Volunteering might evoke images of soup kitchens, beach cleanups and fundraising galas. But the truth is, there are a whole lot more ways to volunteer! So many, in fact, that it can feel overwhelming when you're just getting started. VolunteerMatch alone is home to 100s of 1000s of different ways to get involved!

Updated Sept. 03, 2019 for relevancy.

These past years’ hurricane seasons have been extraordinarily active and destructive across parts of the U.S. If you’ve followed coverage of Hurricane Florence and of Hurricane Michael, you’re well aware of the dangers they’ve brought, including life-threatening storm surges, catastrophic flooding and historic rainfall. We are now following coverage of Hurricane Dorian, which has reportedly caused devastating damage in the Bahamas, Florida and the Carolinas’ coasts.

Guest post by Miles Maftean.

You’re passionate about a cause. It’s what inspired you to start volunteering.You wanted to be involved, join a community and make an impact.

But did you know volunteering gives you an edge in the job market too?

Guest post by Meridian Swift. This post originally appeared on volunteerplaintalk. 

Everywhere you look, you see volunteer recruitment ads that begin with “Energetic Volunteer Wanted.” Or “Caring volunteer.” Or even “Friendly volunteer.” Maybe “Enthusiastic,” “Flexible,” or “Compassionate” appears. But does “Detail-Oriented” really float your boat? Does “Organized volunteer” send you running in to help sort an organization out of their accounting mess?

The point is, how can a volunteer be enthusiastic about a role they haven’t yet undertaken? And what does flexible indicate? That a volunteer will be called at 3 am? Or that they have to drive 50 miles just to participate?

Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year we come together and celebrate love. But there’s a lot more to love than what’s typically associated with the holiday – bouquets of red roses, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, cards from secret admirers and so on.

Love is about understanding, compassion and joy. It’s about kindness and generosity. And about giving in to something greater than yourself. In many ways, volunteers embody all of these qualities. That’s why we’re highlighting 7 ways to volunteer and put that love into action.

Guest post by Warren Fowler. 

Volunteering is often thought of as a selfless act — one where you give up your time for a worthy cause without being paid. While this may be true, what is often less obvious are the many benefits people experience when they volunteer.

You worked really hard to craft the perfect volunteer appeal, but what’s next? When’s the best day or time to publish your opportunity on VolunteerMatch to ensure it gains the most traction? After all, you want to make sure you’re casting your line while volunteers are searching!

Guest post by Shaunak Wanikar.

Volunteers are the heart of your organization. Are you spending as much time communicating with them as you should be?

Unfortunately, many organizations fail to communicate effectively with their volunteers for a variety of reasons. For example, they may not provide enough time and space for one-on-one interactions or they don’t have any proper mechanisms in place to receive feedback. Poor communication leaves your organization at risk for increased misunderstandings, unhappy volunteers, and volunteer attrition. It might even deter some volunteers from getting involved at all!

Guest post by Jade Anderson.

As the popularity of social media continues to rise with no sign of slowing down, the ways it can be used have increased dramatically. It is no longer simply a means to stay connected with friends and families. Now, social media is a news resource, a way of promoting products and services, a fundraising platform, and even a recruitment tool. If you run a nonprofit, you can use social media to attract and engage volunteers. In fact, every follower is a potential volunteer. Follow these tips to recruit individuals who are as passionate about your cause as you are.

Guest Blogger: Kayla Mathews

Many people, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, often don’t have access to professional development resources, the ones that spur careers and help you achieve personal goals. In fact, 36 million Americans lack even basic work skills, making it challenging to find meaningful employment.