Virtual Volunteering: Help Others Without Leaving Home

Although the coronavirus outbreak is requiring all of us to maintain physical distance for now, there are still plenty of ways that you can support your community.

As stay-at-home orders become the (temporary) law of the land, many Americans are struggling to adjust to the new normal.  Between boredom, panic snacking and a 24-hour news cycle, it’s easy to get mired down in feelings of anxiety and restlessness. But there’s a way you can channel all that pent-up energy into something positive: become a virtual volunteer.

Virtual volunteering allows you to lend your time and talents to the causes you care about, even when you can’t be there in person. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a desire to make a difference.

With many nonprofits seeing a higher demand for their services right now, the opportunities are endless. You might consider “adopting” an isolated senior and scheduling regular visits via Skype or Zoom. Or you could put all that business expertise to good use as an online career mentor for new grads.

Today, we’re offering up a variety of resources to help you get started as a virtual volunteer. After all, as socially distanced as we may be, we’re all in this together.

Here are a few organizations that could use your virtual help:

• American Red Cross virtual volunteers can do administrative/office support, schedule shifts for other volunteers, or offer logistical support so disaster relief operations continue to run smoothly.
• Catchafire offers flexible virtual volunteer opportunities that are tailored to your skills and passions.
• Idealist connects people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives.
• Taprootfoundation connects nonprofits and other social change organizations with skilled volunteers through pro bono service.
• VolunteerMatch offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders.
• AllforGood supports the health and well-being of communities, especially in times of crisis.
• UN Volunteers matches skilled volunteers with project-based volunteer opportunities.
• CareerVillage is a web platform where students can get free personalized career advice from real-live professionals.
• Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 national crisis-intervention and counseling service conducted exclusively through SMS text.
• Hire Heroes USA creates job opportunities for U.S. military veterans and their spouses. Volunteers can remotely help with mock interviews and career counseling or offer guidance on job searches and resume preparation.
• MicroMentor matches small business owners impacted by COVID-19 with business mentors.
• icouldbe.org connects the energy and expertise of mentors from various professions with the most vulnerable students in the U.S. educational system.

Nonprofits, tell us what you need

Now more than ever, Umpqua is committed to supporting the communities where we live and work. If your nonprofit organization needs virtual volunteers to help fulfill your organizational mission, our associates are ready to step up.

• Do you need help making thank you calls to donors? We can do that!
• Do you have data entry projects that can be done electronically? We can help!
• Do your clients have general financial education needs or questions that we can answer by phone, email, or video conference? We have the expertise!
• Do you need help reviewing loan documents, providing resume feedback for job seekers, or developing communication plans? We’d love to learn more!

To get started, fill out this Virtual Volunteer Request Form. Feel free to share this request form with others in your organization who may also have ideas of how we can help. While we may not be able to fill every need, we’ll do our very best to match our associates to the volunteer opportunities you present.

We’re stronger together

Our thoughts go out to those who have been affected directly or indirectly by COVID-19 and to the community at large during this unprecedented time. While we don’t know what the future holds, we do know that together, our collective efforts can accomplish great things.