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35+ volunteering opportunities in Richmond

Explore organizations whose mission is to make Richmond a healthy place to live, work, and play.

Workers packing meals to be distributed across Central VA.

FeedMore has dozens of volunteers that help pack, distribute + deliver meals to thousands of families in Central VA.

Photo via Feed More

How to help

Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. All we know is there are more than enough great causes in Richmond to support with your time. Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 35+ ways to get involved in the River City.

If you want to help your neighbors in need

Neighbor-To-Neighbor | Meet city needs and solve community problems through the city’s volunteer organization, with a variety of open positions from aerobics instructor to trail worker to tutor.

Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity | Grab a hammer + hardhat to help build homes, landscape or do yard work for families in need. Programs are available for all ages.

CARITAS | Volunteers take an orientation class, then can work in various positions at the Furniture Bank, shelter, or the CARITAS Center itself.

FeedMore | Individuals or groups can help deliver or package meals for the thousands of families who depend on FeedMore across Central VA.

Better Housing Coalition | The coalition offers in-person and virtual projects with missions like holiday gifts, food and clothing drives for seniors, and health services.

United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg | Help prepare literacy kits for local youth, install and restock Little Free Libraries, or access free resources to support community members in need.

If you’re looking to support children

Jacob’s Chance | From athletics coaching to running enrichment programs, you’ll work to assist and encourage youths + young adults with disabilities.

Greater Richmond SCAN | Its mission is to stop child abuse, and the organization needs Court Appointed Special Advocates for its five children’s advocacy programs.

Podium | Writers can volunteer to help empower youths in the greater Richmond area to become confident writers and find a creative writing passion.

SOAR 365 | Join the team to create fun, beautiful + educational events and spaces for individuals with disabilities of all ages.

YMCA of Greater Richmond | Coach youth sports, build outdoor spaces, or help with food and clothing drives.

Celebrate RVA | Help assemble + deliver Birthday Bags so every child can have an amazing birthday party.

Celebrate RVA Birthday Bags

These cute Birthday Bags are heading to a very happy child. | Photo via @celebraterva

Photo via @celebraterva

If you want to support local minority groups

VA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | Help set up the chamber’s multiple upcoming cultural + legislative events, like the upcoming ¿Que Pasa? Festival.

Equality Virginia | Sign up to help run upcoming Pride events, organize community meetings and fundraise for LGBTQ+ causes.

Diversity Richmond | Aid in Diversity’s events or the thrift store to serve as a catalyst, voice, and resource for Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community.

ReEstablish Richmond | Volunteer to share your skills or knowledge and help support refugees and immigrants in our community.

If you’re interested in healthcare

Commonwealth Catholic Charities | Transport refugee families, stock the food pantry, or provide counseling services.

World Pediatric Project | Provide transportation for families before + after surgeries, deliver meals, and collaborate with local health systems — medical and non-medical positions are open.

Sheltering Arms | Apply for seven different volunteering positions to aid VCU Health with inpatient rehab + physical therapies.

Family Lifeline | The Visiting Volunteers program provides health kits to children and new moms and hosts book + supply drives.

Ronald McDonald House Charities | Offers long term volunteer opportunities to clean, organize donations and reset rooms at the House, or work at the Family Room at VCU Health + Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society | Help those Richmonders who have MS live their best lives, and raise funds through Walk MS and Bike MS events.

Health Brigade | Support exceptional health services to those least served in a caring and non-judgmental environment.

If you’re into the outdoors

James River Association | Join 200+ locals in monitoring our river’s health, planting wildlife, and leading education and cleanup efforts organized.

Friends of the James River Park | Plant trees and native species, remove litter, help maintain trails, and stop invasive species growth.

Capital Trees | Maintain, plant, and water dozens of green spaces with tools and expertise provided.

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay | Protect the Bay’s watershed through Central VA working with programs like the Chesapeake Monitoring Collaborative + Project Clean Stream.

Friends of Bellemeade Park | Beautify, maintain, clean, and enhance Bellemeade Park with a variety of outdoor volunteer activities.

RVAg | Help set up, organize, or pack up dozens of farmers markets across the city.

If you’re an animal lover

Compassion Animal Project | A range of volunteer opportunities are posted as needed for the nonprofit that provides grants to pet owners facing expensive critical or specialized care to save their pet.

Richmond Animal League | Be a dog and cat advocate working in the spay and neuter clinic and pet pantry. Pro tip: Volunteers must be 16+.

Richmond SPCA | Play with pups, clean kennels + help fundraise for the care of these furry friends.

BarkVA | Help provide homeless animals with care, neuter + spay services and promote the Bark Behind Bars program where dogs work with inmates for training.

Richardson’s Rescue | Foster kitties, organize community events, provide transport, or fundraise for this local shelter.

If you’re on a mission for museums

Maymont Foundation | 1000 Westover Rd. | Boost the natural beauty of Maymont’s gardens, help staff at upcoming events, or keep the animal population happy at the estate.

VMFA | The art museum needs volunteers to act as Ask Me Ambassadors, greeting visitors + helping museum-goers find their way, or as Family Day Event Assistants.

Children’s Museum of Richmond | Help out in roles including Art Studio Assistant, Data Entry Assistant, or with Spanish Translation Services.

Science Museum of Virginia | Volunteer everywhere from the Dome to the gift shop to the Maker Workshop.

The Valentine | Assist with educational programming, be a guide for the 1812 Wickham House, host special events, and help out at the Museum Store.

Historic Richmond | Attend and organize events to prioritize preservation of Richmond’s historic homes, streets, and landmarks.

VisArts Center of Richmond.

VisArts offers dozens of classes for students to older adults. | Photo by @therictoday

If you’re an artsy type

Visual Arts Center of Richmond | Help run special events, organize gallery openings, provide administrative support, or educate visitors.

1708 Gallery | Install and maintain art pieces featured in its exhibitions, host special events + take part in fundraising.

Art on Wheels | Teach classes, run special events + provide artistic vision for upcoming projects.

Bonus: HandsOn Greater Richmond offers connections to dozens of in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities with many more organizations across Central VA.

Have a favorite we didn’t highlight? Let us know.

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