Volunteer Week in Portland, OR

April 16-22, 2023

Team up with local nonprofits in making our community stronger, healthier, and more vibrant through the power of volunteerism.
Find a volunteer event
Illustration of people working together to tend to the planet

The impact of volunteering in Portland

$29.95

Value of each volunteer hour given back to nonprofits

$2.6B

Estimated value of volunteer hours in Oregon in 2021

4 in 5

Volunteers see a positive impact on mental and physical health

#5

Portland's city ranking by volunteer rate

Simple acts have the power to lift communities

Here's what nonprofits in Portland have to say about the impact that volunteers have on their missions:
Group of volunteers at Children's Book Bank warehouse
"Thanks to volunteers like you, we are able to spruce up and redistribute over 100,000 kids books to over 10,000 kids each year! Parents and teachers always give us the feedback that they can feel the love behind each book! According to our family survey, 97% of the kids we serve said they were proud to own the books and were excited to read after receiving our books!"
Brittany Brock
Volunteer Program Manager
Group of volunteers sorting clothes at Transition Projects warehouse
"The biggest impact volunteers have on our work is intangible, but no less significant for that. Homelessness can be incredibly dehumanizing; when our participants see community members come in to help, whether serving a meal or sorting donations to restock our resource areas, that helps them to feel seen again and to know there are people out there who care and want to help."
Emily Coleman
Volunteer Program Supervisor
Group of volunteers assembling food bags at Portland Backpack warehouse
"Since its inception in 2008, Portland Backpack has been a volunteer-powered organization. Our volunteers create care cards, pack food sacks, purchase food — the list goes on and on — all with the intention of showing up for the kids in our communities. In 2022, Portland Backpack recorded 3571 volunteer hours. We are so grateful to all of our volunteers! Happy Volunteer Week 2023!"
Christy Sweany
Program & Volunteer Coordinator
Group of volunteers posing with full wagons of food sacks
"Our Streets started as a group of individuals volunteering their time to make a difference, which paved the way for evolving into a seven-days a week operation. Today, volunteers aid our team in preparing over 600 meals every day for people in need."
Winter Wagner
Communications Manager
Two volunteers cooking in the kitchen
"At MOWP, we strive to enrich the lives of seniors, and assist them in maintaining independence, by providing nutritious food, human connections and social support. This would be impossible without the thousands of volunteers who prepare, deliver and serve meals, make Friendly Chat calls, and make homes safer for seniors throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clark counties."
Chris McKee
Safe Homes for Senior Progam Coordinator
Group of volunteers sorting donated supplies under tents in a parking lot
"It takes a community coming together to prevent homelessness. Volunteering at Impact NW means helping to stabilize and strengthen families and advocate for change. Volunteers have helped students in our academic enrichment programs, created kits to help houseless folks' basic needs, supported fundraising efforts, and so much more that contributes to preventing homelessness in Portland!"
Zahra Hannan
Development Coordinator

Why do you volunteer?

Kiersten with supply bins at volunteer event
"Volunteering connects me to humanity and always gives me way more than what it requires of me."
Kiersten Ware
Favorite volunteer experience:
"Someone once told me that 'it's hard to hate up close' and they were right. I volunteer with many different types of nonprofits because every time that I do, I better understand how others live. When I volunteer, I feel profound connections between even the most unlikely plants, animals, lands, people, and experiences."
Emily Barrett
Favorite volunteer experience:
Emily with power drill at volunteer event
Manju with a large group at volunteer event
"I volunteer because it helps me to feel connected to the community. I grow as a person because it helps me to step out of myself and think about others and get a bigger perspective."
Manju Jain
Favorite volunteer experience:

Get involved together this Volunteer Week

Grab your friends, family, or coworkers and make a positive impact together. Or, join an event and meet other passionate Portlanders.
Find a volunteer event in Portland
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Volunteer Week 2023 is a wrap!

Check out a recap of the impact volunteers made together, and find upcoming ways to get involved.