Other Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for a community service opportunity but don’t know where to begin your search? The following list suggests organizations that are in need of volunteer assistance. Whether your interests are in health, the outdoors, children, education, community building, or something else, you’ll be able to find people who could benefit from your passion and talents.

Northwestern Health Sciences University may be in need of volunteers for one of its community events as well. If you are interested in helping with an event, please contact us. If you look through the list but don’t find anything that sparks your interest, check out the three links listed under “Sites that link volunteers to organizations in need of help.” These databases will be able to match your interests to a volunteer opportunity that’s just right for you.

4-H
4-H members learn by doing: practical skills and life skills that help them become capable, self-reliant adults. 4-Hers learn practical skills about things that interest them such as cooking, raising animals, environment, computers, and leadership. Life skills young people learn are skills, knowledge, attitudes and aspirations like decision-making, managing resources, and communications — those skills needed to function in a democratic society.

Aliveness Project
The Aliveness Project is a community center located in South Minneapolis that provides services and programs to the HIV/AIDS community.

ALS Association
The ALS Association is dedicated solely to the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (often called Lou Gehrig’s disease), and works to find a cure for ALS and improve the lives of those living with the disease.

American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.

American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association works to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes by funding research; publishing research findings; providing information and services to people with diabetes, their families, health care professionals, and the public; and advocacy.

American Heart Association, Greater Twin Cities Area
The American Heart Association works to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

American Lung Association
Originally founded to fight tuberculosis, today ALA fights lung disease in all forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control, and environmental health.

American Red Cross
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

ARC Hennepin-Carver
ARC Hennepin-Carver provides one-to-one assistance, support groups, and education for children and adults with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities—and their families—so they have opportunities to realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work, and play.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
Assists children and youth, from at-risk situations, to develop into self-sufficient individuals by providing long-tem, one-to-one adult guidance, mentoring, and friendship. Commits to helping children realize their full potential.

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities
Boys and Girls Clubs is dedicated to inspiring and enabling all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Bridging, Inc.
Bridging provides the economically disadvantaged in transition with quality furniture and household items free of charge.

Brush With Kindness
A Brush with Kindness is a neighborhood outreach of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity that paints, landscapes, and does minor repairs to the exterior of homes for low-income residents in a concentrated neighborhood effort.

Children’s Home Society of Minnesota
Children’s Home Society of Minnesota is committed to helping children thrive; to building and sustaining safe, loving families; and to providing opportunities for individual growth. CHSM provides child care services, child abuse and neglect prevention services, and adoption services.

Crisis Nursery
The Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery work in partnership with parents in crisis and the community to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Education
Do you have an interest in serving as a tutor for a child, helping out in a classroom or media center, reading to children, or volunteering in another capacity in a school? Contact your local school district to find out more about volunteer opportunities.

Emergency FoodShelf Network
Ensures coordination and cooperation between member food shelves in Hennepin County in the purchase and distribution of food.

Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota works to enhance the quality of life of those affected by seizures and ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences.

Families Moving Forward
Formerly known as North Commons Interfaith Hospitality Network, Families Moving Forward is a network of churches and volunteers working together to provide a safe and nurturing environment for homeless families and support to help them plan for a better future.

Family & Children’s Service
Family & Children’s Service works to improve the lives of children, adults, families, and communities through counseling, family support services, violence intervention, community building, family life education, and public policy advocacy.

Fare For All (formerly Fare Share)
Fare For All is a food-sharing network that exists to thank people for volunteering in their communities. For two hours of volunteering a month, anywhere in their community, clients can purchase good fresh food packages at co-op rates.

Global Citizens Network
Global Citizens Network seeks to create a network of people who are committed to the shared values of peace, justice, tolerance, cross-cultural understanding and global cooperation, to the preservation of indigenous cultures, traditions and ecologies, and to the enhancement of the quality of life around the world.

Global Volunteer Network
The Global Volunteer Network offers volunteer opportunities in community projects throughout the world.

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Hearing & Service Dogs of Minnesota
Hearing & Service Dogs of Minnesota trains service, seizure response, and hearing dogs, and places them with people who are in need of specialized assistance.
Email: hsdm@bitstream.net

H.O.M.E., Inc.
H.O.M.E., Inc. coordinates home maintenance and homemaking services for elderly clients in the southern Hennepin County suburbs so they can remain independent in their homes.
Phone: 952-888-5530

Humane Society of the United States, Central States Regional Office
The Humane Society of the United States is dedicated to creating a world where our relationship with animals is guided by compassion, and it works to created a truly human society in which animals are respected for the intrinsic value, and where the human-animal bond is strong.
Email: csro@hsus.org

Libraries of the Greater Twin Cities Area
Local public libraries can use help in a variety of ways. Contact your local library to find out more information.

Anoka County Library: www.anoka.lib.mn.us/
Carver County Libraries: www.carver.lib.mn.us/
Dakota County Library: www.co.dakota.mn.us/library/
Hennepin County Library: www.hclib.org/
Minneapolis Public Library: www.mplib.org/
Ramsey County Library: www.ramsey.lib.mn.us/
Saint Paul Public Library: www.sppl.org/
Scott County Library System: www.scott.lib.mn.us/
Washington County Library: www.washington.lib.mn.us/

Lifetrack Resources, Inc.
Provides rehabilitation therapies, employment resources, and early childhood services to empower individuals with physical, mental, social, or emotional challenges to fully utilize their abilities.

Loaves and Fishes Too
Provides free, hot meals in an atmosphere of hospitality at six locations in the Twin Cities area.
Email: lftoo@aol.com

Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a volunteer service that delivers nutritious midday meals to people who are elderly or disabled, homebound, and unable to prepare their own meals.

Minnesota Hospice Organization
The Minnesota Hospice Organization promotes quality care for people who are dying and their families. MHO acts as an advocacy and educational resource that serves people involved in, committed to, and providing quality hospice care.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society works to end the devastating effects of MS by promoting research, education, advocacy, and organization of programs.

Resource Center of the Americas
The Resource Center of the Americas informs, educates and organizes to promote human rights, democratic participation, economic justice and cross-cultural understanding in the context of globalization in the Americas.

Salvation Army
With the help of over one million volunteers across the country, the Salvation Army works to meet the needs of people in dire circumstances, such as homelessness, addiction, and unemployment, in addition to providing everyday services such as daycare, tutoring, and camps.

Scouting
Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls — all girls — where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, Girl Scouts cultivate their full individual potential. The qualities they develop in Girl Scouting — leadership, values, social conscience, and conviction about their own self-worth — serve them all their lives.
Boy Scouts of America offers boys responsible fun and adventure; instills in boys lifetime values and develops in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law; trains boys in citizenship, service, and leadership; and serves America's communities and families with its quality, values-based program.

Girl Scouts: www.girlscouts.org/
Boy Scouts: www.scouting.org/

Sports
A variety of youth sports programs in the Twin Cities area are in need of coaches, assistant coaches, and referees. Contact your local school system or parks and recreation department to learn more about these opportunities.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation works to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening, and treatment.

Women’s Advocates, Inc.
Women’s Advocates, Inc. works to eliminate violence in the lives of battered women and their children.

Sites That Link Volunteers to Organizations in Need of Help

Network For Good
Network for Good helps you find a volunteer opportunity that’s right for you. Use their search tool to find a volunteer opportunity that matches your interests, geographic location, and schedule.

United Way Volunteer Link
The United Way Volunteer Link will help you find a volunteer opportunity in the Twin Cities area with one of their many affiliated organizations. This site also includes “Tips for Volunteering.”

Volunteer Resource Center
The Volunteer Resource Center creates stronger communities through volunteer action in the greater Twin Cities area. Their site will hook you up with an organization that needs help.