What does Virtual Volunteering Even Mean? Is it for Me?

In a nut shell, virtual volunteering means you volunteer from a location that is not at the organization you are volunteering with. Most virtual volunteers volunteer from the comfort of their own home. We’re glad you’ve asked!

Virtual volunteering usually means you volunteer from a computer or tablet (like an iPad), usually online through the world wide web. Sometimes you can volunteer through phone calling or answering phone calls for an organization.

Virtual Volunteering could take the form of a one-time or short-term project or task to a long-term, regular commitment.

Organizations either put out a call for people to volunteer virtually with them, or you can contact them and make an offer to use your skills as a virtual volunteer with them.

Before the pandemic, most people thought of volunteering in the more traditional sense — in person at the non-profit — onsite, with people. But now volunteering can look different and does look different in some cases. More and more people are now volunteering virtually.

PROS to Virtual Volunteering:

  • Flexibility
    • You can volunteer from home (or a local library or office — you choose the location you like best).
    • In most cases you determine your own schedule and hours. If you are a night owl, then volunteer in the middle of the night if you wish!
    • Virtual volunteers can volunteer for multiple causes or organizations.
    • It is not limited by physical ability.
    • You can volunteer for an organization that is virtually anywhere in the world — you don’t need to be close by!
    • If you don’t have to see anyone, through a video call for instance, you can even volunteer in your pyjamas (if you want)!
  • Well-being
    • You don’t have to spend time commuting to a location, so you can spend more time volunteering.
    • People-connecting virtually can be just as satisfying as in person and, in some cases, you might find volunteering from home fits with your needs.
    • If you aren’t face-to-face with people, you won’t share any viruses with each other.
    • If you have mobility concerns or live far from the organization, virtual volunteering may be a good solution for you.
    • You can learn new skills, gain new experiences, and share your gifts and talents.
    • Volunteering in this way will make you feel good as you’ll be doing valuable things that a non-profit needs.
    • Cost-effectiveness — for both you and the organization.

Possible CONS to virtual volunteering:

  • To volunteer virtually, on a computer, you will require a computer and internet connection, but you may be able to go to a library or other community hub and use their equipment.
  • There are roles that takes place over the phone — most people have a phone.
  • You may miss the personal connection that is part of more traditional volunteering; however, some virtual roles require online video meetings so that may be enough social engagement for you.
  • Some roles may be administrative in nature, which can be fulfilling, but you may feel disconnected from the face-to-face work many non-profits do directly with clients.

Projects and tasks that virtual volunteers do:

  • Tutor to help students with their school work.
  • Organize a non-profit’s computerized files, records, and reports.
  • Support English language learning goals for immigrants or refugees by having conversations with them on the phone or computer.
  • Book appointments for clients with a computer system or through phone calling.
  • Work on an online newsletter.
  • Create or edit documents.
  • Conduct research, compile your findings and share them with the organization or post them to the non-profit’s website or other computer platform.
  • Assist on a helpline.
  • Marketing or computer programming or technical projects can be done virtually.
  • Take part in a “friendly phoning” project.
  • Create and then conduct a training or orientation online.
  • Plan a conference or meeting.
  • Provide mentorship or coaching through video conferencing or phone calls.
  • Join a board of directors where the board meets online and does their communicating and tasks through their computers.
  • Provide fundraising support — phone donors to thank them, or search for grant or funding opportunities.
  • Perform bookkeeping, accounting, financial advising, tracking and reconciling.
  • Write for or manage a blog.*
  • Provide advocacy support.
  • Write handwritten thank you cards to donors.
  • Create posters or pamphlets for causes.

There are many other ideas and options out there, if virtual volunteering is your thing!

How to find virtual volunteer opportunities:

  • If an organization is looking for virtual volunteers, they will put out a call for volunteers or post opportunities which can be found through doing a Google search** or through a newspaper, radio program or advertisement, a community poster or from those you know or encounter.
  • You can be proactive and offer your skills and ideas to an organization; they would be happy to know what you can offer and bring as a virtual volunteer! In fact, they may not even know what they need or what they are missing until you make an offer!
  • Check out our article, “How to Find Age-friendly Volunteer Opportunities”

* A blog is like an online journal. The term blog comes from “web” and “log. Articles on a blog are often referred to as “blog posts.” Typical blogs have a comments section where readers can write a response to an article (kind of like “letters to the editor”).

**Read more on how to use Google in our article “Computer Tips, Tricks & Technical Terminology”.