10 Fall Volunteer Opportunities for Middle School Students

Volunteering can be a great way to connect with and serve your community while developing valuable life skills. While in middle school, volunteering can help you get early exposure to community service and the work of nonprofits. 

Why should I volunteer as a middle school student?

Beyond the immediate impact of your contributions, these experiences can significantly enhance your profile, offering a unique addition to future resumes and providing early networking opportunities. Volunteering is also a cost-free way to explore potential career interests, build character, and understand the importance of civic engagement. If you are eager to make a difference during the school year, exploring local volunteer options in the fall is a great first step. 

In this blog, we have curated a list of 10 fall volunteer opportunities for middle school students. We have focused on options that are both accessible and impactful, and can be a valuable addition to your resume.

1. American Red Cross Youth Programs

Location: Varies by local chapter across the U.S.

Cost: Free

Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year

Application deadline: Rolling admissions for most local chapters

Eligibility: K-12 students

The American Red Cross offers various programs where young volunteers can contribute to its humanitarian mission. You can join or start a Red Cross Club at your school and contribute to solving important local issues in creative and impactful ways. The organization also provides structured training and resources, allowing you to learn about public health, safety, and community service logistics. You can also consider the Youth and Young Adult Ambassador Program, which creates leadership opportunities for young volunteers and provides ongoing involvement with the National Youth Council. Whichever option you choose, the American Red Cross can help you connect with peers, make a meaningful contribution to society, and develop practical skills as well as a network of connections.

2. Children's Museum of Indianapolis Teen Museum Apprentice Program

Location: Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided

Dates: School year program requiring a weekly commitment from September through May.

Application deadline: Typically, spring

Eligibility: Students, ages 13–18

This is a well-known application-based paid program where students work alongside museum staff in a variety of roles. As an apprentice, you will undergo training to learn how to engage with visitors, assist with educational programs, and help maintain exhibits. This is structured like a real job, making it a professional development opportunity where you can build skills in public speaking, customer service, and museum operations. The program runs throughout the school year and requires at least six hours of work at the museum each month, as well as volunteering with the museum once per semester.

3. Youth Service America (YSA) Campaigns & Events

Location: Varies (projects conducted in the student's local community)

Cost: Free to participate; grants may be available to cover project costs.

Dates: Key service days in September, with ongoing project support through the fall.

Application deadline: Varies by grant cycle and event; check the YSA website for fall deadlines.

Eligibility: Open to all youth, including students in grades 6 – 8

Youth Service America is a national organization that is designed to help young people serve their communities. Its fall initiatives, such as the 9/11 Day of Service, the MLK Day of Service, and the ServiceVote, provide a framework for students to plan and implement their own community service projects. YSA offers toolkits, project ideas, and even grants to support youth-led initiatives. This program is less about a single location and more about empowering students to become community leaders, offering you a chance to develop planning, organizing, and outreach skills with national support.

4. Habitat for Humanity Youth Programs

Location: Varies by local Habitat for Humanity affiliate

Cost: Free

Dates: Vary by event, with many fundraising and advocacy events taking place in the fall.

Application deadline: Rolling; contact your local affiliate.

Eligibility: Open to all, ages 5 – 40; middle schoolers can engage in non-construction activities.

Habitat for Humanity's youth programs allow students to contribute to the organization’s goal of providing safe and affordable housing. While on-site construction is limited to those 16 and older, middle schoolers can participate in crucial support roles. For instance, you may engage in fundraising, advocating for affordable housing, or helping at a Habitat ReStore. The programs are structured through local chapters and provide a clear way for younger students to learn about social issues, advocacy, and nonprofit operations. This can also be an opportunity to learn about housing issues and community needs in the country.

5. DoSomething.org Campaigns

Location: Online and in your local community

Cost: Free

Dates: Various campaigns run throughout the year

Application deadline: None; you can join campaigns when they are launched.

Eligibility: Open to all; you can join campaigns meant for children in your age group

DoSomething.org is a digital platform that empowers young people to participate in social change through online and real-world campaigns. It runs campaigns for everything from street cleanups and river cleaning to scam identification, trash disposal, voter education, and fighting misinformation. The platform provides toolkits and guides to help you organize your own local campaigns. This can be an accessible and structured platform that allows you to volunteer from anywhere and see the collective impact of your actions.

6. Jersey Cares Youth Service Opportunities

Location: Jersey Cares, Livingston, NJ

Cost: Free

Dates: November 19 (upcoming event); various events available throughout the year; 

Application deadline: Rolling enrollment

Eligibility: Students, ages 4 – 18

Jersey Cares is a non-profit that connects people to volunteering opportunities in the state. Its Youth Service Events allow volunteers ages 4 – 18 and their families to engage in projects that benefit a local nonprofit, public school, or community organization. The projects can vary, but typically allow you to create kits to be donated to one of Jersey Cares' nonprofit partners. In the past, these events have focused on preparing Teacher Appreciation Kits for public school teachers in NJ and First Responder Kits for service men and women. The upcoming fall event allows you to prepare Snow Day Kits for children in foster care.

7. Brooklyn Public Library’s Book Buddy Program

Location: Various library branches throughout Brooklyn, NY.

Cost: Free

Dates: Flexible scheduling available; requires commitment of two to three hours a day for up to three days a week and at least three months in the school year

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Students, ages 12 – 18

The Brooklyn Public Library’s Book Buddies program allows you to assist with tasks like reading to younger children as well as planning, conducting, and evaluating children's programs. This can be an opportunity to act as a community liaison for the library and assist staff with special projects. This volunteer position involves significant commitment, requiring up to nine hours of work per week for three months. If you want to gain experience in mentorship, technology, and literacy promotion, you can consider this program.

8. Cradles to Crayons Teen Leadership Corps

Location: Cradles to Crayons locations in Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; New York, NY

Cost: Free

Dates: Various events stretching from July through April

Application deadline: April 30 for the next year’s Corps

Eligibility: Current 8th-grade students about to enter 9th grade

Cradles to Crayons provides children from low-income families with essential items. Its Teen Leadership Corps is a structured volunteering opportunity that allows you to participate in multiple activities throughout the year, including working at its Giving Factory, assisting with distribution efforts, raising funds, and representing the organization at your school and community. You will serve as an ambassador for Cradles to Crayons and find opportunities to develop leadership skills and learn about community organizing. While it is meant for students about to begin high school, you can consider applying before starting 9th grade.

9. City of San José Youth Advisory Council

Location: City Hall and various locations in San José, CA

Cost: Free

Dates: YAC members serve a term + engage in meetings and events throughout the year

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: San José youth, ages 13 – 19

The YAC is a formal advisory body to the Mayor and City Council of San José. Any teen resident can apply to volunteer as a YAC member and contribute to civic engagement through local and city-wide events. The role involves attending regular meetings, participating in community service projects, and providing a youth perspective on city policy. This is a structured civic engagement program that can help you build skills in leadership, public policy, and community organizing. You will engage in meetings and projects that are organized throughout the year.

10. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay Teen Program

Location: The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL

Cost: One-time fee of $75 to cover supplies

Dates: Weekly programs with a 10-hour commitment

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Students, ages 12 – 15

This program is designed for students looking to volunteer independently at the animal shelter. Following an orientation, you will be assigned a regular weekly shift where you will perform specific, supervised duties in different aspects of animal care. Responsibilities include grooming and bathing animals, working on their housing and care, socializing with the animals during enrichment activities, and even helping with adoption events and educational outreach. This program provides direct, hands-on experience in animal welfare.

One more option—Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.

The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Director, Dhruva, at dhruva.bhat@lumiere.education, or go to our website.

Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year. You can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the upcoming cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source - American Red Cross logo