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Volunteers

How to pick the right cause and the right role for you

Where can I have the most impact?

Following the Meta-Problem Method can help you solve for both impact and efficiency.

The goal when exploring a dilemma is to identify which problems would be the best to solve, both in terms of the benefits and the costs to achieve the improvements.

There are two main lenses to use as you contemplate volunteering: What will my impact on the world be, and what will I get/take from the experience? Each of these will require a subset of supporting choices, which bring a set of consequences.

Charcoal image of hands planting seedling

How can I add the most value?

Some not-for-profits do research, some provide hands-on help, some lobby in support of an issue or profession, some raise public or professional awareness, and so on.

Which type of work would suit you best as a volunteer? How clear is the organization about its goals? How well does it use its resources? How much impact is it having?

Your expertise will help you decide at what level you want to operate. Can you offer leadership skills, management expertise or functional skills (for example marketing)? Would you be more valuable in the field?

Making a choice

There is often a lot you don’t know about what the organization wants and needs. If your first-choice not-for-profit doesn’t accept you, your research should have given you long list of alternatives.

Sticking with your chosen organization for a long time adds an interesting layer, as you can evaluate your contributions today and over the coming weeks, months, or years.

Given limited hours in the day and so many demands on your time, the key to maximizing impact is to choose something you’ll prioritize time and time again.

What do you get out of volunteering?

Some people are driven by a cause, a sense of purpose, or some vision of what needs to be different in the world of tomorrow.

Others enjoy the satisfaction of helping others. Maybe you went through a rough patch and think of volunteering as paying forward the help you received when you were at a low point.

Time spent volunteering can help you develop skills, expertise, and experience in a new field. Maybe you want to make new friends and connections: volunteering is a great way to meet others who have a shared passion.

Choose an example below to learn more about the Meta-Problem Method and how it can help guide your choices.