Moshe Ohayon of Louisville, KY, was raised with the idea that helping others is as important as getting an education. It was while he was a student at Columbia University in New York, however, that he discovered that his true talent was teaching and that volunteer tutoring was a natural way to help those in need while doing what he loved.

As a busy entrepreneur, he still makes time to tutor students in underserved communities, closing educational gaps and giving his students a stronger preparation for college and successful careers. But it’s not just the students who gain. Altruistic activities offer a host of benefits to the volunteer, including a feeling of satisfaction, an opportunity to meet new people, and the chance to develop a new skill set. In addition, as Ohayon points out, volunteer efforts often benefit the entire community. In his case, for example, free tutoring services allow more and more students to perform well academically and to eventually leverage their educations to escape a life of poverty.

How do you find the volunteer opportunity that fits? Ask yourself a few basic questions: Do you have a passion for helping animals? Most local shelters and animal-rescue organizations need volunteers to help care for animals in their facilities. Do you love children? Many schools have programs where adult volunteers read or tutor children. What times do you have available? If you work full time during the day, volunteering at a school may not work. Would you rather work outdoors or in an indoor environment? Charities like Habitat for Humanity offer many outdoor volunteering opportunities.

Finding the volunteer project that works for you is a matter of finding your passion and making the time. The benefits are well worth it.