Volunteer

At United Way, there are essentially two ways you can volunteer:

1) Help us determine where the funds go.

No dollars get distributed without community input. During our most recent allocations process, more than 200 volunteers served on our Community Investment Councils, which represent the various counties and specific focus areas, such as education or crisis services. It is a rigorous, objective evaluation process that combines hard data and hands-on volunteer work.

Many volunteers have relevant expertise, such as a finance background to help evaluate whether past funding was spent wisely, or a nursing background to help assess the most vital issues faced by agencies tackling health challenges. But the primary requirement of all volunteers is the desire to drill down and determine which programs are making a tangible difference. While our staff provides guidance based on year-round monitoring of community needs, the final dollar decisions are made by our volunteer investment committees.

2) Participate in a team-building volunteer opportunity customized specifically for your company or group.

There is no better way to feel the impact of your donation than to volunteer right where needs are being served daily. Not only does this provide invaluable perspective from the front lines, but it is rewarding to see the instant outcome of your handiwork.

The Volunteer Center at United Way of Central Carolinas focuses specifically on customized team-building events – a free service for any organization running a United Way campaign. Just tell us your group’s size, availability, and interests, and we’ll find the perfect opportunity for you from among the 90+ agencies we serve – we keep an updated database of all their volunteer needs.

Inspire your team by volunteering at the outset of your campaign, to provide them a better sense of how they can make a difference. Or, bring your team out afterward to give them a view of what is already being achieved. Regardless of the timing, we can tailor the volunteer opportunity to your desires year-round.

Please call us at (704) 371-6324 or email volunteercenter@uwcentralcarolinas.org for more information.

If you are an individual looking to volunteer at one of the 90+ agencies we serve, email  Sarah Degnan or call at (704) 371-6255.

If you’re looking for an individual opportunity to provide direct volunteer service anywhere else in the community, we encourage you to visit Hands On Charlotte.