Virtual volunteering makes it possible to create real-world impact—without ever leaving your desk. For HR, DEI, and CSR leaders, it’s one of the most scalable, accessible ways to engage employees in purpose-driven work, no matter where they are.
In this post, we’ll cover what virtual volunteering is, why it matters for your team and company culture, and the best virtual volunteer opportunities for teams, with real examples from our client events.
Why Virtual Volunteering Matters
Virtual volunteering offers flexibility and impact—two things today’s workforce values highly. It’s a cornerstone of inclusive, high-engagement workplace programs, especially as more employees work remotely or in hybrid models.
Here’s why it matters:
- 71% of employees say volunteering improves their well-being.
- 82% of Gen Z employees want to work for companies that support the causes they care about.
- Companies with employee volunteering programs see 52% lower turnover.
- And virtual volunteer opportunities help bridge gaps in access, location, and availability—making it easy for every employee to participate.
Whether your team is fully remote, hybrid, or distributed globally, virtual volunteering for teams makes purpose-driven programming possible.
What is Virtual Volunteering?
Virtual volunteering refers to any volunteer activity that can be completed remotely—usually via computer or phone. It allows individuals and teams to contribute time and talent to nonprofits and causes without needing to be physically present.
How does it work?
There are two core formats:
- Live virtual events: Guided sessions run over Zoom or another platform, usually hosted and facilitated by an expert team.
- On-demand/async activities: Flexible opportunities employees can complete on their own time.
And the best part? It’s easy to measure, scale, and repeat.
You can create your own program or use a virtual volunteering platform like Percent Pledge to manage, track, and celebrate your impact.
Benefits of Virtual Volunteer Work from Home
Virtual volunteer opportunities are not just logistically simple—they’re strategically smart. Here’s why:
- Accessibility: Anyone with internet access can participate.
- Scalability: One event can engage a global team.
- Flexibility: Volunteers can contribute live or async.
- Inclusivity: Supports caregivers, parents, introverts, and others who may be less able to volunteer in person.
- Impact Reporting: Digital tools make it easy to track hours, engagement, and outcomes.
This model works especially well for mid-sized companies who want to offer more benefits without hiring a dedicated social impact team. With Percent Pledge, for example, your team gets ready-made events, a purpose-built platform, and a full suite of volunteer event planning services.
Best Virtual Volunteer Opportunities for Teams
Here are the best virtual volunteer opportunities we’ve organized for clients. All are high-impact, well-loved by employees, and easy to facilitate remotely.
Virtual Volunteer Map-a-thons Supporting Disaster Relief
Volunteers learn how to read open-source maps from satellite images on a digital platform, then work to map buildings or areas for a real project submitted by a community in need. Up-to-date maps are critical for hunger and disaster relief globally.
New Relic Service Day Impact:
- 46 volunteers
- 1,663 map edits
- $5,106 in-kind value
Citizen Scientists Supporting STEM & Environment
Become a Citizen Scientist: Contribute to real research from your own computer. Volunteers assist in real, ongoing research by analyzing authentic materials—such as images of distant galaxies, historical records, or wildlife videos.
New Relic Service Day Impact:
- 68 volunteers
- 7,793 classifications
- $7,548 in-kind value
Mock Interviews Supporting Vulnerable Adult Populations
Volunteers collaborate with justice-impacted individuals completing retraining programs, offering personalized guidance on crafting effective resumes and cover letters. This support enhances their employment prospects, facilitating successful reentry into the workforce.
New Relic Service Day Impact:
- 26 volunteers
- 18 Per Scholas Learners interviewed
- $2,886 in-kind value
Virtual Birthday Messages Supporting Sick Kids
Employees recorded fun, heartfelt birthday greetings to bring joy to children experiencing homelessness. It's a simple, creative way for teams to connect with each other while making someone’s day.
New Relic Service Day Impact:
- 15 volunteers
- 18 videos recorded
- $1,665 in-kind value
DIY Pet Toy Making Supporting Foster Animals
Team members followed step-by-step instructions to create toys for shelter animals using old clothing—all from their homes. Virtual hands-on projects like this give employees the chance to do good, get creative, and feel immediate impact.
New Relic Service Day Impact:
- 15 volunteers
- 48 pet toys made
- $1,665 in-kind value
On-Demand STEM Tutoring
Volunteers offer on-demand, asynchronous STEM tutoring to underserved high school students. This support is crucial in guiding over 60,000 students toward higher education and successful careers.
Letter Writing Campaigns
Employees write heartfelt letters to children in foster care, hospitals, or facing food insecurity—an easy and emotional way to give back.
Literacy Inclusion & Audiobook QA
Volunteers engage in a two-part virtual or in-office event to promote literacy inclusion. First, they participate in a Literacy Simulation to experience the challenges struggling readers face. Then, they conduct QA checks on audiobooks, ensuring high-quality resources for students nationwide.
Virtual ‘Face Hunger’ Simulation Supporting Hunger Awareness
Experience the challenges of food insecurity. Participants assume the roles of individuals facing hunger, navigating real-life scenarios to provide nutritious meals for their families. It fosters a deep understanding of hunger in cities. *Hunger Trivia Challenges are also available, as part of critical education/awareness building campaigns.
Real Testimonials From Happy Employee Volunteers
These are just some of the 28 incredibly positive employee testimonials after this single service day organized by Percent Pledge for our client New Relic:
Let’s Bring This Happiness & Joy to Your Teams
Virtual volunteering is flexible, inclusive, and powerful. It makes purpose scalable and impact measurable—without the headaches of planning onsite events.
Whether you’re looking to boost engagement, build community, or drive your CSR goals forward, virtual volunteer opportunities for teams are a smart way to start.
👉 Explore the Percent Pledge Volunteering Platform
👉 Learn more about our full-service volunteer events
👉 RSVP to this month's virtual Community Volunteer Event
Want help putting this into action? Let us do the heavy lifting.
Percent Pledge hosts monthly community volunteer events aligned with heritage months and cause awareness holidays—zero planning required. These events are loved by employees and deliver high-impact results.
Or create your own library of options using our Volunteering Platform to offer self-serve virtual volunteering with full tracking and engagement features.
And don’t forget—your employees can turn their volunteer hours into real trees planted through our innovative new Grow Your Impact feature.
