Using the Website
I want to volunteer in Brooklyn, how do I get started?
What does registering on the site give me access to?
How do I get a username and password reminder?
How do I edit my contact information or change my password?
How do I subscribe or unsubscribe from Brooklyn Community Foundation’s mailing list?
How do I delete my account?
What kind of volunteer opportunities does this site offer?
How much time do I have to commit?
Is there an age restriction?
How do I find a volunteer opportunity?
How do I apply or sign up for volunteer opportunities?
How do I log my hours?
How do I remove myself from a volunteer opportunity I have registered for?
What is a Volunteer Group Leader?
How do I create an account as a group leader?
How do I log hours for my group?
Can the Brooklyn Community Foundation verify my volunteer hours for school, court, or other requirements?
Who should I contact if I have questions about a volunteer opportunity?
Who do I contact for help using the DoGoodRightHere.org site?
Using the Website
I want to volunteer in Brooklyn, how do I get started?
Sign up on our site and start searching volunteer opportunities right away. Creating your own volunteer profile will give you access to our volunteer opportunity database, in which you will be able to view and apply for exciting volunteer opportunities in Brooklyn. Your profiles also helps you to organize your volunteer activities and keep track of your volunteer hours. After registering, you will gain access to everything you need to create the best Brooklyn volunteer experience for you.
What does registering on the site give me access to?
Registering gives you full access to the only website that exclusively caters to the Brooklyn volunteer scene. As a member, you will be able to search for service opportunities related to your interests at convenient times and locations for you. You will also have access to volunteering tips and ‘Neighborhood Profiles,’ so you can check out the neighborhood you will be serving in before you start service. There is something for everyone--skilled volunteers, novices, students, corporate groups, and families will all find ways to do good right here.
How do I get a username and/or password reminder?
Click on the ‘forgot password’ link, displayed after a failed log-in. You will be able to select if you are missing your password, username, or both. You will be required to type in the email address associated with your account. After you press submit, an email will be automatically sent to you with your username and further instructions on how to reset your password.
How do I edit my contact information or change my password?
At the top of each page you will see ‘My Assignments.’ This is the link the assignments you have selected to apply to, saved as favorites, logged hours at and also your profile. When on this page you can change you password or edit your information by clicking on ‘Edit Profile’ located beneath 'Your Profile' on the left sidebar. Remember to click ‘Save’ before exiting the page.
How do I subscribe or unsubscribe from Brooklyn Community Foundation’s mailing list?
Go to ‘My Assignments,’ and click on ‘Edit Settings.’ Scroll down to the section ‘Brooklyn Community Foundation Newsletter,’ and check or uncheck the box to subscribe or unsubscribe to the newsletter. Remember to click ‘Save’ before exiting the page.
How do I delete my account?
Go to ‘My Assignments.’ Beneath 'Your Profile' on the left side, click on the "Edit Account" link. Scroll down to the bottom and select ‘Cancel Account.’ A prompt will appear that reads, ‘Are you sure you would like to delete your account?’ Select ‘Yes, delete my account’ or ‘No’ to continue using the site. You can also delete your account by entering your profile page and clicking on the 'Edit Account' located at the top of the page.
What kind of volunteer opportunities does this site offer?
We serve not-for-profit organizations working in Brooklyn, both 501(c)3 and community organizations. Brooklyn Community Foundation categorizes organizations by their type of work, into five Fields of Interest:
- Arts for All – Work to ensure cultural opportunities flourish throughout the borough, providing access, enlightenment, and enjoyment to people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Caring Neighbors – Work to support families, seniors, the disabled, and other individuals who face immediate or long-term threats of hunger, homelessness, social isolation, or unmet health needs.
- Community Development – Work to help stabilize and enhance neighborhoods with affordable housing and workforce development programs.
- Education and Youth Achievement – Work to provide children with quality schools and extracurricular activities, mentoring and literacy programs. The fund also supports English-language literacy and continuing education programs.
- Green Communities – Work to increase and sustain open space and waterfront access, encourages green practices, and helps create job opportunities in the expanding green economy.
Our team carefully selects organizations that will provide volunteers with the best possible service experience.
How much time do I have to commit?
That is entirely up to you. Do Good Right Here is as much about Brooklyn as it is about you! Whatever you are able to give puts you in the Do Gooder category. However, if you sign up for a service project, please try to the best of your ability to show up on time and stick to the time commitment. We are depending on you to make these service partnerships work.
Is there an age restriction?
You are never too young or too old to do good and act as an example to your community. However, in order to register with this site, users must be 14 years of age or older. Organizations have varying age limits on their projects. We do have a section for Schools and Kids under ‘Special Interest.’ We also have a section on opportunities we think may be especially helpful to seniors.
How do I find a volunteer opportunity?
Once registered on the site, you will gain access to volunteer opportunities that can be found by clicking on the ‘Opportunities’ tab. Here a list of opportunities will be found. Find the one that most interests you and click on it to find out more details. To demo our interactive map, on the same page click on ‘search form.’ here you can preview how are search engine will function once the site is fully functional. The search is set up by neighborhood using our interactive Brooklyn map, in which you will be able to zoom in and explore service opportunities near you. Use the interactive map and the detailed service opportunity descriptions on each organization page to decide which opportunity is right for you. Also check out the other sections under ‘Opportunities,’ especially ‘My Brooklyn’ for projects you can start in your neighborhood immediately; ‘One-time Events’ for service opportunities without a recurring time commitment, ‘Calendar’ for important local and national volunteer days, and ‘Special Interest’ for opportunities geared to certain groups like students and corporate volunteers.
How do I apply or sign up for volunteer opportunities?
Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button located to the far right of the volunteer opportunity listing in the opportunity table of the Organization Profile. Follow the instructions revealed after you click. You will be given specifics on how to pursue the opportunity either through email or by visiting the organization website.
How do I log my hours?
Go to ‘My Assignments,’ and view all your active volunteer opportunities under ‘Current Assignments.’ Go to the assignment you wish to log hours for and select 'Manage Hours' beneath the assignment tab. Fill in date, hours, and a short description of the activity. If you are part of a group, please select 'My group leader is also recording hours.' This will help us keep an accurate tally of hours logged and not count anyone twice. If the service opportunity is a one-time event and you are no longer volunteering for the assignment or if the assignment is complete, then please select 'Mark this assignment as complete.' The assignment will be moved to your "Completed Assignments' tab. These numbers are a part of the first-ever attempt to catch a glimpse of the Brooklyn volunteer scene, so double check to make sure all of your information is correct. Don’t forget to hit ‘Save.'
If the assignment you want to add hours for is not listed under 'Current Assignments,' then first add that assignment by using the 'Add an Assignment' feature at the bottom of the screen.
How do I remove myself from a volunteer opportunity I have registered for?
If for any reason you are unable to attend or finish your project, please contact the organization directly through email, organization’s website, or by phone. Remember to also remove the assignment from your 'Current Assignments.'
What is a Volunteer Group Leader?
A Volunteer Group Leader is someone that has been selected to represent a group on this site. The VGL is responsible for applying for opportunities, keeping track of and accurately logging the groups hours.
How do I create an account as a group leader?
When registering on the account, select the group volunteer option.
How do I log hours for my group?
Go to ‘My Group Profile,’ and view all your active volunteer opportunities under ‘Current Assignments.’ Go to the assignment you wish to log hours for and select 'Manage Hours' beneath the assignment tab. Fill in date, hours, a short description of the group activity, and the number of volunteers that participated in your group. If this is a one-time event, you are no longer volunteering on this assignment, or if your assignment is complete please select 'Mark this assignment as complete.' The assignment will be moved to your "Completed Assignments' tab. These numbers are a part of the first-ever attempt to catch a glimpse of the Brooklyn volunteer scene, so double check to make sure all of your information is correct. Don’t forget to hit ‘Save.'
If the assignment you want to add hours for is not listed under 'Current Assignments,' then first add that assignment by using the 'Add an Assignment' feature at the bottom of the screen.
Can the Brooklyn Community Foundation verify my volunteer hours for school, court, or other requirements?
No. Brooklyn Community Foundation is a link between you and Brooklyn’s nonprofits. We are not involved directly in your volunteer assignment. Please contact the organization to have your hours verified by your project leader.
Who should I contact if I have questions about a volunteer opportunity?
If you have any questions about a specific volunteer opportunity, please contact the organization directly through email, the organization’s website, or by phone.
Who do I contact for help using the DoGoodRightHere.org site?
If you have read through this section and you still have questions or concerns regarding the site, please send an email to volunteer@bcfny.org. We will get back to you shortly.