Location-based discoverability makes it easier for volunteers to find opportunities that are relevant to where they are or where they want to serve.
With Smart Grid location tools, admins can:
Allow volunteers to filter opportunities by city
Sort opportunities based on the volunteer’s current location
Prioritize nearby opportunities when browser location is shared
Continue using search, tag filters, and inclusion rules alongside location tools
Create a more intuitive volunteer discovery experience
These tools are especially useful for Volunteer Centers, Days of Caring programs, regional campaigns, and any page that includes opportunities across multiple cities or service areas.
How Location-Based Discoverability Works
Smart Grids can support two primary location-based tools:
City Filter
The City Filter allows volunteers to search for opportunities by city.
When enabled, volunteers can begin typing a city name into the filter. The system searches a global city database and allows the volunteer to select the relevant city.
Once selected, the Smart Grid will only display opportunities that match that city.
For example, if a volunteer selects Chisholm, the grid will show opportunities taking place in Chisholm.
Proximity Sorting
Proximity Sorting allows the Smart Grid to rank opportunities based on how close they are to the volunteer.
When this setting is enabled, the volunteer’s browser may ask for permission to use their location. If the volunteer agrees, the Smart Grid will sort opportunity cards based on proximity.
The closest opportunity appears first, while opportunities farther away appear lower in the grid.
City Filter and Proximity Sorting work together, but they serve different purposes.
City Filter helps volunteers narrow the grid to a specific city.
Proximity Sorting helps volunteers rank opportunities by distance from their current location.
Admins can use one or both options depending on how they want volunteers to explore opportunities.
Sorting Rules vs. Inclusion Rules
Smart Grid settings include both sorting tools and inclusion tools.
Sorting Tools
Sorting tools control the order in which opportunities appear.
For example, admins may choose to sort opportunities by:
Upcoming dates
Browser location, when available
Other Smart Grid sorting logic
By default, a Smart Grid may prioritize opportunities by upcoming date. If location-based sorting is enabled and the volunteer shares their location, proximity can override the default sorting order.
Inclusion Tools
Inclusion tools control which opportunities are allowed to appear in the grid.
For example, admins can decide whether to include:
Past opportunities
Opportunities that are currently full
These settings do not control order. They control whether those opportunities are included in the grid at all.
How Volunteers Experience Location-Based Search
When a volunteer visits a Smart Grid-enabled page, they may see available search and filtering tools, such as:
Keyword search
City Filter
Tag filters
Opportunity cards
If Proximity Sorting is enabled, the volunteer may be prompted by their browser to share their location.
If they allow location sharing, opportunities are sorted by distance from them.
If they do not allow location sharing, the grid will continue to use the default sorting logic selected by the admin.
How Admins Can Use These Settings
Admins can configure Smart Grid settings from the page editor.
Depending on the Smart Grid setup, admins may be able to:
Open the page that contains the Smart Grid.
Select the Smart Grid component.
Review the grid’s filtering and sorting options.
Enable City Filter if volunteers should be able to search by city.
Enable Proximity Sorting if opportunities should be ranked by the volunteer’s location.
Configure additional search, tag, and inclusion rules.
Save or publish the page when ready.
Card Actions
Admins can also control what happens when a volunteer clicks an opportunity card.
Card actions may include:
Locking cards so they function as previews only
Making cards clickable
Opening the full opportunity page
Triggering a pop-up modal
Opening the opportunity in the same tab or a new tab
This allows admins to decide whether the Smart Grid should function as a simple discovery preview or as a direct pathway into opportunity registration.
Using Tags with Smart Grids
Smart Grids can also use tags to help volunteers filter opportunities by category, impact area, age group, activity type, or other admin-defined labels.
For organizations using Opportunity Submissions, admins may define which tags are available during the submission flow. Those tags can then help structure the volunteer-facing Smart Grid experience.
For example, an admin may allow submitters to tag opportunities by:
Impact area
Volunteer activity type
Location type
Age eligibility
Group-friendly opportunities
These tags can become helpful filters for volunteers browsing the Smart Grid.
Best Practices
Use location-based discoverability when your organization has opportunities across multiple cities, neighborhoods, or service areas.
For the best volunteer experience:
Use clear opportunity titles so volunteers can quickly understand each card.
Add accurate addresses to opportunities so proximity sorting works correctly.
Use City Filter when volunteers may want to browse by a specific city.
Use Proximity Sorting when volunteers are likely looking for nearby opportunities.
Use tags thoughtfully so volunteers can narrow results without being overwhelmed.
Avoid using too many filters unless they help volunteers make meaningful decisions.
Review your Smart Grid from the public-facing page before sharing it broadly.
If you have questions about Location-Based Opportunity Search, schedule a support call with our success team.