The Rise of Virtual Volunteering

The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the way we do nearly everything: Work, attend school, spend time with friends and loved ones, and even the way we volunteer.  When areas first went into lockdown in early 2020, we were no longer able to volunteer at our local food pantry or attend civic club meetings.  Organizations and their faithful volunteers had to look for new ways of fulfilling volunteer opportunities and continue the important work they provide to their communities.

So what did they do?  Go online, of course.

Tutoring sessions moved from the library to Zoom.  Food distribution moved from the warehouse to online time slot sign-ups and drive-thru pick-ups. It hasn’t been easy, but nonprofit organizations and their volunteers have stayed flexible and made changes that have allowed vital services to continue well into the Pandemic.

The Who Is Carter Foundation has been no exception: For example, the five committees that planned the April 2021 Annual Gala conducted their meetings via video conferencing and phone rather than meeting in person.

Who Is Carter has been fortunate to have online volunteer opportunities in place for over two years now, so virtual volunteering is nothing new to this organization--but more on that in a moment.

It may help to have some general context on virtual volunteering--also called remote volunteering or online volunteering.

• Virtual volunteering examples include:

  • hotline support 

  • translation services 

  • research projects 

  • fundraising

  • web design

  • coding

  • grant writing

• There are even opportunities called “micro-volunteering” that can take 10 minutes or less, like tagging images with keywords for an art museum’s database.

• At least 67% of people find their volunteering opportunities online.

• A 2020 poll by Good Housekeeping shows that 5% of people have shifted their volunteering online. 

• Remote volunteers don’t require much to get started: They need a computer, an internet connection, basic computer skills, and a desire to help a good cause.

What are some ways to volunteer virtually?

• This Good Housekeeping article provides a great list of online volunteer opportunities that are currently available.

• Taprootplus.org matches volunteers who have specific skill sets--from marketing to accounting to research--with organizations who need their support. Taproot integrates with Linkedin to post opportunities on the social networking platform, so volunteer needs gain great visibility and reach candidates who are well qualified in their respective fields.

• Idealist.org is a great website to find virtual volunteer opportunities with a wide variety of organizations in your local area and beyond.

• Reach out to your favorite local charity: Ask how they have moved volunteer opportunities online, and how you may be able to help.

There are pros and cons to virtual volunteering:

Virtual volunteering allows volunteers to work flexibly, at times and locations that work for them,with no travel required.  Plus, volunteers report feeling healthier, improved mood, lower stress levels, and a greater sense of purpose in life. With the stress that the COVID-19 Pandemic has put on everyone’s mental health, virtual volunteering could be just the lift that people need to improve their well being!  Virtual volunteering is ideal for people who want to make a difference but are also choosing to protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19 by staying away from gatherings.  Virtual volunteer opportunities for high school students help build a well-rounded college application and prepare students for technology and communication skills needed in their future jobs.  Virtual volunteering greatly benefits organizations as well:  Nonprofits can access the help of volunteers with specific skill sets no matter where they live.  When volunteers aren’t constrained by geography, the capacity a nonprofit organization has to reach new beneficiaries is virtually limitless.

The drawbacks to virtual volunteering may include missing the personal connection of providing in-person support, as virtual volunteers must conduct their activities by video conferencing, email, or phone. In addition, the elderly--who make up 25% of American volunteers--are less likely to access the technology needed to participate in virtual volunteer roles.

As mentioned earlier, Who Is Carter has been operating with the support of virtual volunteers for over 2 years now.

Volunteers from across the United States--and a few overseas--have provided support in the areas of:

• Data Mining: Locating health practitioners who work with children with special needs so they can be invited to join The Brain Possible’s Practitioner Registry

• Grant Writing: Editing proposals before they are submitted to grantmaking organizations

• Digital Marketing: Many volunteers--including university level marketing students--have provided guidance in the development of online ads so that Who Is Carter can take full advantage of a Google Ad Grant, which provides $10,000 a month in free online advertising.

• Website Development: Volunteers have made The Brain Possible into the one-of-a-kind resource it is today by providing writing and editing services as well as uploading numerous products to The Brain Possible’s online store.

Are you an expert in one of the four areas above? Or are you looking to expand your skills in one of these areas? We’d love to talk with you about becoming a volunteer, too! Just contact Allison Murray, Operations Director, with your interest: allison@whoiscarter.org.  We look forward to working with you!