Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit.

All we know is there are more than enough great causes in NOVA to support with your time, whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast. Here are 30+ volunteer opportunities to get involved with around Arlington, Alexandria, and beyond.

Natural-born teachers and mentors

Campagna Center | Take part in serving 2,000+ families in Alexandria every year by tutoring school-aged kiddos K-5 or assisting its adult English language learning program for refugees and immigrants.

A Space of Her Own (SOHO) | Female mentors are wanted for weekly artmaking sessions with 5th-grade girls from undeserved communities. Build relationships, impart important life skills, and redecorate her room with your collaborative creations to give her a “space of her own.”

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington | With eight locations scattered around NOVA, you can make a difference in the lives of local kids as they develop academic and social skills in a safe + supportive setting.

Those on a tight schedule

Northern Virginia Bird Alliance | Rather than commit to a rolling schedule, sign up for one-off habitat restoration sessions with set weekly hours.

Volunteer Alexandria | Whether you'd rather stock the farmers market stalls or craft for a cause, this handy-dandy calendar allows you to make the most of your day off.

Homeward Trails Animal Rescue | Its Peace Out Room program allows volunteers to work, read, or watch Netflix alongside an adoptable dog. They get much-needed socialization, and you get some much-needed cuddles.

Homebodies

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue | With nearly as many remote options as there are in-person ways to give back, this nonprofit needs volunteers willing to assist with fundraising, foster counseling, social media, and more.

Historic Alexandria | Passionate about sharing stories from our past? Sign up to transcribe historical documents virtually, following online training with Alexandria Archaeology.

Reading Partners | No prior experience is needed for in-person or virtual volunteers offering one-on-one instruction for a little over one hour each week.

The artsy types

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association | Fill your free time with fine art and offer up your skills in all sorts of departments, including as gallery docents, groundskeepers, performing arts assistants, and social media personnel.

Falls Church Arts | This volunteer-run organization takes all kinds, including the spreadsheet-savvy ready to sort show entries and art dropoffs.

Wolf Trap | We know you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart, but scoring free entry to select shows is a pretty sweet deal.

Workhouse Arts Center | Inspire the next generation of artists by volunteering your time with the center's spring and summer camps.

Animal lovers

Fairfax County Animal Shelter | Have a soft spot for small animals? Multiple campuses are looking for volunteers to specialize in assisting with rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, birds, etc.

Humane Society of Fairfax County | Animal-lovers with allergies can share the love (without the sniffles) by stocking the shelves at the shelter thrift store.

Animal Welfare League of Arlington | Local leaders can lend their skills by opting for a position on its Board of Directors or bringing their team in as part of its Corporate Animal Care Crew program.

SPCA of Northern Virginia | Without a shelter building, this nonprofit needs foster home helpers to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome its cats and dogs.

Outdoorsy types

NOVA Parks | Whether you prefer to wander the woods or gush over gardening techniques, share your love of NOVA's natural setting with guided tours and community groups.

Remove Invasive Plants (RIP) | Learn to identify native species and cut back on those that aren't, literally. May they rest in pieces.

Fairfax County Watershed Cleanup | Take part in a decade-long effort to keep trash — like tires, plastic bottles, cans, etc. — from damaging the nation's largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay.

Those who love to stay active

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington | "It's fun to stay at the..." you know how it goes. Keep your community moving and grooving by lending your talents to its many events + initiatives, like the childhood obesity prevention program PHD.

Vélocity Bicycle Cooperative | If cycling gets your wheels turning, take Vélocity's bicycle maintenance training and help its mission to turn NOVA into a less car-centric region.

Special Olympics Virginia | Share your love of the game as a coach, teammate, or cheerleader for local athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Good neighbors

NOVA Veterans Association | Give back to those who served our country in a variety of roles — including Vets Connect, which builds social connections with elderly and/or disabled veterans through calls or in-person visits.

Road to Recovery Driver | Keep local cancer patients from worrying about reliable transportation by offering free rides to treatments across the region.

The Lamb Center | Whether you're feeding guests or sorting the clothing closet, build community and care for individuals experiencing homelessness at this daytime drop-in shelter.

Supporters of victims of abuse

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) | Be a trusted adult in the courtroom and everyday life for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.

Domestic + Sexual Violence Services Volunteers | Break the cycle by assisting with its 24-hour hotline, hospital accompaniment services, or 18-week intervention program for perpetrators.

Called to work with children

Northern Virginia Family Service | Continue its mission to help families thrive with wrap-around services, including the region's largest family homeless shelter and the Hunger Resource Center.

Kids Give Back | Keep volunteer opportunities available for children ages 6-12 by offering your own time + expertise with an events committee position.

Girls in Gear | Teach young girls to take life by the handlebars as you weave life lessons into bike-riding coaching sessions.

The Clothesline | Twice a year, this free clothing store stocks school-aged children with seasonal necessities. You can help by organizing clothing drives at neighborhood schools or assisting with shop duties.