The Open Hearts Foundation invites you to volunteer with our Charity Partners across the United States.
Some of our charity partners offer one time opportunities like showing up to help sort a canned food drive or volunteering at an event. Some charity partners offer long term volunteer commitments like becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate or volunteering your special skills on a weekly basis.
However you choose to volunteer, we appreciate your commitment to help others.
Here is a listing of our Charity Partners with current or ongoing volunteer opportunities:
A New Way of Life Reentry Project
A New Way of Life Reentry Project promotes healing, power, and opportunity for formerly incarcerated people by taking a multifaceted approach to mitigating the effects of, and ultimately eliminating, mass incarceration. Share your professional and administration skills by offering legal clinic support, teaching, creative design, special event production, outreach & advocacy, IT, and more.
Alliance for Children’s Rights
Alliance for Children's Rights offers several ways to volunteer, both for the general public and for lawyers. Share your talents as a mentor for a Foster Youth, ages 18-24, transitioning out of the system or as a Client Intake Volunteer, answering incoming calls from families, caregivers, and youth seeking assistance and referring callers to appropriate resources. Attorneys can volunteer as a Pro Bono Legal Partner, volunteering as a lawyer advocating for healthcare, education, and financial support for families created by adoption, foster care, and guardianship. Students in college, graduate school, or law school can serve in internships in intake and advocacy as well as clerkships and fellowships in law.
American Red Cross NY
Headquartered in New York City, the Greater New York Region serves more than 10 million people in New York City; Long Island; Rockland, and Westchester counties; and Greenwich, Conn. They respond to approximately seven emergencies and disasters a day across the region—home fires, floods, building collapses—and more, providing shelter, food, clothing and emotional support at no cost to those in need. Like other Red Cross regional offices, they have an extensive volunteer program. Opportunities include disaster relief and blood collection support. For middle school and high school and college students, they offer school-based volunteer clubs that support disaster relief.
Association to Benefit Children
ABC serves the whole child, whole family, and whole community with our extensive wraparound services centered in East Harlem, South Bronx, and schools throughout Manhattan. During the pandemic, they have offered volunteers the chance to tutor remotely. The Study Buddies virtual volunteer tutor program provides academic support for students by pairing volunteer mentors with ABC students. If you live in the NYC area, volunteer help for onsite afterschool programs is limited due to COVID, but opportunities will expand as soon as it is safe.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County seeks to build and professionally support one-to-one mentoring relationships to ignite the power and promise of youth. You can help by being paired as a Mentor with a child in need of extra adult support. They provide special training and support for Mentors working with BIPOC or LGTBQ+ youth so that mentors become a safe person and an ally for youth to rely upon. This is an ongoing opportunity to have deep impact on a child's life, with volunteering requirements including monthly meetings and long term commitment.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, with a mission to create hope and build healthier futures—for all children, and particularly the underserved. Many of CHLA volunteers work directly with patients through a variety of opportunities such as escorting patients to hospital appointments, playing with patients in waiting rooms, assisting in hospital playrooms and sometimes at the bedside (will require additional training), and reading to children (will require additional training).
Claire’s Place Foundation
Claire’s Place Foundation is a charity providing support to individuals, children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF). They offer families Extended Stay Hospital Grants, remote work training for caregivers, Hospital Playroom refurbishment, and other family support. Volunteers can help with advocacy and fundraising events, including the annual Glow Race for CF, an evening cycling fundraiser, in Hermosa Beach in late August.
Foster Angels of South Texas
The mission of Foster Angels is to improve the lives of children in foster care in South Texas by ensuring each child has their basic needs met and providing life-enhancing, life-enriching opportunities whenever possible. Volunteer can serve in an administrative role in the office or at an event. There are also opportunities for the whole family to get matched with a teenager’s holiday wish list or donate shoes for foster children in the summer.
Jenesse Center
Jenesse Center is a nonprofit domestic violence intervention and prevention organization with a resolute mission: to restore, and provide trauma informed, culturally responsive, holistic, comprehensive services to survivors and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Volunteers are always needed to help maintain the facilities with landscaping, painting and organization of the boutiques and warehouses. Groups can plan a Day of Service. Individuals can also volunteer in the office, with client support, meal cooking, children's programs and more. For a more ongoing opportunity, volunteers can become Education and Program facilitators, to teach classes on a variety of subjects in ways that empower, educate and motivate.
Lending Hearts
Lending Hearts provides emotional, social and physical support to those living with cancer, with a special focus on the needs of children and young adults as well as their families and caregivers. Volunteers can be involved at monthly family experiences, planning and implementing fundraising events as well as single day of fundraising event time and support. For high school students, the Lending Hearts Junior Council gives students the opportunity to learn and build leadership skills by committing volunteer hours to advocating for children and young adults living with cancer as part of a dynamic Pittsburgh-based organization. There are internship opportunities for college students.
Mending Kids
Mending Kids gives sick kids life-saving surgical care while advancing education and training towards medical sufficiency in their communities. Volunteers can host children and their families traveling for medical care, assist in the office, serve as a translator or delivery drive, help at events, offer photography or design services, help with marketing and fundraising, or volunteer at an event. Both medical and non-medical volunteers can travel on mission trips to Africa, South America, or Armenia.
My Sisters’ Place NY
My Sisters' Place strives to end domestic violence and human trafficking through comprehensive services, advocacy, and community education. While volunteering is currently virtual, volunteers can draw pictures, write notes, or send inspirational quotes for us to share with our clients, staff, and community, host an on line or "at home" event, or share the cause on social media.
Operation Smile NY
Operation Smile is committed to addressing their patients’ cleft care needs throughout their childhood and adolescence so that they can realize happier and healthier futures. For U.S. volunteers, Operation Smile seeks help from medical professionals in Medical Records (non-medical), CRNA, Pre/Post Nurses (Pre/Post nurse applicants who are fluent or conversational in a language other than/in addition to English are still being considered – French and Spanish speakers highly needed), and Dental.
Project Glimmer
Project Glimmer's mission is to inspire every girl to envision and realize an empowered future, especially girls who are BIPOC, low income, or foster youth. Their programs help young women grow personal confidence, meet positive role models, and build a support network. Volunteers can help gift wrap presents (virtually), help in the SF Bay Area warehouse, mentor and share career advice with teen girls, and help on fundraiser events. Learn more at .Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Safe Alliance
Safe Alliance provides hope and healing to those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault in Mecklenburg County, NC. Volunteers can serve in several programs including the Clyde & Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter, Victim Assistance Court Program, Sexual Trauma Resource Center, and Legal Representation Program. There are also opportunities to volunteer at events in the community and for general office support. For volunteers who enjoy public speaking, they can raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault and help others in the process through participating in the Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Speakers Bureau. Attorneys may also provide pro-bono representation for domestic violence victims.
Strong Women Strong Girls
The mission of Strong Women Strong Girls is to empower girls to imagine a broader future through a curriculum grounded on female role models delivered by college women mentors, who are themselves mentored by professional women. Volunteer opportunities include servings as a College Mentor (College Women), participating in Become a Strong Leader (Professional Women), volunteering at an event, volunteering with girls (field trip chaperone, site visit, deliver hands-on programming, etc.), and making an In-Kind Donation (programmatic offerings, goods/services, hold an event benefiting SWSG, etc.).
Team Gleason
Team Gleason is dedicated to serving individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) – a terminal neuromuscular disease. Through its diverse and broad-reaching programming, the organization brings assistive technology, equipment, and robust support services into the hands of ALS patients. Volunteers can help the cause by assisting at awareness and fundraising events across the country such as festivals and kickball tournaments.
The Wheeler Mission
The Wheeler Mission provides critically needed goods and services to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and need in Central and South Central Indiana without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, or religion. Their website offers a regularly updated Volunteer Portal where you can search for opportunities. Current opportunities include meal service, donation sorting, recreation time assistance, and reception/HR support.
Voices for Children Tampa Bay
Voices for Children's mission is to provide support and advocacy for the abused, neglected and abandoned children in the foster care system. They partner with the Guardian ad Litem Program of Hillsborough County to ensure these children have the resources and enrichment opportunities they need to feel safe, loved and cared for. They have a great need for many types of volunteers including administrative volunteers (that help with office, item donation drives, events, or other organizational support) and long-term Guardian ad Litem advocates who train to represent children in court.
Adelante Mujeres
Adelante Mujeres provides holistic education and empowerment opportunities to marginalized Latina women and families in Oregon to ensure full participation and active leadership in the community. There are both onsite opportunities if you are in Oregon and virtual roles to volunteer from afar. On-site, you can fill assistant roles in programs, event, and facilitation. Farmer's Market volunteers are always needed if you want to be outdoors and support healthy, fresh food for families. Virtual opportunities include Spanish translation, professional development, outreach, technical support, and data entry support.
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) has been leading the way in Alzheimer’s research since its founding in 1998. Employing a venture philanthropy model, the ADDF is helping to shape the Alzheimer’s research pipeline through both scientific leadership and providing venture capital for innovative, often underfunded research areas. For young adult volunteers, ADDF’s Young Professionals Committee is a group of over 100 motivated individuals worldwide with a common goal of supporting the ADDF’s mission to accelerate the development of drugs, to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease. To get more information on opportunities:
American Soldier Network
American Soldier Network is a hands-on organization that raises awareness and funding to tackle the psychological and emotional battles affecting veterans on the home front such as PTS, CTE, TBI, homelessness, unemployment and reintegration. They sponsor holiday "swag bag" drives for combat wounded, ill, and injured soldiers. Children can participate by making cards to be included in these bags. They also host awareness and fundraising events nationally throughout the year that may need volunteer support. Connect with their team for upcoming volunteer opportunities at:
Bay Area Lyme Foundation
The mission of Bay Area Lyme Foundation is to make lyme disease easy to diagnose and simple to cure, by funding research and prevention programs. There are many creative ways to volunteer, both as citizen scientists and in events and programs. Recently volunteers collected ticks for the Bay Area Tick Study, helped with public service mail and media campaigns, and worked at special events like LymeAid and Polo for Lyme. They also rely on volunteers to help with their outreach programs in local Bay Area schools and at community events. Volunteers can also help by hosting Lyme's Disease programs in their homes, clubs, or other venue. Leadership level volunteers can join the organization's Ambassador program.
CASA of El Paso
CASA of El Paso trains and supports volunteers from the community to advocate for abused and neglected children who need representation in the family court system. "CASAs" are Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers who work with abused and neglected children in the court system. Volunteers are extensively trained and are able to speak up in court and represent the best interests of children in the child protection system. CASA volunteers must commit long-term, undergo regular training, and be able to appear in court to speak on behalf of children.
City Youth Now
City Youth Now partners with San Francisco-area youth with experience in the juvenile justice and foster care systems as they prepare for their future. They provide programs and services that enhance educational opportunities, increase employment skills, and fulfill critical social service, health and personal development needs. Currently, volunteer opportunities have transitioned to virtual volunteering, such as help with office administration, social media content production, graphic and creative design, and organization of donations. When safe, in person opportunities include tutoring older youth in Juvenile Hall with college courses and high school youth at the Woodside Learning Center, assisting with GED coursework, and serving in The Corner Store as a cashier.
Creighton Community Foundation
Creighton Community Foundation in AZ believes that communities and schools complement each other. Strong communities make stronger schools, and strong schools keep our communities strong. It takes a village to raise a child, and Creighton Community Foundation is in the business of investing in strong villagers. Volunteers are needed on a regular basis to help with their weekly food distribution program, whether you are food packing or food distributing. They also look for volunteers to help with their garden.
Global Mobility
Global Mobility provides mobility solutions, education and advocacy to children, teens, and adults with disabilities around the world so that they are equipped and empowered to live fulfilling, purposeful lives. Volunteers may collect wheelchairs and ambulatory aid, become a volunteer driver, volunteer at our facility, volunteer at an international seating clinic, assist at expos and conferences, and propose a way to share their professional skills.
Kind Campaign
Kind Campaign brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl bullying through their global movement, documentary film, in-school assemblies and educational curricula. The Kind Ambassador volunteer program gives girls and women across the world the opportunity to spread Kind Campaign Assemblies and Kind Clubs into their local schools and communities.
Life Rolls On
Life Rolls On is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with various disabilities by providing events and programs on adaptive surfing and skating. Volunteers can help at any of the sites for the annual tour of skate and surf events. Event volunteer duties include coaching, set-up, registration, hospitality, and breakdown/clean up. Events usually run April-October.
Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus
Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus (formerly Molly’s Fund Fighting Lupus) is devoted to advancing its mission of supporting those living with lupus. Volunteers are central to the organization and can help with everything from planning, managing, and assisting with events to co-creating innovative programs.
NAMI Central Texas
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Central Texas is dedicated to improving the lives of all individuals affected by mental illness through education, support and advocacy programs. Volunteers can: facilitate support groups for adults who are living with a mental health condition or for those closest to them, teach adults who are living with a mental health condition about recovery, resources, and crisis management, share their own story of navigating mental health conditions, give various presentations to both niche and broad audiences about mental health, and assist with outreach, events, fundraising, and more.
Pat Tillman Foundation
The Pat Tillman Foundation identifies remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses, empowering them with academic scholarships, lifelong leadership development opportunities and a diverse, global community of high-performing mentors and peers. Volunteers can organize fundraisers such as Pints for Pat celebrations hosted by local communities and benefits held by companies and schools around the country. There are also opportunities to run as a team or individually in marathons, half-marathons, triathlons, cycling, and other athletic events.
Redwood Empire Food Bank
The Redwood Empire Food Bank serves over 100,000 children, families, and seniors in Northern California every year with food assistance. There are many opportunities for individuals, families, and groups to volunteer in the warehouse, distribution sites, and in the Kitchen Collective. Reliant on the generosity of volunteers, they offer a selection of both long term and one-time volunteer opportunities.
St. Jude Children’s Hospital
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Local volunteering opportunities in communities across the nation (not in the hospital) include helping with fundraising efforts and events, administrative support for regional centers, and virtual volunteering.
The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation
The Children's Lifesaving Foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved, BIPOC youth and houseless families living in shelters and transitional housing in Los Angeles through a unique approach of providing outdoor education through amazing Summer and Surf Camps, inspiring Holiday Events and awesome Field Trips in and around Los Angeles, and Educational Assistance and Scholarships for youth through to college-age. Volunteers can assist with summer camps, help with the holiday initiative, Project Angel Wings, or join the Swell Squad, a social group of creative volunteers that create new programs and strategies. Volunteers can also work with their local school PTAs to promote the Teen Camp Counselor Program, which allows for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to gain valuable volunteer, life & work experience & community service hours, or have your middle school or high school student start a CLF Club on campus to learn about non-profit fundraising.
The Living Room
The Living Room exclusively serves women and their children, who are at-risk of becoming homeless, or who are experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County, CA. Volunteers can serve as a receptionist, a greeter, snack room monitor, computer guide, life coach, resume writing help, recovery specialist and more. Also, volunteers can join the Kitchen and Meal Distribution, Garden, or Maintenance teams for ongoing volunteer service.
Travis Mills Foundation
Travis Mills Foundation supports recalibrated veterans and their families through various programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation. They support these veterans through a nationally recognized retreat located in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine. The organization is currently offering several volunteer opportunities in facility upkeep and gardening, serving meals, housekeeping, ropes course, and waterfront activities.
Volunteer Center South Bay Harbor Long Beach
Volunteer Center has an extensive database of South Bay, CA area nonprofits seeking volunteers. They also host a unique program, Empathy in Action, where you can volunteer as an individual or with your group (families, school, church, scouts, business, etc.) with their Food for Kids program, the Affinity Support Group behind Operation Teddy Bear, or with one of their Nonprofit Network partners.