The High Desert Museum, just south of Bend, is the largest cultural institution in Central and Eastern Oregon and the only museum in the nation devoted to North America's High Desert. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers support nearly every part of the Museum, from staffing exhibits and leading hands-on activities for visitors to helping school groups on field trips, assisting at Admissions, and interpreting living history and natural history at various sites. Read more ›
Who can volunteerAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)Oregon Health Plan Hours
Bend Park and Recreation District manages Bend's parks, trails, and recreation facilities, including Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, Larkspur Community Center, and the Deschutes River Trail, and offers year-round sports, fitness, youth, and senior programs for residents of all ages and abilities.
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers coach youth sports, help care for parks and trails through project days (weeding, litter cleanup, trail maintenance), and support recreation programs — including teen-specific roles like Cougar Camp counselors, Junior Lifeguard and Swim Instructor Aides. Read more ›
Who can volunteerPreteens (10–12)Adolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)
Provides primary care, mental health and dental services regardless of the ability to pay. Sliding scale discounts available to those eligible.
Volunteering looks likeOutreach and event volunteering: representing Mosaic at community events, staffing a booth, set-up and tear-down. Advisory roles: a Fundraising Advisory Council, plus Patient Advisory Councils for Mosaic patients. Read more ›
Who can volunteerCorporate / Workplace GroupsAdults (19+)Older adults (65+)Oregon Health Plan Hours
Lines for Life is an Oregon nonprofit dedicated to preventing substance use and suicide. It operates free, confidential crisis and support lines, including Oregon's 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, YouthLine for teens and young adults, and support lines for veterans and military families, alongside prevention education and training for communities across the state.
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers answer calls on the in-person crisis line in Portland, supporting people facing suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, and loneliness after extensive training. Read more ›
Who can volunteerAdults (19+)Older adults (65+)
Bend-La Pine Schools is the public school district serving Bend, La Pine, Sunriver, and surrounding communities in Deschutes County, with elementary, middle, and high schools, magnet and choice schools like Westside Village and REALMS, and programs such as the Teen Parent Program. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers support students in schools across the district, helping in classrooms and libraries, chaperoning field trips, mentoring and tutoring, and helping with school events. Read more ›
Who can volunteerFamiliesAdults (19+)Older adults (65+)
The American Red Cross Cascades Region serves Central and Eastern Oregon, responding to home fires and other disasters with shelter, food, and emergency support, collecting lifesaving blood, teaching CPR, first aid, and home fire safety, and supporting military families and veterans. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteer roles include Disaster Action Team responders, blood drive support, home fire safety campaign outreach, CPR/first aid instructors, and shelter workers during emergencies. Read more ›
Who can volunteerAdults (19+)Older adults (65+)
An independent, all-volunteer Oregon nonprofit started and run by Silver Rail Elementary parents after the October 15, 2026 shooting. The fund supports every child who was in the building that day (plus their siblings and the children of adults who were there) with what they need to heal and feel like kids again: activities, classes, outings, play, counseling, and therapy. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeCommittee-based volunteering: fundraising and grant leads, recruiting business sponsors, lining up arts and enrichment providers, trauma-informed care advising, event planning and chaperoning, helping families with… Read more ›
Who can volunteerAdults (19+)Older adults (65+)
High Desert Robotics & Rotors Expositions (HDRex), a program of Connect Central Oregon, inspires the next generation of Central Oregon leaders through hands-on robotics and drone experiences. Read more ›
Who can volunteerGroupsCorporate / Workplace GroupsSchool GroupsAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)
Family Kitchen serves free, nutritious hot meals to anyone who needs one, no questions asked, in a safe and caring environment. Powered largely by volunteers, it serves dine-in and to-go meals and delivers meals to shelters and camps in Bend, Redmond, and Sisters.
Volunteering looks likeVolunteer shifts include cooking, serving meals, washing dishes, prepping to-go boxes, and delivering meals to shelters and camps. Individual and group shifts are available across Bend, Redmond, and Sisters locations.
Who can volunteerGroupsAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)
A faith-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, case management, and recovery support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon.
Volunteering looks likeVolunteer opportunities include serving meals, helping with donation drives, and mentoring guests working to rebuild stability after homelessness or addiction, across Bend and Redmond shelter locations.
Who can volunteerAdults (19+)Older adults (65+)Oregon Health Plan Hours
The High Desert Botanical Garden, a project of the High Desert Horticultural Center, is a planned regional botanical garden for Central Oregon, conceived to help residents and visitors understand and connect with the plant communities of the high desert east of the Cascades. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers help build the garden from the ground up: serving on an advisory board that draws on deep knowledge of High Desert ecosystems, helping raise funds and spread the word, and pitching in on behind-the-scenes tasks like mailings. Read more ›
Who can volunteerAdults (19+)Older adults (65+)
The Oregon High Desert Grotto is Central Oregon's caving club, a Bend-based chapter of the National Speleological Society founded in 1989. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers and members help protect Central Oregon's caves through cleanups and graffiti removal, cave surveying and mapping, and photo documentation, often alongside land managers and local partners. Read more ›
Who can volunteerGroupsAdults (19+)Older adults (65+)