After I retired, I found I missed the satisfaction that came from contributing to the community when I was working. I started volunteering, and now I look forward to my weekly volunteer days because I know, even if it only helps a little, I am helping those in need.
Gilbert is a city that prioritizes doing good for others—they’ve even adopted the nickname “Kindness USA.” There are volunteer opportunities for any resident, regardless of age or skill level. Whether you want social interaction or prefer volunteering solo, prefer working inside or in the great outdoors, like working with your hands or your mind, you’ll find your fit in Gilbert.
Volunteer opportunities fall into several categories. Use this list to understand what’s out there and what might fit you best. Gilbert has opportunities in all these categories!
Where to Volunteer in Gilbert, AZ
Have a Heart for Service?
These organizations provide humanitarian services to those in need. They work within their community to help the needy, often focusing on specific groups, like veterans or children.
Gilbert is home to the Rotary Club, Lions Club, American Legion, The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Kiwanis International, and many Knights of Columbus groups.
Passionate About the Arts?
Community-based organizations and centers for the arts offer programs for community members to create and or show appreciation for the arts through collaboration and interactions with others.
If you’d like to volunteer in the arts, check out HD South - Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum, Art Intersection, Hale Centre Theatre, Gilbert Visual Arts League, and the Gilbert Fine Arts Association.
Love to Work With Kids?
Youth organizations help kids develop life-long skills. These groups promote positive growth and give emotional support, positive experiences, social skills, and opportunities to build relationships.
Gilbert offers Boys and Girls clubs, youth organizations such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, youth sports, and Freestone Recreation Center youth activities.
Got a Kid Who Wants to Get Involved?
Volunteering isn’t just for retirees. Kids who are involved learn they can make a difference and that they have something worthwhile to offer the community.
Check out the Gilbert chapter of Lion’s Heart, an organization that matches teens with volunteer opportunities in the community. If your teen loves pets, the Arizona Humane Society has opportunities for kids 16 years or older. You can also inquire about taking your kids with you when you volunteer. Modeling compassion is powerful; it instills strong community values in your kids.
Conservation minded?
Gilbert’s parks and conservation organizations provide recreation and cultural programs, promote conservation awareness and appreciation of ecology and natural history through education and recreation programs, and emphasize quality of life and protection of the environment.
Take your volunteering outdoors with Gilbert Parks and Recreation, Riparian Preserve, or at special events like concerts and festivals.
Nose Stuck in a Book?
Gilbert’s amazing library system needs book lovers like you to help bring its services to the community. Not just for borrowing books anymore, libraries offer a wide array of digital entertainment and education. More importantly, Gilbert libraries are a great community resource, offering family and child literacy programs, access to computers and internet, and staff who are committed to helping everyone access to these resources.
Consider volunteering with the Maricopa County Library system, including Southwest Regional Library and Perry Library in Gilbert, and Basha Library in Chandler.
Like to Help the Young at Heart?
Gilbert’s senior centers and senior living centers focus on the social, cognitive, physical and emotional well-being of seniors in the community.
You can volunteer your time at the Gilbert Senior Center, or any of the private elderly care facilities in the community.
Want to Lend a Hand to Families in Crisis?
Shelters and transitional housing programs assist families experiencing or nearing homelessness by providing housing, food, clothing and household goods, as well as programs to improve financial, personal, social, and educational skills. There is often a great need for volunteers to help these families in their greatest time of need.
For opportunities to help these families, contact the House of Refuge.
Want to Feed the Hungry?
Gilbert’s food banks and pantries collect, store, and distribute food to households in need. They meet an urgent need in the community, feeding the many hidden hungry and fighting food insecurity.
If you want to get involved, check out St. Anne Friends of the Needy - Food Bank, House of Refuge, or the Open Arms Care Center.
Animal Lover?
Gilbert’s many shelters and rescue groups strive to take in animals who don’t have a home and give them a safe place to stay until foster parents or adoptive parents can be found.
Volunteers are always needed at these organizations, so check out Friends for Life Animal shelter or Wildhorse Ranch Rescue.
Want to Support the Sick and Their Caretakers?
Healthcare volunteers represent all segments of Gilbert’s community. They reach out with their talent, skill, interest, and compassion to help meet the needs of the sick. Whatever your skill level, there is a place for you. Many places even welcome teen volunteers.
Mercy Gilbert Dignity Health Hospital is always in search of volunteers.
Passionate About Education?
Tutoring, school improvement projects, clerical tasks, supervision, and mentoring are examples of beneficial school volunteer activities. Teachers rely on volunteer support to help them focus on what matters most: Gilbert’s kids.
Look into opportunities to lend a hand in Gilbert, Chandler, and Higley public schools.
Want to Help the Helpers?
Gilbert is home to several non-profits that work to support the community in a number of ways. Here are some of the great non-profits in our community.
Confidence Kits
Confidence Kits, Inc. is a small, family-owned nonprofit organization that operates out of a home the Seville neighborhood. Launched in September 2022, Confidence Kits uses monetary and in-kind donations to assemble and provide hygiene kits to other organizations that support those in need in the greater East Valley. These organizations include food banks, shelters, foster and homeless student support organizations, community resource centers, and transitional housing programs
Inspire and Achieve
Inspire & Achieve is committed to supporting local area youth and others in need. Whether it is a local child in need of specialized therapy to improve their quality of life or a member of the community facing a sudden health crisis, their mission is to provide financial assistance to community members so that they have the very best chance at success.
Step Up USA
Step Up USA makes volunteering easy and FUN for KIDS, teens, and adults! They strive to elevate human kindness with their motto, "Kindness is FREE, sprinkle it everywhere!"
Cultivate Goodness
Cultivate Goodness offers multiple opportunities monthly to help strengthen & better our community by getting involved. In-person opportunities are always available, as well as donation and shop-for-others programs.
This organization allows you to focus on a cause in your community that is important to you.
Find the Right Volunteer Opportunity for You
There are many volunteer opportunities in Gilbert, Arizona. This is a community that cares about its people, and your valuable and unique skills are desperately needed. Whether you are freshly retired and looking for meaningful ways to fill the time, or just feeling like you have something to give in your spare time, check out one of these great organizations and start giving back today!
About the author: Leanne Lacey is a retired teacher with a passion for volunteering. She is the founder of the non-profit, Confidence Kits. This completely volunteer-run organization provides hygiene kits to those in need in the greater East Valley. You can learn more about Leanne and Confidence Kits by visiting her website or Instagram!
