2,017,143 people have helped raise more than $5,741,050 for 273 projects

Volunteer opportunities

Dating, 21st century style: volunteer matchmakers

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.

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.

All for Good
A volunteer opportunity search engine to help people connect with volunteer activities in their communities. The site brings together service opportunities from local and national organizations to help you find volunteer activities that fit your time and interests.

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:


Responsible Holidays

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.

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, martial 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

Hands Up Holidays : adventures that count
Luxury Volunteering (Voluntourism) trips: eco-adventures blending sightseeing with a taste of volunteering

Edge of Africa: Give the edge, volunteer in Africa
... committed to ethical volunteering and responsible travelling- providing volunteer and internship placements in South Africa for gap years, career breaks, university internships, school groups and corporate team building projects

World Expeditions' Charity Challenges
Help raise money for charity by booking a charity-partnered trip, and World Expedition will pay a specific donation on your behalf. Take the charity challenge and fundraise the target amount, then reward yourself with the trip and the charity receives your donation.


Volunteer organisations

Volunteering Solutions: volunteer. intern. travel
Providing international volunteering opportunities in different countries in the field of childcare, teaching, women's empowerment, community development, wildlife and conservation programs. Plus medical internships for medical/ nursing students and professionals in hospitals and dental elective placements for dental students.

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 permanent 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.

Earthwatch: Citizens and scientists working together for a sustainable planet.
international non-profit organization that brings science to life for people concerned about the Earth's future. More than 93,000 volunteers sent to the field to work alongside 1000 scientists since 1971.  See global site

Geovisions ; Really interesting ways to learn about Your world
Offers volunteer projects over 35 countries. From teaching, rescuing wild animals, and community

Careers in the non-profit sector

JobHero: non profit career guide ; From getting started to finding ongoing sources of funding, building a successful nonprofit organization takes a lot of work. Make it easier on yourself by tapping into the many resources offered by the trustworthy groups profiled in this guide.

Many people write to us at Footprints offering their volunteer time and skills on some of the amazing projects we fund. As we are a grant-making organisation not a project facilitator, we mostly cannot help with these requests. However, we really would like to point people in the right direction so they can find the right place to volunteer. These websites help connect you with people and organisations looking for your skills, time and desire to make a difference, whether it's overseas or in your own local area, for a day, a week or a lifetime. Go on... do it! You're never too small to make a difference.

(If you'd still really like to help us, we'd like to grow bigger and need more businesses to join the network. Please put us in touch with reputable e-commerce websites who also want to make a difference)