Ready to volunteer but don't know where to start?
The sheer number of organisations assisting disadvantaged communities in South Africa can be overwhelming. XPAT has put together a list of our favourite sites to help you narrow your search and find the organization that can most benefit from your skills and time.

But before you get too far on our list, make sure to stop at the South African National Blood Service. Their website will tell you where to find the nearest blood bank - it's quick, painless, in your neighborhood and makes a huge difference to the country's dwindling blood supply.

Greater Good

Aiming to maximize your donation of time or money, the Greater Good matches what you have to give with the 450 groups they have screened. It also has organisation wish lists and a posting board where volunteers and organisations can find each other. Greater Good also organises corporate and nationwide events to promote volunteerism.

How 2 Help

This book, with editions for Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, has been researched and reviewed to include innovative projects. Find out more about the projects and purchase the books on their website.

Volunteer Children's Network

With a focus on children's issues, you'll find information on an individual organisation's scope, location and what skills they need in volunteers. It's up to you to contact them, but you can also post your information on a volunteer registry accessible to organisations looking for volunteers.

Starfish

A fundraising umbrella for over 100 selected grassroots level HIV/AIDS NGOs throughout the country, Starfish makes it easy for anyone to host a fundraising event. They will send you all the materials you need. All you have to do is get your friends and colleagues together, and the success stories of the different NGOs speak for themselves.

Volunteer Link

Volunteer Link matches volunteers with organisations in the greater Johannesburg area. They do the leg work of searching their databases based on your application, and act as the go-between with you and the organization.

Visionaries in Africa

This a searchable website is dedicated to helping Africa reach thier Millennium Development Goals through volunteerism. In addition to a database of organisations, they also have unique ways to get involved in your workplace or school – and even on short term visits to South Africa.

The Thursday Club

Held in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Benoni, the Thursday Club is a group of people who get together for monthly events to raise funds for a chosen charity. A fun way to meet new people as you give something back to South Africa.

Charity South Africa

This list of registered non-profit organisations in South Africa really brings home the sheer enormity of the need in this country. You can search by organization name or in a particular category.