Volunteer in NYC: How to Give Back Across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens
The best volunteering organizations in New York are NYC Mammas Give Back, Toys for Tots, God’s Love We Deliver, Food Bank for New York City, City Harvest, and Bronx River Alliance. These organizations offer the largest volunteering opportunities for families, teens, and adults who are passionate about giving back to society and spreading joy to every community across the boroughs.
By volunteering with these organizations, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless New Yorkers, while teaching kids the value of giving and strengthening family bonds as you work together to support your community.
With so many volunteering opportunities in New York, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Below, we’ve compiled a list of great volunteer organizations across the five boroughs to help you give right.
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Volunteering Organizations In NY: Manhattan
NYC Mammas Give Back – Chelsea
601 West 26th St., Suite M287, New York, NY 10001
646-535-3055
NYC Mammas Give Back is a meaningful organization for those looking to volunteer in NYC and support mothers and mothers-to-be during critical times in their lives.
This organization welcomes volunteers who would like to contribute their time or professional skills, especially those who are good at event planning or social media management. Volunteers in this organization may assist in sponsoring baby showers or supporting ongoing fundraising events.
With applications accepted on a rolling basis, NYC Mammas Give Back is an accessible option among the many places to volunteer in New York.
Coalition for the Homeless – Financial District
129 Fulton St., New York, NY, 10038
212-776-2000
The Coalition for the Homeless welcomes volunteers to its Grand Central Food Program, the largest mobile soup kitchen in the country. By volunteering in New York, you can help provide warm meals this winter and support those in need.
DOROT – Upper West Side
171 W 85 St., New York, NY 10024
212-769-2850
DOROT offers valuable volunteer opportunities in NYC, enabling individuals and families to foster significant relationships with the elderly. Options for participation include both remote and in-person activities, such as making phone calls, sending cards, and engaging via Zoom.
New York Cares – Financial District
65 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10006
212-228-5000
New York Cares is an excellent way to give back with your family. Many projects are family-friendly, making volunteering accessible to younger children. Kids aged 14 and older can take part in a wider variety of activities with an adult group leader. Participants can volunteer at a local school for an educational experience or help hand out bagged groceries. With so many beginner-friendly opportunities, New York Cares makes it easy to get involved even if you’ve never volunteered before.
Food Bank for New York City – Financial District
39 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10006
212-566-7855 ext. 5
Food Bank For New York City provides nutritional support to underserved communities across New York and offers meaningful volunteer opportunities in NYC for individuals and families alike. To support their many charitable efforts, they welcome volunteers of all ages, making it a great option for those interested in volunteering in New York. Volunteers can assist with projects such as the Farm 2 Food Bank, Community Kitchen, Food Pantry, and more, which are some of the most impactful places to volunteer for hunger relief. If you’d like to support even more citywide initiatives, explore our guide to food banks and pantry resources in NYC for additional ways to get involved.
Toys for Tots – Multiple Locations
888-848-2596
Toys for Tots helps families give back while spreading joy to children across New York. Families can volunteer in NYC together by selecting requested toys and dropping them off at a local Toys for Tots center, giving kids a practical opportunity to learn the value of helping others.
God’s Love We Deliver – SoHo
166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013
212-294-8100
God’s Love We Deliver provides families with so many ways to give, offering diverse volunteering opportunities throughout New York City, from seasonal projects to annual programs. They are widely known for delivering good meals to those in need across the city. Children 16 and older can assist with packing and serving meals, while those 18 and above can even help with deliveries. Younger children can get involved through Crafting Love projects, making beaded bracelets and creating birthday and holiday cards to brighten someone’s day.
New York Common Pantry – East Harlem
8 East 109th Street, NY, NY 10029
917-720-9700
Giving back as a family by volunteering at New York Common Pantry is a great way to do good and make sure everyone receives their needed nutrition. This pantry depends on the help of volunteers to allow its continued distribution of thousands of meals yearly. Children ages 16 and up are welcome and can help with the distribution of pantry items, meal service, or pantry item packing.
Friends of Governors Island – Financial District
10 South Street, Slip 7, New York, NY 10007
Friends of Governors Island only accepts volunteers who are 16 or over, so this New York City volunteering opportunity is limited to those with older children. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy time outdoors, stay active, and help one of the most beautiful spots in NYC stay beautiful.
Partnerships for Parks – Multiple Locations
212-360-1399
Partnerships for Parks is devoted to helping neighborhood parks thrive. In New York, a diverse network of dedicated park volunteers continues to grow, allowing more to be done to restore and revitalize the city’s parks. This joint program of the City Parks Foundation and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is always looking for more volunteers to pitch in and earn their green thumb!
Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA) – Garment District
247 West 37th Street, New York, NY 10018
212-273-5200
The JASA offers a variety of services that help improve the lives of seniors across the city. Offering everything from meals to legal services and weekly chats to reduce feelings of loneliness. The JASA welcomes volunteers of all ages in NYC who are passionate about empowering and embracing New York’s elderly community.
Carter Burden Network – Lenox Hill
415 E. 73rd St., New York, NY 10021
212-879-7400
Another great resource for family volunteer opportunities in New York City is the Carter Burden Network. This organization provides a wide range of services to seniors and their families, such as grocery shopping, special events, computer training, and more. The organization welcomes both adult and youth volunteers.
Volunteering Organizations in NY: Brooklyn
City Harvest – Borough Park
150 52nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232
646-412-0600
City Harvest’s farmers market-style distribution centers provide fresh produce to those in need across all five boroughs of the city. Headquartered in Brooklyn, along with other activities, they promote more food being used and less wasted. City Harvest offers volunteer opportunities in NYC for both adults and youth.
Gallop NYC – Prospect Park
Prospect Park, corner of Canton Ave. & Coney Island Ave.
855-925-5661
If your children are 16 or older and you love horses, Gallop NYC is a great opportunity for family volunteering in New York City. The organization provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with developmental, emotional, social, and physical challenges. Volunteers are trained to assist in a variety of ways.
Volunteering Organizations in NY: Queens
Citymeals On Wheels – Multiple Locations
212-687-1234
Citymeals on Wheels provides food and companionship to New York City’s elderly. The organization is a great one for giving back because it accepts volunteers of all ages.
Grow NYC Greenmarkets – Wallabout
Washington Park & Dekalb Ave.
212-788-7900
Grow NYC Greenmarkets is located throughout New York City, providing families and individuals with the opportunity to work together to keep the streets and the environment cleaner!
Partnerships for Parks – Multiple Locations
212-360-1399
Partnerships for Parks is a city-wide initiative aimed at restoring and maintaining neighborhood parks so everyone can have green spaces to enjoy.
Queens Botanical Garden – Flushing
43-50 Main Street, Flushing, NY 11355
718-886-3800
Queens Botanical Garden makes giving back as a family easy. Their routine volunteer opportunities are made to accommodate ages ranging from 14 to adults, while younger children can help out at seasonal community days if they’re accompanied by an adult. Opportunities range from planting to office work.
Gallop NYC – Forest Hills
88-03 70th Road, Forest Hills, NY 11375
855-925-5661
Gallop NYC offers a variety of opportunities for New York City volunteering for people 16 and up. Services are focused on helping people with physical, mental, and emotional developmental roadblocks.
Volunteering Organizations in NY: Bronx
Bronx River Alliance
1490 Sheridan Blvd., Bronx, NY 10459
718-542-4124
Volunteering with the Bronx River Alliance directly supports the restoration of the river and the surrounding land. Participants take part in river cleanups, trail and park improvements, and hands-on nature activities that make a tangible difference in the community.
Volunteering in New York not only benefits communities in need, but it also teaches children empathy, gratitude, and civic responsibility while strengthening family bonds.
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