volunteering
Freely giving time
Volunteering is offering one's time or services without pay, typically for charitable, civic, or community purposes.
The word emphasizes the voluntary nature of the work—no one compelled you: She's been volunteering at the food bank.
Volunteering can also mean putting yourself forward: I'm not volunteering for that assignment.
Prioritizing others over oneself
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- goodwillKindly, generous spirit
helpfulness · caring · empathy · giving back · prosocial · benevolence · solidarity · humanitarianism
Giving freely, expecting nothing
- fundraisingSoliciting money for organizations
- humanitarian aidCrisis relief for sufferers
- relief workAssistance during emergencies
- food bankNonprofit distributing free groceries
clothing drive · soup kitchen · toy drive · blood donation · disaster relief · benefit · telethon · collection
Residential area nearby
- civic engagementActive citizenship in community
- local involvementNearby people taking part
- town hallLocal government headquarters
- cleanupRestoration of order
beautification · coaching · tutoring · mentoring · library · park maintenance · youth programs · senior center
Free professional services
- consultingGiving expert advice professionally
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- teachingProfession of instructing others
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
coaching · professional development · technical assistance · knowledge sharing · advisory · resume help · legal aid · medical mission
Pleading for a cause
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
- protestingExpressing strong public disapproval
- rallyingAssembling for unified action
- petitioningFormally requesting action
marching · grassroots organizing · lobbying · boycotting · demonstrating · picketing · civil rights work · social justice
Labor without remuneration
- hoursSixty-minute spans
- shiftMovement or work period
- sign-upAct of registering
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
coordinator · placement · opportunity · program · project · team · group · schedule
selflessness
Prioritizing others over oneself
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
goodwill · helpfulness · caring · empathy · giving back · prosocial · benevolence · solidarity · humanitarianism · unselfishness
donating
Giving freely, expecting nothing
- fundraisingSoliciting money for organizations
- humanitarian aidCrisis relief for sufferers
- relief workAssistance during emergencies
food bank · clothing drive · soup kitchen · toy drive · blood donation · disaster relief · benefit · telethon · collection · sponsoring
neighborhood
Residential area nearby
- civic engagementActive citizenship in community
- local involvementNearby people taking part
- town hallLocal government headquarters
cleanup · beautification · coaching · tutoring · mentoring · library · park maintenance · youth programs · senior center · community garden
pro bono
Free professional services
- consultingGiving expert advice professionally
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- teachingProfession of instructing others
mentorship · coaching · professional development · technical assistance · knowledge sharing · advisory · resume help · legal aid · medical mission · translation
advocacy
Pleading for a cause
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
- protestingExpressing strong public disapproval
- rallyingAssembling for unified action
petitioning · marching · grassroots organizing · lobbying · boycotting · demonstrating · picketing · civil rights work · social justice · reform
unpaid work
Labor without remuneration
orientation · coordinator · placement · opportunity · program · project · team · group · schedule · roster
- group activitiesgroup games, voting, protest, group dance, group project
- benevolencealtruism, benevolence, charity work, generosity, giving
- charitycharity, charities, donations, donation, donating
- community activitiespotluck, community garden, neighborhood watch, barn raising, community cleanup
- community buildingpotluck, cookout, block party, barn raising, quilting bee
- community effortscommunity garden, neighborhood watch, block party, food drive, cleanup drive
volunteeringconscription
Mandatory military enrollment
forced labor · compulsory service · mandatory service · involuntary servitude · impressment
volunteeringabstaining
Voluntarily doing without
opting out · refusing · holding back · declining · sitting out
- hospital volunteeringFree service at medical facilities