Volunteering
​for community and causes

Why Volunteer? Because It Changes Lives
Starting with Yours.

Volunteering isn’t just about giving your time—it’s about unlocking your potential and making a real difference. When you step up for your community or a cause you care about, you gain far more than you give:

• ✅ Stand out professionally – Volunteering builds leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that employers value.
• ✅ Expand your network – Meet like-minded people, mentors, and community leaders who can open doors and inspire new opportunities.
• ✅ Boost your well-being – Helping others reduces stress, combats loneliness, and gives you a powerful sense of purpose.
• ✅ Discover your passion – Whether you're exploring a new field or reigniting an old interest, volunteering helps you grow in meaningful ways.
• ✅ Be the change – Your time and talents can directly impact lives, strengthen communities, and create lasting social good.

Volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to invest in yourself—while lifting others. Why wait to make a difference when you can start today?

helping-Brands flagship organization,

Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA can create volunteer opportunities for anyone interested in any of our community efforts.​

​Volunteering offers a wide range of personal benefits for individuals. 
​
Volunteering helps individuals grow personally and professionally while making a positive impact. It allows people to:

• Build meaningful connections with others in their community.
• Develop new skills or strengthen existing ones, such as leadership, communication, and teamwork.
• Gain valuable experience that can enhance a résumé or support a career transition.
• Boost mental well-being by fostering a sense of purpose, reducing stress, and increasing happiness.
• Explore passions and interests in a hands-on, impactful way.
• Contribute to causes they care about, creating a sense of fulfillment and civic responsibility.

The benefits of volunteering specifically for job seekers and career advancers:

Volunteering: A Smart Strategy for Career Growth

Whether you're looking for your next job or aiming to advance in your current field, volunteering can be a game-changer. It’s not just about giving back—it’s about moving forward.

🔹 Gain Relevant ExperienceVolunteering lets you build hands-on experience in areas like project management, marketing, fundraising, event planning, or tech--even if you’re changing careers.
🔹 Fill Résumé Gaps with PurposeEmployers value initiative. Volunteering shows you stayed active, engaged, and committed to growth—even between jobs.
🔹 Expand Your Professional NetworkYou’ll meet people from diverse industries and backgrounds—many of whom can offer referrals, mentorship, or job leads.
🔹 Showcase Leadership and Soft SkillsTaking on volunteer roles demonstrates leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and communication—qualities that hiring managers look for.
🔹 Boost Confidence and MotivationHelping others can reignite your sense of purpose and keep your mindset positive and proactive during a job search.
🔹 Stand Out to EmployersVolunteering signals character, initiative, and community-mindedness—traits that make you a more attractive candidate.

Bottom line: Volunteering is one of the most strategic and fulfilling ways to build your career while making a difference. It’s not just a good deed—it’s a smart move.

       
​      Volunteer
     with RWJBarnabas Health

Learn more about volunteer opportunities in your community by visiting one of the links below.
​
Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital (RWJUH)
Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (NBI)
Children's Specialized Hospital
Clara Maass Medical Center
Community Medical Center
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (formerly Saint Barnabas Medical Center)
Jersey City Medical Center
Monmouth Medical Center
Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick
RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
RWJ University Hospital Rahway
RWJ University Hospital Somerset
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
The Unterberg Children’s Hospital

​www.idealist.org/en/volunteer

Here’s a curated list of top volunteer organizations and websites where you can find volunteer opportunities, especially helpful for job seekers, career advancers, and community-minded individuals:

🌟 Top Volunteer Organizations in the U.S.These are nationally recognized nonprofits with impactful missions and strong volunteer programs:
​

1. Volunteers of America
   Focus: Housing, healthcare, and human services across 46 states.
   Website[1]
2. Global Volunteers
   Focus: International and domestic service programs supporting children and families.
   Website[1]
3. VolunteerMatch
   Focus: Connecting volunteers with nonprofits via a powerful online platform.
   Website[1]
4. Peace Corps
   Focus: International development and cultural exchange (long-term commitment).
   Website[1]
5. Youth Service America (YSA)
   Focus: Empowering youth (ages 5–25) to lead service projects and civic engagement.
   Website[1]

🔍 Best Websites to Find Volunteer Opportunities

These platforms make it easy to search by location, cause, or skill:

1. VolunteerMatch – One of the largest databases for virtual and local opportunities.[2]
2. Engage (formerly All for Good) – Offers thousands of listings by cause and location.[2]
3. JustServe – Great for finding local, family-friendly, and ongoing projects.[2]
4. Idealist – Connects people with volunteer, internship, and nonprofit job opportunities.[3]
5. DoSomething.org – Focused on youth-led campaigns for social change.[2]
6. Catchafire – Matches professionals with nonprofits needing specific skills (e.g., marketing, finance).[3]
7. GivePulse – Tracks volunteer hours and connects users with local causes.[2]
8. Create the Good (AARP) – Tailored for volunteers 50+ but open to all.[3]
9. Encore.org – Focuses on engaging older adults in meaningful volunteer work.[3]
10. Volunteer.gov – Ideal for nature lovers and those interested in national parks and conservation.[3]

Would you like a printable or shareable version of this list for your students or workshop attendees?

References
[1] Top Five Volunteer Organizations in the United States
[2] The 10 Best Websites to Find Volunteer Work and Opportunities
[3] Want to give your time? 20 sites for finding volunteering ... - Zelos

​​Here’s a detailed history of Idealist.org, a pioneering nonprofit organization in the social impact and volunteer engagement space:

🕰️ History of Idealist.org (formerly Action Without Borders)1995–1996: Founding and Launch

• Idealist was founded in 1995 by Ami Dar, an Israeli-born social entrepreneur who grew up in Peru and Mexico. His early exposure to global inequality inspired him to create a platform that would help people take action on issues they care about.[1]
• Originally called Action Without Borders, the organization launched Idealist.org in 1996 as a digital hub for connecting individuals with volunteer opportunities, nonprofit jobs, and community action.[1]

1996–2010: Growth and Global Reach

• Idealist quickly became one of the most trusted platforms for nonprofit careers and volunteerism, hosting listings from tens of thousands of organizations worldwide.
• It expanded its services to include internships, events, and educational resources, and opened offices in New York and Argentina.
• By the mid-2000s, Idealist was receiving 35,000+ daily visitors and had become a go-to resource for people seeking purpose-driven work.[1]

2010s: Innovation and Challenges

• Idealist experimented with new initiatives like Idealist Days, encouraging people to take collective action on the same day each month.
• In 2016, the organization closed its Portland, Oregon office and laid off staff due to financial constraints, but continued operations from its New York headquarters.[1]

2025: Merger with VolunteerMatch

• In January 2025, Idealist announced a historic merger with VolunteerMatch, combining two of the most influential platforms in the nonprofit and volunteer space.[2]
• The merged organization retained the Idealist name and is led by founder Ami Dar.
• Together, they have connected over 250,000 organizations with more than 40 million people, delivering billions of dollars in social impact.[2]

🌐 Mission and ImpactIdealist’s mission is to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives by connecting them with opportunities to take action—whether through volunteering, working in the nonprofit sector, or engaging in community initiatives.

Would you like a visual timeline or a comparison of Idealist and VolunteerMatch before and after the merger?

References
[1] Action Without Borders - Wikipedia
[2] Idealist and VolunteerMatch Announce Merger

​​The Engage volunteer platform, officially known as Points of Light Engage, has a rich history rooted in innovation, civic engagement, and digital transformation:

🕰️ History of Engage (formerly All for Good)

​2008–2009: The Birth of All for Good

• All for Good was inspired by a call to service from President Barack Obama and developed by a coalition of tech volunteers from Google, Craigslist Foundation, YouTube, and others.
• It was envisioned as a “Craigslist for volunteering,” making it easy for Americans to find and sign up for service opportunities online.
• The platform launched in 2009 as a free, open-source volunteer opportunity aggregator.

2011: Acquisition by Points of Light

• Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service (founded by President George H.W. Bush), acquired All for Good to expand its digital reach and impact.
• Under Points of Light, All for Good grew rapidly, hosting millions of volunteer searches and partnering with major organizations like AARP, United Way, AmeriCorps, and Serve.gov.[1]

2021: Rebranding to Points of Light Engage

• In January 2021, Points of Light officially relaunched All for Good as “Points of Light Engage”, branding it as the world’s largest digital hub for volunteering and community engagement.[2]
• Engage integrates with over 40 partner platforms, curating 300,000+ volunteer opportunities from 70,000+ nonprofits, schools, and agencies.
• The platform was enhanced with improved search and discovery tools, making it easier for individuals to connect with causes they care about.[3]

🌐 What Engage Offers Today

• A centralized platform for individuals to find local and virtual volunteer opportunities.
• Tools for nonprofits to post and manage events.
• Integration with corporate and civic engagement programs.
• A mission to mobilize millions of people to take action that changes the world.

Would you like a visual timeline or a slide version of this history for a presentation or workshop?

References
[1] CSRWire - All for Good, One of the World's Largest Volunteer ...
[2] Points of Light Launches Points of Light Engage, the World’s Largest ...
[3] Allforgood.org being rebranded as Points of Light Engage

​​Here’s a detailed history of VolunteerMatch, one of the most influential platforms in the volunteer engagement space:

🕰️ History of VolunteerMatch

​1994–1998: Origins and Launch

• VolunteerMatch began as Impact Online, a nonprofit founded by four MBA graduates--Mark Benning, Joanne Ernst, Steve Glikbarg, and Cindy Shove—who wanted to use the internet to connect people with volunteer opportunities.
• In 1998, Impact Online merged with Volunteer America (co-founded by Jay Backstrand and Craig Jacoby) and officially launched VolunteerMatch.org on April 25, 1998.[1]

1999–2009: Growth and Recognition

• In 1999, Oprah Winfrey featured VolunteerMatch on her show, causing one of the busiest traffic days in the platform’s history.[2]
• The organization introduced new features like skills-based search and real-time volunteer activity maps.
• It became a trusted partner for major nonprofits like the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Girl Scouts of the USA.[3]

2010–2018: Corporate and Tech Expansion

• VolunteerMatch launched YourMatch, a SaaS platform to help companies manage employee volunteer programs.
• It partnered with LinkedIn for Good in 2014 to share skills-based volunteer opportunities with millions of professionals.[4]
• By 2018, it had facilitated over 14 million volunteer connections and supported 120,000+ nonprofits.[4]

2019–Present: Innovation and Impact

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, VolunteerMatch saw a 240% increase in virtual volunteering interest.[2]
• The organization now offers the largest database of volunteer opportunities in the world, with over 18 million connections made as of 2023.[2]
• It continues to support nonprofits, schools, and corporations with tools for engagement, tracking, and impact measurement.

🌐 Mission and ReachVolunteerMatch’s mission is to “match inspired people with inspiring causes.” It remains a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Oakland, California, and is widely recognized as a pioneer in digital volunteer engagement.[1]
Would you like this turned into a timeline graphic or a slide deck for a presentation?

References
[1] VolunteerMatch - Wikipedia
[2] 25 Days of VolunteerMatch
[3] How VolunteerMatch Works - HowStuffWorks
[4] VolunteerMatch Celebrates 20 Years of Connecting Good People With Good ...

​You can access Form 990 reports for nonprofit organizations for free from several reliable sources.

Here are the best options:

🧾 1. IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search

• Website: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/
• Details: Official IRS tool to search for tax-exempt organizations and view their Form 990 filings.
• Pros: Direct source, includes determination letters and revocation status.
• Cons: Interface can be a bit clunky and slow.

📊 2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

• Website: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/
• Details: Easy-to-use database with access to over 3 million tax filings.
• Pros: Clean interface, searchable by name, EIN, location, or keyword. Includes financial summaries and downloadable PDFs.
• Cons: May not have the most recent filings immediately.

🔍 3. Candid (formerly GuideStar)

• Website: https://www.guidestar.org/
• Details: Comprehensive nonprofit profiles including Form 990s.
• Pros: Rich organizational data, including mission, programs, and leadership.
• Cons: Requires free account signup for access to full reports.

📁 4. Open990

• Website: https://www.open990.org/
• Details: Free search tool for Form 990 data.
• Pros: Focused on transparency and accessibility.
• Cons: May not have as much contextual info as Candid or ProPublica.

​New Jersey has several statutes that protect volunteers in various capacities. Here's a summary of the key legal protections currently in place:

1. Civil Liability Protection for Nonprofit VolunteersStatute: NJ Rev Stat § 2A:53A-7.1 (2024)
This law provides immunity from civil liability for volunteers serving nonprofit organizations, including trustees, directors, officers, and members of boards or councils, as long as they are not compensated (except for reimbursement of expenses).

• Volunteers are protected from liability for acts of judgment or discretion unless their actions show reckless disregard.
• Immunity does not apply to willful, wanton, or grossly negligent acts, or to negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
• The statute also applies to volunteers in nonprofit cemetery organizations and economic development nonprofits.[1]

2. Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Municipal VolunteersStatutes: NJSA 34:15-43, NJSA 34:15-43.2, NJSA 34:15-7.3
These laws extend workers’ compensation benefits to certain municipal volunteers, including:

• Volunteer firefighters, rescue squad workers, auxiliary police officers, and school board members
• Coverage includes injuries sustained during official duties, drills, fundraisers, or emergencies.
• Presumptions of compensability exist for:
  • Respiratory diseases (for firefighters)
  • Heart attacks or strokes during emergency response
  • Cancer (under the Canzanella Act, for firefighters with 7+ years of service)
  • COVID-19 (for essential employees during the declared emergency period)

Volunteers may receive maximum compensation rates even if they have no other employment.[2]

3. Job Protection for Volunteer Emergency RespondersStatute: New Jersey Emergency Responders Employment Protection Act (2010)
This law prohibits employers from firing or disciplining employees who miss work due to:

• Responding to an emergency alarm
• Volunteering during a declared state of emergency

Conditions for protection:

• The responder must notify the employer at least one hour before missing work.
• Upon return, they must provide an incident report and certification from the incident commander.

Limitations:

• Does not apply to “essential” employees required to work during emergencies.
• Employers are not required to pay for missed time, but employees may use vacation or sick days.[3]

References
[1] 2024 New Jersey Revised Statutes :: Title 2A - Justia Law
[2] Municipal Volunteers and New Jersey Workers’ Compensation
[3] Microsoft Word - ClientAlertNJemergencyResponderProtectionAct.DOC