Top 10 Volunteer Opportunities in Denver in 2019

Want to volunteer or intern at a great Denver nonprofit? Whether you’re new to the city and want to learn about its charities, trying to change up your routine with some local charity work, or just want to volunteer or intern at a neighborhood nonprofit, everyone knows that the best way to find the right place for you is from the people who’ve been there!

Here’s a list of volunteers’ and interns’ favorite Denver charities. Every nonprofit on this list earned has an overall score of 4 or greater out of 5 on GreatNonprofits.org. If your favorite Denver nonprofit or volunteer gig is missing, find it on GreatNonprofits.org, write a positive review, and show your co-volunteers how to start adding reviews and get it on the list!

Women’s Global Empowerment Fund

“WGEF is a beautiful foundation that strives to not just improve the lives of women, but also to give them the means and confidence to use the skills that they already possess. The organization helps to alleviate poverty while empowering women to use their voice and recreate paths in a beautiful attempt to reform their lives. The women in this organization are determined, passionate, and strong—I’m blessed to be a part of the experience and I have faith in a new world.” –Dara D1

Judaism Your Way

“I am a Christian pastor [United Methodist]. I have had a strong, close relationship with Rabbi Brian Field for many years as we work together for interfaith understanding. Rabbi Field has been a wonderful addition to the Denver area interfaith dialogues. Judaism Your Way has made this bridge building between the Jewish community and the Christian community a very positive experience. A year ago, I attended one of the Yom Kippur services that Judaism Your Way celebrated. I was incredibly well received and made to feel at home. I was pleasantly struck by the similarities in prayers and songs of the Yom Kippur service and the Christian season of Lent [a time of introspection and confession] as a way of celebrating a new relationship with God. For Jews, as a New Year. For Christians, as the Easter Celebration of new life. Judaism Your Way serves not only their immediate community but serves the larger interfaith community very well. Thank you to all who make this possible.” –Rev. Paul Kottke, senior pastor, University Park United Methodist Church, Denver

Earth Force

“Earth Force is an amazing organization with a mission that really hits home, I myself being a teenager. I am currently in ‘Friends of the Force,’ Earth Force’s pilot program that trains its perspective youth board members, and I have to say that I really admire everything Earth Force has done. The people I have met through Earth Force have really opened my eyes and helped me better voice my already existing opinions. All the people I have met are such strong, passionate, easygoing individuals, I find myself aspiring to be like them. Through Earth Force I have access to another side of environmental education and youth leadership. Earth Force is a truly amazing organization.” –Cassandre

The Crowley Foundation

“The Crowley Foundation is unique in inspiring our kids toward greatness. It is such an infusion of positive motivation and unbending expectation of excellence from all students that all kids leave their workshops equipped with what they need to take on the future, and with great success. Working with the Crowley Foundation has been a wonderful and enriching experience for my son!” –BFuller

Animal Rescue and Adoption Society

“Amazing place . . . the best place to go for a healthy dose of kitty love! I have been a volunteer here for a while now, five to six years I think, and I cannot imagine the world without them. The kitties roam freely and have a spectacular backyard that is secure and geared just for kitties. Trees to climb, grass to roll around in, and they just love being out in the sunshine. And it is a no-kill shelter so the residents stay until they are adopted or go to heaven on their own. It is totally community supported so let’s get some votes in!!” –LBiz

Global Orphan Prevention

“GlobalOP is a nonprofit that believes in spending time working directly with the individuals it seeks to support, which is necessary for the children of Nepal to receive maximum benefits. Not focusing on merely donations, but sending volunteers into the field sets this organization apart from others.” –Steph K526

Nurse – Family Partnership

“Nurse Family Partnership means so much to me. I am both a mother of two young boys and a resident of a populated urban neighborhood. Every day I see moms who struggle with parenting. Research shows that kids benefit tremendously when they are raised in positive, nurturing, healthy environments, but these conditions are not a given. NFP provides real skills and support systems to the families that need them most, so kids are set up for greater successes in life.” –Gwynne1

Africa Development Promise

“I interned with Africa Development Promise the entire time I was in graduate school. Studying nonprofit management, I’ve learned a lot about how nonprofits should be run—and it was gratifying to see such a young nonprofit embody all of the best practices I learned about. Africa Development Promise is forward-thinking, with an experienced executive director who has an unyielding commitment to empowering rural female entrepreneurs. I expect even greater things as it grows, and plan to support it regularly.” –Ctd804

John Austin Cheley Foundation

“What an amazing organization this is! The John Austin Cheley Foundation gives children from low-income families a chance to experience a wilderness summer camp. The staff is fantastic! They were always quick to respond and help with any questions we had. They truly love and care about children and the effect that camp has on their lives. It has been a pleasure to work for the foundation and I hope to be able to continue as a mentor in the future. This foundation has brought so much happiness into my life.” –Dreaming of Estes

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)

“Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is the whole package when it comes to volunteer work. The projects are meaningful, well organized, and include the whole family. Not to mention, when you volunteer you get the opportunity to see some of the most breathtaking scenery our great state has to offer. We’ve been signing up every summer for seven years and hopefully will be for many more. We couldn’t be more proud to work with this great organization!” –Lisa 564