What is the time commitment for volunteering?

The number of hours you serve is up to you, but Nashville CARES asks volunteers for a real, ongoing commitment. A minimum 6-month commitment is required for roles with direct client interaction, such as care teams and food delivery.

Are there age restrictions for volunteers?

Yes. Volunteers must be 18 or older because of the sensitive information and client interaction involved in many volunteer roles.

Can I complete court-ordered community service hours with Nashville CARES?

No. Nashville CARES is not able to provide court-ordered community service hours. Hands On Nashville maintains a list of local nonprofits that may be able to help.

What kinds of volunteer opportunities are available?

Volunteer opportunities include event support, food and nutrition volunteers, office and administrative roles, and direct client support and care for people affected by HIV.

Do you offer group or corporate volunteer opportunities?

Yes. Nashville CARES offers group volunteer projects for businesses, schools, faith groups, and other organizations.

Are there medical or clinic-related volunteer roles?

Yes. Some volunteer roles support medical or clinic-related services. For details, contact the Community Engagement & Volunteer Manager at volunteer@nashvillecares.org.

How do I sign up to volunteer?

Visit the Volunteer Portal linked on the volunteers page or email volunteer@nashvillecares.org to connect with the Community Engagement & Volunteer Manager.

Volunteer Opportunities in Nashville, Tennessee

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Volunteers play an essential role supporting virtually every CARES program. From nutrition and education to special events and fundraising, there are lots of ways to make a difference.

POWERED BY PEOPLE LIKE YOU.

Group photo of Nashville Cares volunteers at the 2025 Nashville Pride Festival.

Nashville CARES offers HIV & community service opportunities in TN. Volunteer opportunities are open to individuals, as well as companies, schools and faith communities. To simply volunteer in a support role for one of our annual events (Dining Out For Life, Nashville Pride Festival, Nashville AIDS Walk & 5K Run, annual Gala fundraising event, etc.), sign up now on our Volunteer Portal. Most other volunteer roles begin with a training session and mandatory background check.

Some events listed won’t be available for volunteer sign-up until closer to the actual event date, so please check back often.

Questions? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“I knew when I retired, I wanted to volunteer. I lost several good friends to AIDS in the 80s and 90s, so I’ve always felt very strongly about supporting organizations like Nashville CARES.”

-Eileen Wollam - Nutrition, Admin & Event Volunteer

ways to volunteer

Each of us has unique gifts, talents and abilities. You might enjoy phone banking for events. Or maybe you’d prefer supporting someone living with HIV by helping paint a home or clear a yard. As a people-first organization, we want to find the perfect fit for you.

Event volunteer opportunities (Dining Out For Life, Nashville Pride Festival, Nashville AIDS Walk & 5K Run)
Food and nutrition volunteers (food delivery, pantry support)
Office and administrative volunteers
Direct client support and care projects
Group volunteer projects for businesses, schools and faith groups

Nashville Cares volunteers prepare a bulk mailing for the organization.

Food and nutrition volunteer help organize the pantry at Nashville Cares.

THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

One thing that all Nashville CARES volunteers have in common? The positivity and joy you get from taking on a meaningful service project. At a time when kindness and empathy have become more important than ever, we offer all kinds of ways to spread the love.

Getting Started

Ready to get involved? Start by clicking the link below to visit our Volunteer Portal. If you’re interested specifically in group or corporate volunteer opportunities, reach out directly to our Community Engagement & Volunteer Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We’d love to hear from you.

Group photo of Nashville Cares volunteers at a recent AIDS Wallk.

Volunteer Portal →

VOLUNTEER FAQ

Q. What Is The Time Commitment?

The number of hours you serve is up to you. But we’re looking for volunteers who can make a real commitment to CARES, and who we can build a relationship with. A minimum 6-month commitment is required, especially for roles where you have direct client interaction (care teams, food delivery).

Q. Are There Age Restrictions?

Our age minimum is 18 and over, due to the nature (sensitive information and/or interaction with clients) and difficulty level of our volunteer opportunities.

Q. Can I Work Off Court Ordered Hours?

Sorry, we are not able to provide this service. Visit Hands On Nashville for a list of area non-profits that do.