Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. All we know is there are more than enough great causes in Kansas City to support with your time.
Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a health care enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 30+ ways to get involved in Kansas City.
If you want to help your neighbors in need
reStart | This organization fights homelessness and helps 400 people each day through prevention, outreach, shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing.
Shelter KC | This nonprofit serves people experiencing homelessness. It’s currently looking for volunteers for its Christmas at the Crossroads event.
Kaw Valley Center Kansas | KVC provides family support, foster care, preventative services, and family reunification. Volunteers can support foster families, provide meals, sort clothing donations, and help plan events.
Johnson County Christmas Bureau | This county-wide agency helps families experiencing poverty by providing basic needs + holiday toys.
Save Inc. | For 35 years, Save has provided permanent, transitional, and emergency housing — including Pride Haven, a shelter for transition-aged youth (18-24) facing homelessness.
Uplift | Three nights a week, Uplift’s vans deliver food, clothing, and other necessities to homeless communities. They have volunteer positions for drivers, cooks, and warehouse workers.
If you want to feed your community
The Prospect KC | Five initiatives under The Prospect’s umbrella serve Kansas City’s Eastside: Culinary Job Training, Kitchen Confidence, Real Food for Real People, Stir the Pot, and Making a Chef. Want to see their cooks in the kitchen? Check out The Nook in the Central Library.
Harvesters | This metro food service aids 387,000 people in its 26-county service area by providing meals. It has volunteer opportunities both in-person and from the comfort of your own home.
Kansas City Community Kitchen | NourishKC’s community kitchen serves meals to anyone at no cost Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., including holidays and during bad weather.
If you want to be there for abuse victims
Hope House | Operating six domestic violence shelters in the metro, Hope House relies on volunteers for special events, collection drives, and on-campus service roles requiring a background check.
Amethyst Place | This nonprofit serves as recovery housing + an education program for women and their children. Volunteer opportunities include working with kids, moving furniture, and tutoring.
Natural-born teachers and mentors
Boys and Girls Club | Volunteers help at-risk kids through tutoring, mentoring, coaching, job shadowing, and event support.
Operation Breakthrough | This nonprofit provides education, emergency services, and programs for kids and families in poverty. Volunteers work in classrooms.
Big Brothers Big Sisters KC | Volunteers can become a “big” to a “little” in need, or there are opportunities to donate clothes and give financially.
If you’re passionate about supporting local community groups
Kansas City Center for Inclusion | As a safe space and all-inclusive resource center for Kansas City’s LGBTQIA+ communities, KCCI volunteers help with everything from running events, to outreach, to social media marketing.
Della Lamb | This nonprofit provides food for Thanksgiving + gifts for Christmas with Operation Holidays, serving thousands of Kansas Citians.
Veterans Community Project’s | Walk-in services include food and hygiene kits, RideKC passes, and a free commissary. It also operates VCP Village, a community of 49 tiny houses for veterans experiencing homelessness.
For the animal lovers
KC Pet Project | Ways to get involved include fundraising, fostering, and volunteering. They even have a shelter wish list locals can purchase from to help with specific needs.
Wayside Waifs | This no-kill shelter has its very own “Bark Park,” walking trail, and on-site clinic, so in-person volunteers have a plethora of ways to help the animals.
Great Plains SPCA | Shop from the on-site retail store that funds their services, sponsor a kennel, donate, volunteer, or buy from a wishlist. The shelter also has a pet food drive and behavioral training.
The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City | This organization specializes in educating owners, runs a pet food pantry, and promotes affordable pet care. They are looking for foster homes, donations + volunteers.
Always and Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary | This beautiful barn sanctuary saves unwanted pets from a life spent in kennels. All animals on-site are adoptable, but they are always looking for new volunteers and donations as well.
If you’re interested in health care
Heart to Heart International | This nonprofit seeks to improve health care by distributing resources, conducting training, and responding to disasters.
Benilde Hall | This emergency housing provider offers services for treating substance use and mental health issues. Volunteers help with yardwork, housekeeping, and group classes.
Care Beyond the Boulevard | Kansas Citians of all skill levels are needed to help operate free medical clinics for homeless, uninsured, or otherwise vulnerable members of our community.
Arts + outdoors
ScrapsKC | This nonprofit turns scrap materials into purchasable craft, art, and home goods. Volunteer opportunities include managing + sorting the store.
Kauffman Center | The immaculate performances entertain you with the help of hundreds of volunteers. Be one of the doormen, ticket masters, ushers, or servers at the next show.
Willa’s Books and Vinyl | The longest-standing Black-owned bookstore in Missouri, this KC gem is seeking volunteers to help with inventory management to help keep its doors open.
KCMO Parks Department | The parks department has the Parks Ambassadors program, which provides special training, exclusive events, and a free T-shirt. Participate in their curated individual + group experiences.
Bonus
Nonprofit Connect | It’s like a chamber of commerce for nonprofits, where you can search for the one you resonate with most with its Membership Directory.
Uncover KC | A directory for volunteer opportunities in the Kansas City metro. Participants can search by category + location.
