Why corporate volunteering in NYC matters
Corporate volunteering boosts company culture and employee engagement. In NYC, there are many ways your team can make a difference. Below are some top volunteer events to fit your goals.
Planning these events takes time—over 30 hours on average—but Percent Pledge makes it easy. We handle everything, from holiday events to year-round projects, saving you time and ensuring success. See how we make it easy.
Volunteer opportunities in NYC
Serve Warm Meals to Those in Need This Holiday Season
Help prepare and serve meals to homeless and low-income individuals at a critical time of year.
- Nonprofit mission: The Bowery Mission supports homeless and low-income New Yorkers with meals, shelter, and support services.
- What volunteers will do: Prepare meals, serve meals, organize donations.
- Location: 227 Bowery, New York, NY
- Duration: 2 hours
- Group size: Small (up to 20 people)
- Causes: Hunger & Homelessness
- Required donation: No
Deliver Meals and Smiles to Seniors
Brighten the day of homebound seniors by delivering meals and providing companionship.
- Nonprofit mission: Vision Urbana delivers nutritious meals to the elderly and those unable to cook for themselves, helping them maintain independence.
- What volunteers will do: Deliver meals to seniors, provide friendly conversation.
- Location: 64-66 Essex St., New York, NY
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Group size: Small (up to 20 people)
- Causes: Senior Services, Hunger
- Required donation: No
Pack Food for NYC Families in Need
Sort and pack food items to create meal boxes for low-income families during the busy holiday season.
- Nonprofit mission: Food Bank NYC provides food and support to those in need across the five boroughs.
- What volunteers will do: Sort food items, pack meal boxes.
- Location: 355 Food Center Dr, Bronx NY
- Duration: 2.5-3 hours
- Group size: Medium (up to 50 people)
- Causes: Hunger & Homelessness
- Required donation: Yes
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Repack Food for NYC Families
Repack bulk food items into smaller packages for distribution to local food programs.
- Nonprofit mission: City Harvest is dedicated to feeding New Yorkers in need by rescuing and distributing food across the city.
- What volunteers will do: Repack bulk food into smaller packages, prepare items for distribution.
- Location: Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Group size: Medium (up to 50 people)
- Causes: Hunger, Food Insecurity
- Required donation: Yes
Virtual Hunger Simulation: Understand Food Insecurity
Take part in a virtual simulation to understand the challenges of food insecurity and discuss how to help.
- Nonprofit mission: Food Bank NYC works to end hunger by providing food, information, and support for community survival and dignity.
- What volunteers will do: Participate in a hunger simulation, engage in group discussions.
- Location: Virtual
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Group size: Medium (up to 50 people)
- Causes: Hunger & Homelessness
- Required donation: Yes
Serve and Support NYC’s Homeless Population
Assist with meal prep, serving, and organizing donations to support NYC’s homeless community.
- Nonprofit mission: The Bowery Mission provides services and resources to homeless and low-income New Yorkers, including meals, shelter, and support.
- What volunteers will do: Prepare and serve meals, organize donations.
- Location: 227 Bowery, New York, NY
- Duration: 2 hours
- Group size: Small (up to 20 people)
- Causes: Hunger & Homelessness
- Required donation: No
Distribute Fresh Produce in NYC
Distribute fresh produce to residents in food-insecure neighborhoods through City Harvest’s Mobile Market program.
- Nonprofit mission: City Harvest rescues surplus food and delivers it to hundreds of community programs across New York City.
- What volunteers will do: Distribute fresh produce, set up and manage the market.
- Location: Various locations throughout NYC
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Group size: Medium (up to 50 people)
- Causes: Hunger, Food Insecurity
- Required donation: Yes
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Restore and Beautify NYC’s Randall’s Island
Participate in tree planting, shoreline clean-up, and urban farming to help restore and beautify Randall’s Island.
- Nonprofit mission: Randall’s Island Park Alliance develops and maintains the park to support recreational and environmental programs for New Yorkers.
- What volunteers will do: Plant trees, clean shorelines, maintain urban farm.
- Location: Randall’s Island, New York, NY
- Duration: 3 hours
- Group size: Large (up to 100 people)
- Causes: Environment
- Required donation: Yes
Help Keep Central Park Beautiful
Join the “Day in the Dirt” program to plant, mulch, and paint in Central Park, contributing to the park’s maintenance and beauty.
- Nonprofit mission: Central Park Conservancy preserves and maintains Central Park, enhancing the park’s accessibility and enjoyment for all visitors.
- What volunteers will do: Plant, mulch, and paint, support park maintenance.
- Location: Central Park, New York, NY
- Duration: 3 hours
- Group size: Large (up to 100 people)
- Causes: Environment
- Required donation: Yes
Garden and Green Governors Island
Support the horticulture team in gardening tasks to keep Governors Island green and thriving.
- Nonprofit mission: Friends of Governors Island works to enhance the public accessibility and enjoyment of Governors Island.
- What volunteers will do: Garden and maintain green spaces, assist horticulture team.
- Location: Governors Island, New York, NY
- Duration: 2 hours
- Group size: Medium (up to 50 people)
- Causes: Environment
- Required donation: Yes
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Beautify Madison Square Park
Take part in planting, painting, and general garden maintenance to help beautify Madison Square Park.
- Nonprofit mission: Madison Square Park Conservancy maintains and enhances the park as a public space for recreation and reflection.
- What volunteers will do: Plant, paint, and maintain gardens, support park beautification.
- Location: Madison Square Park, New York, NY
- Duration: 2 hours
- Group size: Medium (up to 50 people)
- Causes: Environment
- Required donation: Yes