Looking for ways to give back or volunteer in Charlotte, North Carolina? From food security to housing, education, and the arts, Charlotte nonprofits are making a real difference. Whether you’re new to the city or a longtime resident, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities in Charlotte, NC, that align with your passions. By supporting these organizations, you’ll help strengthen the community while ensuring vital programs continue to thrive.
Table of Contents
- Charlotte, NC Nonprofits and Charities
- Tips on Volunteering for Charlotte Nonprofits
- 1. Our Bridge for Kids (ourBRIDGE)
- 2. Promising Pages
- 3. Nourish Up
- 4. BraveWorks
- 5. Hospitality House of Charlotte
- 6. PFLAG Charlotte
- 7. Carolina Raptor Center
- 8. Catawba Lands Conservancy
- 9. Classroom Central
- 10. Charlotte Bilingual School
- How to Find Other Charlotte, NC Nonprofits
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Charlotte, NC Nonprofits and Charities
Volunteer opportunities in Charlotte, NC, are abundant, supported by a strong network of over 16,000 local organizations. From education and housing to food security, health, and the arts, these charities work every day to strengthen the community. Nonprofit organizations in Charlotte, NC, improve the city’s schools, provide youth programs, support families in need, and protect crucial resources. Getting involved with any North Carolina nonprofit not only benefits the city but also helps you connect with neighbors, build new skills, and make a lasting impact.
Tips on Volunteering for Charlotte Nonprofits
Nonprofits play a vital role in local communities, and there are many ways to get involved. Whether you’re interested in nonprofit jobs in Charlotte or simply want to support causes you care about, your time and efforts make a difference.
Common North Carolina nonprofit roles include senior management, communications professionals, development and funding staff, and program coordinators. If you want to give back but don’t have time for a full-time job, here are simple ways to help:
- Call your local nonprofit to ask how you can help.
- Volunteer at events or programs.
- Share their posts and help create flyers to spread the word.
- Organize fundraisers or donation drives in your community.
- Get friends and family involved in supporting the cause.
- Research nonprofits that pick up donations in your area.
1. Our Bridge for Kids (ourBRIDGE)
Our Bridge for Kids (ourBRIDGE) is a Charlotte, NC nonprofit that supports refugee and immigrant children and families. The organization provides afterschool and summer programs built on a STEAM curriculum that blends academic growth with cultural pride. Beyond education, ourBRIDGE connects families to resources, advocacy, and emotional support, helping newcomers feel at home. By combining education, family services, and community outreach, ourBRIDGE stands out among leading nonprofit organizations in Charlotte.
How To Help
If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities in Charlotte, NC, ourBRIDGE offers many ways to get involved. You can assist with after-school or summer programs, tutor students in English, or share your skills during Club Days and workshops. Volunteers are also needed for community events, collection drives, and behind-the-scenes support, like picking up supplies. Your time and effort help families feel welcome while giving kids the tools to thrive.
2. Promising Pages
Promising Pages is a Charlotte nonprofit working to end the “book desert” for local children. An estimated 60,000 kids in the Charlotte area lack access to books at home, which can limit their academic growth. To close this gap, Promising Pages collects and redistributes new and donated books through more than 250 community partners. Since 2012, the group has provided over 2 million books to children across the region. Their programs, including Books on Break, Bookseed, and Feed the Body, Feed the Mind, give students the chance to build home libraries and develop a lifelong love of reading.
How To Help
There are many ways to support Promising Pages if you want to volunteer in Charlotte or donate. Individuals and groups can host book drives, run virtual fundraisers, or help with creative projects like crafting bookmarks and Bookworm Buddies. Volunteers are also needed for sorting and preparing donated books at the Operations Center. Donating books or funds directly also helps expand their reach and ensures local children have access to diverse and inspiring stories.
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3. Nourish Up
Nourish Up is a Charlotte nonprofit dedicated to ending food insecurity in Mecklenburg County. More than 200,000 people in the area, including families, children, veterans, and seniors, face hunger every year. Nourish Up provides groceries, meals, and compassionate support to ensure neighbors not only have food today but also long-term access to nutritious options. Through partnerships with local organizations, volunteers, and donors, this nonprofit organization in Charlotte is creating a healthier community by fighting food insecurity.
How To Help
If you’re looking for ways to volunteer in Charlotte, Nourish Up offers many opportunities. Volunteers can deliver meals to homebound neighbors, pack and load groceries, or help at the warehouse by sorting food donations and preparing boxes for local pantries. Other options include assisting at mobile food pantries, shopping in the in-house pantry, or supporting clients through the phone center. You can also host a food drive, start a virtual fund drive, or join special events that raise awareness of hunger in Charlotte. Every role—whether in person or online—helps provide nutritious food to neighbors in need.
4. BraveWorks
BraveWorks is a Charlotte nonprofit that empowers women overcoming challenges such as human trafficking, abuse, addiction, incarceration, and generational poverty. Locally, the organization teaches jewelry-making and other artisanal skills, providing women with supplemental income and work readiness training. Each participant creates an empowerment plan that focuses on employment, education, housing, sobriety, financial literacy, and emotional health. By combining skill-building with community support, this nonprofit organization in Charlotte, NC, helps women gain stability and move toward brighter futures.
How To Help
There are many ways to support BraveWorks if you want to volunteer or give back. You can volunteer at events, assist in the retail shop, or even help with social media. Shoppers can also support artisans directly by visiting the BraveWorks shop, placing custom orders, or requesting a pop-up event. Businesses can get involved by becoming wholesalers, helping to expand the reach of artisan products. Every purchase and volunteer effort helps BraveWorks empower women and sustain its mission locally and globally.
5. Hospitality House of Charlotte
Hospitality House of Charlotte is a Charlotte nonprofit dedicated to supporting patients and families accessing vital medical care. Since 1985, this nonprofit organization in Charlotte, NC has provided affordable lodging in the heart of the city’s medical community, helping ensure patients can attend appointments and treatments. Hospitality House focuses on compassion, community, and steadfast commitment, creating a welcoming environment where guests feel cared for and supported.
How To Help
You can volunteer at Hospitality House of Charlotte to make a direct impact on families in medical crisis. Opportunities include preparing meals, assisting as a House Volunteer, or supporting the Clean Linen Crew. Individuals and groups can also contribute off-site, help with events, or join the Hospitality House Young Professionals (HHYP) to engage in service, networking, and social activities. Every volunteer and donation helps Hospitality House continue providing comfort, care, and access to healthcare for patients and their loved ones.
6. PFLAG Charlotte
PFLAG is the nation’s largest organization supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families. The Charlotte chapter is part of a nationwide network of over 360 chapters with more than 550,000 members. This Charlotte, NC nonprofit fosters inclusivity, community, and empowerment, providing resources and safe spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones are celebrated, supported, and heard.
How To Help
You can volunteer or support PFLAG Charlotte through advocacy, donations, and memberships. Volunteers help promote LGBTQ+ justice, equity, and inclusion, while donors can contribute via monthly gifts, stock donations, or planned giving. Members also gain access to events, resources, and educational programs, strengthening nonprofit organizations in Charlotte, NC, and helping create a more equitable and inclusive community.
7. Carolina Raptor Center
The Carolina Raptor Center has been rehabilitating injured birds of prey since 1980. Located in Huntersville, this North Carolina nonprofit cares for owls, hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures, releasing many back into the wild. Beyond rehabilitation, the center offers environmental education for K–12 students and public programs. This includes live bird presentations and the Raptor Trail, which features more than 25 species of raptors. The center inspires visitors to connect with wildlife while promoting conservation and STEM learning.
How To Help
You can volunteer in Charlotte by joining the docent team, assisting with raptor husbandry, or participating in rescue and hospital care. Group volunteer projects are also available for teams and organizations. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old, complete training, and commit to a minimum of one year. Donations support medical care for injured birds, environmental education for local students, and the ongoing operations of this essential Charlotte nonprofit.
8. Catawba Lands Conservancy
Catawba Lands Conservancy is a leading Charlotte nonprofit and land trust dedicated to conserving land and connecting communities to nature across the Southern Piedmont of North Carolina. The organization permanently protects over 17,800 acres of farmland, ecologically rich lands, and waterways across six counties, including Mecklenburg. CLC also advances the Carolina Thread Trail, a regional network of trails and blueways that provides over 425 miles of public access today.
How To Help
You can join CLC’s stewardship efforts, helping monitor and maintain protected properties across the region. Donations support the Stewardship and Legal Defense Fund, which ensures the long-term care of conserved lands and conservation easements. By contributing time or resources, you can help preserve the natural beauty of Mecklenburg and surrounding counties while supporting this vital Charlotte nonprofit organization.
9. Classroom Central
Classroom Central is dedicated to ensuring every child in the region has access to the school supplies they need to succeed. Serving more than 300 schools across six school districts, the organization provides essential resources through its Free Store, Mobile Free Store, and other community programs. By supporting teachers and students in need, Classroom Central helps thousands of local children reach their full potential and thrive academically.
How To Help
You can volunteer in Charlotte at Classroom Central by assisting in the Free Store, Mobile Free Store, or warehouse with stocking, packing, and preparing supplies. There are opportunities for corporate groups, families, and individuals, with flexible in-person or remote projects. You can also donate school supplies, assemble kits, create bookmarks, or contribute encouragement notes. Every hour volunteered or supply donated helps students and educators build a strong foundation for learning, making a real impact in Charlotte classrooms.
10. Charlotte Bilingual School
Charlotte Bilingual School is a Charlotte nonprofit providing high-quality, dual-language early childhood education. Serving the city’s growing Spanish-speaking population, the school helps children develop English and Spanish language skills while preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. With wraparound services including bilingual occupational therapy, speech therapy, and family counseling, Charlotte Bilingual School empowers both children and their families to succeed academically and socially.
How To Help
You can volunteer at this North Carolina nonprofit by assisting with bulletin boards, playground clean-ups, or special events like Winterfest and the Hispanic Heritage Festival. Group opportunities include supporting the Outdoor Learning Environment, administrative tasks, and other school projects. Your time helps create a vibrant bilingual learning environment, giving children the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
How to Find Other Charlotte, NC Nonprofits
There are plenty of other North Carolina charities doing great work that welcome volunteers both in person and remotely. If you’re looking for nonprofit jobs in North Carolina, there are many opportunities to do that as well!
Websites like Catchafire and VolunteerMatch make it easy to find flexible, accessible volunteer opportunities in Charlotte, NC. This includes everything from virtual mentoring and social media support to event help and more. Whether you prefer hands-on roles or remote projects, these platforms connect you with causes that fit your skills and schedule.
Conclusion
Charlotte, NC, is home to a vibrant network of nonprofit organizations making meaningful impacts across education, social services, health, the arts, and the environment. From supporting refugee children at Our Bridge for Kids to protecting wildlife at the Carolina Raptor Center, these Charlotte nonprofits address a wide range of community needs while creating opportunities for residents to give back. Whether you’re interested in volunteering in Charlotte, donating to support local programs, or pursuing nonprofit jobs in Charlotte, NC, there are countless ways to get involved!
FAQs
There is a wide range of volunteer opportunities in Charlotte, NC, from hands-on programs with children and animals to administrative and event support. Visit each organization’s website to see current needs and sign up.
Yes! Most Charlotte, NC, nonprofits accept online donations, which go directly toward their programs and services. Many also offer options like monthly giving or hosting a virtual fundraiser
Absolutely. Many nonprofit organizations in Charlotte welcome volunteers with specialized skills in areas like marketing, event planning, finance, and legal services. There are also nonprofit jobs in Charlotte, NC, for those seeking a career in the sector.
No prior experience is usually required. Many Charlotte nonprofits provide training and guidance so volunteers of all backgrounds can contribute meaningfully.
Consider what issues matter most to you—education, hunger relief, wildlife, women’s empowerment, or bilingual programs. Search for Charlotte nonprofits or North Carolina nonprofits in those areas, and explore their volunteer and donation opportunities.
Skylar Sanders is an Atlanta native and earned her BA in Film and Media Studies from Georgia State University in 2022. She is currently a graduate student at GSU studying Communications with a concentration in Digital Media Strategies. In her free time she enjoys being in nature, volunteering, creating digital art, and catching up on her favorite TV shows.
