Giving Compass' Take:

• Here is a quick and helpful guide that lays out steps to jumpstart your volunteering efforts. 

• What are some organizations in your community that might need volunteers during the summer months?

• Read about how volunteering can help your career. 

There’s no better time to volunteer with a local organization than during the summer! For many of us, these months are a time to slow down and get outside to enjoy the warmer weather. Why not take advantage of the sunshine and a lighter schedule to help out a charity in your community that’s striving to make your neighborhood a healthier, more vibrant place.

Follow our quick and easy guide to get started finding the right volunteer opportunity for you today.

Make a Plan

Volunteers are most powerful when they are eager and committed, and when organizations have a plan and structure for how to use them effectively. At Charity Navigator, we advise volunteers, as well as the charities they work with, to start with a plan so that both get the most out of the experience.

Finding an Organization & Getting Started 

Once you’ve figured out what you’d like to do and how much time you have to offer, look for an organization in your local area that is working on that cause or issue. Charity Navigator’s Advanced Search Tool is a great place to start! Community boards and social pages are other great places to look for ways to get involved. You can also use platforms like VolunteerMatch.org to find opportunities in your local area.

Commit

As the summer winds down, kids go back to school, and life starts to get busy again, think about how you will continue your relationship with the organization you volunteered with.

Read the full article about volunteering in the summer by Ashley Post at Charity Navigator.