Turn your skills into something more

Yes! As long as you meet the prerequisites and/or other experience necessary for the project you're applying to, there's no need for specific expertise in the nonprofit sector.

We've found that a short application process is the best way to ensure that both you and the nonprofit have a meaningful and high-quality engagement. Our goal is to make volunteering as seamless as possible. Giving a bit of information upfront (about why you're interested and how your expertise can help) is necessary to make strong matches where both sides benefit.

We recommend you apply to 2-4 projects at any given time - this will maximize your chances of matching. If you end up being selected for too many projects (good for you!), you can always withdraw your application before or after you interview with the nonprofit. Once you say yes though, we ask that you honor your commitment to work with the organization.

Of course! Many marketing and design volunteers include completed projects in their creative portfolio or their resumes. Learn more about project deliverable ownership here.

Skills-based volunteering (SBV) is a type of volunteering where individuals use their professional skills, expertise, and experience to support nonprofit organizations. Unlike traditional volunteering, which may involve tasks like event setup or general assistance, SBV focuses on specific skills such as marketing, IT, finance, legal, or strategic planning, allowing volunteers to contribute in areas where they have specialized knowledge.

Skills-based volunteering offers numerous benefits for both the volunteer and the organization. For volunteers, it provides an opportunity to apply their professional skills in a new context, develop new competencies, and gain experience in different sectors. It can also be a rewarding way to give back to the community and make a meaningful impact. For organizations, skills-based volunteering provides access to specialized expertise that they might not otherwise afford, helping them improve operations, solve specific challenges, and advance their missions more effectively.

Skills-based volunteering can include a variety of activities, such as developing a marketing strategy, designing promotional materials, or managing social media campaigns for marketing and communications. It can also involve building or updating a website, setting up a donor database, or improving cybersecurity measures. Legal services might include providing legal advice, drafting contracts, or assisting with compliance issues. Financial consulting can encompass offering budgeting advice, conducting financial audits, or helping with grant writing. Additionally, strategic planning might involve facilitating planning sessions, conducting market research, or advising on organizational growth. These examples illustrate how volunteers can leverage their professional skills to significantly impact nonprofit organizations.