Dating, 21st century style: volunteer matchmakers
Betterplace.org: People in need of support, meet others who want to help. One to one. Worldwide.
You find social projects from around the world or in your own neighbourhood. Projects you can directly support: by offering donations in money, kind, know-how, or time – as an individual or a company. On betterplace you can experience directly, in text and image, the concrete difference your contribution is making.
Idealist.org : Action without borders
Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives. Over 57,000 nonprofit organizations from more than 180 countries have created profiles on Idealist.org. They use these profiles to list information about their missions, programs, services, and opportunities.
Volunteermatch.org : helping everyone find a great place to volunteer.
Targeted at US residents, it is the only non-for-profit service included in TIME magazine's list of "Top 10 Websites" for 2007. This search engine for volunteerism has made more than 3 million referrals to socially responsible Web surfers. Some 52,000 nonprofit organizations recruit help through the site. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement.
Nabuur : the global neighbour network
Nabuur links you directly with people around the world who need your assistance now. All you need is a computer, a little free time, and the desire to make a difference. All volunteering is done via the web.
Take a holiday... and do some good
There's is no doubt that travel can open your eyes to the world - and once they're open, it's hard to ignore some of the problems you see. There's an increasing number of people looking for more meaningful ways to travel - everything from treading lightly on the environment to giving your time and skills to help those who really need it to funding much needed projects.
You're likely to get confused by the range of terms used to describe this new wave of good will... called voluntourism, traveler's philanthropy, responsible travel, here's some links to help you find the travel experience you're after:
Responsible Travel Guidelines
If you're planning a trip, read what these people have to say on the topic:
Intrepid Travel's - Top 12 tips for responsible travel
World Expeditions - download the great booklet about how to travel thoughtfully
Sustainable Travel International - responsible travel info and resources:
The International Ecotoursim Society - the global peak body for responsible tourism operators:
Community Project Trips
Intrepid's Make a Difference trips
Don't just take a holiday, get involved in community development and really make a difference to the world. Choose from 2 to 6 week building, teaching and youth development projects in Latin America, Africa, Asia and The Pacific - and really make a difference.
World Expeditions' Community Project Travel
Community Project Travel is a unique “philanthropy” program that we have operated since 2005, functioning entirely as a ‘not-for profit’ division of our company that offers purposeful adventures for everyday travellers. How does it work? Combine your holiday with 3 to 6 days volunteer work in a remote area. Part of your trip cost pays for the relevant building materials and local project manager. During the community work, you'll live and work alongside local people.
Responsible Holidays
The Blue Yonder: Responsible travel trips in India
We promote responsible tourism in a sustainable way that is economically, ecologically and socially just. Explore India through river rafting or a country boat cruise, legend trails, rain forest trekking, camping, walking safari, vehicle safari, music trails, marital arts, folk expressions, culinary trails or just lazing...
Recipient of 2007 Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Awards and prestigious Responsible Tourism Award at the 2006 World Travel Mart in London
Responsible Travel: holidays that give the world a break.
Hand-picked holidays from 100s of specialist operators who care about the environment & local people
i-to-i : meaningful travel
From a simple two-week volunteer placement to a combined volunteering adventure lasting over two months, i-to-i offer a huge range of meaningful travel experiences.
Voluntourism : do the right thing with the right company (UK based)
Volunteer and Responsible Tourism holidays from selected operators globally. We feature tours from companies that have programs in place to help
improve the lives of a local community over a period of time ranging
from a couple days to months.
Hands Up Holidays : adventures that count
Luxury Volunteering (Voluntourism) trips: eco-adventures blending sightseeing with a taste of volunteering
Challenge Trips
Intrepid Travel's Challenges
Intrepid Challenges are about ordinary people achieving extraordinary things. Every challenge helps raise money for inspiring charities whose work extends into all areas of life. Several hundred fundraisers a year embark on life changing journeys and in the process raise much needed money for Charity. The hard part is picking just one to support...
World Expeditions' Charity Challenges
Over the last 10 years World Expeditions' global offices have been involved in raising over one million US dollars within our Charity Challenge programs for a broad range of very deserving causes.
Volunteer organisations
VSO: Voluntary Service Overseas
VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. We are by far the largest independent volunteer-sending agency in the world and recruit volunteers from across the globe to help tackle the root of the causes of poverty.
AVI : Australian Volunteers International
For Australian citizens and permanant residents ; Take your career skills down an important path as a paid, professional volunteer on assignments in developing communities overseas.
Global Volunteer Network: Connecting people with Communities in Need
The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) offers volunteer service opportunities in community projects throughout the world. We currently provide volunteer programs through our partner organizations in 20 countries.
World Youth International: "We make a difference in children's lives"
WYI is a not for profit, non-religious & non-political volunteer organisation, that works in global partnerships to create sustainable community development projects. Programs available in South America, Africa and Asia.
Conservation Volunteers : Awareness Action Conservation since 1982
The leading practical environmental conservation NGO in Australia, welcoming over 13,000 volunteers (including 2,000 international travellers) to join programs across Australia annually.