Where to volunteer in Asheville

There are more than enough great causes in AVL to support with your time, especially as many organizations work tirelessly to help our communities rebuild. Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 40+ ways to get involved in Asheville.

Helene-specific help

• Hands On Asheville-Buncombe | Explore a variety of opportunities to serve Asheville area nonprofits through United Way’s volunteer center.
• Asheville GreenWorks | The organization has resumed its family-friendly cleanups to restore our roads and waterways.
• MountainTrue | Follow along on social media to know about upcoming river cleanups — make sure to bring your PPE.
• Bounty & Soul | Assist with providing the community with meals, produce, and other essentials in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
• MANNA FoodBank | Complete volunteer orientation to begin helping the food bank distribute resources across WNC.
• BeLoved Asheville | Help the nonprofit provide critical necessities to those most affected by the storm.
• Hearts with Hands | There are currently shifts available to help sort and pack donated goods — just be sure to sign the first-time volunteer waiver before claiming a shift.
• RiverLink | Care for the French Broad River watershed by attending cleanups and park workdays.
• River Arts District Artists | Check social media for details on weekly volunteer needs ranging from picking up debris to painting walls.
• ABCCM | Help serve the community through crisis services, veterans’ services, food preparation and serving, medical ministry, and administrative tasks.
• Western Carolina Rescue Ministries | Help pack and distribute meal boxes, prepare food, and sort donations.
• Food Connection | Help pack delicious meals for neighbors in need.

If you’re a mental health advocate

• NAMI Western Carolina | Help out the local chapter of this national organization by assisting with advocacy, support, and administrative or fundraising tasks.
• SeekHealing | Serve in one of the many volunteer opportunities available including the listening line, connection mission, or community aftercare program.

For the handy individuals

• Asheville Tool Library | Assist this community-based lending library as a dedicated maintenance staff repair person or tool inventory librarian — plus, explore short-term opportunities like tool sales and tool sharpening days.
• Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity | Hammer nails on a construction site, or assist on the home repair team.
• WNC Repair Cafe | Whether you’re a skilled seamstress or a general handyman, you can offer your skills to those in need with this Mills River-based organization.

If you’re an animal lover

• Appalachian Wildlife Refuge | Help transport wildlife, operate the hotline, input animal care data, or get hands-on opportunities for animal care.
• Wild Heart Farm Sanctuary | Work with the sanctuary animals, tend to the community garden, or help keep up the property.
• Asheville Humane Society | The organization isn’t accepting volunteer applications at the moment, but check back for when they reopen — in the meantime, you can join the AHS Volunteers Facebook group to find more local opportunities.
• Brother Wolf Animal Rescue | The rescue’s shelter was destroyed by Helene, so right now, the primary need is monetary donations — but interested volunteers can fill out a form to be notified when volunteer opportunities arise.
• Mountain Pet Rescue | Pitch in at the office, adoption events, The Thrift Hound, or the cat habitats at PetSmart.
• Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue | Take pups on walks, help with transportation or marketing, or become a foster pet parent.

Supporters of veterans

• Aura Home for Women Vets | Help deliver goods, lend a hand at fundraiser events, join a committee, or move veterans into new homes.
• Equinox Ranch | Help build housing for combat veterans learning coping strategies to integrate into their everyday lives at this riverfront ranch in nearby Cullowhee.
• Veterans Healing Farm | Help maintain the garden, harvest herbs for tinctures, or raise and care for honeybees. For something less labor intensive, assist with marketing, social media, events, fundraising, and community outreach.
• Heart of Horse Sense | Assist with barn and farm support and horse care, as well as with education, events, fundraising, and community outreach for this Marshall-based nonprofit that offers trauma-informed equine therapy services needs.

For the outdoorsy types

• Dogwood Alliance | Wanna help protect forests? Volunteer for research, campaigning, outreach and media, fundraising, organization, management, and special events.
• Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy | Manage habitats for native species, remove trash from protected lands, host outreach events, and more.
• Carolina Mountain Club | Help keep iconic hiking trails like the A.T., MST, and Art Loeb open and safe for all to hike.

If you want to help your neighbors in need

• Homeward Bound of WNC | Sort and distribute furniture and household items, offer administrative support, and organize a donation drive.
• Meals on Wheels | Deliver meals to homebound and elderly residents during a regular weekly shift.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC | Mentor a child facing adversity, allowing them to see their full potential.
• Asheville Poverty Initiative | Take and fill grocery orders or offer your hospitality services in the cafe.
• Eblen Charities | Volunteer at fundraising events or special assistance programs, help with administrative tasks, or lend a hand with warehouse organization.
• Haywood Street Congregation | Join an orientation to serve as part of the Companion Ministry.
• Eliada | Reach out to the little ones in the community through recreation, child development + foster care programs, or even the campus farm.

If you live and breathe Asheville

• Asheville FM | Support this independent community radio station with fundraising, events, and outreach. You can even host a radio show after you’ve logged a minimum number of volunteer hours.
• South Asheville Cemetery Association | Help maintain the historic South Asheville Cemetery in Kenilworth.
• Hood Huggers | Help out in the Peace Gardens, donate time and knowledge, and assist with special events, including the annual Day of Service on MLK Jr. Day.
• YWCA of Asheville | Help out at the facility or through opportunities with the association’s various programs.

Self-proclaimed bibliophiles

• Literacy Together | Serve as an ESOL tutor who helps immigrant adults learn English or as a youth literacy tutor who works with children who read, write, and/or spell below grade level.
• Read to Succeed | Work one-on-one or in small groups with K-5th grade students to boost literacy.
• The POP Project | Collect and sort book donations, make book deliveries, or research and write grants.

If you want to be there for abuse victims

• Our Voice | Support victims of sexual violence through advocacy or collecting supplies for survivors.
• My Sister’s Place | This Marshall-based advocacy organization for victims of domestic + sexual violence needs help with fundraising, seasonal chores, operating its thrift store, and sponsorship of children and clients.
• Helpmate | Provide childcare during weekly support group meetings or answer calls on its 24-hour hotline.
• Family Justice Center | Work as a receptionist, offer clerical support, perform intake assessments + obtain referrals, or provide information and support to hotline callers.

The artsy types

• Asheville Community Theatre | Support the city’s longest-running playhouse as a volunteer usher.
• Asheville Art Museum | Become a docent or work with visitor services, education, and events outreach.
• Open Hearts Art Center | Lend a hand with artistic projects or assist with fundraising, event planning, and communication surrounding events.