The Best Volunteer Opportunities in San Francisco, California
Heavenly it may be but, for some, the San Francisco Bay Area can be a hell of a lot tougher. However, help is at hand in this beautifully diverse city, and whether you live here or are just visiting, you can make things sunnier in the Golden Gate City by lending a hand to local non-profit groups. Your kindness will not go unnoticed when you volunteer with these humble, honest organizations.
1. Musicians On Call
Building
If you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity that rocks, Musicians On Call is playing your tune. This harmonious organization brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients who are facing all manner of challenging health issues. Musicians of all talents are encouraged to volunteer and play for those who are hospital-bound. Anyone who wants to get involved but doesn’t play an instrument can volunteer as a guide, serving as a liaison between patients and musicians.
2. Shanti Project
Building
This special project cultivates compassion to help eliminate the isolation San Francisco’s at-risk populations face. It accepts both single and group volunteers to care for those who have life-altering or life-threatening conditions. Solo Good Samaritans can work one-on-one with adults as peer-support volunteers, including providing PAWS pet assistance services to the pets of ageing adults. Those who want their whole crew to join can help organize one of two annual events, help create holiday gift bags for the afflicted or even participate in group dog washes.
3. Community Forward SF
Building
For nearly half a century, Community Forward SF has extended kindness and empathy to those who are homeless in the Bay Area. Not only does the organization feed and clothe them, but it also puts them on a path to permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Volunteers can assist the many programs by lending a hand in their facilities and, most importantly, making sure every San Francisco resident seeking help feels cared for, seen and respected.
5. Nature in the City
Park
As the name suggests, Nature in the City is an environmental organization that looks after San Francisco’s original locals – it aims to connect the city with its natural roots by conserving local habitats. It hosts multiple monthly meet-ups at places like Alemany Farm and Palou Phelps Park that volunteers help restore. From pulling up invasive weeds to creating bird sanctuaries for migration routes, Nature in the City welcomes anyone who wants to help make San Francisco a happy habitat for flora, fauna and folks alike.
6. St Anthony Foundation
Building
7. The San Francisco Surfrider Foundation
Bridge
8. Outside Lands
Park
9. Project Open Hand
Building
10. Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco
School
11. Friends of the Urban Forest
Forest
12. Special Olympics
Sports Center
Nick Dauk contributed additional reporting to this article.
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