Resources » Cool Web Sites

We've put together a list of web sites that you can visit to get more information about getting involved in your community. Whether it's finding local opportunities or finding organizations rewarding kids for taking action in their communities, there is something here for everyone. If you know of a great site that should be listed here, please email us and let us know!

SERVEnet.org
This site offers service and volunteering opportunities. Through SERVEnet, users can enter their zip code, city, state, skills, interests, and availability and be matched with organizations needing help. SERVEnet is also a place to search for calendar events, job openings, service news, recommended books, and best practices.

www.Volunteermatch.org
VolunteerMatch is a leader in the nonprofit world dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. Our popular service welcomes millions of visitors a year and has become the preferred internet recruiting tool for more than 30,000 nonprofit organizations. Read more in our latest annual report.

America's Promise
The mission of America's Promise is to mobilize people from every sector of American life to build the character and competence of our nation's youth by fulfilling Five Promises to the nation’s youth. This site offers resources for career development, opportunities to give back through community service, and much more.

Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service connects Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their nation through voluntary service.

Do Something
This is a national network of young people who know they can make a difference in their communities and take action to change the world around them.

Just For Kids
Volunteer Houston has put together this great site, filled with information on topics such as: What's Hot for Kids, 10 Good Reasons for Kids to Volunteer, Ideas for Self Starters, and Useful and Fun Links.

Kids Care Clubs
Ten years ago, a group of children got together to rake a lawn for an elderly neighbor. That was the beginning of Kids Care Clubs. Visit their site to learn how you can start your own club and see what other kids are doing.

Making a Difference 101
A Practical Step-by-Step Guide for Kids. This workbook is a fun and easy way to figure out what you want to do and how you want to help and gives you all the tools to make it happen!

Excel Youth Zone (xyz)
Excel Youth Zone promotes youth as resources and leaders in their local, regional and global communities.

Idealist Kids and Teens
This site is a project of Action Without Borders that offers resources and ideas for youth and teachers for activism. Read about organizations started by kids, find volunteering opportunities, learn about how to get involved in the world of important causes around you, and much more.

Network for Good
Network for Good is a nonprofit collaboration to help nonprofit organizations increase capacity, reach new audiences, and build Internet strategies. Explore volunteering opportunities, learn how to start a nonprofit, and see a list of resources on working in the nonprofit sector.

Student Voices Resource Center
Student Voices Resource Center is a place for students to share their views and opinions about technology in education. The website includes: How-To-Guides, Sucess Stories, Focus Chats, and other relevant resources.

Student Volunteer Network
Student Volunteer Network is a student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting the high school and nonprofit communities in Colorado.

The Virtual Volunteering Project
This organization supports the growth and success of volunteer activities that can be accomplished, in part or entirely, through the Internet.

Volunteer San Diego
Volunteer San Diego, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, directs capacity-building programs and services that engage volunteers in working hand-in-hand with nonprofit agencies to develop strong and vibrant communities. Its mission is to engage individuals and groups in meaningful volunteer opportunities that meet real community needs, and its vision is to make volunteering a way of life for all San Diegans. Volunteer San Diego connects volunteers with opportunities to make a difference in their communities by assisting nonprofits, businesses, and schools in developing effective and efficient volunteer programs, and by promoting the power of volunteerism, community service and civic engagement.

Youth Service California
Since 1990, Youth Service California has been working to ensure that all young people in California are empowered to make a positive difference in their community via quality community service, service learning, and youth organizing experiences.

4Good
4GOOD is a Los Angeles based non-profit organization inspiring families to actively participate in volunteer activities. Our events are specifically designed for families with children of all ages to help give parents a hands-on way for children to learn the values of kindness, compassion, tolerance, community responsibility and good citizenship.

Cookies for Kids Cancer KIDS
Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a 501(c)3 non profit, was founded by parents inspired by their son Liam's battle with cancer. They were shocked to learn that the main reason over 25% of kids diagnosed with cancer do not survive is because of a lack of effective therapies. And the reason for the lack of therapies was very simple: lack of funding. They pledged to support the development of new and better treatments by giving people a simple way to get involved.

Stop hunger now KIDS
Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world. The organization is driven by a vision of a world without hunger and a mission to end hunger in our lifetime by providing food and life-saving aid to the world's most vulnerable and by creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources.

Operation Backpack KIDS
It's estimated to cost $35 to fill one backpack for a 4th grader with the basic supplies needed for a school year, a cost many struggling families simply couldn't afford this year. Log on to the Volunteers of America Web site to find an organization near you that is supporting this program. Can't find one? Start your own project!

A Spring of Hope KIDS
A Spring of Hope is made up of a group of students with a common goal, to impact another's life for the benefit of the world community. It is our mission to bring opportunities to learn and thrive to African children who are restricted by poverty or illness. Schools in many parts of Africa cannot produce successful adults that will make a difference in their country without necessities. Whether these are clinic facilities, school supplies, or even running water, A Spring of Hope will do everything in its power to provide schools in impoverished areas with these necessities.

Pajama Program KIDS
A 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization provides new, warm pajamas and new books to children in need in the United States and around the world, many who are waiting and hoping to be adopted.

Childreach KIDS
Childreach helps children and families living in 43 developing countries around the world to develop long-term solutions to break out of the cycle of poverty through community-based programs revolving around five areas: growing up healthy, learning, livelihood, habitat, and building relationships.

Children for Children Foundation KIDS
Founded by a group of parents in New York City, the Children for Children Foundation's mission is to endow the next generation with a sense of responsibility for others and encourage them to participate in the greater community.

Dollars for Darfur KIDS
This organization was started by two high school students who got "tired of waiting for others to change the world". In Darfur, hundreds of people a day are raped, starved and murdered by the Sudanese armed forces and a Sudanese government-backed militia known as the Janjaweed. At least 400,000 people have died and more than 2 million Darfurians have been left homeless. You and your high school can help join the fight to stop the killing.

Kids Helping Kids KIDS
Kids Helping Kids is a unique organization that evolved from a 10 year-old's simple idea and big heart to raise $240 in order to keep one Ghanaian child out of trafficking into a fundraising and leadership movement for global transformation. We provide leadership experiences with children through volunteerism and fundraising.

Operation TeddyCare KIDS
We collect NEW Teddy Bears from caring people everywhere (like you!) Then we provide the Teddy Bears FREE to qualified counselors, medical professionals, rescue and law enforcement personnel. They give them to kids impacted by conflicts, war, violence, abuse, neglect, natural disasters, accidents, or life-threatening illness.

Playpumps International KIDS
PlayPumps International's mission is help improve the lives of children and their families by providing easy access to clean drinking water, enhancing public health, and offering play equipment to millions across Africa.

YesKidzCan! KIDS
KidzPlace! is our free, global network where parents and community leaders post information, photos, and creative ideas about their kids' giving experiences. Applaud your kids' kind acts and inspire others by sharing your stories! (This is a super secure site!)

Sports Gift KIDS
Kids Helping Kids Play Sports - The charity Sports Gift offers students and others community service opportunities to help underprivileged children all over the world play sports. Collect used sports equipment at your school, sports league or other location and Sports Gift distributes it to children living in poverty all over the world. Your old sports equipment can provide hope to a boys and girls living in poverty, so please contact Sports Gift for more information.

YouthNOISE KIDS
An initiative of Save the Children , YouthNOISE works to inspire, connect, and empower youth to help young people everywhere by volunteering, fundraising and speaking out.

Environmental EPA Kids Club THE ENVIRONMENT
The EPA Environmental Kids Club is our Web site for kids. We'll help you explore your environment and learn how to protect it. We've got games, pictures, and stories.

World Wildlife Fund THE ENVIRONMENT
This well known organization focuses on preserving natural resources and protecting natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, including endangered species.

Roots and Shoots THE ENVIRONMENT
The Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen-for our communities, for animals and for the environment. And it all starts with you! With tens of thousands of young people in almost 100 countries, the Roots & Shoots network branches out across the globe, connecting youth of all ages who share a common desire to help make our world a better place.

Earth Force THE ENVIRONMENT
Earth Force helps provide youth with knowledge and skills to discover and implement lasting solutions to environmental issues in their community. Earth Force Youth Advisory Boards, also known as YAB, gives youth a chance to be leaders and work to involve other youth on environmental issues. In the process, they develop life-long habits of active citizenship and environmental stewardship.

Kids Saving The Rainforest THE ENVIRONMENT
Founded by 2 girls from Costa Rica when they were 91/2 years old, this organization seeks to educate and raise money to help resolve environmental issues.

TERRACYCLE THE ENVIRONMENT
TerraCycle makes affordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of different non-recyclable waste materials. TerraCycle also runs free national collection programs that pay non-profits and schools

National Wildlife Federation ANIMALS
The National Wildlife Federation is the nation's largest member-supported conservation group, uniting individuals, organizations, businesses and government to protect wildlife, wild places, and the environment. Learn how you can take action.

ASPCA ANIMALS
The ASPCA works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide.

Pets for the Elderly ELDERLY
The Pets for the Elderly Foundation helps pay the fees to participating animal shelters throughout the United States for senior citizens (age 60 and over) who adopt a companion dog or cat from a participating shelter.

Meal On Wheels ELDERLY
Meals on Wheels provides meals for senior citizens who are homebound. Their vision is to end senior hunger by 2020. Their Mission is to provide national leadership to end senior hunger.

Twilight Wish Foundation ELDERLY
Our mission is to honor and enrich the lives of deserving seniors through wish granting celebrations that connect generations. Our vision is to make America a nicer place to age.

Second Wind ELDERLY
This organization seeks to empower elders to age with dignity, hope and joy through fulfilling the wishes of senior citizens.

Homeless Shelter Directory HOMELESS
If you are interested in finding ways to help the homeless, a great place to start is finding out where the local homeless shelter is in your area.

Dress For Success HOMELESS
Help low income women get the resources they need to find a job and become self-sufficient. This organization provides professional clothing, networks and training.

Donate My Dress HOMELESS
Hold a dress drive to help those girls who can't afford it, go to the prom.

Feeding America HOMELESS
Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Our mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.

Pajama Program HOMELESS
The Pajama Program provides new pajamas and new books to children in need, many who are waiting and hoping to be adopted.

Make A Wish SICK
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work.

Alex's Lemonade Stand SICK
Raise money to help end cancer by holding a lemonade stand. This organization seeks to raise money and educate others as to the realities of childhood cancer.

Make A Child Smile SICK
The Make A Child Smile Organization, also known as MACS, has been a source of support to children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Child's Play SICK
Over 5 million dollars in donations of toys, games, books and cash for sick kids in children's hospitals across North America and the world have been collected since our inception in 2003.

NESTLE Very Best in Youth
Created to spotlight the best in youth leadership, the program identifies teens whose efforts are making a profound impact in lives other than their own. Nestlé helps young people who want to make a difference realize their dreams by donating $1,000 in the name of each winner to the charity of his/her choice.

Angel Soft ® Angels in Action ® Award
Do you know a child who is making a difference for his or her community, a charity or a cause? If so, nominate this outstanding youth for the Angel Soft Angels in Action Award Program. They will have the chance to be selected as one of three grand-prize winners, or fifteen first-prize winners who together will be awarded more than $50,000 in prizes.

Do Something Awards
Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation's best young world-changers, 25 and under*. Do Something Award nominees and winners represent the pivotal "do-ers" in their field, cause, or issue. The five nominees will be rewarded with a community grant, participation in a live VH1 TV show, media coverage and continued support from DoSomething.org. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 during the live broadcast.