Volunteering in Madison: where to start

Finding opportunities

United Way of Dane County points volunteers to Volunteer Your Time (volunteeryourtime.org), which its website describes as a place to search for in-person or remote volunteer opportunities year-round in Dane County. United Way's page says the same site also handles court-mandated community service hours.

United Way also runs workplace volunteer events, a family-friendly Day of Caring that opens its campaign season, and Season of Caring holiday drives. Its office is at 2059 Atwood Avenue.

The library, city parks, the humane society and the school district each run their own programs, covered below.

Food banks and pantries

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin works from 2802 Dairy Drive in Madison and serves a 16-county area. Its website lists these volunteer roles:

• Food sorting and repacking, with no experience needed.
• Skill-based roles such as data entry, translation, delivery driving, maintenance and donation desk support.
• Group shifts for workplaces and community organizations.
• Youth volunteering.

Volunteers must be 12 or older. Ages 12 to 15 need an adult present for the whole shift, and anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to complete a waiver. You apply online, and Second Harvest says submitting the application doesn't automatically register you, since a background check and volunteer policies may be part of the process. Shifts are reserved through its online volunteer portal, and new volunteers can sign up for an orientation and tour.

The River Food Pantry is at 3301 Packers Avenue and describes itself as Dane County's busiest food pantry. Its website lists volunteer options at the pantry itself, with its family meals and mobile meals programs, and at River Café community meals, and it has a volunteer FAQ. See its site for current needs.

Madison Public Library

Madison Public Library says volunteers may help pull books for holds, pack maker kits, package seeds for the Seed Library, set up or take down programs, or table at outreach events, depending on location and season. The first step is the online volunteer form, where you list your interests, availability and preferred branch. The library says a background check is required under City of Madison policy, and the form asks whether you are 18 and over or 17 and under.

Openings vary. As of November 2026 the library's page listed tax assistance volunteers at the Central Library for Saturday mornings from January to April 2027, with training beforehand, and noted that many branches had no openings right now, though some accept waitlist forms. It also points to the Friends groups at each branch and the Central Library Friends Book Store. See our libraries directory to find your branch.

Madison Parks

Madison Parks lists several ongoing volunteer programs:

• Dog Park Volunteers clean and refresh the city's off-leash dog parks and help with the yearly Dog Park Cleanup Day.
• Flower and Plant Gardeners make a long-term commitment to gardens across the city.
• Conservation work restores woodlands and meadows.
• Friends of Madison Parks groups are community organizations recognized by the Parks Commission. The city lists 20 approved groups, and you join one by contacting it directly.

You browse opportunities and create a volunteer profile through the city's online volunteer portal. The parks page doesn't state age rules or a workday schedule, so contact the Parks volunteer coordinator at parksvolunteer@cityofmadison.com with questions.

Animal shelter volunteering

The Dane County Humane Society lists volunteer areas including the adoption center, animal care, the thrift store, outreach and education, the Wildlife Center, fostering, special events and youth. Its FAQ says most positions require volunteers to be at least 18, with limited positions for youth ages 8 to 17. Applicants complete a volunteer application and attend a new volunteer orientation. The shelter asks for a regular weekly shift, typically 2 to 3 hours, and a six-month commitment, with longer commitments for some roles. Positions can be full at times, so check its volunteer pages for current openings and any fees.

Volunteering in Madison schools

The Madison Metropolitan School District publishes its volunteer requirements. You register by completing an application in its Volunteer Tracker system, which records your approval and lets you log hours. A background check is required for Level 2 activities and is processed by district staff as part of your application. A short Building and Student Safety training is required, a longer Volunteer Onboarding is highly recommended, and literacy tutors take additional Literacy Tutor Training. Once approved, you can begin volunteering. See the district's volunteer pages for the current process, and our school districts guide for background on the area's districts.

For UW-Madison students

The Morgridge Center for Public Service connects UW-Madison students with community work. Its website lists Badger Volunteers, semester-long teams that volunteer 1 to 4 hours a week at the same community organization, along with mentoring and tutoring programs and one-time service opportunities. It also offers peer advisors to help you find a fit, transportation options to service sites and a weekly newsletter. The center is in the Red Gym at 716 Langdon Street. See our guide to visiting campus if you're new to the area.

Tips for getting started

• Start with one organization and one regular shift. Most of the groups above ask for steady commitments.
• Apply early. Background checks, trainings and orientations can take time.
• Ask about age rules if you plan to volunteer with kids.
• Congregations and neighborhood centers often run their own service projects. Browse places of worship and community centers in your area.