Today, VolunteerMatch celebrates the incredible dedication and passion of our community of 130,000 nonprofit partners, as we extend our heartfelt gratitude to MacKenzie Scott for her transformational gift to our organization, and for the recognition of the work we do together as a unified network of nonprofits, centered on creating more connected, compassionate and equitable communities.

So much has happened in 2020 and now into 2021 where we have faced new challenges, less connection, and larger division, which is impacting how we feel. With May being Mental Health Awareness month, it gives us the time to shift our focus to our own wellness and those around us whether at home, at work, or in our communities. Here are 18 ways to inspire you to do just that.

Every single one of us has the power of creativity, and when we tap into this power, we are able to creatively respond to even the most difficult of challenges. Artists and creators lift us up and show us what’s possible during times of celebration and times of tragedy. They inspire us to think in new ways and encourage us to be willing to pivot from what we’ve always known to explore new ways of doing and being when the world turns upside down. 

Highlighting Art as Activism to Celebrate  National Volunteer Week April 18 – 24, 2021

Oakland, CA – April 6, 2021 – VolunteerMatch announces a week of daily events to honor volunteers in celebration of National Volunteer Week April 18-24. The week will showcase artists in multiple disciplines to highlight and encourage art as activism. Emerging from the past year of a global pandemic, VolunteerMatch is activating a call for volunteers of all kinds to return to service in their communities wherever and whenever possible. The dramatic reduction in volunteers (80%) during the COVID-19 crisis spotlights today a critical focus on energizing our heroes to engage again with local organizations across the country.

OAKLAND, Calif., March 16, 2021 — In celebration of Women’s History Month, VolunteerMatch announced today a virtual panel packed with powerhouse speakers: Phenomenal Women! Bringing More Wellness, Joy and Ease into Our Busy Lives.

Note: This VolunteerMatch Young Ambassador Series post is written by Abelard Lormond. The Ambassador series blogs offer practical insights into causes and volunteer opportunities championed by VolunteerMatch or members of our partner network, to provide personal insight and shine a light on the unique work of our nonprofit partners.

In January, we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on the third Monday of the month, as we do every year to show our love, respect, and honor for Dr. King and his legacy. One effective way that some decide to go about displaying their appreciation is through the works of different volunteer organizations that follow the teachings of MLK himself. 

“Bus-Hood” by Try Cheatham

Note: This VolunteerMatch Young Ambassador Series post is written by Abelard Lormond. The Ambassador series blogs offer practical insights into causes and volunteer opportunities championed by VolunteerMatch or members of our partner network, to provide personal insight and shine a light on the unique work of our nonprofit partners.

Every month, VolunteerMatch features the work of artists who are passionate about social justice causes. All the earnings that are made from promoting the artist’s work in VolunteerMatch’s Match Studio Collaborative shop are given to a charity of the artist’s choice. 

Note: This VolunteerMatch Young Ambassador Series post is written by Abelard Lormond. The Ambassador series blogs offer practical insights into causes and volunteer opportunities championed by VolunteerMatch or members of our partner network, to provide personal insight and shine a light on the unique work of our nonprofit partners.

As we ease into 2021, we still struggle with an ongoing pandemic, and COVID limits many activities that involve physically being with one another. The virus has also shut down many places such as schools and people’s workplaces. Fortunately, through several forms of volunteer work, many people who are struggling have the chance to keep on going or bounce back from the negative effects that the pandemic has brought about to their everyday lives as well as their communities. Here are 3 ways to help:

Inviting America's 1.5 Million Nonprofits to Join the Movement in Our Nation's Recovery from COVID-19

OAKLAND, Calif., February 17, 2021 – VolunteerMatch, the largest nonprofit network on the web connecting volunteers with opportunities to give back, today announced a gift of free membership for a year to nonprofits with operating budgets of less than $1 million.

Written by: Abelard Lormond

VolunteerMatch and the Newwave Foundation are hosting the first of webinar series, "Money Talk$" focused on developing financial wellness and bridging the information gap for communities of color left behind by current educational practices. This need is particularly urgent within the Black community where, according to a 2020 study on the Personal Finance Index (P-Fin Index), only 38% of African Americans were able to correctly answer a financial literacy questionnaire, compared to 55% of white respondents.