Ways to Serve in Your Community

volunteer picking up trash
Volunteer Iowa
volunteer iowa Volunteer Iowa provides local opportunities for you to give back and donate your time. It their mission to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. They also have many COVID-19 volunteer opportunities!

Matching Websites
volunteer match We believe everyone should have the chance to make a difference. That's why we make it easy for good people and good causes to connect. We've connected millions of people with a great place to volunteer and helped tens of thousands of organizations better leverage volunteers to create real impact.
Points of Light The world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action and change the world.

Ames
all aboard for kids All Aboard for Kids offers unique summer day camp programs for all area elementary and middle school students, as well as for those on the autism spectrum entering K-8th grade! 
food at first ames Food at First is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing meals to anyone who is hungry, no questions asked. FAF serves a hot meal every day of the year. Most meals are served in the evening and all meals are served in the lower level of First Christian Church in downtown Ames.
volunteer story county ames We build strong community by inspiring, educating and mobilizing volunteers to address community needs in Story County.
central iowa ames des moines volunteer opportunities Central Iowa RSVP (CIRSVP) is a dynamic National Service Program serving Story, Marshall, Webster, and Hamilton Counties in Iowa. CIRSVP, established in 1973, has proven to be a highly effective volunteer management organization, adapting programming over the years to meet emerging community needs and changing demographics.
Boys and Girls of Story County

Their Mission: To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

The Club strives to inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential by:

  1. Nurturing their talents
  2. Helping them develop friendships
  3. Building their self-esteem
  4. Connecting them with caring adult role models
united way of story county It's a credo. A mission. A goal. A constant reminder that when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our communities. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day.
the ames foundation The Ames Foundation serves as the catalyst for the identification and execution of projects that enhance quality of life and create a greater sense of community among citizens. In doing so, the organization connects resources with projects in cooperation with public agencies, civic organizations, private entities and individuals.
Des Moines
girl scouts We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. 
NAMI From support groups and education to outreach and advocacy, NAMI IOWA works to provide the tools needed by friends, families and persons with mental illness of all ages.
food bank iowa We’ve built a system that provides vital food to pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools and others. We strive each day to ensure that no child, senior or family in Iowa has to struggle to find food.
dsm volunteer list Ongoing volunteer and community service opportunities in Des Moines.
Waukee Schools Waukee Community School District welcomes and encourages the use of volunteers in our facilities.  Volunteers help the district build strong partnerships with our students, parents, community and businesses by getting involved with our education programming
helping hand

We believe that each child deserves a loving and permanent home. Our goal is to protect and restore the lives of victimized children, so that those without hope can reclaim their futures. We enrich, educate and empower through loving care, professional treatment and innovative services that heal.

animal rescue league The ARL serves people and pets from across the state of Iowa through its programs, which include pet adoption, humane education, pet behavior training, spay/neuter, animal cruelty intervention and much more. The Animal Rescue League is dependent on individual and corporate contributions to care for its animals.
dress for success des moines The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work in life.
Ronald mcdonald house The Des Moines Ronald McDonald House is committed to improving the quality of life for children and families through a variety of solutions. Check out some of the opportunities they offer. 
goodwill central iowa

Through our volunteer program, we offer fun and hands-on opportunities that make a meaningful impact in central Iowa. Whether you are an individual interested in getting more involved in the community or a group looking to make a difference, Goodwill of Central Iowa has an opportunity for you.

Volunteer opportunities are available at our retail stores, career connection centers and headquarters facility for individuals and groups.

Cancer Connection No parent is prepared to learn their child has cancer. That’s why Children’s Cancer Connection is here to help you navigate the road ahead. While many great organizations are working to find a cure for the disease afflicting more than 13,500 children each year in the United States, Children’s Cancer Connection strives to provide care following a cancer diagnosis. We offer support, education and recreation for the entire family for the entire journey. Whatever twists and turns you encounter as you adjust to your new normal, you can always count on one thing: Children’s Cancer Connection is dedicated to supporting you the entire way. 
Everybody Wins Iowa How does everybody win?  Students win by enjoying consistent and positive interactions with caring adults. Volunteers win by enjoying meaningful and worthwhile experiences and the satisfaction of knowing they are making a positive impact on the future of a young child.  Schools win by seeing improvement in their students’ literacy skills without assuming any administrative burden or cost.  Companies win by offering a simple, efficient way to enhance employee morale and from the positive effects of providing a valuable service to the community.
Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa develops community through the process of providing adequate housing for all God’s people. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with God’s people in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which people can live and grow into all that God intended. Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa develops community through the process of providing adequate housing for all God’s people.
Christian Opportunity Center Christian Opportunity Center (COC) affirms that everyone is created in the image of God and that people with disabilities should be valued as such. COC is committed to serving the needs of the whole person including spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical needs.
Denison
tri city bbq

Tri-City BBQ Fest occurs in September. Please contact them for volunteer opportunities. 

lutheran service in iowa Lutheran Service in Iowa provides a variety of services such as early childhood education, foster care and adoption, mental health, behavioral health, and more.
temporary aid program

Temporary Aid Program (TAP) - Food Pantry 

Crawford County Women in Business The Crawford County Women in Business Impact Organization invites all communities in Crawford County  to come together and help beautify our towns during this year's week-long initiative to celebrate  "Earth Day" and "Keep Iowa Beautiful Month!" 
Eventide We strive to be the Health Care Provider of Choice and the employer of choice by understanding and meeting the special needs of our residents, families, and employees. To provide services in a way that includes family involvement, promoting and maximizing the independence and dignity of every resident.