Free hospital volunteering opportunities in Philadelphia are available through major healthcare systems and specialized programs, offering roles for adults and students, often including perks like free parking and meals. Opportunities include patient support, administrative work, and specialized programs.
This list contains highlighted volunteer initiatives from members of the Greater Philadelphia Corporate Volunteer
Council (GPCVC). If you would like to add your volunteer opportunities to the list, contact gpcvc@philafound.org.
The Philadelphia Foundation and GPCVC encourage everyone to follow CDC guidelines during the pandemic, especially if
electing to volunteer in person. We are not recommending one type of volunteering over another and each person
needs to use their best judgment when deciding how to volunteer. The GPCVC defers to each member company’s
internal polices and discretion when promoting volunteer opportunities to their employees. That includes any
opportunities listed below.
LOCAL VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Philadelphia Foundation Key Skills Hub
The Key Skills Hub is a marketplace for volunteerism where the community and the corporate sector of Philadelphia
meet to work towards improving the quality of life of our neighborhoods, our city and beyond. The hub matches
passionate, skills-based volunteers with opportunities to donate their time to nonprofits seeking assistance in the areas
of business strategy, marketing, accounting, graphic design, human resources, website development and more COVID-
19 related projects are receiving priority matching at this time.
2020 Census At Home Action
Help ensure a complete and accurate 2020 Census count by calling households in census tracts with the lowest
participation rates in order to encourage residents to complete the census.
City of Philadelphia – Serve Philadelphia
While the city is urging the general public to stay at home, volunteers are considered essential personnel during this
time. The city encourages individuals who feel able to continue to visit the Mayor’s Volunteer Corps portal to sign up for
volunteer opportunities.
COVID-19 Community Response Captain Program
The COVID-19 Community Response Captain program is designed around the idea of everyday people helping each
other. In times of shared crisis, we look to our friends, family, and neighbors for information and support. Upon
completing the training, COVID-19 Community Response Captains will be able to relay the most accurate and updated
information to their peers, and provide support when needed.
Penn Medicine Notes of Gratitude
Write a virtual message of support to the front-line staff of Penn Medicine to show how grateful the community is for
their hard work and sacrifice.
Share Food Program
Handle distribution calls. Help connect to cupboards in the region to receive nutritious food. As a cupboard caller, you
will receive a list of cupboards to call the day before to confirm the delivery schedule. Lists will come with a script and
any other details necessary.
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ)
The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey offers a variety of virtual volunteer opportunities.
Make sure to use the search criteria “virtual”.
NATIONAL AND GLOBAL VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
American Red Cross
During times of disaster, the Red Cross utilizes digital volunteers to monitor online discussions to find people who need
help, and to share important updates on social media. While this work is done remotely, Digital Volunteers report directly
to the Red Cross National Headquarters Social Engagement team in coordination with their local chapter communicators.
Ancestry World Archives Project
The Ancestry World Archives Project has allowed thousands of people around the world help to preserve history that
would otherwise be lost. Help families discover more of their stories and share them with future generations.
Bookshare
Offers thousands of books to people with reading disabilities. As an online volunteer, either scan books to be added to the
collection or edit books that have been scanned.
Career Village
An online platform in which students ask career questions that are answered by people working, or who have worked, in
that field. All volunteers need is a LinkedIn account to start helping students.
Compass: On Demand Consulting
Consult with a nonprofit to address a single key issue and provide information or options to nonprofit clients in two to
six weeks. Clients will be connected to an individual, or small team, with the relevant experience to understand the
nonprofit's challenge quickly and provide a tailored product to meet its needs.
Early Connections Learning Center: Volunteer from Home Opportunity
Early Connections Learning Center is looking for volunteers to call local community services and ask questions (confirm
their location, and if they can post flyers).
Fast Forward Accelerate Good: Tech Volunteer Opportunities
Career advisors, tutors for under-served high school students, mental health coaches for inner-city youth, peer counselors,
mental health support for veterans, and assistance for the visually impaired are just a few virtual opportunities listed.
Focused Athletics
Remote tutoring. Help go over SAT prep lessons with the young men enrolled in their program. To sign up, email
info@focusedathletics.org. Note: Child abuse certifications are required.
Hire Heroes USA
Volunteers help veterans and their spouses with mock interviews, career counseling, or providing guidance on job
searches, preparing resumes, and filling out applications.
Moving Worlds Volunteering Resources
List of Volunteering resources. Contains both opportunities already listed here and new opportunities.
The National Map Corps
The National Map Corps (TNMCorps) is an online crowdsourcing mapping project with volunteers successfully editing
structures data in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Structures include schools, hospitals, post offices,
police stations, cemeteries, and other important public buildings.
Produce Audiobooks
Help produce audiobooks. Volunteer opportunities include: Narrators, Listeners and Quality Assurance testers.
The Smithsonian: Become a transcriber
The Smithsonian Institute offers virtual volunteers the opportunity to help transcribe historical documents.
Become a Smithsonian Digital Volunteer and help them make historical documents and biodiversity data more accessible.
Soldiers’ Angels
Several family friendly options to give back to our troops and veterans. Some involve joining a virtual team to write letters,
send cards or bake treats to send to soldiers. To join a team, you’ll need to pay a $1 monthly donation. Other virtual
volunteering (no team required) involves making masks, no-sew blankets, para-cord bracelets and cards of support.
StoriiTime
Allows parents to set up a video call with their child and an isolated senior. Seniors can read children’s books to little ones,
or kids can read to a senior. “This virtual interaction can improve a child’s listening, social and vocabulary skills and support
seniors by bringing joy and a connection to an experienced older generation.”
