Community
Volunteer Opportunity Websites

For the Des Moines, IA area, here are websites that list volunteer opportunities and connect volunteers with local organizations.

  • Logo for HIRTA Helps

    HIRTA Helps

    A local/regional directory provided by HIRTA Helps.

    Help
  • Logo for Central Iowa Volunteer Hub

    Central Iowa Volunteer Hub

    A local/regional directory provided by United Way of Central Iowa.

    Help
  • Logo for Central Iowa RSVP

    Central Iowa RSVP

    A local/regional directory provided by Central Iowa RSVP.

    Help
  • Logo for Volunteer Iowa

    Volunteer Iowa

    A statewide directory of volunteer opportunities across Iowa provided by the Iowa commission on Volunteer Service.

    Help
Service Clubs

Many communities have local service clubs that offer community engagement opportunities, such as Rotary Clubs.

  • Rotary Club of Des Moines

    The Rotary Club of Des Moines, founded in 1911, is the oldest and among the largest Rotary Clubs in Iowa.  Guided by Rotary International’s mission, the club focuses on service to others, upholding high ethical standards, and advancing goodwill, peace, and world understanding. 

    They meet every Thursday from noon to 1:00 PM at The Embassy Club (34th Floor, Ruan Center, 666 Grand Ave., Des Moines). 

    Membership is open to business and community professionals who want to combine networking with meaningful community service. Prospective members can attend as guests and then go through a sponsorship and proposal process.
Mutual Aid & Grassroots Networks

Many communities rely on grassroots and informal networks to meet urgent needs. There may be opportunities to get involved through mutual aid networks, food distribution efforts, neighborhood action teams, or other groups that aren’t often listed on volunteer platforms.
Local Organizations

Often prominent organzations rely on their widespread recognition rather than posting on volunteer recruiting websites.

  • Animal Lifeline

    Animal Lifeline of Iowa (ALI), founded in 1986, is Central Iowa’s only animal shelter focused on special needs cats and dogs, based in Des Moines and serving the entire state of Iowa. We rescue cats and dogs that are disabled, pregnant or nursing moms, orphaned, injured, abused, or undergoing treatment for ongoing medical conditions. We rehabilitate these animals, who face a higher risk of euthanasia in traditional shelters, and then find them loving forever homes. Animals are not euthanized because they have been at the shelter for a certain period.

    • Info
  • Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

    Join a dynamic team helping the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden become one of the most beautiful attractions in Iowa! Volunteers are essential to our success and help carry out our mission by donating more than 14,000 hours of service annually. Volunteers are involved in every area of the organization. Share your enthusiasm for the natural world by connecting with guests, nurturing plants, educating, or supporting events and activities.

    • Info
  • Hope Ministries

    Hope Ministries has been serving people in need in central Iowa since 1915. We provide food, clothing, shelter and life recovery programs for men, women and children out of seven ministry centers around Des Moines.

    • Info
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Last updated: 01/29/2026

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