Resources

Before giving your money to anyone, it’s wise to check that the organization is who it says it is, that it’s a registered non-profit, and that it uses the money in a way that most benefits the community—not the administration or the fundraisers. A number of watchdog organizations do that for you and, thanks to the Internet, make it so much easier to look into any charity you might consider volunteering with.

Volunteer organizations abound on the Internet: you can work with animals and the environment, learn farming, provide health care, work with human rights, teach English, and a multitude of other opportunities. Some act as matchmakers between potential volunteers and non-profit organizations while other organizations just offer a variety of programs.

Mention of any website does not constitute endorsement. If you’d like to add a link or report a broken link, please send us an email .

Charity Watchdog Organizations

American Institute of Philanthropy: http://www.charitywatch.org/

Charity Guide: http://charityguide.org/volunteer/charityratings.htm

Charity Navigator: http://www.charitynavigator.org/

IRS Charity Search: http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/

Opportunities to volunteer exist in every field imaginable: education, healthcare, economic development, business, sports, human rights, politics, etc. These are just a few examples of organizations that you might consider.