If you want to help others and improve the world, you still can, without leaving the house. Many volunteer opportunities require only a computer or a phone. Some need just an hour a week, others more. Some are short-term, others long-term. Many are flexible, willing to work with your schedule.
We’ve rounded up four websites offering a staggering variety of choices, from mentoring, fundraising, writing, to social justice, with a few samples from each.
Volunteering basics
With so many options to choose from, how to choose? Consider these factors:
- What causes appeal to you?
- What skills can you offer
- How much time can you give?
- It’s real volunteering with real people; it’s “virtual” only by name
Seniors are the volunteering type
“Seniors are among the most dedicated volunteers within our society, with time and experience to share in ways that keep them engaged and active. One in three volunteers is age 55 or older, says the US Bureau of Labor statistics,” says Tyler Butler, who has created and led global giving programs for Fortune 500 companies as CEO of 11Eleven Consulting. “Virtual volunteering means these efforts can take place from home or anywhere, yet safeguard against needless exposure to COVID-19.”
Founded by President George H.W. Bush, this is the world’s biggest organization devoted to volunteer service, with affiliates in 200 cities in 37 countries. Search over 40 categories, from mental health, immigration/refugees to marketing, and by your zip code. Here are a few ideas:
- History and garden lovers can help the Smithsonian Institution make its collections more accessible by transcribing historic documents or tagging images of American gardens by plant type in its database.
- Help research human rights violations for Amnesty International by reviewing information and photographs.
- Help research cold cases of missing and unidentified people for the Doe Network.
This boasts a huge database of more than one million virtual volunteer listings from over 117,000 nonprofits. Search 29 categories, from the biggest (community, children/youth and education/literacy) to disaster relief, arts and animals.
- You can make funny dog and cat videos on YouTube for https://bestfriends.orgBest Friends Animal Society.
- Got a legal background? Lawyers can review online content for Illinois Legal Aid.
- Retired business owner? There are many opportunities to mentor small business owners in sales and marketing, business planning and product development.
AARP, the advocacy and membership group for people 50+, operates this volunteer opportunities database for the 50+ age group. (Some are for different AARP branches.) Some of the opportunities:
- Offer career advice to high school students in low-income families in fields from accounting, crafts to handyman by email for CareerVillage.
- Raise awareness about scams, especially those targeting older people, identified by AARP’s National Fraud Team.
- Create audio books for students who are blind or have learning disabilities (you can read or be a “listener” who gives feedback on readers’ voice quality and pronunciation).
This group lists organizations for peace and development all over the world – they need skills from writing, editing, research, or project management to design for at least one hour a week. You can:
- Research grant and funding sources for young social entrepreneurs in Asia and the Pacific.
- Brainstorm ideas to collect plastic waste in Cameroon.
- Do grant-writing for women’s and children’s welfare in India.
Want to get more involved with Senior Planet? Click here to become a member or send an email to membership@seniorplanet.org
Photo © Studio Romantic via Adobe Stock
COMMENTS
4 responses to “Stuck at Home Guide: Virtual Volunteering”
How do you get instructors for zoom classes?
Hi Charlotte! All of our instructors are either Senior Planet Trainers, volunteers or guest speakers. If you are interested in getting involved you can send a message to info@oats.org.
How can I create audio books for students who are blind or have learning disabilities. What companies should I look for?
I am bilingual and bicultural..retired educator always interested in helping minority students with Englush skilss or natives with Spanish. Love to give teacher training or advice…..am a good interpreter and translator , have been through rehab and therapy so U am a grwat listener to the lonely and have been a sponsor
Available time…1 hr a week..
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Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Start your week off right with a preview of the week's upcoming programs and a guided meditation session!
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Morning Stretch
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Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Fitness Apps
Fitness Apps
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Learn how fitness apps can help you track and conquer your goals!
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Use bodyweight, bands, and dumbbells to build your strength.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
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Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introduction to Heart Rate Monitor Apps
Introduction to Heart Rate Monitor Apps
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Did you know your phone can measure your heart rate? Learn about free heart rate monitor apps and why they can be useful.
iPhones
iPhones
In this lecture you’ll learn about the latest iPhone, its features and what to consider if you’re thinking of buying one.
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Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
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Start your day with a short morning stretch!
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Introduction to Estate Planning Resources & Tools
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Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
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Registration required.
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Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
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Start your day with a short morning stretch!
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Learn what Podcasts are and where to find them!
Introduction to Booking Vacation Stays Online
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Chair Yoga
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Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
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IoT: Smart Homes
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Want to live like the Jetsons? Learn how smart home technology is making that a reality!
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
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Tech Tips for Disaster Preparedness
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Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Start your week off right with a preview of the week's upcoming programs and a guided meditation session!
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Functional Strength Training
Functional Strength Training
Use bodyweight, bands, and dumbbells to build your strength.
Mindfulness Apps
Mindfulness Apps
Registration required.
This lecture introduces mindfulness and its physical and mental benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving memory, and lowering blood pressure.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
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Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Drones
Drones
Learn why more and more drones are taking to the skies!
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Online Rx Drug Resources
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Learn helpful tools for understanding drug costs, comparing pharmacy prices, and finding discounts and coupons.
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Chair Yoga
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Virtual Museum Tours
Virtual Museum Tours
In this lecture we'll explore some of these virtual galleries, as well as digital tools that help bring art, architecture, and history to life!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
線上購物
線上購物
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Intro to Smartphone Photography
Say cheese! Learn more about your smartphone's camera.
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Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Messaging Apps
Messaging Apps
This lecture will go over the features of three widely-used apps: iMessages, Google Chats, and WhatsApp.
Intro to Selling Online
Intro to Selling Online
This lecture will introduce you to different online platforms for selling all kinds of items, including furniture, clothing, household items, and more.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introduction to Nextdoor
Introduction to Nextdoor
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Usos cotidianos de la IA
Usos cotidianos de la IA
¡Todo el mundo habla de IA! Asista a esta clase para ver cómo la IA es parte de la vida cotidiana.
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
All Things Zoom
All Things Zoom
This lecture will go over how to use Zoom to chat with friends & family, and take virtual classes with Senior Planet!
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Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Start your week off right with a preview of the week's upcoming programs and a guided meditation session!
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Internet of Things at a Glance
Internet of Things at a Glance
Registration required.
This lecture provides an overview of the vast world of the Internet of Things and discusses best practices for keeping your devices secure.
Functional Strength Training
Functional Strength Training
Use bodyweight, bands, and dumbbells to build your strength.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
15 events,
21
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Virtual Reality at a Glance
Virtual Reality at a Glance
Join us to learn about the exciting world of virtual reality and how you can experience it!
Internet of Things: Healthcare
Internet of Things: Healthcare
Registration required.
Come learn how the medical industry is embracing the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to treat patients remotely.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
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22
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Video Chat
Video Chat
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Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
YouTube
YouTube
歡迎您來學習如何使用 YouTube。
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Social Media for Job Searches
In this lecture, we’ll discuss ways to make sure social media helps you when you’re looking for work!
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Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Graphic Design Tools
Graphic Design Tools
In this presentation, we'll explore the popular design platform, Canva, and demonstrate how you can get very creative with basic tools like Google Slides.
Introduction to TikTok
Introduction to TikTok
This presentation will introduce you to TikTok, its rise to global popularity, and most common features, including privacy settings.
Intro to X (formerly Twitter)
Intro to X (formerly Twitter)
Like to know what's happening? Come learn about X (formerly Twitter)!
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Generadores de imágenes de IA
Generadores de imágenes de IA
¡Consiga hacer algo más que figuras de palitos y haga que su imaginación cobre vida con generadores de imágenes de IA!
Intro to Gaming
Intro to Gaming
Game on! Come discover the world of gaming and start playing!
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
Digital Legacy at a Glance
Digital Legacy at a Glance
Will your digital content and social media pages live on forever? Come learn about your digital legacy options!
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0 events,
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15 events,
28
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography
Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography
Come learn about QR codes, augmented reality apps, and more!
How to Choose a New Computer
How to Choose a New Computer
Registration required.
This informational session addresses some of the most common questions surrounding how to choose a new computer.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
12 events,
29
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Virtual Tour: Lima, Peru
Virtual Tour: Lima, Peru
Join Senior Planet and our tour guides from Discover Live for a virtual visit to Lima, Peru!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
訊息應用程式
訊息應用程式
這次的講座會談到三款普遍的應用程式:iMessages、 Google Chat 和 微信 WeChat。您會學到如何傳送訊息、圖片、使用音訊和視訊通話, 以及瞭解這些應用程式如何確保您的訊息安全。
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
This presentation will introduce you to apps that help you learn different languages, explore the arts and art history, and even show you how to play instruments.
12 events,
30
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Digital Tools to Boost your Business
Digital Tools to Boost your Business
Learn about online tools to jump-start your start-up.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
Saving Money with Tech
Saving Money with Tech
Explore ways that tech can help you save money and manage your finances!
11 events,
31
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Gardening Tech At a Glance
Gardening Tech At a Glance
Can tech give you a green thumb? Come to this lecture to find out!
¿Es eso IA?
¿Es eso IA?
¿Podemos realmente creer lo que vemos? ¡Venga a esta clase para acostumbrarse a reconocer la IA!
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
Understanding Bluetooth
Understanding Bluetooth
We’ll explain Bluetooth technology, how it works, and the way it impacts everyday life.
0 events,
1
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
MyChart
Functional Strength Training
Mandarin Multilingual Technology Program: 介紹: 智能手機的相機不只能用來拍照 (Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography)
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Smartphones at a Glance
Intro to Chatting with AI
Morning Stretch
Virtual Tour: Belfast, Ireland
Fit Fusion Workout
點對點付款
YouTube
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Saving Money with Tech
Internet of Things: Wearables
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Internet of Things: Healthcare
Introducción a la IA
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Introduction to Heart Rate Monitor Apps
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
Fitness Apps
Functional Strength Training
Fit Fusion Workout
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
Fitness Apps
Functional Strength Training
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Heart Rate Monitor Apps
iPhones
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Estate Planning Resources & Tools
Fit Fusion Workout
智能手機攝影簡介
Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs At a Glance
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Podcasts at a Glance
Introduction to Booking Vacation Stays Online
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Introducción a chatear con IA
IoT: Smart Homes
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Tech Tips for Disaster Preparedness
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
Functional Strength Training
Mindfulness Apps
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Drones
Online Rx Drug Resources
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Virtual Museum Tours
Fit Fusion Workout
線上購物
Intro to Smartphone Photography
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Messaging Apps
Intro to Selling Online
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Nextdoor
Usos cotidianos de la IA
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
All Things Zoom
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
Internet of Things at a Glance
Functional Strength Training
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Virtual Reality at a Glance
Internet of Things: Healthcare
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Video Chat
Fit Fusion Workout
YouTube
Social Media for Job Searches
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Graphic Design Tools
Introduction to TikTok
Intro to X (formerly Twitter)
Morning Stretch
Generadores de imágenes de IA
Intro to Gaming
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Digital Legacy at a Glance
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography
How to Choose a New Computer
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Virtual Tour: Lima, Peru
Fit Fusion Workout
訊息應用程式
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Digital Tools to Boost your Business
Chair Yoga
Saving Money with Tech
Morning Stretch
Gardening Tech At a Glance
¿Es eso IA?
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Understanding Bluetooth
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