The time you give can make a huge impact in our community

What are you passionate about? What skills do you have that you could share? United Way has a variety of ways to get involved in the community. You can volunteer virtually, at home, at work, or possibly even in person. Check out the opportunities below and make a difference today!

Find a Volunteer Opportunity

Family-Friendly Opportunity
Family-Friendly
Opportunities		 Small-Group
Small Group
Opportunities		 Virtual
Virtual
Opportunities		 Hands-on
Hands-On
Opportunities		 Collection-Drive
Collection
Drive

 

VOLUNTEER TO HELP COMBAT HOMELESSNESS: REMOTE VTO EVENT
April 22, 2021

 This event will focus on essential needs and giving back to youth and adults experiencing homelessness. This is a two-part event. Part one is education, part two is a call to action with a hands-on volunteer/donation activity. Family-Friendly OpportunityVirtual OpportunityCollection-Drive

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
April 18-24, 2021

 National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice, and resources to meet the critical needs of our community. United Way has created a toolkit for you to recognize your employees. VirtualCollection-Drive

STUFF THE BUS

May 25, 2021

 Stuff the Bus is our annual book drive. Together last year we collected nearly 24,000 books. Sign up to help Stuff the Bus and we will provide you with resources and tools to help make it a success.
Family-Friendly OpportunityCollection-DriveHands-On Opportunity

ADVOCACY LETTER WRITING REMOTE VTO EVENT

 During this one-hour recorded event, Advocacy Officer, Dave Stone, walks through the issues currently in play in the legislature, helps determine your local legislators, and provides guidance for writing your own letter.
Family-Friendly OpportunityHands-On OpportunityVirtual

NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Show people in central Iowa how much you care and how much they matter by writing a note of encouragement. We will share your messages with our partner organizations.
Family-Friendly Opportunity Virtual Opportunity

LITERACY KITS
Literacy kits are used in elementary schools and at early childhood centers to help inspire a love of learning and reading. Employees say making literacy kits is a meaningful break in their workday while connecting with their fellow co-workers.
Small-Group OpportunityHands-On Opportunity

UNITED 55+
(formerly RSVP)
UNITED 55+ is a grant-funded partnership with AmeriCorps Seniors Program. The program provides support and guidance to volunteers aged 55+. Benefits include mileage reimbursement and networking opportunities.
VirtualHands-on

CONVERSATIONS POWERED BY PURPOSE
Host a one-hour virtual networking session, where participants can connect with each other to discuss Purpose and learn more about the importance of living a purpose-filled life.
 Virtual Opportunity

LeadershipLink
An online portal that connects individuals in central Iowa seeking leadership roles to nonprofit organizations that have opportunities.
Small-Group Opportunity

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING
Select one of United Way of Central Iowa's focus areas below to find volunteer opportunities on our Get Connected volunteer portal, which connects you with local nonprofits that need you and your time.
Family-Friendly OpportunitySmall-Group OpportunityHands-On Opportunity

VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING
Looking for ways you can help during the COVID-19 pandemic? A list of virtual volunteer needs is listed on our Get Connected website.
Virtual Opportunity

VIRTUAL BOOK BUDDY
This opportunity is full for 2020-21
Book Buddy helps four-year-old students at our partner childcares build pre-reading skills. Normally, we pair volunteers with students to read on-one-one. Because we are not able to meet in person, we created videos of our volunteers reading the books and the daycares will use the videos.
Virtual Opportunity