Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit.
All we know is there are more than enough great causes in Lexington to support with your time, whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast. Here are 30+ volunteer opportunities around LEX to help you help out.
For the outdoorsy types
Lexington Parks and Recreation | Our city’s parks department maintains the quality of our beautiful parks + regularly hosts community events. Whether you’re looking to get your hands dirty by trimming weeds or want to help organize a fun event, there’s a job for you.
Boy Scouts of America | Become an adult role model for youth scouts, lead group hikes, and facilitate instructional outdoor skill-learning sessions to help scouts earn their badges.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill | Apply to become a volunteer to get tapped for projects and events throughout the year.
Natural-born teachers and mentors
Family Care Center | If teaching comes naturally to you and you want to share your passion for lifelong learning, consider reading to young children ages 2-4 or tutoring a high school student.
Girls on the Run Central Kentucky | Help young girls build confidence and learn decision-making skills by coaching a team at this after-school running program, or lend a hand at its biannual 5K by handing out medals or working a cheer station.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass | For just a few hours each month, you can give a child the gift of friendship. As a mentor, you can play a board game, go out to lunch, or take your little to a park they’ve never been to before.
Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning | Help inspire students to find a true love for learning. Become a classroom assistant to facilitate hands-on educational classes, or help out with events to create memorable educational experiences for kids across Lexington.
Common Good | Make a difference in the lives of local youth by mentoring after school, during the summer, or helping prepare a warm meal for them in the Common Good Kitchen.
Kentucky Refugee Ministries | Show refugees what southern hospitality is all about. Volunteer to welcome them to their new home with a one-time activity or a three-month commitment program.
If you want to help out your fellow Lexingtonians
The Hope Center | The Hope Center’s volunteer team helps to rebuild lives on a daily basis — from serving 38,000+ hot meals a month to teaching career skills to its Recovery Clients.
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass | You don’t have to be a lawyer to advocate for your neighbor. Show support by volunteering as a medicare counselor or a long-term care ombudsman.
Step by Step | This organization provides support and assistance to young single mothers. As a volunteer, you can help plan events, assist with childcare, coordinate meals, or help with mentorship.
Lexington Pride Center | Volunteers here help build community while working towards the goal of making Lexington a more inclusive city for all of its citizens.
Supporters of veterans
Lexington VA Health Care System | You can help improve the livelihood of Lexington’s American heroes in a variety of different ways. Fill out a form to volunteer at the Troy Bowling and Franklin R. Sousley VA health care centers.
V.R.U.C.K | Your support with social media content creation, mail blasts, and creating fliers can help bring awareness to events hosted by the Veterans Resources United of Central/Southeastern Kentucky. Bonus: V.R.U.C.K is currently seeking volunteers who are Veterans themselves for vet-to-vet companionship visits. Singers, musicians, and current service members are also needed for pinning ceremonies.
For the handy individuals
Lexington Habitat for Humanity | Get hands-on by working at one of this organization’s local construction projects. No experience is needed — you’ll be provided with the training + tools to make a difference.
Broke Spoke | This organization aims to empower adults with the tools, space, skills, and community for better access to bicycles. You don’t need bike mechanic skills to help out — you can greet folks at events or help out around the shop.
Self-proclaimed bibliophiles
Lexington Public Library | Lexington’s libraries offer a variety of volunteer opportunities, including assisting with after school programs, transcribing handwritten documents into the digital archive, and helping shelving materials.
International Book Project | Thanks to its volunteers, this organization is able to send thousands of books to developing countries across the world. Volunteer duties include warehouse organization, packing + shipping, and organizing local book drive events.
The artsy types
LexArts | Help strengthen Lexington’s art scene in several different ways — help out with tasks like setting up artwork and distributing brochures at the LexArts Gallery Hop, or assist in administrative office tasks for a few hours a week.
Lexington Art League | This local arts organization always needs help planning its biggest and most popular event of the year — The Woodland Art Fair.
Lexington Opera House | This historic downtown concert hall utilizes volunteers to serve as ushers and ticket-takers for almost all of its major events — if you’d like to work a Broadway or Variety Live event, you’ll be asked to make a commitment to seven local productions.
The Lyric Theatre | Volunteers are needed for tasks like ushering, working concessions, and providing educational programming. Volunteering here also gives you a special opportunity to see all of the plays and concerts at this historic venue.
RadioLex | This is a fun way to put your social skills to work. On-air talent, fundraising, and community outreach are a few ways you can help this local radio outlet achieve its goal of amplifying underrepresented local voices — opportunities are available for both English and Spanish speakers.
If you love animals
Paws 4 the Cause | Become a foster parent to a dog or cat in need of a home. This organization also offers volunteer opportunities for ocassional fundraisers + events.
Lexington Humane Society | Help make a difference in an animal’s life by lending a hand with exercise, socialization, and grooming. Volunteers can also support with special events, outreach programs, and various office duties.
Friends of the environment
Bluegrass Greensource | Become Green Force certified by attending four free sessions about sustainability topics including waste management, sustainable business practices, and more. After course completion, you can lead volunteer sessions + advocate for a greener Bluegrass.
Seedleaf | If you’ve got a green thumb, this is the spot for you. All are welcome to volunteer at several different community gardens around town — just sign up for the days and times that work for you.
Trees Lexington | Help make the Bluegrass greener by planting and cultivating trees across the city. This organization has different projects suitable for all types of skills and interests.
Help fight hunger
God’s Pantry Food Bank | Volunteer your time to fight hunger in the Bluegrass by organizing the warehouse, managing collections, or stocking the pantry.
FoodChain | From community outreach to preparing after-school snacks for kiddos, this nonprofit relies on its volunteers to connect citizens to fresh local foods.
Glean Kentucky | This organization serves as the link between food waste + food insecurity. Volunteers can choose to help with scheduled “gleanings,” on-call opportunities, or can dedicate parts of their personal garden to the organization.
Moveable Feast | Join Moveable Feast to help improve the quality of life for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and those in hospice care. Volunteers and staff work together to provide clients with fresh meals and groceries.
Unity in the Community | Reach out to the organization’s founder, Jonathan Richardson, to see how you can help support his efforts in feeding + getting clothes to those in need.
