If you’ve ever thought, “I want to help, but I don’t know where to start,” you are not alone. Whether you want to give back to our community, support a cause you care about, or simply find more purpose in your free time, volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference. We have a list of 20 MADISON organizations we are passionate about.
**Hover over the organization to view more information & to register to volunteer!**
1. CLEAN UP YOUR LOCAL PARK WITH MADISON CITY:
Earth Day is in April 22nd! To celebrate, consider giving some of your time to help cleaning up our parks after the long winter. Madison City runs an Earth Day challenge this year! The 60+ parks are seeking 900 volunteers, located throughout Madison, to assist with trash pickup, raking, trail clearing, and invasive plant removal. The city supplies gloves, garbage bags and rakes.
2. ASSIST CLEAN LAKE ALLIANCE TO CONSERVE OUR LAKES:
Help our lakes to stay healthy while volunteering with Clean Lake Alliance! This non-profit organization always needs volunteers on projects that support our lakes! Opportunities include skilled office and administration assistance, special events like the Frozen Assets and others, and watershed projects like shoreline and beach restoration and clean ups.
3. BECOME A BIG BROTHER OR A BIG SISTER:
With this unique and exciting volunteer opportunity, you have the chance to help shaping a child’s future for the better by empowering them to achieve their full potential. Through their community based program, you and your “little sibling” can share the kinds of activities you already like to do and learn how to do new things together: Play sports together, go on a hike, read books, eat a pizza or simply just give some advice and inspiration.
4. HELP OUT AT A HENRY VILAS ZOO EVENT:
The zoo has plenty to do! One option is to volunteer for events which is an excellent way to experience your zoo without committing to a long-term schedule. The variety of roles, activities and crowds make event volunteering such a fun way of giving back to the community. Large events include: Boo at the Zoo, Zoo Lights, Run Wild, Drag Me to the Zoo and others! The zoo has several projects and smaller events that pop up throughout the year and provide extra opportunities to get involved.
5. VOLUNTEER WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB:
Volunteers are an essential part of the Boys & Girls Club mission. When you volunteer you directly impact the daily lives of Dane County’s youth. You have the honor of making a meaningful and lasting impact on each child you encounter. This organization offers club-based, school-based as well as administrative volunteer opportunities.
6. STACK THE SHELVES AT SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK:
There is lots to do at Second Harvest. One good way to volunteer is helping to sort, label, and repack food into family-friendly portions for neighbors in need. Volunteer tasks include sorting fresh produce, labeling frozen pizza, or dividing a 1,000 pounds of potatoes into easy-to-use 5-pound bags. These volunteer projects are safe, well-organized, and led by friendly and knowledgeable staff and no experience necessary!
7. CONSERVE OUR UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON ARBORETUM:
The UW Arboretum is an icon of our city and vital for everyone’s well-being! As a dedicated volunteer, you ensure the continued success of the Arboretum’s ecological communities, gardens, and outreach programs. There are countless ways volunteers can get involved with this beautiful place, including help with ecological restoration, gardening, plant propagation, summer day camp, Friends of the Arboretum–sponsored events, citizen science, and Visitor Center services.
8. ASSIST AT THE CITY OF MADISON SENIOR CENTER:
Volunteers are the heart of the Madison Senior Center. The list of opportunities is endless and range from being an activity or class leader interacting with members, playing music, games, puzzles, read, do arts and crafts or leading an art activity. What’s more, volunteers are need to help with technology assistance of members with basic technology questions in using their smart phone or laptop, and help in completing tasks in our computer lab. The list goes on.
9. BECOME A POLL WORKER WITH MY VOTE WISCONSIN:
Poll workers do everything from check-in voters, help people register to vote, check photo IDs and process absentee ballots. A local Vote Wisconsin clerk will provide you with training prior to election day for the job you will be doing. This is a great opportunity for younger adults to get involved with the democratic process!
10. PLAY AT THE MADISON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:
Put a smile on a child’s face and make a difference our community. Museum volunteers help in the museum’s public spaces, help kids develop empathy for nature through experiences with animals and gardens, help kids develop their innate creativity by making art, help kids enjoy active and creative play throughout the museum, operate the human sized Gerbil Wheel as well as help kids enjoy active and creative play in the outdoor play area (April through October). What’s more, the museum offers volunteering for special events.
11. JOIN THE TEAM OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL:
Lend your time and talent as a volunteer! You’ll feed families, sustain the health of adults, relieve suffering, prevent homelessness, and restore hope for neighbors in need. No matter your skill set, availability of time, the team at St. Vincent de Paul has a place for you. From helping out in the their thrift stores, food pantries, community gardens and home visits, volunteers alike do good here.
12. HELP AT MADISON’S RIVER FOOD PANTRY:
Volunteering at the River Food Pantry in Madison gives people a feeling of satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment. It’s about providing nutrition while nourishing a connected community. The River counts on neighbors to help neighbors in need. Choose to volunteer at their pantry to help with food packaging, distribution and client registration. What’s more, help prepare and serve to-go meals for families to take home through their curbside meal program (FAM). Finally, choose to volunteer with the River Food Pantry’s mobile meal program that delivers free, healthy meals to children and adults in low-income neighborhoods (MUNCH).
13. STRENGTHEN LIVES WITH MADISON’S GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER:
The Goodman Center has been here for over 70 years and serves people starting age of 3 through programs for children and youth, older adult activities and meals, a food pantry, a fitness center, a community newspaper and event spaces. The list of volunteer opportunities is long and the center has an extensive website for information and places to apply.
14. TEACH AT THE LUSSIER EDUCATION CENTER:
The center’s mission is simple: Building community, creating opportunities and enriching education. Their strength hinges on the exceptional commitment of the community members and volunteers. No matter the diversity of talents, skills, and interests LCEC has a place for you. You can choose to work in LCEC’s food pantry, youth programs, community garden and more.
15. GIVE TIME TO MADISON’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
Schools are the heart of any community, and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) appreciates volunteers to meet the needs of students and staff. MMSD is committed to anti-racist practices, equity, inclusion, and upholding core beliefs. The volunteer approval process that includes onboarding training are in alignment with that vision, and it’s important for volunteers to have that shared understanding. School volunteers may be parents of MMSD students, college students, retirees, working professionals, homemakers, or anyone from the community that would like to give time to help MMSD schools. MMSD Volunteers can be utilized in a variety of situations in schools, ranging from one time only events to monthly, weekly or daily commitments. They may provide tutorial help, monitor lunchrooms, being a field trip chaperone, assist in the libraries, classrooms, lunchrooms or playgrounds.
16. BE A BADGER VOLUNTEER AT MORGRIDGE CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE:
The Morgridge Center for Public Service connects University of Wisconsin-Madison students, staff and faculty to local and global communities to build partnerships and solve critical issues through service and learning. There are plenty ways to volunerre with Morgridge but maybe start to becoming a Badger Volunteer (BV) which s a semester-long program (11-week commitment) that pairs teams of students with community organizations to volunteer 1 to 4 hours each week at the same organization. Choose from over 75 opportunities and select one that best fits your goals and interests (they provide transport of their volunteers!).
17. SHINE BRIGHT WITH MADISON’S PORCHLIGHT INC.:
Porchlight is the largest non-profit provider of affordable housing in Madison. Volunteers are integral to Porchlight’s success. They contribute in a variety of ways, both project-based and ongoing. Porchlight seeks talented, creative artists and graphic designers for a variety of projects throughout the year. Volunteers meet with staff at the beginning of the project, then work independently. Volunteer within groups being of service to families and individuals who are transitioning from homelessness into Porchlight’s affordable housings. Volunteer groups help prepare units for their new tenants to arrive. Tasks may include cleaning, painting, landscaping, and any other general upkeep needed to turn a house into a home.
18. LEND A HAND AT THE MADISON BEACON:
The Beacon in Madison is a daytime drop-in shelter and resource center operated by Catholic Charities, welcoming men, women, and children in Dane County who are experiencing homelessness. The Beacon is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They have about 140 volunteer shifts available each week. Volunteers at The Beacon support by providing essential daily services, including preparing and serving meals, assisting with laundry and showers, and staffing the computer lab. They foster a welcoming environment, help with mail distribution, and sometimes drive shuttles to transport guests.
19. MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT MADISON’S RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE:
Volunteers make the difference in the lives of the children and families served by each of our houses by cooking, greeting, listening, cleaning, or simply being there and helping out in any way you can and being needed. Volunteers are the heartbeat of any Ronald McDonald House, helping to offset costs and allowing the Charity to direct more donations to services supporting children and their families.
20. MORE THAN RINGING THE BELL AT THE SALVATION ARMY:
Volunteer at the Salvation Army of Dane County in Madison by supporting shelter operations, food pantries, youth programs, or holiday bell ringing. Opportunities are available year-round to assist with, emergency disaster services, kitchen help, and their family store.
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