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Volunteer Opportunity List
- United Way of Tompkins County: United Tompkins Impact Fund Grant Reviewer
United Way of Tompkins County is currently seeking volunteer reviewers for the 2026-2028 United Tompkins Impact Fund (UTIF) Grant Cycle. Every other year community volunteers generously give their time and talent to serve as reviewers in the United Way UTIF investment process. Reviewers will be responsible for reading funding applications, meeting/working with their review teams, and making funding recommendations. The reviewing process will take place between 3/13/26-4/24/26. For full details and to apply please read and complete this Form. If you have any questions please contact Director of Community Impact Rebekah Hinton at rhinton@uwtc.org or call (607)272-6286.
- United Way of Tompkins County
United Way of Tompkins County is always looking for volunteers for a variety of service projects. We like to match volunteers with our opportunities based on your strengths and our needs. If you have an interest in volunteering with UWTC, contact Chief Operating and Development Officer at Gail Belokur at gbelokur@uwtc.org or call (607)272-6286 for more information on how we can work together!
- The Mentor-Student Program: Volunteer Mentor
The Mentor-Student Program seeks volunteer mentors to work one on one with school-age students of various ages who benefit from having a positive adult role model in their lives. This opportunity involves training, support, and meeting with your student twice a week after school. This is a win/win experience for both the student and the mentor as you learn and grow with each other. Please contact Susie Kossack, Program Coordinator at 607-275-6250 mskossack@yahoo.com for info or to set up your training.
- NAMI Finger Lakes: Help Line Coordinator
The HelpLine Coordinator is a long-term, unpaid, volunteer position at NAMI Finger Lakes (NAMI-FLNY).
The HelpLine Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the HelpLine and provides guidance and oversight to the HelpLine volunteers. In collaboration with the NAMI-FLNY Program Manager, the HelpLine Coordinator will assist in the development of policies and procedures related to the HelpLine, and ensure HelpLine volunteers adhere to those policies and procedures.
The NAMI-FLNY HelpLine exists to help individuals and families improve their lives and advance recovery by having trained volunteers listen to their concerns, offer information, provide support, and connect callers with essential resources and services. The HelpLine volunteers extend empathy, understanding, respect, and emotional support to everyone contacting the HelpLine.
The NAMI-FLNY HelpLine is a “warm line”. Callers to the HelpLine leave a message describing their situation and expressing their needs. A HelpLine volunteer then returns their call within 24 hours with the appropriate responses.
NAMI-FLNY recognizes the value of lived experience as it expands one’s capacity for empathy, motivates a sincere desire to help others, and at times provides valuable perspective. However, HelpLine service often involves triggering conversations and topics. A HelpLine volunteer’s mental health must be solid with well-established treatment and/or self-help strategies and necessary support.
Volunteers selected for this position will be provided with free training.
This volunteer position reports to, and works closely with, the NAMI-FLNY Program Manager. More information can be Found HERE. To apply, visit the NAMI Finger Lakes Website.
- NAMI Finger Lakes: Help Line Specialist
NAMI Finger Lakes (NAMI-FLNY) HelpLine Specialists help individuals and families improve their lives and advance recovery by listening to their concerns, offering information and support, and connecting them with essential resources and services. They extend empathy, understanding, respect, and emotional support to everyone contacting the HelpLine. Working on the NAMI-FLNY HelpLine is extremely rewarding, and yet at times, challenging.
The NAMI-FLNY HelpLine is a “warm line”. Callers to the HelpLine leave a message describing their situation and expressing their needs. A HelpLine volunteer then returns their call within 24 hours with the appropriate responses.
NAMI Finger Lakes recognizes the value of lived experience as it expands one’s capacity for empathy, motivates a sincere desire to help others, and at times provides valuable perspective. However, HelpLine service often involves triggering conversations and topics. The HelpLine Specialist’s mental health must be solid with well-established treatment and/or self-help strategies and necessary support.
If at any time in the interview, onboarding or during service, a staff member becomes aware that providing HelpLine services could, or is, having a negative impact on a volunteer or that help seekers are not being well served, the volunteer may be asked to step-away from service.
Volunteers selected for this position will be provided with free training.
This volunteer position reports to, and works closely with, the NAMI-FLNY HelpLine Coordinator. More information can be found HERE. To apply, visit the NAMI Finger Lakes Website.
- Community School of Music and Arts: Administrative Volunteer
The Community School of Music and Arts is a local nonprofit providing Ithaca with exceptional art, music, dance, and theater programming. We’re looking for volunteers to help us with day-to-day administrative tasks like running the welcome desk, giving directions and information to visitors, answering emails and phone calls, helping organize our office, and more!
For more information, visit csma-ithaca.org or call us at (607) 272-1474. The Volunteer Sign Up Form can be found HERE.
- Tompkins Learning Partners: Adult Literacy Tutor
Make a difference in our community by working with a local adult to help them reach their educational and life goals through 1:1 volunteer tutoring. Initial and ongoing training, as well as ongoing support, is provided. A regular 2-hour per week commitment is requested. Tutoring takes place at Tompkins Learning Partners or another public location. Learn more and sign up HERE!
- Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County: Friends In Service Helping (FISH)
FISH: Driving support, Delivering care
If you have a valid driver’s license and want to make a tangible difference in Tompkins County, consider becoming a volunteer driver for Friends In Service Helping (FISH). FISH provides free non-emergency transportation to medical appointments for Tompkins County residents, offering vital support and a friendly face.
Benefits Include:
• Flexible Scheduling: Drive when rides suit your schedule.
• Receive mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate for using your own car or drive an Ithaca Carshare vehicle at no cost.
• The satisfaction of helping neighbors access critical healthcare. Even a few hours a month helps!
To learn more, visit fishoftc.com or call 211/877-211-8667.
- Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau: Seeking Board Member
Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau (FIYB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB) in fulfilling its mission. In light of increasing youth needs and decreasing government support, the FIYB helps the IYB to provide recreation and youth development programs to promote the health, happiness, and well-being of all youth and families in the greater Ithaca area. FIYB is seeking volunteers interested in serving as a board member. If interested, please email friendsiyb@gmail.com.
- Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins & Cortland Counties: Construction Volunteer
We welcome volunteers of all abilities on our construction sites – no prior experience required! Our supervisors are poised and ready to teach and train and we want your volunteer experience to be as rewarding and productive for you as it is for us. Construction tasks include framing, hanging drywall, painting, laying flooring, landscaping, plumbing, electrical work and even installing the kitchen sink. Join us for a work day and experience first-hand how we put donations to work and how you can be a part of the affordable housing solution. Sign up for shifts here: https://tchabitat.com/get-involved/voluteer-sign-up/
You’ll need to complete the volunteer profile and sign a liability waiver in Helper Helper in order to sign up for your first shift. Please note that volunteers on our active construction sites must be at least 16 years of age. Volunteers under 18 must volunteer with an accompanying adult.
Here are some pro tips to make the most of the work day:
We can accommodate volunteers of all skill levels.
Please wear closed-toed boots/shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty/damaged/painted. Work may be inside or outside on any given day, so please layer appropriately for the weather.
Bring a water bottle and pack a lunch if you plan to stay the whole day.
It’s fine if you can’t stay for an entire shift, but please arrive at the start time for orientation purposes.
If you have questions, please contact volunteer@tchabitat.com or call/text 607-844-3529. Sign up for shifts HERE.
- Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County: Preparing and Serving Meals and Love
Loaves & Fishes serves meals five days a week to anyone who walks through our doors – all are welcome; no questions asked. We rely on food donations and community volunteers to ensure delivery of over 65,000 meals per year. Be a part of feeding the community by helping set up/prep on Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9:00-11:30 and serve/clean up 11:15-2:00, and Tuesday/Thursday help set up/prep 2:30-5:00 and serve/clean up 4:30-7:00 up to 300 meals while building community and connection with our guests from all over Tompkins County. Please complete the Volunteer Registration form if interested.
- Family Reading Partnership: Story Walk Liaison
Be a Story Walk Liaison! We have seven Story Walks located around Tompkins County, and we need volunteers to walk the trails periodically, make sure everything looks good, and report back any issues that may come up. The time commitment would be 2-3 hours per month. Apply HERE
- Family Reading Partnership: Plan a Book Drive for FRP
The Family Reading Partnership is always looking for more books! Plan a book drive to collect used books for our Bright Red Bookshelf program. We are specifically looking for gently used board books and picture books for kids aged 0-5. We do have signage and additional guidelines to help you plan and conduct a successful book drive! Contact beverly@familyreading.org for more information and to pick up donation crates and signs.
- Family Reading Partnership: Bright Red Bookshelf Tender
Tend book crates and bookshelves as part of our Bright Red Bookshelf program. This involves picking up donated books and then stocking a bookshelf with used books. Time commitment: one hour every few weeks. Apply HERE or contact beverly@familyreading.org.
- Tompkins County Office for the Aging: Project CARE Friendly Visiting Program
Project CARE is a free friendly visiting program that helps to alleviate loneliness and social isolation among Tompkins County residents aged 60 and over. Volunteers provide older adults with companionship and assistance while sharing a unique bond. Volunteers may provide the following services:
• Weekly friendly visits
• Weekly telephone friendly reassurance calls
• Caregiver respite
• Running errands
• Organization
• Light housekeeping
• Technology assistance
• One-time special requests
Visit the website for more information and to apply.
- Lifelong: Front desk coverage (routine or substitute)
Lifelong is regularly in need of volunteer assistance with administrative tasks such as answering phones, greeting Lifelong visitors, providing information on membership. Administrative background helpful but not necessary. A welcoming, friendly presence is essential! Email Liza Burger to sign up, lburger@tclifelong.org
- Catholic Charities Tompkins/Tioga: Clothing Closet
We need volunteers in our Ithaca office! Specifically we’re looking for volunteers for our Clothing Closet. Duties consist of receiving and sorting clothing donations that are then offered through the Clothing Closet for our clients to shop for free. We are looking for volunteers who can commit to a couple of shifts per week. Our shifts are:
Tuesday through Friday
9am-11:30am and 1pm-3pm
You can volunteer either morning or afternoons, or if you like, you can volunteer the whole day! More info HERE
Interested parties should get in touch with Andrea Gaul at andrea.gaul@dor.org
- Foodnet Meals on Wheels: Community Dining Helper
Volunteers needed to greet diners, prepare dining room, distribute packaged meals, and wipe down tables. Weekdays 11am-1pm, Ithaca (M-F), Slaterville Springs (T), and Lansing (Th, beginning October 23). To sign up call 607-266-9553, email info@foodnet.org, visit foodnet.org/volunteer, or fill out our Volunteer Application Form.
- Foodnet Meals on Wheels: Morning Meal Prep
Volunteers needed to portion food into containers for our older neighbors in need in Tompkins County. Weekdays 8:30-10:30am, 2422 North Triphammer Rd. To sign up call 607-266-9553, email info@foodnet.org, visit foodnet.org/volunteer, or fill out our Volunteer Application Form.
- American Red Cross: Disaster Action Team (DAT) Specialist: Tompkins County
This position supports the Regional Disaster Services department. Most of the 60,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are local, personal disasters like home fires. Disaster Action Teams (DAT) provide emotional support, financial assistance, and information to help families begin the process of recovery. Disaster Action Team (DAT) Specialists respond to local disasters and provide immediate compassion and care to clients. Click HERE for more details or to apply for the volunteer position.
- American Red Cross: Disaster Services – Community Engagement & Partnerships Volunteer
This position supports the Regional Disaster Cycle Services department. The purpose of Community Engagement and Partnerships (CEP) is to work with external organizations to build capacity, coordinate activities, integrate expertise, and provide channels to reach all disaster affected communities, particularly traditionally underserved populations. The role of this worker is to assist with the implementation of the CEP plan. Click HERE for more details or to apply for the volunteer position.
- The History Center in Tompkins County: Museum Exhibit Hall Docents
Exhibit Hall Docents and tour guides are an integral part of THC community engagement. They are a knowledgeable, conversational, and uplifting presence in our museum front in the Ithaca Commons. Visit our website to find out more and to sign up.
- Love Living at Home: General Volunteers
Volunteers are needed for driving, light household errands, friendly calls/visits, and light yardwork. To sign up call 607-319-0162, visit lovelivingathome.org, or complete the Volunteer Interest Form and and email to office@lovelivingathome.org
