Virtual Volunteering: entities to collaborate with

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of online ways of working and collaborating accelerated and normalized. Non-profit organizations are increasingly turning to virtual volunteering to continue their missions and reach communities around the world. At the same time, they are gaining a greater number of international volunteers, which allows them to provide greater 24-hour care. 

From the comfort of their homes and through their computer, volunteers from all over the world can help the organizations they like the most by providing telephone support, translating materials, designing campaigns or even running the organization's social networks. This type of volunteering allows volunteers to find roles that suit their skills, tastes and above all availability.

Below are 10 entities or platforms that offer this type of volunteering around different types of volunteering: 

Translators Without Borders offers virtual volunteering opportunities for translators and editors who wish to contribute with the translation of humanitarian materials into different languages.

Transparency International fights corruption around the world and offers virtual volunteering opportunities in areas such as research, data analysis and advocacy.

Save the Children, focused on the protection of children in emergency and crisis situations, offering psychological, educational and health support, allows volunteers to volunteer, telemarketing, fundraising, social media awareness and translation of materials.

Amnesty International: In addition to its human rights work, Amnesty International provides support and advocacy for victims of human rights violations around the world. Volunteers can help with research activities, solidarity letter writing and awareness campaigns.

Refugees International: This organization is dedicated to advocating for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. It offers virtual volunteer opportunities to assist in research, report writing and humanitarian policy advocacy.

Catchafire: Catchafire is a platform that connects volunteer professionals with nonprofit organizations that need help with specific projects. They offer virtual volunteer opportunities in a variety of administrative areas, such as project management, policy development, strategic planning and more.

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): RAINN is the largest national sexual violence organization in the United States. Although primarily a U.S. organization, it offers virtual volunteer opportunities in telephone support, online chat and hotline assistance for victims of sexual assault.

Smithsonian Digital Volunteers: This Smithsonian Institute initiative offers virtual volunteer opportunities to help transcribe historical documents and digitize archives of cultural interest.

Friends of the Earth International: offers virtual volunteering opportunities in climate change campaigns, biodiversity conservation and awareness-raising activities.

Taproot Foundation: is another organization that specializes in connecting professional volunteers with nonprofit organizations for pro bono consulting projects. They offer virtual volunteer opportunities in areas such as data analytics, organizational development, finance and operations.