Top Virtual Volunteer Opportunities to Engage Employees

Virtual volunteering saw a significant rise in popularity during the pandemic, allowing individuals to contribute to various causes from the comfort of their homes. Moreover, research from Americorps found that around one in five formal volunteers are either virtual or hybrid, and that, on average, these volunteers are engaging in more hours of service per year (95 hours) compared to those who volunteered solely in person (64 hours). This shift not only represents the increased flexibility for volunteers but also demonstrates that organizations can now connect the talent and skills of their employees with a wider network of nonprofits and causes.

 

How Does Virtual Volunteering Work?

Virtual volunteering operates similarly to in-person volunteering but utilizes digital platforms to connect volunteers with organizations. Volunteers can sign up for projects that match their skills and interests, complete tasks online, and communicate with organization representatives via email, video calls, or project management tools. This approach makes it easy for individuals to contribute regardless of their location and enables organizations to manage and track volunteer contributions efficiently.

 

15 Virtual Volunteer Opportunities for Remote Engagement

1. Online Tutoring and Mentorship

Assist students of all ages with their academics or offer career guidance to high school and college students through platforms like Learn To Be or UPchieve. Volunteers can provide tutoring in various subjects, including STEM, language arts, and college preparation.

2. Administrative Support for Nonprofits

Offer virtual administrative assistance, such as data entry, project management, and document organization, to help nonprofits run smoothly and efficiently.

3. Virtual Crisis and Emotional Support

Provide emotional support and assistance to individuals in crisis through text-based platforms like Crisis Text Line. Volunteers receive training and gain experience in mental health advocacy and active listening.

4. Online Peer Support Groups

Facilitate support groups for individuals dealing with specific challenges, providing a safe space for sharing experiences and offering mutual support.

5. Supporting the Visually Impaired

Assist visually impaired individuals by helping them complete tasks via live video feeds or creating accessible digital content, such as audio books.

6. Translation and Language Services

Translate essential documents or content to expand the reach and impact of humanitarian organizations through Translators Without Borders.

7. Content Creation for Nonprofits

Write articles, create graphics, or produce videos to help nonprofits spread their message and reach a wider audience.

8. Digital Marketing and Social Media Support

Help manage social media accounts, create social content, and develop marketing strategies for nonprofits to increase their visibility and engagement online.

9. Transcribing Historical Documents

Help make historical documents accessible by transcribing them like the Smithsonian Digital Volunteers. This work supports cultural and research institutions and ensures that valuable information is preserved for future generations.

10. Virtual Museum Tours

Lead online tours for museums, offering educational insights and engaging virtual visitors with the institution’s exhibits and collections.

11. Advocacy and Civic Engagement

Raise awareness and organize campaigns for social or political issues you are passionate about, using digital tools to mobilize and engage supporters.

12. Coding and Technology Support

Volunteer your coding and technical skills to build websites, create software, or provide technology support for social initiatives and nonprofit projects through platforms like Democracy Lab.

13. Environmental Citizen Science Projects

Participate in online projects that focus on environmental research, such as tracking wildlife, monitoring pollution, or contributing to conservation efforts.

14. Virtual Fundraising Events

Plan and execute online fundraising events to support various causes. This can include virtual auctions, charity runs, and crowdfunding campaigns.

15. Virtual Board Membership

Serve as a board member for a nonprofit organization, providing strategic guidance and oversight from a distance, ensuring the organization’s mission and goals are met. Learn more about what it means to serve on a nonprofit board.

 

Benefits of Virtual Volunteering

• Volunteers have the flexibility to contribute from anywhere, which offers both convenience in scheduling and increased accessibility.

• Virtual volunteer opportunities allow individuals to use and develop a wide range of skills, enhancing their personal and professional growth.

• Online volunteering makes it possible to support global causes and make a meaningful impact on a wider scale rather than being limited to local communities.

• Teams can leverage virtual volunteering to improve their collaboration and strengthen relationships, especially in remote or hybrid work environments.

• Organizations can easily track volunteer hours when there is an online record of activities, making the management and reporting process more efficient.

• Virtual volunteering can be cost-effective for both volunteers and companies, reducing the need for physical resources and space.

• Engaging in social impact is open to everyone through online volunteering. Whether employees have expertise in graphic design, coding, writing, or simply have a passion for helping others, there’s likely a virtual volunteering role that can matches their interests.

 

Should Volunteer Time Off Policies Allow Virtual Volunteering?

Volunteer Time Off (VTO) policies vary by company, but many organizations recognize the value of virtual volunteering and include it in their VTO programs. For companies, there is a strong business case for valuing virtual volunteering hours within VTO or volunteer for vacation schemes, given that employees are contributing their time and skills to important causes while also saving the time and resources it would take to travel to and attend volunteering events in-person. By leveraging VTO, organizations can empower employees to make a positive impact while balancing their work and personal commitments.

 

Learn More About YourCause’s Solutions for Improving Employee Engagement

YourCause provides innovative solutions to enhance employee engagement through virtual volunteering. Our CSRconnect platform helps companies facilitate and manage online volunteer opportunities, making it easy for remote teams to find meaningful projects that align with their skills and interests. Through our partnerships with Goodera and VolunteerMatch, we also offer curated volunteering opportunities, including pre-built virtual events.

Explore how YourCause can help you boost employee engagement and drive greater impact.