Let's be honest… you want to help your community, but figuring out where to start volunteering can feel like trying to navigate I-95 during rush hour. Fort Lauderdale has over 600 nonprofit organizations looking for volunteers, which sounds amazing until you realize that's also completely overwhelming. The good news? This guide cuts through the noise to show you exactly where to go, what to expect, and how to actually make a difference without losing your sanity in the process.
Start here if you're completely new to volunteering
The volunteer world in Fort Lauderdale can feel like a maze, but there's actually a secret weapon that makes everything easier. HandsOn Broward coordinates with over 600 nonprofit partners across the county, and here's the beautiful part… most opportunities don't require long-term commitments. You can literally try different causes until you find your thing, like volunteer speed dating but with more purpose and less awkward small talk.
If you're the type who wants to jump in immediately and help tackle serious problems, Feeding South Florida should be your first stop. They're the region's hunger relief powerhouse, and they need people for everything from sorting donations to preparing meals in community kitchens. Just remember to register in advance through their SignUpGenius system because they don't accept walk-ins. Yes, even volunteering has bouncer rules now.
The easiest ways to test the waters
Want to volunteer but commitment-phobic? Join the monthly Fort Lauderdale Beach Sweep happening every second Saturday from 7:00 to 11:00 AM at 300 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard. No background checks, no lengthy applications, just show up and help clean up after people who apparently think the beach is their personal trash can.
The bigger environmental events are where you'll really see community power in action. The Annual Waterway Cleanup in March typically draws over 3,000 volunteers to 33 different waterfront locations, while September's International Coastal Cleanup brought 2,300 volunteers who collected more than 3,100 pounds of trash in 2024. These events prove that Fort Lauderdale residents care deeply about their environment, and also that tourists leave behind a shocking amount of stuff.
Animal lovers, this section is for you
Fort Lauderdale's animal welfare scene is robust, but it's also where you'll encounter some of the more… let's call them "thorough" application processes. The Humane Society of Broward County at 2070 Griffin Road runs one of the most structured volunteer programs in the region, which means they're serious about matching volunteers with the right roles.
What you need to know before applying
The Humane Society requires a $40 non-refundable registration fee, monthly orientation attendance, and a multi-state criminal background check. They also expect a minimum six-month commitment working the same day and time each week. Before you start grumbling about the requirements, remember that you're working with animals who've often been through trauma, and consistency actually helps them heal and trust again.
Your volunteer options include:
- Dog walking and exercise
- Cat socialization programs
- Photography for adoption profiles
- Foster care coordination
- Special events assistance
Contact volunteer@hsbroward.com or call (954) 989-3977 to start the process, and budget about two weeks for everything to get approved.
Environmental and marine conservation opportunities
Fort Lauderdale's coastal location creates some unique volunteer opportunities you won't find in landlocked cities. The most intense but potentially life-changing option is volunteering with Sea Turtle Oversight Protection, though fair warning… they describe it as "the toughest job you'll ever love."
Sea turtle protection (for the dedicated)
S.T.O.P. volunteers conduct nighttime nest surveys and hatchling rescue operations from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM during nesting season, which runs from June through October. You'll need to complete 40 hours of supervised field training plus annual classroom instruction, and applications open in spring with training sessions in May and June that fill up faster than concert tickets.
If staying up all night to protect baby sea turtles sounds like your calling, contact them at (954) 404-0025 or volunteer@seaturtleop.net. Just know that this isn't casual volunteering… it's more like joining an environmental SWAT team.
For something more manageable, the city's Green Your Routine Program offers beach cleanups, native plant installations, and recycling quality monitoring. The catch? You must live in an officially recognized Fort Lauderdale neighborhood association. The perk? Volunteers help their associations earn grant money through the Sustainability Incentive Grant program, so you're literally helping your neighborhood while helping the environment.
Working with kids and teens
Youth development volunteering in Fort Lauderdale comes with more paperwork than adopting a child, but that's because organizations take safety seriously. The Boys & Girls Clubs at 877 NW 61st Street needs mentors and tutors, but their vetting process includes Level II background screening, fingerprints, and urinalysis that takes about two weeks to complete.
Requirements that actually make sense
The clubs require volunteers to be 18 or older and commit to at least six months, aiming for one hour weekly or five hours monthly. Before you panic about the time commitment, remember that consistency matters enormously when working with kids who might not have reliable adults in their lives. Contact Lisa Devine at ldevine@bgcbc.org or call (954) 537-1010 to get started.
Kids In Distress at 819 NE 26th Street offers a slightly different approach, welcoming volunteers for preschool support and aftercare programs with a minimum commitment of just two hours per week. They cover the cost of required Level 2 background checks for volunteers 16 and older, and younger teens can participate through fundraising, earning one community service hour for every $20 raised.
Healthcare and senior services
Hospital volunteering isn't for everyone, but Broward Health Medical Center at 1600 S. Andrews Avenue offers one of the most structured programs if you're looking for something substantial. They require a minimum of 100 hours, which breaks down to about four hours weekly for six months.
What hospital volunteering actually involves
All volunteers must complete PPD testing, wear uniforms, and commit to regular schedules, but each four-hour shift includes a meal ticket. Your duties might include patient transport, information desk coverage, and special events support. Important note… you won't be doing any medical procedures or physician shadowing, despite what medical dramas might suggest about volunteer responsibilities.
The program has separate contacts for different age groups: teens and college students should call (954) 468-8069, while adults can reach out to (954) 355-5374.
Senior services offer more flexible options through the Area Agency on Aging at (954) 357-6622, including health insurance assistance and friendly visiting programs. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program specifically recruits volunteers 55 and older, providing supplemental insurance coverage and county-wide placement based on interests and skills.
Professional and specialized volunteering
Fort Lauderdale's professional volunteer scene goes way beyond stuffing envelopes at fundraisers. If you're a Florida Bar member, Broward Lawyers Care at Legal Aid Service coordinates pro bono civil legal services, from three-hour weekly advice hotline shifts to comprehensive representation. Their Mission United Veterans Pro Bono Project has provided over $6.8 million in donated legal services to more than 10,000 veterans, which is the kind of impact that makes law school debt feel slightly more justified.
Tax season volunteering (seasonal but impactful)
The VITA Tax Assistance Program, coordinated through HandsOn Broward and Hispanic Unity of Florida, trains volunteers in IRS-certified tax preparation to serve families earning under $75,000. Since 2003, the program has returned over $540 million to the Broward community, operating from January through April when most of us are drowning in W-2s and pretending we understand tax law.
Contact 954-964-8884 or visit vitataxesfree.org to join this seasonal opportunity that actually helps people keep more of their hard-earned money.
Family volunteering and group options
Volunteering with kids can be tricky, but HandsOn Broward has figured out how to make it work through specialized programs like Kindness Crew for ages 5-12 and Teen Service Squad for adolescents. Adults need to create team accounts and complete waivers for all children before signing up for projects together, because apparently even volunteering requires permission slips now.
Corporate teams looking for meaningful team-building can work with Habitat for Humanity (954-396-3030), which accommodates groups of 5-15 people on construction sites. HandsOn Broward's corporate solutions team, led by Bari Goldberg at bari@handsonbroward.org, creates custom volunteer days and team-building events for companies of all sizes.
The paperwork nobody warns you about
Let's talk about background checks, because this is where volunteer enthusiasm often meets bureaucratic reality. Level 1 checks are name-based state searches that process within a week, while Level 2 checks include FBI fingerprinting, cost between $25-75, and remain valid for five years. Organizations like Jack & Jill Center, Covenant House Florida, and Broward County Public Schools require Level 2 clearance for certain positions.
What you actually need to get started
Healthcare facilities additionally require TB testing, available at CVS MinuteClinic locations, with a two-part test requiring a follow-up visit within 48-72 hours. Standard documentation includes government-issued photo ID, Social Security number for background checks, 2-3 references, and signed liability waivers. Organizations typically need 1-4 weeks for application processing, so don't expect to start volunteering tomorrow unless you're joining a beach cleanup.
Required documentation checklist:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security number
- Personal and professional references
- Signed liability waivers
- Patience for processing delays
Emergency and disaster response
Living in South Florida means hurricane season is a fact of life, and the American Red Cross Broward County Chapter at 600 NE 3rd Avenue recruits Shelter Heroes and Disaster Action Team members year-round. Volunteers must be 18 or older, complete background checks, and attend required training sessions, but during hurricane season from June through November, trained volunteers receive emergency deployment notifications that can literally save lives.
Virtual volunteering has expanded significantly since 2020, with Red Cross hosting virtual open houses the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 PM for those interested in remote disaster response support. Register at volunteerconnection.redcross.org or contact Colleen.Raniere@redcross.org at (561) 718-4489.
Seasonal events and holiday opportunities
Fort Lauderdale's volunteer calendar peaks during specific seasons, with holiday volunteering through HandsOn South Florida including the Holiday Elves Initiative that sponsors families with personalized wish lists and collects 400 Thanksgiving meal kits. The Great Beach Cleanup & Holiday Toy Drive combines environmental action with toy collection for sick children, because apparently we can multitask our good deeds.
Beach and waterway cleanups happen year-round, but the big environmental events draw serious crowds. The Annual Waterway Cleanup in March historically attracts over 3,000 volunteers to 33 waterfront locations, while the International Coastal Cleanup each September brings together thousands of people united in their dismay at how much trash humans can generate.
Actually getting started (the practical stuff)
Here's the truth… successful volunteering in Fort Lauderdale starts with matching your interests, skills, and availability to the right opportunity rather than just picking the first thing that sounds good. Consider beginning with one-time events like beach cleanups or food sorting to explore different organizations before making longer commitments, because volunteer breakups are awkward for everyone involved.
When contacting organizations, have your availability, references, and identification ready to expedite the application process. Budget time for orientation and training since even simple volunteer roles often require 1-2 hours of initial instruction, while specialized positions like tax assistance or disaster response demand more extensive preparation.
Most organizations prefer volunteers who can maintain regular schedules, as consistency helps them plan programs and serve clients effectively. Remember that background check processing can take 1-4 weeks, so apply well before you hope to begin volunteering unless you enjoy the thrill of uncertainty.
Fort Lauderdale's volunteer infrastructure means meaningful opportunities exist for everyone, regardless of age, schedule, or physical abilities. From virtual tax assistance to overnight sea turtle patrols, from corporate team builds to family-friendly park cleanups, the pathway to community service is clear and accessible once you know where to look. Your journey to making a difference in Fort Lauderdale really can begin with a single email or phone call today, though it might take a few weeks of paperwork before you actually get to help anyone.
