a good sign, not a hassle.