Non-profit work eventually pays for itself. After a few months or years of volunteer work, job applicants can truthfully say they “have experience.” To an employer, non-profit work also means that an applicant has a heart.

What follows is a list of charitable organizations in New York divided up into focus areas. Choose an area that looks particularly interesting and research the non-profit groups within it.

Arts
Opportunities in fine and performing arts organizations range from giving tours at an art museum to performing with a dance troupe.

     Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation: http://www.gottliebfoundation.org
     Afghan Communicator: http://www.afghancommunicator.com
     The Alliance for the Arts: http://www.nyc-arts.org

Education
Educational non-profit groups often tutor children, teach adults to read and write, and teach English as a second language to immigrants. Some groups offer vocational training to enable people to find meaningful employment.

     Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives: http://www.alba-valb.org
     ACE Mentor Program of New York: http://www.acementor.org
     Advocates for Children of New York: http://www.advocatesforchildren.org
     The African-American/Caribbean Education Association, Inc.: http://www.aaceainc.com

This is just a sample of what you'll find in the complete New York guide.