NY Group Volunteer Opportunities
May 6, 2019 9:52 AM Subscribe
My company is looking for a great organization to support through our annual volunteer day initiative. Do you have a NY based organization that could use 20-25 volunteers on a particular day in June?
Recognize that many organizations will require a substantial donation to host that many volunteers, but given some office politics at the moment, our budget doesn't really allow for that (I know, I know - working to fight the man on this). HMU with your recommendations!
Recognize that many organizations will require a substantial donation to host that many volunteers, but given some office politics at the moment, our budget doesn't really allow for that (I know, I know - working to fight the man on this). HMU with your recommendations!
Response by poster: Sorry - NYC! Preferably Manhattan, but happy to explore borough opportunities as well.
posted by something_witty at 10:06 AM on May 6, 2019
posted by something_witty at 10:06 AM on May 6, 2019
Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition often seems to be hosting corporate groups. Can't go wrong helping pibbles.
posted by praemunire at 10:27 AM on May 6, 2019
posted by praemunire at 10:27 AM on May 6, 2019
Madison Square Park takes groups of volunteers from Credit Suisse across the street, so I know they take corporate groups.
posted by holborne at 10:47 AM on May 6, 2019
posted by holborne at 10:47 AM on May 6, 2019
NYCares is essentially what you want. It matches corporations with volunteer opportunities AND does all of the organization the day of. Most major Investment Banks in NYC use them to wrangle the park cleanups, and soup kitchen volunteering etc. I will note that June is Volunteer month for a lot of corporations, so a lot of organizations that need help are already going to be dealing with an influx of volunteers, so getting matched up for your particular day may be difficult.
As I am not on the organizing side (I've just participated in events that they ran for the banks where I've worked), I don't know how much they charge for the service/facilitating the matchup, but it would be a good place to start.
posted by larthegreat at 12:08 PM on May 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
As I am not on the organizing side (I've just participated in events that they ran for the banks where I've worked), I don't know how much they charge for the service/facilitating the matchup, but it would be a good place to start.
posted by larthegreat at 12:08 PM on May 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
Another option with New York Cares is to become a group leader (orientation + online training) and find a group friendly project in June with enough spots - you wouldn't need to donate a sponsorship fee, but you'd be limited to the existing available volunteer opportunities, and they're strict about bringing the count of volunteers you specify. You could also get in touch with the organizations directly that you see listed for a more custom experience, though one month is a bit of a tight timeline to set up from scratch, especially with no budget.
Otherwise I would suggest just searching (check Meetup?) for corporate/group volunteering opportunities and contacting many of them to gauge feasibility of timing/size and required budget, e.g.: Fresh Air Fund (I did a pizza party with a much smaller group of fewer than 10 that didn't require any fee or prep, but it was only a couple hours in the evening and not a whole day), NYC Parks, City Meals on Wheels, Rising Ground, NYC Books Through Bars, HOPE, The Bridge, KEEN, Sheltering Arms, GrowNYC, Pajama Program, MFTA, Hell's Kitchen Farm Project ($20-$25/person). You could also write letters/cards or pack kits at your office - would require the cost to cover supplies.
posted by eyeball at 12:50 PM on May 6, 2019
Otherwise I would suggest just searching (check Meetup?) for corporate/group volunteering opportunities and contacting many of them to gauge feasibility of timing/size and required budget, e.g.: Fresh Air Fund (I did a pizza party with a much smaller group of fewer than 10 that didn't require any fee or prep, but it was only a couple hours in the evening and not a whole day), NYC Parks, City Meals on Wheels, Rising Ground, NYC Books Through Bars, HOPE, The Bridge, KEEN, Sheltering Arms, GrowNYC, Pajama Program, MFTA, Hell's Kitchen Farm Project ($20-$25/person). You could also write letters/cards or pack kits at your office - would require the cost to cover supplies.
posted by eyeball at 12:50 PM on May 6, 2019
If this is too close to June to book, or, as these type of volunteers can actually take organizations time and money, a simple clean up the park, or river, or whatever day might be an option. It can really enhance people’s feeling of agency to just do it themselves and not rely on others for their benevolent acts.
And they could even vote on where and why.
posted by MountainDaisy at 3:21 PM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
And they could even vote on where and why.
posted by MountainDaisy at 3:21 PM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
+1 for NYC Cares.
Two specific organizations that I can recommend personally:
God's Love We Deliver is a meal service organization that can definitely accommodate 20-25 people.
The Church of the Village runs a smaller food pantry and soup kitchen program. 20-25 people might be a bit larger than they're used to taking.
Note that both of these are religious organizations, although your work would not be religious in nature. Also, Church of the Village has a few decades of history with the local LGBT population, although again your work would not have a specific LGBT focus.
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 8:44 PM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
Two specific organizations that I can recommend personally:
God's Love We Deliver is a meal service organization that can definitely accommodate 20-25 people.
The Church of the Village runs a smaller food pantry and soup kitchen program. 20-25 people might be a bit larger than they're used to taking.
Note that both of these are religious organizations, although your work would not be religious in nature. Also, Church of the Village has a few decades of history with the local LGBT population, although again your work would not have a specific LGBT focus.
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 8:44 PM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by zamboni at 10:04 AM on May 6, 2019