Volunteering Opportunities in Raleigh 

Are you searching for volunteering opportunities in Raleigh, NC? Here are ten great non-profit organizations in Raleigh that always seek new volunteers.

Volunteering benefits other people and your health. It is great for your physical, mental, and social well-being. Not only does volunteering provide a sense of purpose, but it can also help relieve stress and increase positivity. 

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, use your special skills and talents to assist your neighbors, and make a difference in your community. According to the University of Washington, volunteering leads to longer, healthier, and happier lives. 

Some volunteering opportunities can also improve your physical fitness by encouraging you to get out of the house and move your body to either help build something or move equipment. 

Whether you are searching for volunteering opportunities as an individual or with a group, there are many options available depending on what cause you are interested in and how you are able to help. 

Once you know your reason for volunteering, your schedule, and your goals, it is time to start looking for non-profit organizations that will be a good fit. From food banks to mentorship programs, volunteers are always welcome and needed in Raleigh and the surrounding area. 

If you live in Raleigh and want to start volunteering and make a difference, check out these top ten volunteering opportunities. All volunteer applications can be found online, and most non-profit organizations require volunteers to be 18 or older or at least 16 with a guardian. 

Consider volunteering at these non-profit organizations

1. Meals On Wheels of Wake County 

Address: 1001 Blair Dr, Suite 10, Raleigh, NC 27603 

Meals On Wheels of Wake County is a non-profit social services organization that provides home-delivered nutritious meals and congregate meals Monday through Friday for older adults, primarily senior citizens. 

Each meal is served hot, and meals that are delivered include a check-in and a visit. This organization provides services for seniors to be able to continue living independent and safe lives in their homes and communities. 

Not only does Meals On Wheels of Wake County promote healthy eating, but its mission is to improve the quality of life for seniors who are the most vulnerable. With over 1,000 volunteers in Wake County, Meals On Wheels always seeks new helping hands. 

Volunteers must be over 18 and fill out an application online. Once the application has been received, a site manager will follow up with a phone call to schedule and answer questions about the organization and what is expected from volunteers. 

Most volunteers will be in charge of picking up meals and delivering them to those in need. There are multiple pick-up sites throughout the Triangle 

2. Habitat For Humanity of Wake County 

Address: 2420 Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 

Habitat For Humanity of Wake County is a non-profit organization that works to build and purchase safe and affordable homes. This organization serves Wake and Johnston Counties and helps local families build and improve places to call home. 

Habitat For Humanity was founded in 1976 and has grown into a well-known organization with more than 4,500 volunteers in the Wake County area alone. The Habitat For Humanity ReStores, which are non-profit home improvement stores and donation centers, provide additional revenue for Habitat For Humanity of Wake County to operate. 

More than 2,700 corporations and individuals donate to this organization every year to help make its mission of building and supplying affordable housing possible. 

Volunteers are always needed, and there are multiple ways to get involved all year long. Help is always needed at the construction site, at one of their ReStores, through advocacy, the AmeriCorps, or as a Habitat Wake Summer Intern. 

3. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle 

Address: 1001 Blair Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603 

The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is a food bank and non-profit organization in Raleigh with the mission to end hunger. Located in Meals On Wheels of Wake County, the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is committed to feeding the community's families, children, and seniors. 

Recovering and distributing over nine million pounds of food every year, the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle wants to feed neighbors, teach skills for self-sufficiency, and grow healthy food. 

North Carolina is the tenth hungriest state in the country, and one in six children is at risk for hunger. The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle operates in seven counties in North Carolina and provides nutritious food and healthy meals to low-income families. 

Volunteers are always needed at the Food Shuttle Farm or through food recovery and distribution, community health education, administration, agriculture education, and hunger relief. 

4. The Green Chair Project 

Address: 1853 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 

The Green Chair Project is a non-profit home furnishing organization in Wake County that reuses furniture donated by the community to help community members who are facing homelessness or have gone through a crisis or disaster. 

Established in 2010, The Green Chair Project has helped more than 23,000 individuals and over 8,000 households. Fueled by community donations and volunteers, there are many ways to get involved, whether processing donations or providing assistance in the warehouse. 

5. Shephard's Table Soup Kitchen 

Address: 121 Hillsborough St #1762, Raleigh, NC 27603 

The Shephard's Table Soup Kitchen is a soup kitchen on Hillsborough Street in Downtown Raleigh that helps people experiencing homelessness and financial insecurity receive nutritious and warm meals. 

Volunteers are needed year-round, and the Shephard's Table Soup Kitchen welcomes nearly 10,000 volunteers each year who are dedicated to serving the community. 

Whether you are looking to volunteer individually or with a group, volunteer shifts run from 9 AM to 12:30 PM and include prep, serving, and clean up. About 200 to 300 people are served from 11 AM to 12 PM Monday through Friday. 

All volunteers must be at least 18 years old or at least 16 if accompanied by an adult. All interested volunteers must fill out the volunteer registration form on the website and wait to hear back from the volunteer coordinator. 

6. CORRAL Riding Academy 

Address: 3620 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27518

CORRAL Riding Academy is located in Cary, a well-known Raleigh suburb about a 16-minute drive away. This non-profit organization equips and helps adolescent girls in high-risk situations through the healing and holistic program of equine therapy. 

Prioritizing girls between the ages of 11 and 18, all of the girls at CORRAL Riding Academy are victims of neglect, trauma, and abuse. This no-cost program pairs at-risk girls with rescued horses while incorporating academic support, counseling, mentorship, life skills training, community support, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. 

Since CORRAL Riding Academy relies on volunteers, there are always opportunities available at the farm. Volunteer opportunities include helping the equine team, education team, transportation team, hospitality team, facilities team, marketing team, prayer team, and grants team. You can even volunteer to become a lunch and snack provider for lunch on Saturdays. 

7. Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina 

Address: 1924 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 

Food insecurity can affect anyone; approximately one in seven people in North Carolina face hunger, and one in five children is hungry. The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is working hard to end hunger by providing food for people at risk of hunger in the community. 

Last year, the food bank provided over 88 million meals to families and individuals in central and eastern North Carolina. Recently, there has been a 60% increase in community members visiting the food bank for food assistance, which is why more volunteers are needed now than ever. 

With branches located throughout central and eastern North Carolina, there are many ways to get involved and help distribute resources throughout the community and local neighborhoods. 

8. InterAct of Wake County 

Address: 1012 Oberlin Rd Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27604 

InterAct of Wake County is a non-profit organization that is working to save lives and secure safer futures for women and children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

By providing emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, sexual assault services, individual and group counseling, personal and economic empowerment, and court advocacy, InterAct of Wake County works to help victims, survivors, and their families. 

Volunteers are always needed, and various opportunities are available for all skill sets and talents. 

9. Neighbor To Neighbor 

Address: 1200 S Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Neighbor To Neighbor, also referred to as N2N, is a non-profit and community development organization that offers the chance for neighbors to come together. 

Through mentoring relationships, Neighbor To Neighbor provides academic mentoring, afterschool enrichment, asset development, and workforce development programs for members of the community. 

Serving the Southeast Raleigh area for over 25 years, students of Neighbor To Neighbor have grown three times faster than the national average academically, and 97% of students are first-generation college students. 

Neighbor To Neighbor needs over 300 mentors each year, and there is a waiting list for students who want a mentor. Sign up online to get started. 

10. Rise Against Hunger Raleigh 

Address: 3200 Wellington Ct #112, Raleigh, NC 27615

Rise Against Hunger Raleigh is part of a global movement to end hunger in communities. This international humanitarian non-profit organization works to empower communities and provide nutritional meals to individuals and families. 

As many as 828 million people are affected by hunger globally, and Rise Against Hunger is working to change that. This organization has helped millions of lives and counting and is always in need of volunteers who want to help end hunger and provide nutrition education to neighbors. 

Methodology 

We used data and information from local non-profit organizations, Feeding America, and the World Health Organization to determine what volunteering opportunities are available in Raleigh, NC. 

FAQs 

How do I choose a volunteer job? 

The best way to choose a volunteer job is to determine which organization and cause you are interested in, determine your motivation for volunteering, consider how much time you have to commit to volunteering, and start looking for positions in your area. 

How can I get the most out of volunteering? 

In order to get the best out of a volunteering experience it is important to know your goals, be open to new opportunities, be flexible with your schedule, keep expectations realistic, and be prepared to learn new things and ask questions. 

What type of person makes the best volunteer? 

There a are certain qualities that make a great volunteer and is often someone who is reliable, personable, open-minded, passionate, respectful, postivie, authentic, adaptable, organized, and selfless. 

Volunteering Opportunities in Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts 

No matter where you choose to volunteer, any amount of help that you are able to give will go a long way towards achieveing each non-profit organizations mission. 

Whether you are a Raleigh resident or are interested in moving to the area, Raleigh is home to many friendly and welcoming people who are always willing to give back and help others throughout the community. 

If you are ready to move to Raleigh and want to find your dream home, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and answer any questions.