Benefits of Volunteering: 10 Reasons To Volunteer

Updated July 31, 2023

volunteers working at a community food event

If you’re looking to meet new people, interested in charitable causes or want to learn skills to advance your career, volunteering may be a good option. When you volunteer, you have the opportunity to make a true difference in the lives of others.

In this article, we discuss 10 benefits of volunteering, including social, career and personal benefits, plus offer some tips for finding your next volunteer opportunity.

10 benefits of volunteering

Whether you’re the type of person who craves a lot of social interaction or whether you prefer as little as possible, volunteering has social, career and personal benefits. Here are the top 10:

1. Provides you with a sense of purpose

You may be able to find your purpose through volunteering and becoming part of something greater than yourself. For instance, if you’re retired, unexpectedly unemployed or have lost a loved one, helping others can give your life new meaning and keep you mentally stimulated.

2. Provides a sense of community

Volunteering can help you feel connected to those you are helping in the community. This experience may make you want to get involved with other aspects of your community, such as local politics or advocating for programs you believe are important.

3. Helps you meet new friends

Volunteering is a great way to meet new friends as well as strengthen existing connections with friends, family or coworkers. As a volunteer, you’ll typically interact with people from diverse backgrounds, which allows you to learn other perspectives.

When you choose an organization or cause to volunteer for, consider the people you’re volunteering alongside did as well. Sharing a common interest will help you build closer relationships with those around you.

4. Increases your social skills

Volunteering gives you a chance to talk to new people and sharpen your social skills. By spending a lot of time working with others and using social skills, like active listening and relationship management, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your future personal and business relationships.

5. Improves self-esteem

Volunteering may boost your self-esteem and self-confidence. When you do something you feel is worthwhile and valuable for your community, it gives you a sense of accomplishment that may help you feel more fulfilled about your life and any future goals.

6. Teaches you valuable skills

The training and hands-on experience you gain while volunteering can help you learn new skills as well as build upon ones you already have. For example, if you advocate and raise awareness or funding for a cause that interests you, you’ll gain valuable communication, public speaking, marketing and other hard and soft skills. You can then put these skills on your resume to show employers how you build relationships outside of work in addition to any personal interests that can set you apart from other candidates.

7. Provides job prospects

Along with acquiring valuable skills and experience, you may also meet people while volunteering who can become your mentors or at least a part of your professional social network. If you choose to pursue a career in the field you’re volunteering in, the connections you make also may help increase your job prospects.

8. Brings fun into your life

Many people use volunteering as a way to pursue their hobbies while making a difference. For example, if you’re interested in the outdoors, you might volunteer at your community garden or help out at a children's summer camp. Volunteering for organizations or causes also may provide you with a renewed sense of creativity and motivation that carries over into your personal and professional life.

9. Can help you be happier

It often feels good to contribute to projects and organizations that mean something to you. These good feelings can help lessen the effects of stress, anger or anxiety in your life. Volunteering may provide you with the tools you need to be a happy and well-rounded individual. Building bonds and connections with people you volunteer with also may counteract any social isolation. Many volunteer opportunities also may involve physical labor to keep you active and reduce stress.

10. Gets you out of your comfort zone

Through volunteer work, you may overcome the personal challenges of leaving your comfort zone and doing something new with people you may not know. You may be faced with various problems to solve as a volunteer that require you to exercise critical thinking skills that aid your own personal development.

Where to find volunteer opportunities

You can find several organizations that fit your interests, either close to home or remotely. To get started, try searching for open volunteer roles with any of the following:

Local service organizations (e.g., Rotary Club or Lions Club)
Community arts groups (e.g., museums or theaters)
Youth organizations (e.g., after-school programs or sports groups)
National parks or conservation organizations
Political organizations
Libraries
Senior centers
Family shelters
Food pantries
Animal shelters and rescue organizations
Places of worship

See how your salary compares

Get personalized salary insights with the Indeed Salary Calculator

How to choose the right volunteer opportunity

Volunteering allows you to impact and connect with your community, with opportunities that fit a variety of interests. Here are some tips for choosing the right volunteer opportunity for you:

Start with popular volunteer positions. Some of the most common volunteer opportunities that are publicized often include assisting at an animal shelter, planting trees at your local garden, beach or park clean-ups, talking or reading to the elderly and political campaigning. You can begin with any of these options and do a single volunteer day, then evaluate if it sparks your interest to continue pursuing.
Choose something you’re passionate about. Once you’ve narrowed down your interests to a specific type of volunteerism, try talking to a volunteer at the organization or testing it out by volunteering for a specific project to get a sense of if it’s the right fit for you. You’ll get to explore your interests, discover potential new ones and have fun doing so.
Work for an organization you believe in. After volunteering a couple of times for the same group, you might decide that this is both a cause and an organization you support. If the interest is appropriate but the organization isn’t, explore others that offer similar opportunities. For example, if you love volunteering to help animals, you might prefer to work with a small animal rescue that makes a different impact than a larger animal shelter that may have many more volunteers you might not get to know as well.

Frequently asked questions

Who can volunteer?

Most volunteer opportunities welcome almost anybody who has the time and interest. Some organizations may have age minimums, such as 14, 16 or 18 years old. Some specialized volunteer roles may also require training or experience, such as volunteer health care or firefighting positions. It's also common for organizations to administer background checks on potential volunteers before accepting them.

What are some volunteer opportunities for busy people?

If you want to volunteer but have a busy schedule, consider volunteering to transport elders to and from errands and medical appointments, as you can typically plan rides according to your schedule. You might also consider volunteering at a one-time event, like a marathon benefiting a charity or a fundraising gala, as it only requires a few hours of free time rather than a recurring commitment. Many organizations also offer remote volunteer opportunities, like tutoring students or writing letters to donors on behalf of nonprofits.

Do employers like when candidates have volunteer experience?

Many employers appreciate when candidates have volunteer experience, as it demonstrates passion, initiative and commitment. If you're new to the job market, volunteer experience can supplement your educational background and show employers you can dedicate yourself to a shared goal.