Volunteer Hub
Volunteering during college is a chance to make a real impact, whether in your community or one far from home. Along the way, you’ll gain new perspectives, deepen your understanding of social issues, and discover the values and causes that matter most to you.
Volunteer Today
If you are a CU Denver student or student organization needing some assistance getting connected to a volunteer opportunity or project, send an email and a staff member will be happy to assist you.
Have a suggestion for an agency or opportunity looking for volunteers to add to our database or be featured in the Student Life Newsletter? Send us an email with the subject line “Volunteer Opportunity”.
Stop & Serve is a bi-weekly or bi-monthly event sponsored by the CU Denver Student Life Community Engagement team. A Stop & Serve is an opportunity for students to give back to the community while earning credited service hours.
Projects vary from 10–15-minute crafts, such as blanket making, to short off-campus adventures, such as visiting a local animal shelter! Typically, one off-campus event happens a month and one on-campus event happens a month.
Through Stop & Serve projects, students learn to address real community needs, create sustainable solutions, build relationships, amplify their impact through collaboration, and find a platform for personal growth.
Those who have participated in a Stop & Serve describe it as “the most meaningful 10 minutes between classes”. Look out for the stop sign for your next chance to participate!
Lynx Day of Service
Lynx Day of Service is CU Denver’s annual campus-wide day of community engagement, bringing together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners to make a meaningful impact throughout the Denver metro area. Through hands-on volunteer opportunities, participants build stronger connections with one another while supporting organizations that address critical community needs.
Whether serving at local nonprofits, participating in on-campus service projects, or learning about ongoing volunteer opportunities, Lynx Day of Service encourages every member of the Lynx community to discover the power of service. More than a single day of volunteering, this tradition inspires a lifelong commitment to civic engagement, leadership, and creating positive change.
Together, we believe that small acts of service can create lasting community impact.
Since its inception, the Lynx community has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to strengthening our neighborhoods, supporting local nonprofits, and creating meaningful change across the Denver community
The Power of Partnerships in Volunteering
Community partnerships are at the heart of this process, bridging the gap between the desire to help and the real-world needs of the community. Here’s why these partnerships are essential:
Addressing Real Community Needs
Community partners have firsthand knowledge of the issues affecting their populations. They identify specific needs and create programs to address them. By collaborating with these partners, volunteers can ensure their efforts are targeted and impactful, making a real difference where it’s needed most.
Creating Sustainable Solutions
Community partners bring expertise, resources, and long-term commitment to the table. Partnering with them ensures that volunteering efforts are part of a sustainable plan, rather than one-time interventions. This collaboration helps to build programs that continue to thrive, even as volunteers come and go.
Building Relationships and Trust
Strong community partnerships foster relationships based on trust, respect, and shared goals. These relationships empower both the volunteers and the communities they serve, creating a spirit of mutual learning and growth.
Providing Guidance and Training
Volunteers often need guidance to be effective in unfamiliar environments. Community partners can provide the necessary training, cultural insights, and logistical support, helping volunteers maximize their impact while respecting the community’s values and practices.
Amplifying Impact Through Collaboration
When organizations, volunteers, and community partners work together, the combined effort amplifies the impact. Resources are used more efficiently, goals are aligned, and the results are far-reaching.
Offering a Platform for Personal Growth
Volunteers benefit immensely from the expertise and structure that community partners provide. They gain new skills, broaden their perspectives, and deepen their understanding of social issues—growth that would be harder to achieve in isolation.
Non-Profit Partners
At CU Denver, we value the transformative power of community partnerships. By working hand-in-hand with local organizations, we create opportunities for volunteers to engage meaningfully while addressing pressing social challenges. Together, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities.
Ready to make a difference?
Join us in partnering with local organizations to create lasting change with some of our Non-Profits listed below!
- Volunteer Guides – non-musicians who play a vital role by accompanying performers, navigating hospital protocols, and ensuring a smooth, meaningful experience for patients and families.
- Volunteer Musicians – artists who share their talents to uplift and inspire through live music.
- Serve meals and distribute clothing to those experiencing homelessness.
- Build meaningful connections with individuals navigating hardship.
- Work alongside a team that models restoration, resilience, and community impact.
StandUp for Kids is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of youth homelessness. Through mentoring, outreach, and support programs, StandUp for Kids empowers young people to move from crisis to stability and independence.
The Denver chapter is entirely volunteer-run and is currently working to re-establish its presence in the community. Volunteers are at the heart of this effort—especially those serving in street outreach roles, which are essential for connecting with homeless and at-risk youth, building trust, and providing critical resources and guidance.
By joining our team, volunteers directly impact the lives of young people experiencing housing instability in Denver, helping them find hope, stability, and a pathway forward.
More information about our mission and programs can be found at www.standupforkids.org
Musicians On Call is a national nonprofit dedicated to delivering the healing power of live music to patients in healthcare facilities. Through bedside performances, musicians bring comfort, joy, and a sense of connection to patients and their families during some of their most challenging times.
Here in Denver, Musicians On Call serves Children’s Hospital Colorado and the VA Hospital. The program depends on two types of volunteers:
We’re currently looking to expand our Denver volunteer team, especially with Volunteer Guides, whose presence makes these moments possible.
We would love to have Musicians On Call featured in your volunteer opportunity database so that compassionate community members can learn more about how to get involved.
For a closer look at our impact, here’s a recent Colorado & Company feature on Musicians On Call:
Watch the segment
Learn More Here: Home - Musicians On Call
A Precious Child, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides children in need with opportunities and resources to empower them to achieve their full potential. A Precious Child envisions a future where every child grows up to be a secure, self-reliant, contributing member of their community.
Volunteers can sign up for these opportunities via our volunteer website. It’s super easy!
Volunteers can also reach out to our Volunteer Team at Volunteer@APreciousChild.org or 303-466-4272 x120 with any questions or to learn more.
Contact: Volunteer Program Manager
Email Address: volunteer@wedontwaste.org
Phone Number: 720-443-6113
Office Address: 6090 E 39th Ave, Denver, CO 80207
Website/Social Media Links: https://www.wedontwaste.org/ https://www.instagram.com/wedontwaste/
Contact: Development and Operations Coordinator
Email Address: kpriest@mhbhc.org (volunteers) info@mhbhc.org (services)
Phone Number: 720.364.2526 (volunteers) 303.825.8113 (services)
Office Address: 4242 Delaware St. Denver CO 80216
Website/Social Media Links: www.mhbhc.org
Instagram and Facebook: MileHighBehavioralHealthcare
Contact: Marisa Loury | Volunteer Programs Manager
Email Address: marisa@dug.org
Office Address: 1031 33rd St. #100, Denver, CO, 80205
Website/Social Media Links: volunteer.dug.org
Contact: President Ravyn Robbins
Email Address: info@rescuepuppyyoga.com
Phone Number: (303)901-7662
Office Address: No Public address! We hold events at a bunch of different locations: Boulder, Denver, Ft Collins, Colorado Springs as well as Dallas and Nashville!
Website:Social Media Links: www.rescuepuppyyoga.com
Instagram • YouTube • Facebook & TikTok @rescuepuppyyoga
Contact: Community Engagement Manager
Email Address: egarrigus@sparkthechangecolorado.org
Phone Number: 720.262.9089
Office Address: 3399 Holly Street Denver CO 80207
Website/Social Media Links: https://www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/
Contact: Director of Volunteer Services
Email Address: Volunteer@ccdenver.org
Phone Number: 720-799-9266
Office Address: 6240 Smith Road, Denver
Website/Social Media Links: Catholic Charities Website
Email Address: info@soul2soulsisters.org
Phone Number: 720-295-4876
Office Address: P O Box 7632 Denver, CO 80207
Website/Social Media Links: soul2soulsisters.org
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator
Email Address: volunteer@cafe180.org
Phone Number: 720-289-0799
Office Address: 3315 S Broadway, Englewood CO
Website/Social Media Links: cafe180.org/volunteer
Contact: Vice President
Phone Number: 303.953.0733
Address: 2102 S Clarkson St, Denver, CO 80210
Email: ferrets@ferretdreams.org
Contact: Amelia Warriner Program Manager
Email Address: amelia@soallmayeat.org
Phone Number: (720)530-6853
Office Address: 2023 E Colfax Ave Denver 80206
Website/Social Media Links: https://www.soallmayeat.org/ https://www.facebook.com/samecafe/ IG: @samecafedenver
Did you know that 45% of college students are food insecure? Your helping hands mean the world to people in need of food. There are so many ways to volunteer at Food Bank of the Rockies, and every bit helps us help others. We provide the training, the safe environment, and the communal fun. All you have to do is show up.
Learn more about the Food Bank of the Rockies
To volunteer, please click HERE.
For the past 34 years, Christ’s Body Ministry has been dedicated to serving the most vulnerable in our community by providing food, clothing, and compassionate care. Our mission is not only to meet immediate needs, but also to walk alongside individuals on their journey toward breaking the cycle of homelessness.
What makes our organization unique is that many members of our current staff once faced homelessness themselves. Their lived experience brings authenticity, empathy, and hope to those we serve, while showing that transformation is possible.
By partnering with us, students will gain opportunities to:
For more information, please visit Christ’s Body - Serving Those In Need
Contact: Community Engagement Manager
Email Address: rfriedman@denvercasa.org
Phone Number: 303.832.4592
Office Address: 1325 S. Colorado Blvd Suite B402
Website/Social Media Links: www.denvercasa.org
Contact: Jennifer Arreola | Sr. Civic Engagement Organizer
Email Address: jennifer@colorlatina.org
Phone Number: 303-578-2780
Website/Social Media Links: colorlatina.org | IG: color_latina | FB: facebook.com/COLORLATINA/ | YT: youtube.com/@color_latina