Here is a list of group volunteer opportunities for work.
Group volunteer opportunities are multi-person service projects that improve volunteers’ towns, regions, or the world. For example, cleaning a public park, planting a community garden, or rounding up care packages. These projects aim to give teammates a shared purpose and incentive to give back to the broader community.
These ideas are similar to employee volunteer programs, and are in-person versions of online volunteering projects and virtual fundraising events.
This post includes:
- volunteer opportunities for big groups
- volunteer opportunities for small groups
- group volunteering activities for students
- group volunteer ideas for work
- corporate community service ideas
Here we go!
List of group volunteer opportunities for work
Your group can make a difference by trying innovative volunteer ideas, whether as an occasional community service project or part of a more extensive corporate social responsibility program. Here is a list of the best group volunteering ideas for companies.
1. Cultivate a garden for the community
A communal garden might be a fun project for your team if you have members who are passionate about gardening. This volunteering idea is a great way to connect with nearby residents and enjoy the great outdoors.
As part of starting a garden, you will need to choose a location for your plot, clean it, establish a design, acquire materials like seeds and soil, and arrange volunteer work teams. Then, you can choose a plot for your plants, flowers, or veggies and start growing. In the end, your community will have a new source of long-term enrichment.
Many of your neighbors like eating fresh fruits and vegetables. You will have a positive impact on both your neighborhood and your company’s image if you and your workers commit to weekly gardening sessions in a community garden. Plus, you will get to eat the fruits of your labor if you dig about in the ground. After a grueling gardening session, there is nothing better than savoring a juicy tomato straight off the vine.
Community gardens are also one of the best group volunteering activities for students.
2. Fund literacy programs
Literacy programs aim to give individuals of all ages the gift of reading and writing. Volunteers in literacy programs may work with children, adolescents, or adults who struggle with literacy skills. Participants may offer one-on-one tutoring, lead group reading sessions, or help with homework and educational activities. These programs are crucial in improving educational outcomes, job prospects, and overall confidence for those they serve. By volunteering in literacy programs, individuals foster a lifelong love of learning, making a lasting impact on their community’s educational environment.
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3. Gather and donate pet food
Animal-loving groups can participate in a month-long challenge to gather and distribute as much pet food as possible. This activity is one of the most common volunteer opportunities for small groups. The process can be enjoyable, and your furry pals in need will benefit from your generosity.
If you are looking for a way to gather pet food, then visit pet businesses in your neighborhood, put up posters outside of your workplace, or solicit donations from family and friends. You could also organize a “Pet Wash,” where the group members clean animals for a bag of pet food. After you finish your collection, visit the local animal shelter or use the Pets of the Homeless program to identify a donation location.
4. Collect care packages
Your group can directly impact those in need by putting together care packages. To achieve this goal, you may want to work with an organization that can provide guidance on items to include and drop off instructions. For example, your team can assemble backpacks filled with school supplies for underprivileged children and families. You may also send hygiene kits containing comfort products to soldiers serving overseas with platforms like VolunteerMatch and PackagesfromHome.
5. Organize a fundraising event at your workplace
You have probably heard of workplace fundraisers. These efforts have included holding a 50-50 raffle, a silent auction, or a banquet to raise money for a cause.
You can go the extra mile by trying a more original and creative approach. It is possible, for instance, to have a baking competition in which workers pay to sample baked products and vote on their favorites. Or, you can host a pub quiz where teams contribute money to participate and hopefully win a trophy for the most competent team. Another option is to have a poker night where players’ buy-ins go to the cause.
6. Participate in elderly care
Elderly care volunteer programs focus on offering companionship, emotional support, and assistance to senior citizens. These folks may live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or senior centers. Volunteers spend quality time having conversations, playing games, or simply keeping folks company. The goal of this outreach activity is to address feelings of loneliness and isolation older adults often experience. These programs improve the well-being of seniors and let volunteers learn from their wisdom and life experiences. By offering their time and care, volunteers create meaningful connections and brighten the lives of the elderly.
7. Challenge yourself to go green
With an eco-friendly challenge, you can encourage your team to do their part to help the environment. This challenge is excellent for increasing awareness about how everyday routines contribute to “green” concerns like water, waste, energy, and health.
You could use a service like Ecochallenge or establish your own green program. These programs often take about a month and might comprise objectives like encouraging staff to commute by bicycle or promoting the use of recyclables like cloth grocery bags. When the month ends, your team will have learned and practiced how to live more sustainably and ecologically friendly.
8. Implement a charity team building program
In North America, charity team building activities are among the most popular types of team building. Employees like these activities because they accomplish three goals: create a fun environment, help build stronger working connections, and benefit the community.
Examples of popular charitable team building events include:
Bike building charity: A charity bike building is a collaborative way for companies to give back to the community. This team-building exercise tests your ingenuity and ability to communicate effectively by designing, constructing, and donating bicycles.
Wheelchair building: This activity is a hands-on philanthropic team-building activity. Team members can volunteer to build and test wheelchairs for wounded or physically challenged people in the community.
Virtual charitable games: This activity involves giving back remotely as a team-building exercise. You and your coworkers may participate in virtual charity games to help people in need while having a good time. The virtual team-building exercise boosts morale by turning a friendly competition into generous contributions.
School supply charity: Teams compete in a series of tasks to win school materials and backpacks. After collecting the bags, your group can donate them to children in need in your area.
Acts of kindness: The practice of doing little acts of kindness for others is a wonderful way to improve morale among coworkers while also spreading happiness. Doing nice deeds is excellent for your well-being and boosts team spirit. A scavenger hunt with a humanitarian twist is the inspiration behind this charity event. Two teams compete against each other to accomplish as many good acts before the time runs out.
Concert charity: You and your team will collaborate to create musical instruments using tools and hardware. Then, you may all donate the creations to a good cause after performing for the community.
Check out more charity team building ideas.
9. Run a food drive
Food drives are a compassionate way to combat hunger and support individuals and families in need. Volunteers organize collection points at schools, workplaces, or local businesses and encourage community members to donate non-perishable food items. Participants then distribute these donated items to local food banks or shelters to help those who struggle with food insecurity. Food drives help with hunger and raise awareness about food inequality. These benefits make food drives a meaningful way for groups to come together and make a difference in their community.
10. Sponsor a youth sports team
Sports provide a place for youngsters of all ages to practice collaboration, develop essential life skills, and meet new friends. An example of corporate community service ideas would be sponsoring a local children’s league by paying for new equipment or tournament costs.
Additionally, this project offers an excellent chance for your organization to become more engaged in your neighborhood and assist local families. You could go to the extra length by encouraging your team members to volunteer for the team as a coach or mentor. Or, urge your group to attend games to support the players.
11. Support local veterans
A part of your group volunteer ideas for work could be showing appreciation for the courageous men and women who have given so much for their nation. The first step in showing your support for local veterans is to see if there are any veterans’ homes in your area that you can visit or organizations with which you can volunteer. You can aid veterans in the United States by partnering with organizations like the Fisher House Foundation. In Canada, you may help raise money and awareness for veterans’ difficulties by participating in a program run by organizations like Wounded Warriors.
12. Host a community cleanup
Community clean-up events bring folks together to improve their environment. Participants work together to remove litter and debris from parks, streets, and public spaces. These activities make the community look beautiful and contribute to a healthier environment. Community clean-ups foster a sense of local pride and responsibility while strengthening social bonds among neighbors and volunteers. This activity is a tangible way to make a positive impact on the local community and promote a cleaner, more sustainable world.
13. Create a public artwork
If you have a team of creatives, then you can consider investing in a few paintbrushes and paint as part of an environment beautification project. Team bonding exercises such as painting a mural, creating artwork, or molding a sculpture may foster camaraderie among members. In addition, the art will transform a public area into a more bright and appealing place for visitors.
You can check whether your municipal administration is looking for artwork. Then, devise a strategy with your group to bring the wish to reality. Proper organization is important, and it would help if you allocate tasks to staff interested in participating in this project.
14. Plan festive gifting
You may help families in your neighborhood by gathering and donating things such as nonperishable food, gently used clothes, and children’s toys. This activity will go a long way, especially during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, when many underprivileged families cannot afford the luxuries we take for granted.
You can make your workplace Christmas drive even more thrilling by providing incentives for the workers who can give the most.
15. Donate blood
Blood donation is one of the most generous gifts to humanity. Your group’s blood donations may aid cancer patients, trauma victims, sickle cell disease sufferers, burn victims, and chronic illness sufferers. You can plan a blood drive at your business, and workers can donate at their local bank on a designated day. You can print a brochure for workers who are unsure or undecided about giving to the cause. You can find the nearest blood donor center by visiting the Red Cross website.
16. Organize a local race or marathon
Local races are a terrific way to get folks out of the house and also a great way to boost team bonding. Team members can get to know each other and acquaint themselves with community members. Running a race for a local charity like a food pantry or humane society is excellent.
Planning these events can be challenging. However, becoming an organizer or sponsor is a great way for your company to contribute to the event’s setup, guide participants, or give meals to runners who have finished the race. You can also sponsor awards or prizes for the winners and runners-up of the race. The winners will acknowledge your kindness and remember you for future business.
17. Help the homeless
According to Global Homelessness Statistics, more than three million individuals are now homeless in North America. Unfortunately, many people overlook this situation. However, you can help the homeless by volunteering.
For instance, you can partner with a local food bank or homeless shelter. No matter how little your contribution is, you can make a big difference by helping them raise money, providing food and beverages for their meals, or collecting donations via a charity event.
18. Create a mentorship program
You can get a new generation of experts interested in your sector by launching a mentoring program. Whether online or in-person, offering mentoring opportunities is a great group volunteering idea. For example, you may mentor students or ambitious young professionals who could benefit from your organization’s expertise. Another option is to allow staff members interested in mentoring others to set aside a certain amount of work time each month.
Having students spend a day or two observing your company’s staff is an arrangement many schools are open to discussing. The news would go out fast if these young people enjoyed the activity. Any company wishing to start a full-blown internship program should take this initial step.
Here is a list of mentorship program ideas and a list of books on mentoring programs.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding unique volunteer opportunities for big groups, there are certainly many options, regardless of your location. You can use a tool like VolunteerMatch to find new ways to give back to your community and learn about all the many causes you may support. After deciding on the volunteering modalities, you can either set out a few hours for everyone to leave the workplace or give each person a day off. Employees will develop closer bonds as they give back, making your efforts worthwhile.
Giving back in today’s business environment is a requirement that many firms actively expect from their staff, yet is also an activity many professionals are happy to do. Doing good and volunteering is a means of boosting employee morale and creating a more dynamic business culture.
Next, check out this list of international volunteer day ideas, this list of books on nonprofits, and this list of community-building ideas.
Grace He