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
Salmon Habitat Restoration Event
Emerging Leaders Monthly Volunteer Project: Spring is Coming!
Emerging Leaders Monthly Volunteer Project: Birthday Dreams – Crafting Joy & Building Dreams
Earth Day Volunteer Restoration Event at Meadowbrook Pond!
Community Mentoring
To Register For Your Project
1. Select a project.
2. Connect with the organization.
3. Recruit your group.
Coming Soon
Summer 2024
Gala Support Volunteers Needed! Celebrate 50 Years of Progress Towards Solving Poverty!
Solid Ground | May 8, 2024
This year at Solid Ground, we’re celebrating half a century of progress towards solving poverty! You’re invited to volunteer at our 50th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, May 8, 5:30pm. We’ll need help setting up starting around 1:00pm, although the schedule may change slightly as we solidify event plans. Volunteer tasks will include: setup, registration, greeting guests, and takedown.
Homework Helper at the SPL South Park Branch
The Seattle Public Library | Until June 13, 2024
The Seattle Public Library provides homework help and learning activities for K-12 students throughout the school year, September 11, 2023, until June 13, 2024. Volunteers support students with their homework assignments and with developing literacy, mathematics and study skills. The Homework Help Program supports diverse communities in Seattle. Volunteers and Library staff support students to advance racial equity and close the education opportunity gap for students.
Elementary Summer Camp Counselor | New Futures | Burien
Southwest Youth and Family Services | Ongoing
Our Elementary School Program offers children a safe, supportive environment after school and during school breaks. Our seven-week intensive summer program focuses on sports, STEM subjects, reading, art, field trips and fun!
Grades 7-12 Summer Camp Counselor | New Futures | Burien
Southwest Youth and Family Services | Ongoing
Our High School Program offers teens a safe, supportive environment after school and during school breaks. Our seven-week intensive summer program focuses on sports, STEM subjects, reading, art, field trips and fun!
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.
Spanish speaking volunteers needed
Providence ElderPlace | Ongoing
Providence Elder Place is an innovative program of services for older adults. We have an urgent request for a Spanish speaking volunteer to phone or visit one of our Spanish speaking participants. If you can speak this language and are interested, please reach out!
Adopt a Unit – Domestic Violence, Teen Units, Girls First & So. King County
YWCA | Ongoing
In our homeless family shelters, things can be pretty basic when a family moves in, this group opportunity is all about changing that. Ideally your group would be about 5 strong and have a weekend to give. You come into a recently vacated unit, 1 to 3 bedrooms, and do a springtime heavy duty cleaning, from washing walls, sometimes painting, to making beds, decorating and taking inventory before han No training required, but good physical help is a plus.
FareStart Community Meals Kitchen Support weekday Mornings Galaxy Kitchen
FareStart | Ongoing
Volunteers will help prepare meals by completing basic preparation tasks; for example: assembling boxes for meal transportation, stamping meal bags, portioning, cleaning produce and more. FareStart staff will assign tasks based on individual skill and comfort level.
NEW SHIFTS ALERT! Pack bags of food for struggling students
Backpack Brigade | Ongoing
Backpack Brigade is in full swing, delivering weekend-hunger relief to over 4,300 students every single week and we need your help! We have two new permanent shifts we’re actively recruiting for: Monday, 12:00PM – 2:00PM and Tuesday, 12:00-2:00!
Marra Farm Giving Garden Work Party
Solid Ground | Ongoing
Join us at Marra Farm Giving Garden in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood! A Giving Garden Work Party offers an idyllic outdoor opportunity to bond with your coworkers. Dig into soil, plant, weed, and harvest much-needed fresh food for our neighbors as you connect with your team. With the rising cost of food, our local communities rely on fresh produce from Marra Farm more than ever. Help us grow healthy and culturally appropriate food for our neighbors in need!
Refurbish Furniture to Help Community Members in Need!
Furniture Repair Bank | Ongoing
The Furniture Repair Bank rescues worn, torn, and broken furniture from the landfill, restores its value, and provides it to people in need. the best part? No prior experience or skills are required to volunteer! We work in a warehouse environment and sometimes work outside in covered areas, so please dress for the weather. Activities may include painting, staining, and sanding wood, so please dress accordingly for potentially messy work and wear closed-toed shoes! Commitment is flexible and volunteers are welcome to join us for a couple of hours or an entire day.
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