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 Portland to give your time to.
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 65 ways to get involved in Portland.
Operation Nightwatch volunteers like Judy, Susan, and Becky help relieve social isolation for guests by serving up smiles + meals.
Photo by @nightwatchpdx
If you want to help your neighbors in need
Rose Haven | Assist with direct service (prepping + serving food, assisting guests with monthly shopping visits, cleaning showers, and helping front desk staff) or organizational support (sorting donations, admin tasks, and event planning) to support the day shelter “serving women, children, and gender non-conforming folks experiencing the trauma of abuse, loss of home and other disruptive life challenges.”
Sunshine Division | This organization partners with the Portland Police Bureau to provide immediate food relief to those in need through food pantries, delivery programs, and Thanksgiving events — support its work by packing food boxes, sorting donations, or staffing in-person pantries.
Rahab’s Sisters | Help at weekly gatherings that build community with and for women, trans, and nonbinary folks marginalized by poverty and houselessness through meals, clothing, hygiene products, activities like bingo and tie-dying, and more.
Operation Nightwatch | Serve coffee and essential supplies, and provide social connection for the center’s nightly guests.
Blanchet House | Assist with serving meals, sorting clothing, prepping produce, packing care kits, volunteer your time as a guest chef, or by helping out at Blanchet Farm in Carlton.
Community Partners for Affordable Housing | Give your time and experience to help this organization connect people who are unhoused with a place to call home.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore | Put your individual interests and skills to work at a local ReStore where proceeds support Habitat for Humanity’s partnerships with families to create safe, affordable housing.
Family Promise of Metro East | There are volunteer opportunities for every skill set, from writing newsletters to entering data into computer programs — all you need is a passion for helping families and children experiencing homelessness.
Meals on Wheels People | Deliver meals to homebound seniors, help alleviate social isolation, make wellness check calls, or help with home projects.
Store to Door Oregon | Become and order taker by taking down clients’ grocery list and delivering the goods to those in need.
If you’re passionate about supporting local community groups
KairosPDX | Program ambassadors work to break down structural racism through policy advocacy, professional development services and hands-on learning at the flagship community school and through family engagement programs.
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization | Empower immigrants and refugees to build new lives and become self-sufficient by helping with a range of programs, from after-school education to employment outreach.
Urban League of Portland | Make a positive impact in the Black community by pledging your time to one of Oregon’s oldest civil rights and social service organizations focused on housing, health, education, and jobs.
Wild Diversity | Connect BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ communities with the outdoors through adventures, education, and workshops.
Friends of Trees partners with other community organizations, like Tualatin Riverkeepers, to plant trees, shrubs, and pollinator-friendly flowers in local areas.
Photo by @tualatinriverkeepers
For the outdoorsy types
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership | All ages + abilities are welcome at volunteer events, which involve restoring habitats between Bonneville Dam and the mouth of the Columbia River to benefit water quality, wildlife, and people.
Portland Japanese Garden | Become a tour guide, ambassador, bonsai docent, Cultural Village host, greeter, or explore other opportunities supporting the garden + its mission.
Hoyt Arboretum | Help maintain Portland’s urban forest and its 6,300 plants, greet visitors, and guide educational tours so the next generation’s love for nature continues to grow.
Albina Coop Garden | Grow and harvest fruit and vegetables on this two-acre community plot where produce is donated to those in need.
Friends of Tryon Creek State Park | Become a Nature Center Ambassador and help greet and educate guests, or hike, plant trees, and remove weeds as a Fall Land Steward.
Green Lents | Cultivate pollinator-friendly plants, assist with workshops, join a community orchard work party, become a Tool Library librarian, and more.
Friends of Trees | Plant trees across urban and rural areas or lead a team of planting volunteers.
Trailkeepers of Oregon | Join a Trail Party, become a Trail Ambassador, or enroll in Trailkeepers University to help maintain trails on public lands for others to enjoy.
Bird Alliance of Oregon | Flock together with fellow admirers of our feathered friends; volunteer positions are available at all levels of the organization to help achieve its mission “to inspire all people to love and protect birds.”
Natural Areas Volunteer Stewardship | Volunteers of all ages are invited to enhance and restore places like Oaks Bottom and Leach Botanical Garden.
The Intertwine | This coalition has its eyes on the bigger picture, nurturing the Portland-Vancouver region’s network of parks, trails, and natural areas
Urban Forestry | Graduates of the Neighborhood Tree Steward program commit to 40 hours of “planting trees, organizing, advocating, and greening” their local community.
No Ivy League | Help keep habitats healthy for native plants by removing invasive ivy in places like Marquam Nature Park and elsewhere in Forest Park.
Columbia Slough Watershed Council | Join the paddling team, cleanup crew, or educate the next generation of environmental heroes at this waterway that was brought back from the brink through hard work and dedication.
Rose City Self-Defense is managed by the city of Portland’s Community Safety Division.
Photo via city of Portland
Natural-born teachers and mentors
Rose City Self-Defense | Cis and trans women, non-binary people comfortable in women-centered spaces, and members of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities are trained to teach free self-defense and empowerment classes for girls, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
MicroMentor | This Mercy Corps initiative connects small business owners with volunteer business mentors who can offer valuable one-on-one advice.
Project Send It | Bring the benefits of rock climbing to kids who face access barriers, giving them opportunities to experience healthy risk-taking, build confidence + trust, and develop problem-solving skills.
Minds Matter Portland | Support accomplished high school students in low-income communities through SAT/ACT test prep, critical thinking, and math tutoring, or make a three-year commitment to mentoring a sophomore through graduation.
The Shadow Project | Help make school more accessible and engaging for K-8 students with learning challenges like dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and trauma through in-person and virtual opportunities.
Washington County Juvenile Department STEP Mentoring Program | Make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth through one-on-one mentoring for at least six months.
Friends of the Children Portland | Provide support to paid, professional mentors who build lasting relationships with youth who have faced a lot of adversity.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest | Mentor a child one-on-one out in the community or encourage your employer to become a workspace partner where kids visit twice a month.
Dress for Success Oregon | Core volunteers are vital to other’s professional success, whether you’re a personal shopper, interview coach, or organizing donated clothing.
CASA for Children | Become an advocate for youths in the child welfare system in Multnomah, Washington, Columbia, and Tillamook counties, advocating for their best interests both in and outside of the courtroom until they are placed in a permanent home.
Project 48 | With an average of 160 young people coming into foster care each month in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties, you can make a difference by providing them with essential items and clothing in their first 48 hours in their new home.
St. Andrew Nativity School | The tuition-free middle school serving young people of all faiths from low-income backgrounds relies heavily on volunteers to help with tutoring, assisting with school programming, mentoring, athletics coaching, and teaching skills classes.
If you’re an animal lover
Defend Them All Foundation | This early-stage nonprofit working to provide a better future for animals + their habitats through community advocacy, education, and legal guidance is looking for a grant writer.
Oregon Humane Society | Join a volunteer force of more than 2,000 people who help keep the shelter operating by fostering animals, supporting youth education programs, taking dogs for runs, and more.
The Pixie Project | Walk dogs, play with cats, help with cleaning, talk to the public at community events, or transport animals and donations.
Animal Aid | Foster a dog or cat at your home, spend time socializing with animals at the shelter, provide administrative assistance, or help streamline adoptions.
Multnomah County Animal Services | Volunteer needs are updated frequently and range from daily laundry tasks to providing a safe foster home.
Washington County Animal Services | Once you complete the Animal Service Academy, you can help answer animal welfare questions within your community and represent WCAS and the Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter at community events.
Deaf Dogs of Oregon | By fostering a deaf dog, you can help give it a second chance and get it ready for a permanent home — a tough, but rewarding journey.
If you live + breathe Portland
Hands On Greater Portland | Spend whatever time you can supporting your community in various ways, from restoring nature parks to repairing children’s books.
Weird Portland United | Share your experience to help this ultra-Portland group with writing, copy editing, event coordinating, outreach, and more.
Self-proclaimed bibliophiles
SMART Reading | Share the magic of books with kids by reading one hour a week in one-on-one or group sessions at local elementary schools or preschools. Leadership positions are also available to train volunteer readers, facilitate book giveaways for students, and oversee on-site programming.
Literary Arts | Support the Portland Book Festival held every November, or help local high schoolers brainstorm, edit, and draft essays for college applications in the fall and spring.
Write Around Portland | Help produce books featuring writings from workshop participants by typing, copy editing, proofing, selecting pieces, and choosing book covers.
Join AIDS Walk Northwest on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Southeast Portland to raise awareness and resources to end HIV/AIDS.
Photo by Dustin Vance via @cascadeaidsproject
If you’re interested in healthcare
Legacy Hospice Services | Leave a meaningful impact on another’s life by simply being there to offer comfort — be it by holding their hand, reading to them, or going for a walk — while giving family members + caregivers a respite.
Returning Veterans Project | Licensed healthcare specialists — from mental health counselors and substance abuse counselors to chiropractors and naturopaths — support veterans, service members, and their families by providing a range of confidential services.
Cascade AIDS Project | Lend a hand with fundraising events (like Art Auction and AIDS Walk Northwest), HIV testing, furniture delivery, social media, internships, and more.
Adventist Health Portland | Give back to your community, interact with others, and become involved in truly meaningful service.
American Red Cross Cascades Region | Donate your time and compassion through blood collection support or by joining the disaster action team, supporting the organization’s mission to provide disaster relief and emergency care.
Borland Free Clinic | Share your administrative, medical, or interpreting skills with patients.
If you have a passion for disabled community members
L’Arche Portland | Support the organization’s commitment to welcoming difference and celebrating unique gifts by helping carry out home chores, yard work, annual events, data entry, and more.
Special Olympics Oregon | Volunteer to help with everything from coaching and program management to events and administrative support.
Volunteer docents share the stories + details of trains like this one with Oregon Rail Heritage Center guests.
Photo by Spaghettifier
For the social butterflies
Portland Art Museum | Connect with + share your passion for art with visitors and community members and enjoy free admission in return.
Education Travel & Culture | Open your home to an exchange student from a foreign country and reap the reward of gleaning first-hand knowledge about their culture.
Oregon Rail Heritage Center | Become one of the gears crucial to keeping all of the center’s programs + day-to-day activities on track.
Oregon Public Broadcasting | Support the continuation of public media by volunteering at membership drives or special events, supporting content creation, or filling an administrative need.
Oregon Maritime Museum | Share your interest in learning and enthusiasm for the museum’s collections and exhibits by working on the engine of a historic sternwheeler, leading tours, staffing the museum store, writing grants, and more.
