Ideas for Helping Your Community

Take a Hike- and Help Others, Too
One of the best ways to maintain trails and support the hiking world is to participate in it.

How I help others fight social isolation
Create the Good® recently spoke to two volunteers who are helping people feel more connected and less alone.

Jump-start your volunteer resolutions
You can revisit your resolutions at any point in the year. Here are some ways you can get back into the volunteer groove.

The Handyperson's Guide to Volunteering
If you're skilled with a hammer, power tools, and paintbrush—or if a trip to the local building supply store is the highlight of your weekend—you may want to consider putting those skills to work for the greater good. 

Turn your office into "volunteer central"
Want to build stronger teams and boost morale at work? Instead of scheduling a retreat or workshop, try organizing a group volunteering opportunity.

Care for a caregiver
Find an array of resources and ideas to help the caregivers in your life.

How volunteering helped me find a new job
Giving back could give you the skills, contacts, and confidence you need to find a brand new career.  Check out two inspiring stories!

Find the right volunteer fit for you
The key to giving back over the long term is to ensure that your volunteer work is a good match for your values, skills and interests.  This quiz can help.

Spread light - and warmth - during winter's dark days
Winter can be a time of  great isolation.  Volunteer to bring warmth and joy into the lives of those around you.

This winter, get back to virtual volunteering
Stay warm while you do good with these four engaging remote volunteer ideas.

Go the distance with extreme volunteering
If you’re a thrill-seeker, you may be interested in giving back in ways that are a bit more arduous, remote, or adrenaline-pumping.

Support loved ones and caregivers from afar
Here are 6 ways you can be a helping hand to your loved ones and the people who care for them, no matter where you live.

Volunteer to create meaningful connections
Volunteering not only helps others and delivers a host of health benefits.  It can enrich your life by creating meaningful connections with others. 

6 things you might not know you can donate
In addition to the standard items that come to mind there are also meaningful opportunities to donate unexpected items you have around the house.

3 ways to get involved in the election process
Free and fair elections are one of the foundational elements of our country. If you’re interested in getting involved, here are four ways to do so.

 Unexpected places to volunteer 
When looking for places to donate time and talent, many people look to the usual places: charitable organizations, houses of worship, or maybe even their children’s school. But there are many other places in the community that need volunteers.

Support a family going through hard times
Sometimes the people around us face crises and there are opportunities to help. Here are ways you can make a big difference.

Get fit while volunteering
When time is scarce, we may feel like we need to make choices. Do I spend my free time volunteering? Or should I work harder on getting fit? Why not do both at once!

Help someone get a second chance
Here are three ways to help people who are currently or formerly incarcerated get back on their feet and make the most of their second chance.

Volunteer to help women and girls
From addressing pay inequality to ensuring that women are equally represented in all levels of leadership, giving back to women’s and girls’ causes and nonprofits can lay the groundwork for fairness.

Show your community a little love
Volunteer in ways that matter to the people around you.

What volunteer type are you?
The key to having a positive volunteer experience is to find a good fit for the causes about which you care and the skills and interests you have. Here are four types of volunteers. Which one (or more) are you?

Use your social media account for good
While social media platforms may have their issues, they can also be a tremendous positive force.  And you can help build the momentum of social media’s potential for good in five key ways.

Give the gift of your artistic skills
Whether you’re a classically trained musician or dancer or simply love to make crafts in your spare time, your skills can benefit your community and others in a variety of ways.

Get the word out about causes you love
When you care about a cause, raising awareness is a big priority.  It can be a big challenge.  Here are 6 easy strategies that won’t break the bank! 

Do a drive or swap for your favorite charity
While it’s not uncommon to hear about clothing or food drives, you can plan a drive to collect virtually anything for your favorite charity.

5 surprising and fun ways to volunteer now
The positive mental health effects of volunteering are well documented, but we sometimes forget that volunteering can be a whole lot of fun too!

Make your neighborhood more livable
When it comes to the place you and your family live, why not make it the best it can be? Livable communities have features and attributes that make them good places for people of all ages.

4 things to consider as you volunteer now
Some are opting to volunteer from home.  Others are ready for in-person service.  How will you give back?

12 random acts of kindness to make someone's day
Every day, we have opportunities to practice kindness that cost little to nothing but can pay off in big ways. Here are 12 ideas you can try today. 

Help make the world more inclusive
Spend time supporting diversity, equity and inclusion.

How volunteering changes lives
Giving back transforms our lives in ways we never imagined. Two volunteers share remarkable stories of how volunteering changed them forever. 

Save your history.  Preserve stories that matter
It’s hard to overstate the value of stories.  There are many ways you can capture facts, moments, and revelations,for your family, your community and for history.

Teach what you know
Whether you're a math whiz, a trained musician, ora small business owner, thou can give back by simply sharing your knowledge and talents.  Best of all, you can do this simply and safely from your home.

8 ways to volunteer - and find social connection, too
Volunteering can help us fight loneliness and even make new friends. These volunteer opportunities offer the chance to connect with others. 

Be a small business champion in your community
Volunteer your time and talents to help them overcome the challenges of the pandemic.  

4 questions to ask yourself before you volunteer
Find the opportunity that most enriches your life, and define the role that best suits your needs by asking yourself the following questions.

Staying connected in a time of social distancing
Find volunteer opportunities to connect with others and brighten their day.

The animal lover's big guide to volunteering
Love animals?  There are many ways to safely help furry, feathered and other creatures.

Stand up for humanity
Find virtual opportunities to help protect human rights and promote justice.

Show your gratitude
Thank the essential workers who risk their lives to keep us safe during the coronavirus crisis.

Help from home
Reach those in need while you're "staying in place."

Find your perfect virtual volunteering fit
Figure out your niche - and your passion - and go from there.

Declutter and do good
Tidy up your home - and neighborhood - and help others.

Make a difference with a stroke of the pen
Put your writing skills to use helping others in your community!

Volunteers and animals - the perfect pair
Find ways to volunteer safely with and for animals.

Map out your volunteer year
Grab your favorite hot beverage, a pen and paper, and jot down a strategy for a successful year in which you’ll Create the Good.

Take a volunteer vacation
Travel and do good!

Help save a life as a suicide prevention volunteer
Here are 4 exceptional ways to support those at risk.

Brush with celebrity. Volunteer on the Red Carpet
Looking for a little glamour in your volunteer endeavors? Consider some opportunities to get closer to celebrity while doing good.

Make time for V time. Quick gigs for busy folks
Creating the good doesn't have to be a full-time job. If you know where to look, you can always find a way to fit some type of volunteering into your busy schedule.

5 groups of community helpers. 5 ways to say thanks
They've inspired you, protected you, and maybe even saved your life. Show community helpers just how much you care.

4 fur-tastic ways to serve others by working with service animals
You might be surprised at how many opportunities there are to volunteer with service animals!

5 quick ideas for the 10-minute volunteer
You can make a difference in the lives of others, even if you only have a few minutes to spare.

Volunteer for justice
Are you interested in making an impact on your community that can transcend generations? The justice system presents countless opportunities for volunteers to lend a hand.

5 ideas for volunteering with animals
They're cute and cuddly, and while most of them have paws, they could all use a hand. Here are a few ideas for helping animals in need.

Test your volunteer knowledge!
Take this quick, seven-question quiz on the current state of volunteering.

Change the world. No passport required
Want to be an international volunteer without leaving your nation, or even your town? There are plenty of ways to do it!

One-step volunteering
Tied down with work and other obligations? Find fast,easy ways to create good.

Have more time? Do more good
If you’re finding a little more time in your schedule than you had before, there are plenty of ways to fill the gaps by creating the good.

Be a voice, and a force, for the LGBT community
Looking for ways to help support the LGBT community? These ideas can springboard your volunteer efforts.

Help make your community livable for people of all ages
Livable communities are great places for all people of all ages. They provide safe, walkable streets; age-friendly housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life. Livable communities also offer plenty of opportunities to get involved and volunteer.

Seize the day. volunteer outdoors
Volunteers can make a difference from the comfort of their own homes, but why not get out when the weather is good! Here are a few ideas.

Unforgettable summer volunteer gigs
Summer’s almost here. If you’re looking for interesting ways to help your community while creating an unforgettable experience of your own, here are a few ideas.

Get kids into the volunteer spirit
Here are a few creative ideas to get kids into the volunteer spirit.

Help others with everyday technology
By helping a senior, or anyone who’s new to technology get up to speed, you can help enrich lives, open new doors and quite possibly learn something new for yourself. Here are a few ideas for taking advantage of technology to create more good.

Battle the bullies
Here are a few ways you can help make a difference in your community by helping to curb the bullying trend.

Online or offline. Help your community stay connected
Here are few ways you can help those close to you stay connected, both on and offline, and how to branch out and build your network.

Make a difference with handmade crafts
Use your crafting skills to support the organizations you care about. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Volunteer in the limelight
Make your volunteer experience even more rewarding when you become part of the action for a major sporting or entertainment event.

Gather your neighbors and make a difference
There’s no limit to the impact you can make on your community. Here are a few ways to cultivate and reinforce that great sense of neighborhood pride, while also making your community a better, safer place to live.

Make a difference in seconds
Micro-volunteering opportunities require a minimal commitment and often take less than 10 minutes to complete. As schedules tighten for the average American, this concept continues to gain momentum.

Load up the voluntour caravan
Voluntourism is as popular as ever, but instead of going it alone or just taking one friend, what if you gathered up a group, enjoyed each others company and multiplied your impact?

Make music, warm hearts
If you know how to play a musical instrument, or even press “play” on a stereo, you know how to make people dance, laugh, smile and forget about their worries for a while. Here are a few ideas on how to benefit your community through song.

Get unstuck from a volunteer rut
If you’ve been volunteering in the same capacity, at the same place, or with the same people for an extended period of time, the rewarding aspect of the process can start to wane, and volunteering can start to feel like a dead-end job. But you don’t necessarily have to quit to find a better fit.

Make a difference as a Slacktivist, Crowdsourcer or Micro-volunteer
Not-for-profits and volunteers are responding to today’s rapid change by adapting their practices to behavioral and technological trends. Slacktivism, Crowdsourcing and Micro-volunteering are three fast-growing trends that might help make your work more interesting and productive.

You + family or friends = one powerful volunteer approach
If you’re looking for a few ways to step up your volunteer game without making a big impact on your daily life, your friends, neighbors and family members might be able to help.

Keep your community safe and warm
Make a difference this winter by ensuring your communities remain safe and warm.

5 ways to make your community more livable
Check out these ideas for making your streets safer and more walkable, helping neighbors live comfortably and independently, and much more.

Giving from the heart pays back in spades
As a volunteer, you not only have the opportunity to improve your community. there are also multiple benefits you can receive in return.

Turn houses into homes
Volunteering to make new neighbors welcome can benefit the entire community.

Change a life with your fingertips
Make a real, positive difference simply by talking or texting on your phone.

Work volunteering into your week
Each new day brings an opportunity to do good. To help you fit service into your schedule, we've compiled ideas tailored to every day of the week.

Easy ways to revitalize your neighborhood
Here are a few simple ways to make a difference outside your door.

America's next top volunteer opportunity
These roles and organizations are growing fast and offer exponential opportunities to create the good.

Reach out and check in
Reach out to your neighbors, near and far, to show you care and strengthen your community connections.

Shared strength: volunteering for people with disabilities
One of the most rewarding volunteer experiences you can have is working with people living with disabilities. Get to know this community and make a difference.

Get in the game
Everyone's a winner when you team up to help your community! Pay it forward with our fun and easy playbook.

Every minute counts
Volunteer opportunities don't have to take a lot of time. You can fit service into your daily routine and make a difference in a matter of minutes.

Make your vacation a volunteer affair
Whether you're visiting far off locales or taking a needed staycation, there are fun and meaningful ways you can help others.

Add service to your birthday celebration
Make volunteering a part of your birthday celebration this year - and make it a special day for someone in need.

A fresh start gives your community a park
Service can inspire a fresh start, give someone a new beginning or reenergize an entire community. Leave a lasting impact by doing good.

Fact or fiction: volunteer edition
We set the record straight on common misconceptions.

What gives?
Cell phones, books, glasses, cars - your non-traditional charitable gifts can make an extraordinary difference.

Keep your resolutions going strong
Don't let your resolutions fall by the wayside. Reinvigorate your promises to yourself while helping others and improving your community.

Reimagine your life through volunteering
Volunteering is a practical way to find a new passion, explore a new career path, or simply make yourself more marketable.

Create community by doing good
Find others passionate about giving back. Organize a volunteer project in your neighborhood. When you connect with others in meaningful ways, you'll cultivate community as you create the good!

Volunteer internationally
Want to see the world while lending a hand? Volunteering can be a fun way to do good.

Make volunteering a family affair 
Create the Good has project ideas and tips that involve the whole crew - kids and grandparents included!

Volunteer from the comfort of home 
Don't have a car or another way to get to a volunteering site? Can't snag a sitter for young ones at home? Create the Good's got you covered.

Get active, get outdoors! 
Get outside and brighten our community today.

Volunteer artfully 
Music, murals, fesitvals and film: The arts offer compelling volunteer opportunities in communities nationwide.

Assist with housing, fight homelessness 
Everyone deserves a place to call home. From ensuring a loved one stays in their house to supporting the homeless with food drives and more, you can strengthen your community in tangible - often unexpected - ways.

5 ways to think outside the traditional volunteer box 
When people think of "volunteering," they may envision a hospital, school or shelter. Why not step onto some less-traveled volunteer raods with our list of unusual do-good opportunities?

Guide to smart(er) giving 
Before you make your next donation, do your homework. Take advantage of our quick tips to make sure your generosity is doing the most good.

Clean with purpose 
Open your pantry, clostes and drawers - and donate!

Help feed a family in need 
Join with friends to make a profound impact on your community and learn about the Family-to-Family program.

How to hold a used book sale 
Find how you can help your local community programs by hosting a used book sale event.

Start a women's giving circle 
Make a great impact on a charitable organization by organizing a giving circle in your community.

Organize a food drive 
Many community-based organizations can't meet the demand of a growing population of hungry Americans. Follow this project guide and help an organization near you.

Organize a shredding event 
Protect your community from financial fraud with this great event.

How to hold a coat drive 
Help keep those who need it warm this winter. Find out how you can help.

Help someone access public benefit programs 
Educate those in your community on the financial help they can recieve once they access public benefit programs

Operation Fight Fraud 
Help educate your loved ones and community on the risks of consumer fraud with this Do it Yourself guide.

Start a Walking Group

Sidewalks and Streets Survey

Build a Caring Community Network

Start - or Join - a Community Garden