How to Start Volunteering and Make a Difference

Many people want to do good in the world. They want to connect and give back to their communities. But volunteering, much like Sunday meal prep or morning meditations, often ends up at the bottom of the to-do list – a nice idea we’ll get to when we have more time.

“For many people, volunteering is something they feel positively about, but don’t always prioritize or think they have time for,” says Matt Bertram, vice-president of volunteer services for the American Red Cross.

Common misconceptions about volunteering, he says, are that you don’t have the right skills to contribute, or that you have to make a huge time commitment.

“In reality, there are many flexible volunteer roles to fit all interests and skill sets,” he says.

There are mental and physical benefits to volunteering. According to a 2023 paper, these include reduced mortality and increased functioning, as well as less tangible benefits like increased quality of life, pride, empowerment, motivation, social support and sense of community.

So how do you start volunteering? We asked experts.

How do you figure out where to volunteer?

First, think about the causes or issues you care about. And think broadly.

“The sense of what counts as volunteering has shifted,” says Boram Kim, vice-president for volunteer and institutional engagement at Habitat for Humanity International. Volunteering is no longer limited to traditional, formal roles through large, international organizations. “Increasingly, people mobilize around smaller, immediate issues close to home and within their own communities,” he explains.

After Covid arrived, the number of mutual aid organizations in the US ballooned from 50 to 800, according to the National Education Association. These groups are diverse: some run food pantries, while others help with disaster relief or exchange services and resources. Find a group in your area through directories like Mutual Aid Hub in the US, or Mutual Aid in the UK.

Whether you’re interested in volunteering with a large organization or a small local group, consider your motivation and what you hope to gain from the experience.

“For some, it’s a chance to build skills or strengthen their community, while for others it’s about social connection,” says Kim. “The most essential thing to consider is [the organization’s] alignment with the issues that matter more to [the volunteer].”

More from How to start:

How to start meditating

How to start weightlifting

How to start budgeting

How to start running

As you look at groups and organizations that appeal to you, be realistic about how much time and energy you can offer.

“Keep in mind that every organization has unique needs,” says Julie Sonenberg, senior manager of volunteer engagement at the ASPCA Adoption Center. “Try to find alignment with what you’re able to contribute and what the organization’s needs are.”

When you find a group or organization you like, check their website for volunteer signup information or, if this doesn’t exist, send them an email expressing your interest and availability.

“Once people have a good idea of where and how they want to volunteer, they shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to organizations they are passionate about,” says Kyle Gardner, senior vice-president of development at Charity Navigator.

If you ultimately don’t have the time to volunteer, Gardner suggests contributing in other ways, like setting up recurring donations to a charity, or donating items like food, clothes or furniture.

What kind of volunteering can you do?

“One mistake people make when it comes to volunteering is underestimating their skills,” says Kim. People often assume they need specific expertise or skills to contribute, when in fact, “compassion and reliability are the most valuable assets”, he says.

Volunteering can involve hands-on work, but some roles focus on advocacy, fundraising, digital support or storytelling.

At the ASPCA, for example, people often assume “opportunities to volunteer are only available inside a shelter”, Sonenberg says. Such opportunities may entail walking dogs, folding laundry, greeting visitors or cleaning. But the organization also needs advocacy volunteers to help mobilize people and improve laws for animals, and first responders to help animals in crisis.

Why does volunteering matter?

Many non-profit organizations – including some large, well-known organizations, like the American Red Cross – depend on volunteers to operate. “About 90% of our workforce are volunteers,” Bertram says.

Contributing to a blood drive, supporting community-preparedness events or serving in a virtual or on-call role all make a difference. “Some volunteers contribute just a few hours a month, and that support still makes a real difference,” he says.

Volunteering is also a good reminder that, as helpless as we may feel, our actions can make a difference.

“In my work, I see volunteers transform just as much as the communities they serve,” he says. “Volunteering is a pathway to connection, to each other, to our communities, and to the belief that we can shape a better world.”