Virtual Volunteering Resources
Virtual volunteering means volunteer tasks completed, in whole or in part, via the Internet and a home or work computer. It's also known as online volunteering, cyber service, online mentoring, teletutoring and various other names. Virtual volunteering allows agencies to expand the benefits of their volunteer programs, by allowing for more volunteers to participate, and by utilizing volunteers in new areas.
Many people actively search for volunteer opportunities they can complete via home or work computers, because of time constraints, personal preference, a disability or a home-based obligation that prevents them from volunteering on-site. Virtual volunteering allows anyone to contribute time and expertise to not-for-profit organizations, schools, government offices and other agencies that utilize volunteer services, from his or her home or office.
The information in this section of ServiceLeader.org will benefit volunteers as well as volunteer managers and service leaders who are interested in utilizing technology to benefit their organizations. We also encourage you to visit this Virtual Volunteering wiki and look for this 2014 publication, The Last Virtual Volunteering Guidebook: Fully Integrating Online Service into Volunteer Involvement, by Jane Cravens and Susan J. Ellis. See also the Online Volunteering page on the idealist.org website.
Developing and Implementing a Virtual Volunteering Program
- Benefits of Virtual Volunteering
- Establishing a Virtual Volunteering Program
- Examples of Virtual Volunteering
- Sample Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct
- Safety in Online Volunteering Programs
- The Virtual Volunteering Guidebook
Online Volunteer Resources
- Databases
- Grant Research
- Online Mentoring Resources
- Websites Promoting Volunteerism and/or Community Service
Sample Online Assignments
- Identifying and Creating Assignments for Online Volunteers
- Sample Assignment: Gathering Contact Information
- Sample Assignment: Graphic Design
- Sample Assignment: Online Research
- Sample Assignment: Web Development
- Sample Assignment: Proofreading
Volunteer Manager Resources
- Advocacy and Activism by Online Volunteers
- Managing Offsite Volunteers via the Internet
- Volunteer Evaluation of Virtual Volunteering Experiences
- Websites for Volunteer Managers