Believe it or not, many nonprofits serve as the backbone of our communities. Whether it be food shelters, The Red Cross or even The Salvation Army, these nonprofits serve as safe havens for a good amount of the local population. Not to mention, they are there for the people who need it most. But why is it so important to connect and get involved with these organizations? Let’s dive in.

When You Help Others, You’re Helping Yourself!

An often overlooked aspect of getting involved with a nonprofit is that you are actually helping yourself. You may be asking “How so?” Well, if we really think about it, when you connect with any nonprofit, their mission is to support and maintain your community while also giving back to the people who need it the most. Nonprofits are a vital part of any communities ecosystem. Without them, many people would be left without everyday essentials. Regardless, there is a direct correlation between the happiness & sustenance of the population and the overall health of your community. So, why not aim for it and help out?

Be a Good Person

A simple premise, but a vital one. Getting involved with a nonprofit will give you some good karma in your life! Although being involved in your community isn’t mandated, it’s always a great opportunity to learn new things and be exposed to opportunities you may have never done otherwise. Not to mention, you will receive many more things out of it, as we will discuss below!

Helping Those Who Need it Most

Of course, this is a given. When you’re giving your time to a nonprofit, you’re giving back to the people in your community who need it most, and in turn helping your community become an all around better place. Nonprofits can often find that they do not have enough “hands on deck” to fully bring their mission to life. However, many of these nonprofits mission’s are pivotal to a number of individuals in the community. For example; blood drives, food donations, clothing drop-offs, etc.

Become More Diverse in Your Career!

When you work / volunteer for a nonprofit, you’ll likely be thrown several different tasks. You can be a marketer, a chef, an event director, or countless other positions. What we’re getting at is that you’ll be wearing many different hats. Not only will this make you an overall more well-rounded person, but it will also be great to add these skills to your repertoire. Volunteering for a nonprofit is a fantastic way to boost your resume and learn new skills applicable to your career. In fact, employers often look for volunteering experience when hiring a new candidate. In a study conducted by Americorp, they found that having volunteering experience increases your chances of being hired by 27%!

Meet new people / Make new friends

When it comes down to it, the most important thing you will get out of volunteering with a nonprofit is the people you meet and the friends you make. You will meet all types of people who come from different backgrounds and who have incredible life stories and struggles. You may even end up meeting a your future partner. Or, you could meet an invaluable connection. The possibilities are truly endless.