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Volunteering Benefits Organizations and YOU – Here’s Why You Should Try It

Writer's picture: One of the WhalesOne of the Whales

Giving your time to an organization that is working on a cause you feel passionate about or helping people who could learn from the skills you have through volunteering is a powerful endeavor. Sure, it takes a time investment from your side, but there is a multitude of benefits that come from volunteering, working with non-profits, and helping make the world a better place.


Not only will your involvement support organizations that are having a wonderful impact on the world, but you yourself will experience the magic of volunteering.

Picking up trash in the ocean can save marine life and help you build a community with people in your area. Working with underprivileged youth might charter a new path for the kids in your community while providing you with a deep sense of passion and purpose. While your motivation for volunteering should always be centered on the cause itself, there are a lot of ways volunteering can change your life, too.


Here are some of our favorites:


Volunteering Builds Communities


Having a strong sense of community is an integral part of the human experience. When we don’t feel connected to the people around us, it can be difficult to feel safe and secure where we are. Volunteering connects you directly with people in your community. The non-profits you work with will often have other volunteers that you’ll end up getting to know, as well as people in your community that you can help. What about enjoying some traveling in the process too, missionary work is a fantastic way to get involved and even travel to other countries.


Children hold the earth up to the sky, suggesting working together to make a difference
Come Together to Make a Difference

If you’re working with an organization or non-profit that supports a cause you’re passionate about, this opens the door to bonding with others in your area that have similar interests and values in life, forging the path to deep connections.






Volunteering can also be a tool to strengthen existing relationships in your life.

Dedicating your time to a youth club on the weekend with your best friend will give you a unique experience to share and help bring you closer to one another.


Great Opportunities for Work Experience


Advancing your career will usually require you to go above and beyond, and volunteering is a great way to set yourself apart from your peers. Even in high school, volunteering can be extremely beneficial to landing a spot in your dream college or securing competitive scholarships. As you get older, the skills you learn from volunteering will become more and more refined, almost as if you’re experiencing an internship of sorts. In fact, many non-profits and volunteer organizations have incredible opportunities for interns to develop their skills and grow professionally.

Remember, volunteering isn’t meant to solely be seen as a resume booster, but these experiences will give you hands-on opportunities to develop your problem-solving skills, work with people who are different from you, and open up a space where you can practice innovation.

The skills you will learn and qualities you’ll develop from devoting your time to a non-profit will take you far in life, even when you’re well into your adulthood.


Get Education on Important Causes


Most teens and adults don’t know the realities of issues that impact them every day. Climate change statistics aren’t usually plastered on billboards, the incredibly complex nuances of human sex trafficking can’t be understood immediately, and the realities of the prison system are hard to understand if you’ve never stepped foot or talked to someone who has experienced them. Volunteering is the gateway to learning about the true impacts of these issues and how regular people can help in their day-to-day.


If there’s something you want to learn more about, work with a non-profit that focuses on that cause or group of people you’re interested in helping. Not only will you get education and training from the non-profit itself but seeing some of the impacts or meeting the affected people first-hand will offer a perspective you can’t get anywhere else. It’s the responsibility of all of us to learn about the challenges that exist in our world and volunteering with a non-profit is one of the best ways to do that.



You make a difference every day "quote" volunteer
You make a difference

Boost Your Mental Health


Studies have shown that helping others can decrease the levels of dopamine in the human brain, which is the chemical your body associates with happiness. Increased levels of dopamine can reduce stress, lead to a higher level of satisfaction in life, and help decrease feelings of sadness, anxiety, and anger.

These higher levels of dopamine are also caused by the human connection and sense of community that often come with volunteering regularly.

As you get more comfortable in your role as a volunteer, your self-confidence will rise, which will permeate all aspects of your life. Knowing that you can be successful while volunteering can help remind you of the success ahead in other facets of your life.


Colorful map painted on wall with the quote by Muhammed Ali, "Service to others is the rent you pay for room her on earth"
At the fundraising resource group you will find ideas that are informational and reliable.

Add a Sense of Fulfillment to Your Life


Finding a cause that you’re passionate about and developing the skillset to help those impacted by that cause lead to a greater sense of purpose and accomplishment. Sometimes, our day jobs can make us feel as if we aren’t doing much to contribute to things we truly care about, so volunteering or working with a non-profit is a great way to find that sense of purpose we are all constantly searching for.


As people get older and retire, the lack of purpose can take a toll on mental and physical health. Not having a routine or reason to commit your time to anything can wear on human happiness, but with volunteering, you can keep a sense of purpose your entire life!



Cartoon Black Haired Woman, with white shirt and red heart on left hand side, holding volunteer sign
Female Volunteer Cartoon

Volunteer Today


We can tell you the benefits of volunteering all day, but the best way to learn about the benefits is to experience them yourself. Volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge number of hours each week; you can ease your way in, get started slowly, find the perfect organization for you, and go from there. Commit your time to an organization that needs it for a little while, and soon enough, you’ll realize you need that organization just as much as it needs you. Happy volunteering!


Volunteer Graphic Art Canva


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