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

 

READ to SUCCEED
READ to SUCCEED is a take-home volunteer activity where United Way provides the tools, resources and opportunities for students to enhance their reading.
Family-Friendly OpportunityHands-On Opportunity

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

AmeriCorps Seniors Program (formerly 55+ Initiative/RSVP)
AmeriCorps Seniors Program is a grant-funded partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service. The program provides support and guidance to volunteers aged 55+. Benefits include mileage reimbursement and networking opportunities.
VirtualHands-on

HOMEWORK HELPER HOTLINE
This opportunity is currently full. We are accepting names for a waiting list.
United Way Homework Helpers Hotline is a volunteer-based hotline aiming to support students with homework questions outside of the school day during this time of ever-changing learning models.
 Virtual Opportunity

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

HOLIDAY HELPING HAND
During the winter festive season, we curate a list of holiday volunteer and giving opportunities to do with your family, friends, co-workers, or faith groups.
Family-Friendly OpportunityHands-On OpportunityCollection Drive

HOLIDAYS UNITED

 A one-hour virtual event designed to bring understanding between our donors and program participants as we learn more about each other and our holiday traditions. Family-Friendly Opportunity Virtual Opportunity