Every 2nd Saturday
River & Land2–3 hrs
River Cleanup Morning
Riverway Alliance · Ross's Landing
Bags, gloves, and coffee provided. Meet at the landing, work a stretch of bank, and be done by lunch.
Give back
Love the valley?
Give Some Back.
The same small, local orgs that make this place worth living in run on volunteers and donations. Here's who they are and how to help.
Cause we’re highlighting · River & Land
Riverway Alliance
Protecting the Tennessee River watershed through cleanups, water monitoring, and advocacy.
How to helpThe organizations
Local Nonprofits by Cause
Every one is independent and rooted here. Filter by what you care about.
12 organizations
River & Land
Riverway Alliance
Protecting the Tennessee River watershed through cleanups, water monitoring, and advocacy.
VolunteerDonateIn-kind
River & Land
Ridgeline Land Trust
Conserving ridge and valley land before it's lost, and keeping trails open to the public.
DonateVolunteer
Food Security
Valley Food Share
The region's food bank — rescuing surplus food and moving it to 120 partner pantries.
VolunteerDonateIn-kindFundraise
Food Security
The Community Table
A free, sit-down evening meal served with dignity, seven nights a week, downtown.
VolunteerDonate
Youth & Education
Southside Youth Collective
After-school mentoring, tutoring, and a safe place to land for Southside kids.
VolunteerDonate
Youth & Education
First Chair Music Project
Free instruments and music lessons for kids who'd never otherwise get them.
DonateIn-kindVolunteer
Arts & Culture
Scenic City Arts Fund
Micro-grants that keep local artists, muralists, and makers working in the city.
DonateFundraise
Arts & Culture
Open Studio
Accessible art classes and studio space for people with disabilities.
VolunteerDonateIn-kind
Animal Welfare
Lookout Animal Rescue
A no-kill shelter finding homes for the valley's dogs and cats, one adoption at a time.
VolunteerDonateIn-kind
Animal Welfare
Creekside Sanctuary
A permanent home for senior and special-needs animals nobody else will take.
DonateVolunteer
Housing & Shelter
Valley Home Build
Building and repairing affordable homes alongside the families who'll live in them.
VolunteerDonateIn-kind
Housing & Shelter
Warm Nights
Emergency shelter, a warm meal, and a path forward on the coldest nights of the year.
VolunteerDonateIn-kind
Roll up your sleeves
Ways to Volunteer This Month
Concrete, low-barrier ways to show up — most take a morning and no experience.
Tue & Thu mornings
Food Security3 hrs
Food Bank Sorting Shift
Valley Food Share · Brainerd warehouse
Sort, box, and label donated food for the pantry network. No experience needed, groups welcome.
Nightly slots
Food Security2 hrs
Evening Meal Service
The Community Table · Downtown
Plate, serve, and share a table with guests. The dishes do themselves — the conversation is the point.
Weekday afternoons
Youth & Education2 hrs / week
After-School Tutoring
Southside Youth Collective · Southside
Homework help and a steady adult presence for kids who thrive on both. Ongoing commitment preferred.
Weekends
Animal Welfare1–2 hrs
Shelter Dog Walkers
Lookout Animal Rescue · Lookout Mountain
Walk, socialize, and photograph adoptable dogs — the exercise and the photos both get them adopted faster.
Monthly Saturday
Housing & ShelterFull day
Home Build Day
Valley Home Build · East Chattanooga
Frame, paint, or landscape alongside a future homeowner. Tools and a crew lead provided — just bring work clothes.
Saturday mornings
Food SecurityHalf morning
Community Garden Workday
Valley Food Share · Highland Park
Plant, weed, and harvest a garden whose produce goes straight to the food bank. Kid-friendly.
Run a nonprofit here?
If you’re a local, independent org doing real work in the valley, we’d like to list you — free, like everything here.
Add your organization