Start here to plan your company’s year of employee service and engagement.
We don’t mean a single one-and-done volunteer hour, because that’s not impact that lasts. We mean an experience that introduces your co-workers to meaningful volunteerism. We’re partnering specifically with organizations focused on Black, Indigenous and other communities of color—organizations meeting genuine community needs. We’re following their lead on where they need extra hands and listening to their perspectives on what needs to be done first.
This roundup of hand-picked, first-dibs volunteer projects, available to you and your group, are the starting point for creating lasting relationships and partnering with our community to make an impact. That’s true community-centered volunteerism.
Why get employees together to volunteer? Because donations alone cannot accomplish our community goals. We need a strong system of supporters who work collectively to make King County a place where all people have homes, students graduate and families are financially stable. That’s you!
And it’s all here.
Open Projects
Free Tax Preparation
Community Mentoring
To Register For Your Project
1. Select a project.
2. Connect with the organization.
3. Recruit your group.
Coming Soon
Spring 2023
Cinco de Mayo Event Support
El Centro de la Raza | Early May 2023
We are looking for volunteers to assist with our annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in May. Volunteer roles include greeters, raffle ticket sales, food service, children’s activities, and more.
Graduation Celebration for Early Learners
InterCultural Children & Family Services | May 2023
We host a graduation celebration every year to celebrate and recognize families who have completed the ParentChild+ kindergarten readiness program. Volunteers can help make this event extra special by supporting with decorating, serving refreshments, and more!
Summer 2023
MLB Reviving Baseball in the Inner City (RBI) West Regional Tournament
Baseball Beyond Borders | July 14-16, 2023
The MLB RBI West Regional Tournament hosted by Baseball Beyond Borders showcases the talent, skills, and abilities of urban youth from across our West Region in a competitive environment with the winners advancing to the MLB RBI World Series in Vero Beach FL. Help welcome future Collegiate and MLB players and coaches to our region by volunteering in various tournament support roles.
STEM Institute for Teachers Event Support
TAF | August 2023
TAF partners with school districts, educators, and organizations to help schools create collaborative, antiracist learning environments grounded in equity and where every student wins. Help TAF support educators by lending a hand at STEM Institute for Teachers. Volunteer roles include setup, registration, meal service, and more.
Back2School Bash
Rainier Beach Action Coalition | Saturday, August 26, 12-4 p.m.
Imagine a neighborhood full of happy, healthy and hopeful kids—kids with equitable access to opportunities that improve life for themselves and their families. That’s the vision of the Rainier Beach Back2School Bash, and volunteers are critical to making it happen! Roles include setup, registration, greeting, backpack distribution and cleanup.
Help Welcome New ParentChild+ Families
InterCultural Children & Family Services | August – September 2023
InterCultural Children & Family Services ParentChild+ Program serves 28 families, helping to close the kindergarten preparation gap by supporting parents during the crucial early years of their kids’ development. Help us give new families a warm welcome by assembling goody bags and program info binders.
Gala Preparation Project
El Centro de la Raza | July – September 2023
The Annual Building the Beloved Community Gala is our biggest, most important fundraiser of the year. You can help make the auction a success! Volunteers are needed to make reminder calls, create craft paper flower decorations, write descriptions of auction items and gift baskets, organize donation-related data, and more!
Fall 2023
Gala Event Support
El Centro de la Raza | Late September – early October 2023
The Annual Building the Beloved Community Gala is our biggest, most important fundraiser of the year. Volunteer roles include setup, check-in/registration, silent and live auction support, raffle ticket sales, and more.
Evening of Choice
Choose180 | October 18, 2023
CHOOSE 180 transforms systems of injustice and supports the young people who are too often impacted by these systems. Evening of Choice is our largest engagement event created to grow the community of support for young people and to advance the transformative, life-changing work of CHOOSE 180. Volunteer to help with the registration table, raffle tickets, greeting guests – and overall making the event a success!
Boo Bash at the Beach
CHAMPS | October 29 2023
The Boo Bash at the Beach serves thousands of kids and families for a FREE, safe and fun experience on Halloween—including trunk-or treating, activities and entertainment. Kids can trick or treat for surprises and sweet treats, hosted by local organizations and businesses. Volunteer roles include setup, event support and cleanup.
Día de los Muertos Event Support
El Centro de la Raza | Early November 2023
We are looking for volunteers to assist with our annual Día de los Muertos celebration in November. Learn about the traditional Latino holiday that honors family and friends who have passed. Volunteer roles include greeters, raffle ticket sales, food service, children’s activities, and more.
Community Thanksgiving Feast
Glover Empower Mentoring | November 2023
Help make our 9th Annual Community Thanksgiving Feast at Kent Phoenix Academy a success! This evening will also have a coat drive giveaway, resource tables, and group karaoke. Volunteers will help with setup, meal service and more.
Ongoing
Volunteer and Learn with United Way Change Makers
United Way of King County | Quarterly
Join United Way volunteers and supporters for a deep dive into one of our issue areas before joining a volunteer project together.
Tips and Tricks for a Great Experience
We hope you and your group find a great fit in the above opportunities! Here are some best practices for building authentic relationships with the nonprofit organization hosting your project.
Be flexible.
Your group might be excited about working with kids for an afternoon, but most youth-serving organizations are looking for longer-term commitment in their volunteer roles. Look at what organizations have identified as their volunteer needs to see if your group is a good fit.
Consider your budget.
While the gift of time is valuable, keep in mind that group projects require supplies and staff time to coordinate. Do you have budgeted company dollars that could go toward volunteer projects? If so, let the partner nonprofit know—sharing the project cost may open up more possibilities for your group and take financial burden off of the nonprofit.
Plan ahead.
Begin reaching out to organizations at least a month before you hope to volunteer. If you can, avoid locking down a single date internally before you connect with a nonprofit.
Keep your end of the bargain.
Did you ask for a project for 20 people? Stay on top of recruitment to make sure your group is the expected size. Share the list of names in advance of the project so the organization knows whom to expect. If you need to cancel or send fewer people, let the organization know immediately.
Be ready to learn and reflect.
Ask the organization if there are any materials you should review ahead of time. Make time for a discussion before or debrief after.
Want to DIY?
Fulfill a wishlist.
Search the website of your favorite nonprofit for a wish list—sometimes on Amazon—and purchase or solicit items that will support the services they provide year-round.
Organize a giving circle.
Host a giving circle gathering with family and friends. Select an agency or cause you’d like to support and set your giving goal.
Hold a supply drive.
First, locate an organization in your community and start collecting new or gently used items it’s requesting. To find organizations accepting donations, reach out to your favorite local nonprofits.
We can help your group connect with a nonprofit that has requested in-kind donations/kits. Here are some common needs, but remember to double check with organizations before you start collecting items.
School supplies kit
- College-ruled paper/spiral notebooks
- Markers and crayons
- Pencils and erasers
- Glue sticks
- Ruler
- Scissors
Winter weather kit
- Weatherproof coat
- Hat, gloves, scarf
- Warm socks
- Winter boots
- Hand/foot warmers
- Garbage bags and reusable grocery bags
- Nonperishable snacks, such as granola/breakfast bars, applesauce pouches, cracker packs
- Hand sanitizer
Hygiene kit
- Body wash
- Combs and brushes
- Deodorant
- Chapstick
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Face wash
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Lotion
- Feminine hygiene products
Transitional housing kit
- Home cleaning products, such as toilet, glass and all-purpose cleaners
- Sanitizing wipes
- Laundry detergent and basket
- Broom and dustpan
- Mop
- Dish and cleaning sponges
- Toilet paper and paper towels