Volunteer Opportunities in Atlanta

By Carol Carter

Published November 22, 2023
Last Updated October 17, 2024

The holidays are a perfect time to volunteer in Atlanta. And, who knows, you may enjoy it so much that you just can’t stop. Take a look at several Atlanta organizations that always need volunteers.

Atlanta Mission

Atlanta Mission is the city’s largest and longest-running provider of services to homeless men, women and children. Areas in which you can volunteer at the Atlanta Mission are dining and food services, child care, vocational, staff services, thrift, social activities, special events and spiritual services.

Where: 2353 Bolton Road NW

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta works with volunteers, parents and families to provide one-on-one mentoring relationships with the kids they serve. The Big Brothers Big Sisters website explains how to become a big brother or big sister and what the responsibilities are.

Where: 680 Murphy Ave. SW

Corners Outreach

The mission of Corners Outreach is to equip metro Atlanta’s underserved students of color and their families to lead full lives through educational development and economic opportunities. During the school year, Corners Outreach needs volunteers for the early learning program. Jobs include reading books in Spanish or English, preparing crafts, aiding parents with more than one child during program hours, donating healthy snacks or supplies and providing books for toddlers.

Where: 1854 Shackleford Court, Norcross

Covenant House Georgia

Covenant House Georgia is a shelter. And it provides more than a bed and a meal for youth experiencing homelessness and escaping trafficking. Covenant House shows unconditional love and gives comprehensive support so that the youths who come there can realize their fullest potential. What can you do to help? Plenty. All new individual volunteers must be at least 18 years old and must attend a volunteer orientation prior to signing up for volunteer opportunities. Once you are signed up, you can be a recreation volunteer, a gardening volunteer, a clothing closet or life skills volunteer, or you can prepare and share a meal. Groups and corporate teams are welcome to volunteer.

Where: 1559 Johnson Road NW

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Here’s your chance to commune with the dinosaurs. Fernbank Museum of Natural History hosts hundreds of volunteers a year, ranging in age from teens to adults of all ages, and even corporate groups. Volunteers are essential to the success of Fernbank Museum. The museum offers a variety of roles, from greeting guests to behind-the-scenes assistance and more. Community service volunteering opportunities are available. The Fernbank Youth Interpreter program is an opportunity for young people, ages 13-17, to be directly involved in public events and education at Fernbank Museum. These volunteers must commit to the program for a minimum of one year and provide a minimum of 45 hours of service to the museum. Check the Fernbank website for more information.

Where: 767 Clifton Road

Hands On Atlanta

Hands On Atlanta always offers a variety of ways to volunteer. Areas where volunteers are needed include education, food insecurity and the environment. You can create a team or get your family involved.

Where: 384 Northyards Blvd.

HOPE Atlanta

HOPE Atlanta needs volunteers Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to help prepare and serve warm meals to food-insecure friends. The Women’s Community Kitchen serves women and children from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Also, HOPE Atlanta is always looking for food and supplies to aid outreach, housing and hunger relief teams. There are a range of kits needed, from move-in and hygiene supplies for families transitioning out of homelessness to meal packs for the food-insecure.

Where: 458 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE

United Way of Greater Atlanta

United Way of Greater Atlanta always offers volunteer opportunities. Examples of ways to help include reading to children, assisting with tax preparation, helping people with financial literacy and other life skills, building relationships with homeless people and preparing and helping to distribute food boxes.

Where: 40 Courtland St. NE

Conventioneers Embrace Community Engagement

Organizations coming to Atlanta for meetings and conventions often include community engagement on their agendas. Conventions and events offer the chance to positively impact the communities where meetings are held. Service projects allow attendees to connect more with the destination while forging new friendships with fellow attendees and deeper connections to their own organization. Find out more about Atlanta Community Engagement

Corporate Volunteer Opportunities

Corporations and small businesses in Atlanta build community engagement into their business models. Likewise, Atlanta’s nonprofit organizations welcome groups coming to Atlanta for meetings and conferences to contribute through donations or hands-on opportunities. Learn about Corporate Volunteer Opportunities in Atlanta.

Find out how Community Engagement Reaps Rewards in Atlanta

Journalist Carol Carter writes and edits for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.