Among the many reasons members may join your association, “access to volunteer opportunities” may not be the most common. However, your organization is in a great position to offer various volunteer positions to members, whether they’re helping you run events, engaging other members, or serving a charitable cause related to your industry.

From improved brand reputation to employee engagement to making a real difference in the community, the advantages of a strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) program are undeniable. Plus, CSR is flexible, so you can facilitate impact however it suits your business best. For instance, you could start by establishing an employee volunteer program, and once you’ve built up a budget, directly provide donations to nonprofits as gifts to employees.

In recent years, job seekers have increasingly pursued and prioritized employment opportunities with socially responsible companies. In fact, studies show that 75% of millennials (who also comprise the largest portion of the American workforce) would take a pay cut to work for a socially responsible organization.

It’s been a big week here at VolunteerMatch! On Tuesday we announced that VolunteerMatch will be merging with Idealist. As many of you know I’ve been with the organization for a pretty long time – I started in May of 2007 – and I’ve seen the organization change and evolve quite a bit. I’ve seen our platform modernize, I’ve watched colleagues and organization leaders come and go, and no matter what changed I believed wholeheartedly in the mission of VolunteerMatch and the work I was doing.

Volunteering is a powerful way to give back to your community, gain new skills, and connect with like-minded individuals. Whether you’re looking to make a difference in someone’s life or simply want to explore new interests, there are countless options available. Here are 20 ways to find the volunteer opportunity that resonates with you.

Guest Contributor: Indiana Lee

When disaster strikes, communities often find themselves vulnerable and in need of support. This is where the compassionate efforts of volunteers come into play. Volunteering in disaster-affected areas can provide much-needed relief and support, offering hope and assistance to those facing unprecedented challenges.

This is the time of year when volunteer coordinators are hoping for a miracle. End-of-year budgets are tight, staff may be burnt out –all while community needs mount during the holidays.  

Volunteerism provides nonprofits with a readily available and enthusiastic workforce to help execute projects, expand reach, and address community needs. With the help of volunteers, organizations can reallocate operational costs to other initiatives, provide extra hands for various projects, and tap into a variety of skills and expertise that can be used to further the organization’s mission. Not to mention, most volunteers (76%, according to Double the Donation’s fundraising statistics) also contribute to nonprofits as donors. 

Your school is fully committed to nurturing student learning and growth, but teachers and staff can’t do it all alone.

Imagine a volunteer community where every person feels valued and empowered to make a difference. Creating a vibrant and engaged community is easier than you might think! It starts with simple, fun activities that show your volunteers they matter to your nonprofit.