Virtual Service Opportunities

While these challenging times have kept us from doing our usual service projects, several organizations around the world have created virtual opportunities for service for whatever amount of time you have to give. Here are some that we recommend you checking out:

Litterati
This crowd-sourced smartphone app tracks litter you collect and is a great way to get some quick conservation hours.

L.A. Works Virutal Volunteering
This site has several options serving local charities, including making masks for doctors, first-responders, the elderly and other high-risk groups, as well as creating care kits for the homeless.

United Nations Volunteers
Connects you with global organizations working for peace and development in need of skills like research, writing, art and design.

Catchafire
This volunteer search tool is exclusively for online volunteer projects. Each one has a timeline that can range anywhere from an hour to a few weeks. So whether you have an afternoon or several, you can help not-for-profit with tasks like writing thank you letters or editing photos.

Zooniverse
Spend as much or as little time as you’d like identifying endangered animals, classifying galaxy systems, or transcribing Shakespearean manuscripts.

Project Gutenberg
The goal is to create the largest digital library, and so far they’ve amassed 59,000 free eBooks. Volunteer by donating eligible materials, transcribing books into a digital form, or proofreading others’ work.

DoSomething.org
Geared towards younger volunteers, DoSomething has several online campaigns to help solve real-world problems, from racism and social issues to creating the largest crowdsourced anti-bullying guide.

Smithsonian Transcription Project
Become a Smithsonian Digital Volunteer and help make historical documents and biodiversity data more accessible. Join 31,102 “volunpeers” to add more to the total 652,111 pages of field notes, diaries, ledgers, logbooks, currency proof sheets, photo albums, manuscripts, biodiversity specimens labels that have been collaboratively transcribed and reviewed so far.

And there are even more opportunities compiled by organizations like AmeriCorps, Points of Light, Volunteer Match and All for Good.