3 Virtual Volunteering Opportunities for Busy Professionals

This content was originally published on VolunteerMatch.

For many people, working remotely has become a way of life. The pandemic changed how we work, with 57% of those currently working remotely stating that they had rarely or never worked from home prior to 2020. While the increase in working remotely originated from safety concerns during the pandemic, today’s workers cite a preference for remote work as their driving influence rather than health concerns.

In fact, according to Pew Research Center (2022), “76% of workers who indicate that their workplace is available to them say a major reason why they are currently teleworking all or most of the time is that they prefer working from home.” With more people recognizing the benefits of working remotely, is it really a surprise that virtual volunteering has increased in popularity as well? 

Virtual volunteering means that many busy professionals are able to contribute their skill set where it is needed most, without geographical constraints. In fact, BORGEN Magazine (2022) states, "Remote volunteering may even be the future of volunteering." There are numerous ways to volunteer online, and VolunteerMatch makes it easy to find virtual volunteering opportunities that align with your interests and skills. Below are three options to get you started.

1. Tutor Low-Income Middle and High Schoolers With UPchieve

UPchieve is an edtech nonprofit that connects low-income middle and high school students with live tutors 24/7 via their free, online platform.

Their mission is to close the college enrollment gap between low- and high-income students so that all students have an equal opportunity to achieve upward mobility. It's a fantastic organization trying to close the education gap for students across the U.S.

Currently, UPchieve is serving over 124,000 students nationwide and have facilitated more than 292,000 on-demand requests for tutoring and college counseling.

To volunteer, check out their opportunities on Idealist and apply online!

2. Become a Volunteer Crisis Counselor for Crisis Text Line

Volunteer Crisis Counselors at Crisis Text Line work remotely on their computers, answering texts from people in crisis. Volunteers create a dialogue with texters who are looking for help, de-escalating the crisis at hand and providing compassionate, non-judgmental support using active listening, collaborative problem-solving, and safety planning. Through this vital support, volunteer Crisis Counselors make a positive impact on the mental health journeys of those in need.  

So how do you sign up? To become a Crisis Counselor volunteer, you will need to complete their free online mental health training. Over the course of 30 hours, you’ll learn reflective listening, collaborative problem-solving, and crisis management. Once they've completed training, volunteer Crisis Counselors commit to volunteering four hours per week until 200 hours are reached.

3. Write to seniors with CareGivers

For those unable to make the time commitment of volunteering regularly, why not consider creating greeting cards for The CareGivers clients?  

The main objective of the CareGivers Caring Cards for Seniors Project is to help ease social isolation among The CareGivers’ clients by sending cards. Most of their clients do not have much social support, so loneliness, anxiety, and depression can become a struggle. Volunteers offer a simple gesture: A card to a senior, to show them that someone is thinking of them. 

About the Author | Joanna Tanger started her career as a Business English teacher in Prague, Czech Republic, and has nearly 15 years of experience managing marketing, technology, fundraising, and strategic communications for international nonprofits, higher education institutions, and start-ups. She is the founder of Joanna Tanger Consulting LLC, a digital strategy firm that works with clients across the United States. Joanna is TEFL certified, and has a B.A. in cultural anthropology from Bard College, a graduate certificate in digital marketing from Cornell University, and an M.A. in digital communication from Johns Hopkins University.