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Volunteer United

Volunteers are the heartbeat of United Way, helping us fulfill our mission of fostering a thriving community by donating their time and expertise to the initiatives they are most passionate about.

Our Central Iowa Volunteer Hub offers hundreds of opportunities to ensure there’s a way for you to get involved. Explore opportunities today and help us create lasting, positive impact!

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA’S CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The following volunteer activities, events, and resources are designed to help individuals, organizations, and corporations connect with meaningful opportunities across central Iowa. Volunteering is a powerful way to foster year-round engagement, build stronger teams, and make a lasting impact in the community.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS?

Register your agency's or program's volunteer opportunities on United Way's Central Iowa Volunteer Hub to find and manage volunteers from across the state.

  • "Volunteers are critical to a healthy community and fills the gaps for organizations. It is also a great way to give back and bless others, and in return giving your time will usually bless you. The important thing is to start somewhere. Find a passion and start small with an organization and see what doors open for the future. Any time you give will make an impact in your community!"

    Angela Jiskoot
    United Way of Central Iowa Volunteer Cabinet Member

Volunteering 101

How much time do I need to volunteer?

The amount of time you need to volunteer depends on the role. Some are one-time events, while others are longer commitments (for example, Day of Action opportunities are about 3 hours on a singular day, while Book Buddy is 1 hour, once a week for approximately 6 months.) Please read through the descriptions carefully to see what is required.

Will I get training?

For our one-time, single day events, you will receive a 5-10 minute overview of the project and any relevant instructions. Those with a larger commitment, such as Book Buddy, do have a formal training, typically running 30-45 minutes. Some activities are in partnership with another nonprofit agency. Those trainings are based on their policies and procedures.

I’m not sure where to start, who can I contact?

United Way of Central Iowa’s Volunteer Engagement team is here to help! For companies and individuals looking for assistance with the Volunteer Hub, please contact Sarah Underwood, Volunteer Engagement Manager. For individuals who are 55 years or older, please contact Lynne Melssen, United55+ Director. For any other inquiry, please contact Joy Talmon, Volunteer Engagement Officer.

Where can I find group activities?

Check out our Central Iowa Volunteer Hub, where you can browse current opportunities and filter by organizations that can accept teams. If you are interested in finding out more about United Way’s literacy kits or managed projects, please contact Joy Talmon.