Region
Volunteer Opportunities in Madras, Oregon
Matching organizations, in a different order on every visit
Central Oregon Volunteer Connect
also known as COVC, Volunteer Connect, Volunteer Central Oregon
Central Oregon Volunteer Connect is a program of Connect Central Oregon representing one of their four pillars - alongside Mentoring, Innovation, and Partnership. It's a regional infrastructure, shaped and stewarded by community leaders over more than two decades connecting organizations, volunteers, emerging leaders, and community energy across Central Oregon. Along with direct partnership outreach across the region, most notably the Connect Central Oregon Volunteer & Board Fair — the in-person event connecting volunteers and organizations face to face, their Volunteer Central Oregon directory allows browsing or searching to find organizations across Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties, and Warm Springs looking for volunteers, donors, and community partners.
Connect Central Oregon is always looking for leaders who want to help connect individuals, groups, and organizations to each other and strengthen our community. One of the most important roles within the entire organization, serving as a "Connector" represents the very purpose of ConnectCO and serves as the primary method of our community engagement...using very literally every resource ConnectCO and its leadership team have to offer.
Connect Central Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that strengthens communities in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties (plus Warm Springs) by connecting people with volunteer opportunities, board positions, and mentorship. It promotes civic engagement, community leadership, and innovation through platforms like Central Oregon Volunteer Connect.
Volunteers help run CCO's community events, from volunteer and board fairs to robotics and drone expositions, support community media production, and help keep the Volunteer Central Oregon directory accurate by reviewing organization listings. Students and groups are welcome, and CCO can sign off on community service hours.
Heart of Oregon Corps empowers young people ages 16–24 through jobs, job training, education, and service to Central Oregon communities. Its programs include YouthBuild, where youth build affordable homes while continuing their education, the High Desert and Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, Camp LEAD, and Food Heroes. Since 2000, it has served more than 4,750 youth who are disconnected from school and work.
Volunteers can mentor a young person working to build job skills and finish their education, join the Employer Advisory Council to connect Corps members with local employers and careers, or serve on the Board of Directors (two seats are reserved for program alumni, and no prior board experience is needed). General volunteer opportunities are also available through the inquiry form.
Think Wild is Central and Eastern Oregon's only public wildlife hospital and conservation center, located on four acres on Bend's east side. Its veterinary staff and volunteers rescue, treat, and release hundreds of injured and orphaned native animals each year, from hummingbirds and flying squirrels to bald eagles and bobcats. Think Wild also runs a wildlife hotline, humane wildlife conflict help, Beaver Works Oregon habitat restoration, and education programs and camps for youth and the community. Found injured or orphaned wildlife? Call the hotline at 541-241-8680 (8am–6pm daily).
Volunteers help in the wildlife hospital with animal care, diet prep, and enclosure upkeep; rescue and transport injured wildlife; care for ambassador animals; support education programs, camps, and community events; and assist with humane wildlife conflict projects. Youth and family volunteering is available for kids and teens, and families and groups can join habitat restoration through Beaver Works Oregon. Training is provided.
Caldera, founded in 1996 by Dan Wieden and Priscilla Bernard Wieden, inspires and supports youth from underserved urban and rural communities by awakening the potential of their creative voice. Its free, long-term youth program pairs kids with artists and mentors for seven-plus years through school-year programming and summer camps at its campus on Blue Lake west of Sisters, blending art, music, dance, writing, film, and time in nature. It also hosts an Artists in Residence program. In 2015 it was the first Oregon nonprofit to win the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, presented at the White House.
Volunteers support events and workshops that bring the community together, help in operational roles that keep programs running, and take on youth program support roles, sharing their knowledge and creativity with students ages 12 to 18. Commitments range from a few hours a month to more, year-round, in Central Oregon communities and the Portland area.
Ignite Empowerment Foundation
also known as IEF
IEF partners with people and organizations doing meaningful work and help build the structure around their vision. Through fiscal sponsorship, organizational support, strategic guidance, practical systems, and collaborative partnerships, they create the conditions for good ideas to become strong, sustainable work.
Mosaic Community Health
also known as Mosaic; Mosaic Medical
Provides primary care, mental health and dental services regardless of the ability to pay. Sliding scale discounts available to those eligible.
Outreach 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. Workplace groups can take on projects such as assembling weather kits for unhoused and at-risk patients. Board committees are open to non-board members. No clinical volunteer positions are offered.
St. Charles Health System, Inc.
also known as St. Charles; St. Charles Health
St. Charles Health System is Central Oregon's nonprofit health system, operating hospitals in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, and Madras along with family care and specialty clinics, hospice, and community health programs, serving people across the region.
Volunteers serve at St. Charles hospitals and clinics in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, and Madras, greeting and guiding patients and visitors, supporting patient units and waiting areas, staffing gift shops, and helping with hospice and caregiving programs. Teen volunteer opportunities are also offered.
Jefferson County Historical Society and Museum, Inc
also known as Jefferson County Museum
The Jefferson County Historical Society operates the Jefferson County Museum in Madras, preserving and sharing the history of Jefferson County and its communities through exhibits, collections, and records.
Volunteers staff the museum and greet visitors, help care for artifacts and records, and support exhibits and community history events.
A nonprofit serving Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties through food access, housing stability, child care, and financial services, empowering individuals and families to succeed.
Volunteer opportunities include sorting and packing donated food, supporting warehouse operations, and helping with group service days for corporate and community groups across food, housing, and family support programs.
Central Oregon Open Programming
also known as COOP
Central Oregon Open Programming (COOP), a program of Connect Central Oregon, promotes community engagement by amplifying local voices through open programming: community-produced media and content made by and for people across Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties and Warm Springs.
Airshow of the Cascades
also known as Central Oregon Airshow Inc.; Bright Wood Airshow of the Cascades
The Airshow of the Cascades is a two-day aviation festival at the Madras Municipal Airport each August, drawing about 20,000 people for precision jet teams, aerobatics, historic warbirds from the Erickson Aircraft Collection, a car show, live music, and family activities. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it gives local civic organizations a chance to raise money for their programs and scholarships.
About 300 volunteers make the airshow happen each year, and many return year after year. Volunteers get free admission on each day they work, free entry to the Erickson Aircraft Museum, snacks and drinks, an official Ground Crew T-shirt, an orientation to the historic WWII Madras Airfield, and an invite to the annual kickoff party. Registration opens each spring.
You haven't seen them all yet. There are more organizations below.