Benefits of Volunteering
Perhaps the first and biggest benefit people get from volunteering is the satisfaction of incorporating service into their lives and making a difference in their community and country. The intangible benefits alone—such as pride, satisfaction and accomplishment—are worthwhile reasons to serve. Volunteering does have a meaningful, positive impact on your community. But did you know that it can also have many personal benefits for you too? Here are some reasons to volunteer:
- Learn or develop a new skill:
Volunteering is the perfect vehicle to discover something you are really good at or to develop a new skill. The possibilities are endless. - Be part of your community
No man or woman is an island. We sometimes take for granted the community that we live in. As a volunteer, you certainly return to society some of the benefits that society gives you. - Motivation and sense of achievement
Fundamentally, volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely. It may be true that no one person can solve all the world’s problems, but what you can do is make that little corner of the world where you live just that little bit better. - Boost your career options
If you have a passion for the arts but have a career in computing then why not volunteer at your local theatre? The ideal is to expand your work portfolio. - New interests and hobbies
Sometimes we get locked into the “rat-race” of life and volunteering can give us that escape to everyday routine and create a balance in our lives. You can strengthen your personal/professional mission and vision by exploring opportunities and expanding your horizons. - New experiences
Volunteering is a brilliant way to get life experience. Whether you build a library or mail flyers to raise awareness for a local charity, you will experience the real world through hands-on work.
- Meeting a diverse range of people
Volunteering brings together a diverse range of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Networking is an exciting benefit of volunteering and you can never tell who you will meet or what new information you will learn and what impact this could have on your life. - Send a signal to your employer, teachers, friends and family…
People pay attention to your life outside the environment in which they have direct contact with you. Volunteering reflects and supports a complete picture of you, and gives real examples of your commitment, dedication and interests. Show people what you are passionate about and maybe you will inspire them too! - Healthy Lifestyle
Recent research shows that volunteering improves your general well-being. Volunteering not only improves self-esteem, but also reduces heart rates and blood pressure, increases endorphin production (thus reducing rates of depression), enhances immune systems, buffers stress and combats social isolation. For more information on how volunteering can improve your health, visit the Corporation on National and Community Service and National Institutes of Health or “The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research,” - Academic Credit
Some schools offer academic credit for volunteer work through "service learning." This is a teaching method that integrates hands-on learning (through service to the community) into the school curriculum. It's available in college as well as high school and earlier grades. To find out more visit Learn and Serve. - Federal Tax Deductions
Volunteers in the U.S. can receive tax deductions from the federal government on many costs associated with volunteering, such as travel expenses, parking, convention attendance fees, etc. The deductions apply ONLY if you are NOT getting reimbursed for these expenses by the organization you are assisting and you are itemizing on your tax form (not if you use the 1040 EZ form). If you have any questions about how you should file, please consult a tax professional.
References:
Ten Professional Development Benefits of Volunteering (Everything I Learned in Life I Learned through Volunteering). Mary V. Merrill, LSW, Merrill Associates
