Giving Compass' Take:

• Here are four ways to help volunteers be the most useful during uncertain times to help vulnerable populations. 

• What are the opportunities for you to improve your community during tumultuous times? 

• Learn how volunteering can help your career. 


With the COVID-19 outbreak topping the headlines, and cases surpassing 100,000 globally, personal preparedness and precaution is top of mind for many of us at home, and at work.

And as thousands of U.S. citizens are now being asked by their local governments to self-quarantine, at VolunteerMatch, we’re also receiving numerous enquiries from companies and individuals who want to know how they can lend a helping hand in their communities.

These requests to volunteer are no surprise to us: during times of great uncertainty, we are often deluged with even more enquiries than usual by people wanting to help — even when helping might put them personally at risk.

It’s that spirit that makes us human. It’s that spirit that will keep us connected and thriving even during the worst of times. And, that desire to help no matter the odds truly matters. Because while Coronavirus dominates much of our newsfeed right now, there remain numerous causes that demand the power of our collective assistance — from urgent disasters including deadly tornadoes in Nashville, flooding in Peru and heavy rains in Brazil, to ongoing crises including persistent homelessness  and food insecurity across the United States. The issues that challenge our planet are too great for any one of us to take on alone.

Here are some ideas we’ve collected to help if you’re curious about how you can help the most vulnerable populations:

  • Be Alert for Best Practices.
  • Support Your Local Nonprofits.
  • Become a Virtual Volunteer.
  • Embrace Inclusive Behaviors and Mindsets.

Read the full article about volunteering in uncertain times by Laura Plato at VolunteerMatch.