Want to know the secret of feeling really, really good?
Alright, I’ll tell you. If you want to sleep easy at night, the surest way is to get out there in your community and give back.
From animal shelters to food pantries, Columbus has no shortage of volunteer opportunities. The trick is finding the right match. Volunteering at any local organization is a great way to give back to the community and there’s no cause too small.
So how can you help in Columbus? Here are 50 places that will genuinely put you to work, sorted by cause so you can jump to what you care about.
Every organization on this list was verified in July 2026: names, links, and volunteer programs.
Jump to a cause: Homelessness | Hunger | Animals | Environment | Health | Children’s Health | Education | Women and Girls | Social
Helping the houseless
Columbus Coalition for the Homeless
Focusing on education, advocacy, and empowerment. They offer webinars covering topics like the history of homelessness, why people become homeless, who is homeless, systemic racism, how to support homeless folks, and how to join the fight.
Website: Columbus Coalition for the Homeless
Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
Help ensure that families have a comfortable place to sleep at home by volunteering your time at the Furniture Bank where they repair and organize furniture and assist families with furniture selection.
Website: Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
Andrews House
Andrews House is a community help center in downtown Delaware, about 30 minutes north of Columbus. File this one under “worth the drive if you’re up that way.” Volunteers serve community meals, work the farmers market booth, and pitch in on cleanup and painting projects.
Website: Andrews House
Greater Columbus Community House
The Linden institution you probably know as St. Stephen’s Community House became Greater Columbus Community House on July 1, 2026, when it finished its split from the Catholic Diocese. Same 100-plus years of work, same building on E. 17th Ave. Volunteer with Greater Columbus Community House to assist with senior programs, the Early Learning Center, or after-school care for kids.
Website: Greater Columbus Community House
Home for Families
Volunteer to make a difference in a child’s life. Home for Families (the Franklinton nonprofit formerly called the Homeless Families Foundation) works to end family homelessness by pairing housing help with year-round education for kids. Whether it’s reading to children or stocking the Resource Pantry shelves, there’s always a job to be done.
Website: Home for Families
Habitat For Humanity
Habitat For Humanity builds housing for families in need. This homes change the lives of families all across central Ohio as the housing crisis continues to be a major issue. Volunteer your time with the building, the awareness, and much more.
Website: Habitat For Humanity
Star House
Star House provides homeless teens with the resources they need to find housing, get back to school, and become successful adults. Volunteer your time in their donation warehouse or go through some training to be an engagement volunteer with the teens.
Website: Star House
The Open Shelter
The Open Shelter provides individuals in need with meals and housing opportunities. They can always use help with keeping their facilities clean, getting their donations organized, and prepping meals. Call (614) 222-2885 to get on the volunteer list.
Website: The Open Shelter
Hunger
All People’s Fresh Market
All People’s Fresh Market provides a vital service on the south side of Columbus. Volunteers are needed to help distribute food to those in need. You can learn more about volunteering your time by clicking the link below.
Website: All People’s Fresh Market
Mid-Ohio Food Collective
The Mid-Ohio Food Collective (the Foodbank’s name since 2020) runs on roughly a thousand volunteers a week across its Grove City warehouse, Mid-Ohio Markets, and farm. Sort produce, pack grocery orders, or greet shoppers at a market. The online calendar makes it easy to grab a single shift.
Website: Mid-Ohio Food Collective
LifeCare Alliance: Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels provides over 6,000 meals a day and you can help by volunteering as a driver or with a group to deliver. These meals are crucial parts of some people’s lives and a great way to really make a difference in a person’s day.
Website: LifeCare Alliance: Meals on Wheels
Animals
Columbus Humane
Keeping pets happy and healthy is the best way to get them adopted into forever homes. Spend some time at Columbus Humane (the Capital Area Humane Society’s name since 2017) feeding, cleaning, playing and loving the cats, dogs, and even bunnies!
Website: Columbus Humane
Ohio Wildlife Center
Volunteer at the Ohio Wildlife Center to answer questions about wildlife information or help with the wildlife hospital admissions.
Website: Ohio Wildlife Center
Franklin County Dog Shelter
Franklin County Dog Shelter is always looking for volunteers. You’ll be donating your time to some truly adorable pups, taking dogs for walks, playing with them, and perhaps accompanying them to adoption events.
Website: Franklin County Dog Shelter
Pets Without Parents
Are you obsessed with animals? This is perfect for you. Volunteer your time at Pets Without Parents to help feed, walk, and clean their cats and dogs. You can also assist with running the laundry and talking with potential adopters.
Website: Pets Without Parents
Colony Cats
Crazy cat lady or just really into cats? Volunteer your time at the shelter or even foster a pet looking for a forever home with the Colony Cats program.
Website: Colony Cats
Sunrise Sanctuary
This charming farm in Marysville is home to more than 140 rescued animals. Volunteers help out around the farm in a variety of capacities, including daily barn chores and grounds cleaning. Who wouldn’t want to start their morning out with these adorable animals?
Website: Sunrise Sanctuary
Canine Companions
Canine Companions trains dogs to assist people with disabilities. Volunteering with Canine Companions means helping to train puppies to become the service dogs they are capable of being!
Website: Canine Companions
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Help visitors have the most fun and educational experience possible at the Columbus Zoo. One thing to know before you get excited: this is a real commitment. Adult volunteers pledge at least 75 hours a year, and applications only open each fall (teens apply in March). Mark your calendar for October if you want in.
Website: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
LifeCare Alliance: Senior Pet Care Program
Often as we age we aren’t able to care for our beloved pets the way we used to, but instead of giving them up the Senior Pet Care Program will bring volunteers to the homes of the elderly to assist with feeding, cleaning and veterinary visits. Having a pet can be really beneficial in a senior’s life so services like this can make a big difference.
Website: LifeCare Alliance: Senior Pet Care Program
Environment
Columbus Recreation and Parks
Columbus Recreation and Parks offers a wide variety of volunteering opportunities. From helping to keep our parks clean and trash-free to planting trees, volunteers will have an easy time finding something meaningful to help out with.
Website: Columbus Recreation and Parks
Columbus Audubon
Are you an environmental protection enthusiast? If so, the Columbus Audubon has plenty of ways for you to help preserve nature’s finest and bring awareness to pressing environmental issues.
Website: Columbus Audubon
The Garden At Gantz Farm
The Garden at Gantz Farm is an opportunity to learn about agriculture throughout history. Volunteering at the garden means assisting with the preservation of historic gardens and encouraging the education of visitors.
Website: The Garden At Gantz Farm
Franklin Park Conservatory
Whether it’s getting your hands dirty in the garden or giving educational tours in the exhibitions, there’s plenty to be done at the Franklin Park Conservatory. You can volunteer alone or with a group!
Website: Franklin Park Conservatory
Health
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross has plenty of volunteer opportunities for every age and every interest. You could teach a disaster prevention class, help with fundraising events, or volunteer at a blood drive. Whether you want to spend a few hours or make it a regular item on your weekly schedule, there’s always something for you.
Website: The American Red Cross
Equitas Health
Equitas Health serves people who experience medical disparities, including the LGBTQ+ community and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Volunteers help with outreach events, hotline support, and health fairs across the city.
Website: Equitas Health
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center
The Wexner Medical Center offers a variety of volunteer positions to assist with providing information to families and visitors and helping staff with patient care. There are opportunities during the day, evenings, or weekends. This is great for someone who wants consistent volunteering rather than a one-time opportunity.
Website: The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center
Fore Hope Therapeutic Golf
OhioHealth’s Fore Hope program helps individuals with neurological conditions get back to living healthy, productive, social lives through therapeutic golf. You don’t have to be a golf expert to donate your time.
Website: Fore Hope Therapeutic Golf
Crisis Text Line
This one isn’t just a Columbus opportunity but is super important. Volunteer with the Crisis Text Line to help calm, reassure, and safety plan with people in moments of extreme need.
Website: Crisis Text Line
National Alliance On Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a mission to end the stigma around mental illness and provide both education and support. NAMI Ohio and the Franklin County affiliate use volunteers for school presentations, fundraising events, and advocacy work.
Website: NAMI Ohio
The Unverferth House
The Unverferth House seeks to provide comfort to families of people receiving heart transplants and other serious procedures at the Wexner Medical Center. Volunteering here means helping with regular house chores like cooking and cleaning and yard upkeep. Heads up: the King Avenue house is planning a full teardown and rebuild into a bigger 23-unit facility, so check in with them about how volunteering shifts during construction.
Website: The Unverferth House
Open Door Art Studio
The Open Door Art Studio provides a space for people with disabilities to engage their artistic and creative sides. Volunteer in the studio to help create masterpieces or to help with general maintenance to keep the facility running.
Website: Open Door Art Studio
VA Central Ohio Healthcare System
The VA Central Ohio Healthcare System runs the Chalmers P. Wylie clinic on James Road, which serves about 2,000 veterans a day. Volunteers handle everything from greeting and wayfinding to mail services, and they’re a crucial part of caring for Columbus veterans.
Website: VA Central Ohio Healthcare System
Suicide Prevention Services
The Suicide Prevention Services run the 24 hour crisis phone line and are always in need of volunteers to help staff the line.
Website: Suicide Prevention Services
Children’s Health
Flying Horse Farms
Flying Horse Farms is a camp for children with serious illnesses. This is an opportunity for these children to be more than their illness and give them a chance to just be kids. Volunteer your time to help these kids have the most enjoyable week of their lives.
Website: Flying Horse Farms
Ronald McDonald House
Volunteers are a huge part of keeping the Ronald McDonald House up and running: cooking family meals through Team Cuisine, running activity nights, or assembling support packs for families with kids at Nationwide Children’s. There are also plenty of opportunities outside the house listed on their site.
Website: Ronald McDonald House
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
As one of the best hospitals in the nation for children, families come from all over the country to seek expert care for their kids. Help make the patients and families the most comfortable they can be by volunteering at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Website: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
A Kid Again
A Kid Again is an organization dedicated to giving children with life-threatening illnesses’ the chance to experience life as just a kid by taking them on adventures. Volunteer to help organize events, visit kids in hospitals, or be a mentor to a new family.
Website: A Kid Again
PBJ Connections
PBJ Connections provides behavioral health therapy to kids through the care and training of horses. Traditional therapy settings don’t work for every child so this gives a new opportunity for kids to make a difference in their lives. Volunteers help keep the facility the best it can be.
Website: PBJ Connections
Education
Ohio Statehouse
Remember going to the Ohio Statehouse in elementary school with your class? Well, the tour you went on was probably done by a volunteer! Give back and help others learn about the great state of Ohio!
Website: Ohio Statehouse
Columbus Literacy Council
The Columbus Literacy Council works with adults to improve reading literacy skills to help individuals further their employment and education opportunities. Volunteer to lead small groups or assist with one-on-one tutoring to help change the lives of local Columbus adults.
Website: Columbus Literacy Council
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
Mentoring is the volunteer gig with the longest payoff. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio matches adult “Bigs” with kids who need a consistent adult in their corner. Expect a few hours a month doing normal stuff like grabbing ice cream or shooting hoops. They always have a waitlist of kids, and they especially need men.
Website: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
Columbus Metropolitan Library
The Columbus Metropolitan Library runs most of its homework help and reading programs on volunteer power. Teens can join the Summer Reading VolunTeen crew, adults can help with Reading Buddies and School Help, and tax season brings its own volunteer push every winter. Fall applications typically open in August, so don’t sit on it.
Website: Columbus Metropolitan Library
Women and Girls
Dress for Success
Help give women the tools they need to succeed in the professional workplace. Dress for Success helps get women the workplace attire they need and career development tools they need to ensure they have a successful start to their career.
Website: Dress for Success
LSS CHOICES
Domestic violence is a prominent issue in way too many communities. LSS CHOICES runs Franklin County’s only emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. For safety reasons you won’t volunteer inside the shelter itself. Instead, sign up to drop off meals, work a donation-center shift, or assemble welcome kits for families starting over.
Website: LSS CHOICES
Girls On The Run
Help inspire young girls with this 5K program of children and mentors. You never know what kind of impact you can have on a young girl’s mind. Girls On The Run has opportunities for one-on-one support as well as volunteering your time on your local council.
Website: Girls On The Run Central Ohio
Freedom A La Cart
Freedom A La Cart is dedicated to getting victims of human trafficking back on their feet. Volunteer your time to help in their kitchen or become educated on the issue of human trafficking so that you can educate others.
Website: Freedom A La Cart
YWCA Center for Women
The YWCA helps provide housing for women and children in immediate need. Volunteer at the center to prepare and serve a meal for the families in need.
Website: YWCA Columbus
Social
Stonewall Columbus
Help support the LGBT community by volunteering with Stonewall Columbus to put on events and fundraisers throughout the year and the annual pride festival in the summer.
Website: Stonewall Columbus
The Buckeye Ranch
Volunteer at the Buckeye Ranch to help support struggling youth and families. The Buckeye Ranch has a wide variety of services to help youth be successful at home, at school, and in their communities.
Website: The Buckeye Ranch
Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash
