San Diego Volunteer, Charity, and Fundraising Resources

How to Volunteer

San Diegans have never shied away from a good cause—they donate their time, money, and household items to local and national organizations that need them. San Diegans may be loathe to see any new taxes enacted, but they are quick to donate money and time in the wake of a large-scale disaster and are generous with those organizations that they feel enhance their quality of everyday life. And since this is San Diego, giving is done with style and often a lot of fun—there’s even a volunteer group for singles!

While anyone wanting to become involved with a particular museum or neighborhood charity will already have a good idea about how to do so, there are other organizations in San Diego that may introduce you to causes that you hadn’t previously considered. With our list as a resource you can find an area of San Diego life to enhance, and a new social network as well.

Where to Volunteer

American Red Cross

When the wildfires roared through parts of San Diego the American Red Cross was a source of aid and comfort to many of its citizens. Give back to the organization that has played such a large role in the lives of many San Diegans.
Telephone: 858-309-1261
American Red Cross Website

National Charity League, San Diego Chapter

Is a group for mothers and daughters to work within their communities; their mission is to encourage philanthropic interests while strengthening familial bonds. Chapters are also active in Poway, San Diego del Norte, San Dieguito, and San Luis Rey.
Email: NCLWebmaster@nclsandiego.org
National Charity League, San Diego Chapter Website

San Diego Animal Support Foundation

Provides opportunities to work with animals in kennels and shelters throughout San Diego. They also have a foster program for those who can keep a pet in their home, or opportunities for people to organize fundraising events for animal causes.
PO Box 880133
San Diego, CA 92168
Phone: 619-847-8755
Email: SDAnimalSupport@aol.com
San Diego Animal Support Foundation Website

Worldwide Resources for Volunteering, Training and Best Practices

City of San Diego Volunteer Program

Help keep San Diego’s beaches and parks running, or lend a hand in one of the city’s libraries, recreation centers, or government offices. One easy application can let you give back to the city you live in, and maybe pick up some job training along the way!
Citywide Volunteer Program
663 E. San Ysidro Blvd.,
San Diego, CA 92173
Fax: 619-424-0235
Email: volunteer@sandiego.gov
City of San Diego Volunteer Program Website

Craig’s List—San Diego Volunteers Classifieds

It’s where you bought your first used surfboard, and now you can use it to find a way to donate your time. Among the requests for medical volunteers you can find local organizations with opportunities for you to make a positive difference in your community.
Craig's List-San Diego Volunteers Classifieds Website

Lycos Classifieds

It is an online search engine that lists local volunteer opportunities and charities, as well as goods that those charities accept as donations.
Lycos Classifieds Website

Masterplanner Calendar—San Diego

An online subscription service that allows charities to list their events for free. For subscribers, you have a calendar that lists local charity events allowing you to plan your year and avoid any scheduling conflicts.
Editor/event listings email: masterplannersd@bizbash.com
Master Planner Calendar Website

Backpage.com

The online classifieds section of the San Diego Reader contains listings for local volunteer positions.
Backpage.com Website

San Diego Volunteer Opportunities

It is an online resource that lists volunteer openings around the county, as well as a feed for news that affects the local nonprofit community.
San Diego Volunteer Opportunities Website

Volunteer Match

It is a national database used to connect potential volunteers to the organizations that need them. You can search for volunteer opportunities by zip code and once you register you can receive alerts about volunteer opportunities, use their website to organize your referral information, or send your volunteer resume to a nonprofit agency.
Volunteer Match Website

Local San Diego Charities, Volunteer Agencies and Projects

Better Business Bureau, Charity Seal Program

Once you’ve found a charity that fits your interests, consider checking them against this Better Business Bureau (BBB) database to see if the BBB has assessed their organization, or whether they have received any complaints.
5050 Murphy Canyon, Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92123
Telephone: 858-496-2131
Fax: 858-496-2141
Email: info@sandiego.bbb.org
Better Business Bureau Website

Charity Guide

This website contains listings of local San Diego charities for those looking to donate either money or time. The Charity Guide also offers information about making donations, such as the tax benefits associated with charitable giving.
Charity Guide Website

Oasis

It is a nonprofit organization geared towards mature adults. Oasis offers a variety of classes ranging from the arts to exercise, as well as volunteer opportunities.
Oasis c/o Macy’s
1702 Camino del Rio North, Third Floor
San Diego, CA 92108
Telephone: 619-574-0674
Fax: 619-574-0156
Oasis Website

San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

Animals are a part of the San Diego community too! Volunteer to help in three different program areas: animal services, community programs, or administration and development.
Contact: Cathy Covington, Director of Volunteers
5500 Gaines Street
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619-299-7012 ext. 2211
Email: volinfo@sdhuman.org
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA Website

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program

Lawyers volunteer their time and resources to San Diegans who need to navigate the justice system but are unable to afford legal representation.
625 Broadway, Ste. 925
San Diego, CA 92101-5499
Telephone: 619-235-5656
Fax: 619-235-5668
Email: info@sdvlp.org
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Website

San Diego Unified School District

The school district’s Community Relations Department has a variety of volunteer opportunities that can include assisting in classrooms, tutoring students, or being part of one of the organizations that keeps our schools running.
Contact: Ellen Tiffany, Community Relations Department
Telephone: 619-725-5594
Email: etiffany@sandi.net
San Diego Unified School District Website

Single Volunteers San Diego

Provides an opportunity for singles to contribute to organizations in their community while meeting other singles who share their civic-minded interests. An alternative to the singles bar scene, frequent social events and volunteer projects are emailed to members.
Single Volunteers San Diego Website

Volunteer San Diego

A large nonprofit organization dedicated to matching individuals interested in donating their time to over 800 nonprofits working in the San Diego community. Volunteer San Diego will also help nonprofits, businesses, and schools develop or better organize their own volunteer programs.
Telephone: 858-636-4127
Volunteer San Diego Website