VolunteerMatch APIs Expand Access to Volunteer Network

Jul 27, 2012 3:00 PM ET

Volunteering Is CSR

How can we make it easier for good people and good causes to connect?

That’s the question VolunteerMatch is always seeking to answer. Whether we’re addressing our volunteer, nonprofit or corporate audience, VolunteerMatch always aims to make volunteering as easy as possible.

That’s why we’d like to tell you about our APIs, or application programming interfaces. With our APIs, you can incorporate our extensive listings directly into your website or application, customizing the VolunteerMatch search engine to suit your specific needs.

That way, individuals can search for volunteer opportunities or organizations without having to visit a third-party site. They can discover good causes without leaving your website or application.

It’s a great way to increase the effectiveness of your Employee Volunteer Program, or simply promote volunteerism in your community.

For example, a major healthcare corporation can display nationwide volunteer opportunities in hospitals or hospices. A municipal website could show local opportunities within their city. A mommy blogger can show volunteer projects that pertain to families.

With our APIs, you’ll design, develop and maintain the User Interface and User Experience for your site. As the user searches for opportunities, VolunteerMatch data will be integrated with your other pages and design elements. Once the user decides to seek more information on a listing, they will be directed to that page on www.volunteermatch.org, where they can see more information, create an account and complete their connection.

We currently offer two API versions available for use:

  • Our Public-Use API is freely available for non-commercial purposes, and allows web developers to pull information on volunteer listings and nonprofit organizations from the VolunteerMatch database. Learn all about it here!
  • Our Commercial-Use API is a fee-based option with extended capabilities, including completing the referral loop, hours tracking, and access to data points from the VolunteerMatch Network. If you’re interested in this API, please contact VolunteerMatch Solutions for more information.

No matter which API best suits your business, it will make it easier for individuals, nonprofits, schools and government entities to access the VolunteerMatch network. APIs help all of us expand the possibilities of service, improve accessibility and encourage innovation.

Which, after all, is what we’re aiming for here.