π οΈ Where + How to Volunteer on Martha's Vineyard
your MVacay guide to volunteer opportunities across mv in 2025
Ready to volunteer on MV? This guide helps to get you started, using the Marthaβs Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative Directory to highlight opportunities, with a few of my personal tips.
The Martha's Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative (MVNPC) supports and strengthens the island's nonprofit sector by fostering collaboration, providing resources, and addressing community needs. I love that there is a centralized organization helping to unite all these amazing efforts!
There is so much to consider when finding a volunteer match. What interests you? What aligns with your schedule? What aligns with your strengths? This guide is here to help you match your schedule and passions with ways to help out in the community and make a real difference.
Key to Volunteering
Visual Guide Using Emojis:
π Recurring time commitment
π Must Apply First
β³ One-Time Commitment
π§ Solo Work
π§βπ€βπ§ Group Work
βοΈ Summer only or seasonal
π£οΈ Public-facing roles
π οΈ Skill-based volunteering
π High-need areas
π΅ Opportunities with the elderly
πΆ Child-related volunteering
π Environmental or conservation efforts
π₯ Health and wellness volunteering
π¨ Arts and Culture
MVacay Nonprofit Directory
Here is a list of volunteer spots. Itβs not a full list, but itβs a great place to start! The MV Nonprofit Directory has the most up-to-date list of organizations.
Sustainability
Vineyard Conservation Society ππππ§π§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Sheriffβs Meadow Foundation ππππ£οΈπ οΈ
Island Grown Initiative ππππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈπ§
BiodiversityWorks ππππ§π§βπ€βπ§
Vineyard Power Cooperative ππππ§βπ€βπ§
Martha's Vineyard Garden Club πππ
Friends of Sengekontacket ππππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Mass Audubon Society Felix Neck Sanctuary πππ§βπ€βπ§
Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society πππ§βπ€βπ§π¨
Education and Youth
NAACP Marthaβs Vineyard ππππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Camp Jabberwocky πππ§βπ€βπ§π§βοΈ
Marthaβs Vineyard Boys + Girls Club πππ§βπ€βπ§π§π₯
Sail MV πππ§βπ€βπ§π§βοΈ
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands πππ§βπ€βπ§π§
ACE MV πππ οΈπ§π¨
Island Autism Group πππ§βπ€βπ§π§
Arts
Martha's Vineyard Playhouse π¨πππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Featherstone Center for the Arts π¨πππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Martha's Vineyard Museum π¨πππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
The Yard π¨πππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Circuit Arts π¨πππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District π¨πππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Oak Bluffs Association πππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Visit Edgartown πππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Stillpoint πππ§π§βπ€βπ§
Housing
Habitat for Humanity of Marthaβs Vineyard π πππ§βπ€βπ§π οΈ
Island Housing Trust Corporation π πππ§π οΈ
Harbor Homes of Marthaβs Vineyard π πππ§π§βπ€βπ§
Martha's Vineyard Community Foundation πππ§βπ€βπ§π οΈ
The Process: Once you reach out to an organization, they will ask you about the type and frequency of work you want to be involved in. Then, they will likely have you fill out some forms, or depending on the type of work, a background check. This process can take a few weeks, so be patient and stay motivated!
Health Services
Marthaβs Vineyard Community Services π₯πππ§βπ€βπ§πΆπ΅
Island Food Pantry π₯πππ§π§βπ€βπ§π
Marthaβs Vineyard Center for Living π₯πππ§π΅
Hospice of Marthaβs Vineyard π₯πππ§π§βπ€βπ§π΅
Friends of Family Planning of Marthaβs Vineyard π₯πππ§π§βπ€βπ§
Martha's Vineyard Cancer Support Group π₯πππ§βπ€βπ§
Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands π₯πππ§π΅
The Red House Peer Recovery Support Center π₯πππ§π§βπ€βπ§π
Community Services
Animal Shelter of Marthaβs Vineyard πΎπππ§π§βπ€βπ§
League of Women Voters of Martha's Vineyard πππ§βπ€βπ§π£οΈ
Vineyard House π₯πππ§
Red Stocking Fund π₯πππ§βπ€βπ§πΆπ
Not Listed: Individual neighborhood associations, education/school-focused groups, churches or places of worship, and other smaller or private groups that accept volunteers only on a membership-basis.
Drop-In Volunteer Options
This is the list I would want! A quick list of where you can volunteer without a recurring commitment:
Stores - Chicken Alley Thrift (MV Community Services), MV Clothes to Go and Act Two Second Hand Store
MV Center for Living
MV Cancer Support Group
Harbor Homes
Island Grown Initiative
Island Food Pantry
Want to help? Email these groups directlyβthey can tell you exactly whatβs needed. Since winter schedules change, itβs best to ask them when and where they could use your help.
Join the Facebook Group - MV Volunteers to be alerted of single-day opportunities and needs.
Additional ways to help outside of volunteer organizations:
Bring food to community food pantries/fridges (West Tisbury Library, Grace Church, Boys + Girls Club)
Donate new or used clothes (Clothes to Go, Chicken Alley or the MV Family Center)
Create care packages for seniors or individuals in recovery centers
Volunteer to teach a class at your local library
Curious about more ways to help? Check out this throwback to the 2022 MVacay Archive: