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 Knoxville to support with your time, whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast. Here are 15+ volunteer opportunities to get involved with around K-Town.
Natural-born teachers and mentors
Muse Knoxville | Spread the love of STEM by lending a hand at Knoxville’s children’s science museum, featuring ongoing opportunities for one-off events and long-term roles.
UWGK Community Schools | Students, educators, families, and neighborhoods thrive when you volunteer at one of 16 local elementary schools or cross an item off its Amazon wishlist.
Little Chefs, Big Change | Assist the lead instructor and watch over enthusiastic kiddos in the kitchen at this after-school program sharing the joy of healthy cooking.
Supporters of victims of abuse
CASA of East Tennessee | Be a trusted adult in the courtroom and everyday life for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
McNabb Center | Share your time giving back to the region’s leading provider of mental health, substance use, social, and victim services.
YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley | Feel passionate about eradicating racism and empowering women, but can’t escape your busy schedule? Sign up for a single session, drop off a one-time donation, or double-dip by spearheading a corporate group project.
Social butterflies
Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Games | Share this local heritage celebration with lively fest-goers by selling merch, scanning tickets, and helping wherever needed (all while rocking out to the best Celtic rock and folk songs around).
Camp Quest Smokey Mountains | Take a week off of work or school to romp around the forest and be a mentor for a big group of energetic, open-minded kids.
Theatre Knoxville Downtown | You don’t have to be on stage to feed your passion for the dramatic arts with opportunities like running its box office, designing sets, and fundraising for future shows.
Good neighbors
Second Harvest Food Bank | Feed fellow Tennesseans in 18 counties with Tuesday through Saturday shifts (9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.) sorting donated items, packing food boxes, working at Mobile Pantries, and facilitating special events.
Center for English and Integration Services | Whether you prefer to shuttle students without reliable transportation or care for cuddly babies in the nursery, there’s a multitude of ways to welcome newcomers to our community.
Volunteer Assisted Transportation | Drive seniors and people with disabilities to doctor appointments, grocery shopping, and anywhere else they need to get in Knox County for a reduced fare.
Animal lovers
Horse Haven | Work one-on-one with abused and neglected horses who have found a second life at this equine animal sanctuary.
Young-Williams Animal Center | Playing with puppies is part of the job for volunteers assisting in everything from daily walks and doggie playgroups to adoption photography and vet clinics.
Zoo Knoxville | Keep the Scruffy City wild with its adult program that starts volunteers as zoo ambassadors and works them up to tasks like keeper assistance and animal handling.
Outdoorsy types
Seven Islands State Birding Park | With 220 species of birds sighted here, helping at this 416-acre wildlife refuge is a must-do for any amateur ornithologist.
Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum | Exercise your green thumb to keep year-round access to the gardens and grounds free for Knoxvillians, with perks like seed giveaways and workshops.
Knox County Parks & Rec | Our local trail systems are in search of friendly faces willing to educate on trail etiquette and assist with visitors’ first aid, bike, and navigation needs.
