Non-Profit Volunteer Opportunities

Question

I have seen questions on SO regarding volunteering for potential employers or volunteering to help out on open source projects. But what about putting your IT skills to use at traditional non-profit organizations as a volunteer? I would like to volunteer some time to a worthwhile cause in 2010, but am having a hard time finding organizations who may need IT help. Does anyone do this? Are there any websites out there to help one find organizations looking for such help? I would think some must have a need for free software development type work?

I saw a bit on 'WeVolunteer' that publishes a database of volunteer opportunities (http://www.wetv.com/volunteer.html), but it seems to be more 'typical' volunteer opportunities (soup kitchens, walk-a-thons, etc).

Answer 1

As an alternative, I would suggest putting time in doing freelance work and then donating the money.

Answer 2

Hmm. I don't know of any marketplace for IT volunteerings. I would say look for organizations you like, contact them directly, and see whether they have a need for volunteers in the IT field.

Be sure to request detailed information about where you would be used. I would guess that every organization and their dog will say that they need you, simply because it's regarded valuable end expensive. Make sure you sign up with somebody who knows what they need you for, and can tell you what it is.

Answer 3

In the UK there are a specific organisations set up for just this thing :

http://www.it4communities.org.uk/it4c/home/index.jsp;jsessionid=769179E83A32EC920A107C3E78AC1113 http://www.icthub.org.uk/

It is aimed at IT professionals who want to donate time / effort to various charities and charities register and list needs, whilst volunteers register and try match their skills to the needs and take on volunteer work.

Whilst they are UK based, the work can often be done remotely, and is not necessarily for the UK but can be for developing countries.

Answer 4

"Volunteering Beyond OSS discussion" has some other ideas from a gathering that happened in Canada a little while back.

Answer 5

There is a slowly emerging trend in software development, there are events called "Give Camps". The idea is over a weekend, a group of developers will set up websites and do development work for a set of charities/non-profits. Everything is kind of set up before hand.

Answer 6

I worked on several websites (LAMP) for non-profits via taproot.com. All of the projects I worked on were based in the city (NYC), not sure if any are in NJ. They are definitely worth a try.