As you can see, there are a ton of resources for people who want to help out, pitch in, give back and make the world a better place. (And the list is always growing!) Many of these sites offer terrific opportunities for volunteering and giving. Some would even be great places for young people looking for their first jobs in the nonprofit world.
This list is just the beginning. Many wonderful and important local groups, large and small, old and new, are doing excellent work and can use your support. By all means, make sure to check out your local volunteer center. In addition, most nonprofits have their own website, which list their volunteer opportunities.
If you know about great ways for kids to get involved, or cool websites to check out, let us know by contacting youthinaction@bigsunday.org! We’ll make sure to add them to our list.
America’s Promise Alliance
www.americaspromise.org
America’s Promise Alliance is devoted to helping to create the conditions for success for all young people.
AmeriCorp
www.nationalservice.gov
A federal agency that helps more than 5 million Americans improve the lives of their fellow citizens through service.
Big Sunday
bigsunday.org
Big Sunday’s mission is to build community through community service. We believe everyone has some way they can help someone else. Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you! Or join our email list to get all our latest news and updates about volunteer opportunities.
Causecast
www.causecast.com
Causecast is “an interactive community that connects individuals, leaders, celebrities, and brands to make a positive impact in the world.”
City Year
www.cityyear.org
City Year “unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service [in low-income schools], giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world.”
Craigslist
www.craigslist.org
Full classified ads, with a category clearly noted as “volunteers.”
Disney Friends for Change
http://disney.go.com/projectgreen/resourceclimate/
Disney Friends for Change is a great site, all about helping kids help the planet. They have games, videos, and even special movies, t.v., and music features, all in the name of going green! Plus, there’s lots of great interactive things to do for kids of all ages.
Disney Magic of Healthy Living
http://disney.go.com/magic-of-healthy-living/ncds/
Disney Magic of Healthy Eating is a wonderful site that not only has great ideas, but it’s also a lot of fun. It includes everything from tips on making healthy sandwiches to how to plant an herb garden! Plus, there’s lots of great interactive choices for kids of all ages here, too.
Do Something
www.dosomething.org
Great ideas on how teens can make a difference in their community and around the world.
GoodSearch
www.goodsearch.com
A search engine designed to benefit nonprofits. Each time you search for something on the Internet using their search engine, they donate one cent to the charity of your choice.
GoodShop
www.goodshop.com
An online store – linking to websites as varied as Amazon, Bloomingdale’s and Expedia – where, with each purchase, a percentage goes to the charity of your choice.
GuideStar
www.guidestar.org
GuideStar gathers and publishes information about nonprofit organizations intended to help donors, funders, educators, volunteers and others monitor the programs and performance of the charities they’re interested in.
Idealist
www.idealist.org
Idealist is all about connecting idealists – people who want to do good – with opportunities for action and collaboration.
Internshipprograms.com
www.internshipprograms.com
A commercial site specifically focused on internships, both paid and unpaid.
JustGive
www.justgive.org
JustGive is a comprehensive online site for making donations, as well as for buying gifts to benefit nonprofits. It even includes a wedding registry.
Make a Difference Day
www.usaweekend.com/section/MDDAY
Each October, sponsored by USA Weekend.
MyGoodDeed
www.911day.org
MyGoodDeed sponsors the National Day of Service, which encourages all Americans to do a good deed for someone else each year during the week of September 11 as a tribute to those who rose in service after the terrorist attacks.
Network for Good
www.networkforgood.org
Brings together an enormous amount of resources for both volunteering and giving.
Project Giving Kids
www.projectgivingkids.org
A nonprofit all about connecting busy kids and families to fun, meaningful and age-appropriate service activities.
ServiceNation
www.servicenation.org
ServiceNation is “a national campaign to increase service opportunities and elevate service as a core ideal and problem-solving strategy in American society.”
ShareFest
www.sharefestinc.org
ShareFest works to foster volunteerism. They develop comprehensive programs and services to strengthen communities and meet the needs of children and families.
Taproot Foundation
www.taprootfoundation.org
Taproot’s mission is to “lead, mobilize and engage professionals in pro bono service that drives social change.” Taproot matches nonprofits with business professionals who lend their expertise in the areas of marketing, design, technology and strategic planning.
United We Serve
www.serve.gov
This is an official U.S. government site. Sponsors of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Annual Day of Service in January.
VolunteerMatch
www.volunteermatch.org
The largest online database of volunteer opportunities.
YouthGive
www.youthgive.org
A website where young people and their families can discover and learn about nonprofits that need their help.