Are you looking to spend a productive fall semester? If yes, joining a volunteer program can help you work on real-world issues, explore new interests, meet like-minded people, and even start your own service projects. Volunteering in high school will provide you with practical experience, boost your college applications, and help you develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It will also help you explore different career paths and shape your high school activities to align with your interests.
Why join a fall volunteer program as a high school student?
Fall programs typically run from September to November, so they’re shorter and ideal for trying something new before a longer summer program. Smaller group sizes will allow you to work closely with instructors, ask questions, and collaborate on projects. These experiences also show your ability to take initiative, work well with others, and make a positive impact. They also give you great stories to share in personal statements about growth, achievements, and challenges.
Here are 17 fall volunteer programs for high school students, covering topics such as public health, disaster response, STEM research, and community awareness projects. For further information on fall volunteer programs for high school students, you can refer to other posts on Horizon’s blog.
17 Fall Volunteer Programs for High School Students
1. Miami-Dade State Attorney High School Volunteer Internship Program
Location: Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Minimum three months
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students
The Miami-Dade State Attorney High School Volunteer Internship Program allows students to learn about the criminal justice system and the work of the State Attorney’s Office. Before starting, you’ll go through a screening and interview process, followed by a short training. Once you begin, you’ll take on tasks like attending bond hearings, taking sworn statements from victims and witnesses, answering legal questions from the public, contacting victims, running criminal history checks, interviewing defendants, helping with protection orders, handling criminal complaints from start to filing, researching case law, and reviewing evidence to decide if charges should be filed. This program can be helpful if you’re considering a career as an attorney, paralegal, legal assistant, or in fields such as criminal justice or social work. You may also be able to earn school credit. You’ll be required to work 16–20 hours per week for at least three months during a semester.
2. DOROT Academic Year Teen Internship
Location: DOROT volunteers can serve either at their Manhattan office in New York City, NY, or by visiting older adults in their homes
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Limited cohort size
Dates: October 20 – December 12 (Fall Semester)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
The DOROT Academic Year Teen Internship allows students to volunteer with DOROT, where they connect with older adults and help create a lively intergenerational community. Each semester, you can join ongoing programs that foster friendships and understanding between teens and older adults, as well as earn service hours and receive training. To join, you must complete an application and attend an in-person group interview. Interns volunteer one afternoon a week, Monday through Thursday, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and choose from several opportunities each semester. Fall options include Home Visits, where 2–3 interns visit an older adult weekly for 45–60 minutes of conversation and companionship; assisting older adults with technology and connecting with them; Intergenerational Chess, where teens and adults 65+ teach and learn chess together; and casual meetups with games, light refreshments, and shared stories.
3. Department of Education Student Internships — Student Volunteer Trainee Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: 8–10 weeks between September and December (Fall Session)
Application Deadline: May 1 – July 31 (Fall Session)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, enrolled at an accredited school at least half-time in a related field, and have permission from their school to intern
The Department of Education (ED) offers year-round internships for students interested in federal education, policy, and administration. The Student Volunteer Trainee Program lasts 8–10 weeks and provides you with hands-on experience in areas connected to your studies or career goals. You can work in various departments, including Education Policy, Project Management, Human Resources, IT, Data Analytics, Communications, and Grants Management. You’ll also get an introduction to federal law and policy and see how they influence each other. You can attend ED events such as resume workshops, D.C. tours, brown bag lunches with senior officials, and other networking and social activities. During spring and fall, you’ll typically work 20–40 hours a week, while most summer interns work full-time. Start dates and schedules are flexible and set during the interview. All open positions are posted on usajobs.gov.
4. Rustic Pathways Climate Leaders Fellowship
Location: Virtual via Zoom; the Summer Climate Leaders Fellowship Summit takes place in person at a different location each year
Cost/Stipend: Students can join the program for free and choose to pay what they want after completing it | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Maximum 200 students per cohort
Dates: October 10 – December 9
Application Deadline: September 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
The Rustic Pathways Climate Leaders Fellowship connects high school students worldwide who are passionate about tackling local climate challenges. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work with a global cohort to design and carry out community projects that reduce climate impacts, as well as bond and collaborate with other Fellows. The fellowship is run by Rustic Pathways in partnership with the Stanford University Deliberative Democracy Lab and the Rustic Pathways Foundation. You’ll receive guidance from facilitators through Zoom, email, and messaging. They will help you plan and implement your project, tailoring it to the specific needs of your local community. There’s a live Zoom event each week, with approximately half of the sessions required and half optional. Outside of these sessions, you’ll spend 2–3 hours per week on your project. After completing your project, select Fellows may be invited to a global Summit. You’ll also receive a certificate from Rustic Pathways and Stanford for your volunteer hours. U.S.-based Fellows can count these hours toward the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, with past participants averaging around 20 hours.
5. Cedars Sinai Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Multiple locations around Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free, with a $30 fee for a volunteer jacket | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Limited spots are available
Dates: October 5 – December 13 (Fall Session)
Application Deadline: August 3 – August 6 (Fall Session); rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 with a 3.2 GPA or higher
Cedars-Sinai offers high school students the chance to volunteer at its hospitals across the greater Los Angeles area. The Fall Session runs for 10 weeks, with two-hour weekly shifts, totaling 20 hours. You can choose a clinical or clerical track, both of which are designed to provide hands-on experience and help you connect with staff and patients. Before starting, you must attend a Teen Information Session with a parent or guardian, and missing it means you’ll be removed from the roster. As a volunteer, you may scan and enter medical data, answer patient calls, assist new patients in settling in, and deliver flowers or amenities. Most shifts are about four hours a week, but you can volunteer more if your schedule allows. If you’re interested in medical research or want to stay involved after volunteering, you can check out the Cedars-Sinai INSPIRE Internship Program.
6. LA City Attorney’s Office High School Volunteer Opportunities
Location: District Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: 225 positions are available for the Fall Session
Dates: September – December (Fall Session)
Application Deadline: July 15 (Fall Session)
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older, undergraduates and post-grads, law students, and recent law school graduates waiting for their California Bar Exam results
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office provides volunteer opportunities for high school students, college and graduate students, law students, and recent law school graduates. As the largest local prosecutorial office in the country, it also offers opportunities for community members who want to support crime victims. Volunteers assist during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the spring, summer, or fall sessions. You will be expected to work for at least 16 hours a week. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how the criminal justice system works by spending time with deputy district attorneys, staff, investigators, and even meeting people in the courts and law enforcement. To apply, you’ll need to check the eligibility requirements, follow the steps in the application packet, and fill out a Background Investigation Waiver.
7. The People Foundation Online Community Service Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $20 registration fee + an access fee of $1 per work-hour | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: High acceptance rate
Dates: Flexible schedule
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students
The People Foundation, an IRS-recognized nonprofit, offers a Community Service Program that lets you earn school-required hours on your own schedule, from anywhere. You can work as little as 8 minutes or as much as 8 hours a day. Once you enroll online, you’ll get access to work modules you can complete at your own pace. You might raise awareness online, review and grade other participants’ work, or complete 30-minute modules on topics such as substance use, anger management, and personal responsibility. Your activity will be tracked automatically, reviewed by a supervisor, and logged to your account. You can download your verified hours at any time. The program features a structured online service that includes learning modules, journaling reflections, peer review tasks, and awareness projects.
8. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles Youth Programs
Location: Various locations across Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Varies depending on the opportunity
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available; for more information about any of the programs, you can reach out at [email protected]
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Local high school students who are 14 or older
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles offers students the opportunity to volunteer, participate in construction projects, and engage in meaningful community service. Students 16 and older can help on-site by building or renovating homes for families in need. Teens aged 14–15 can help out at Habitat ReStores by managing inventory and assisting customers. If your school doesn’t already have a Habitat Campus Club, you can apply to start one and work on fundraising, advocacy, and spreading awareness about affordable housing. Habitat LA also runs youth campaigns, such as Nickels for Nails, where you can raise funds to help sponsor a Habitat home. These opportunities will help you make a real impact and learn construction skills, teamwork, and advocacy.
9. Children’s Discovery Museum Volunteers
Location: Children’s Discovery Museum, Normal, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Students can select the days and number of hours to volunteer each week when completing the registration form. Upcoming volunteer orientations are scheduled on several dates in September and October
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students 13 and older can apply; those aged 18 and older must pass a background check
Volunteering at the Children’s Discovery Museum allows students to give back to the community and gain hands-on experience. You can assist with the exhibits and programs, help plan annual fundraisers, support special events, or contribute to office projects. To get started, you need to complete a volunteer registration, select an available orientation and training session, and attend it before you begin volunteering. During the program, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with visitors by participating in exhibits, assisting with sanitation, and maintaining cleanliness and organization. You can also prep materials for events, assist museum staff with programs, and even represent the museum at community events by leading hands-on activities. Students 15 and older can help the education staff with themed camp activities. Volunteers are expected to complete a minimum of six hours of service per month. After completing orientation, you’ll receive the museum newsletter with links to schedule your hours.
10. The Borgen Project — Youth Ambassador/Advocate
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S., U.K., and Canada
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Three months; year-round opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; to apply, you can email your resume to [email protected]
Eligibility: High school students can apply, including those with limited availability
The Borgen Project Youth Ambassador/Advocate Program is a three-month volunteer opportunity for high school students interested in fighting global poverty. You’ll spend approximately four hours a week organizing fundraisers, contacting government leaders to support poverty reduction efforts, and raising awareness. As a youth ambassador, you’ll represent The Borgen Project in your community by attending events, talking to people about the cause, and encouraging them to take action. You will develop essential skills in communication, advocacy, and campaign management. The program is flexible enough to fit around school and other commitments, and you may be able to earn school credit. New cohorts begin each month. Applicants should be organized, able to manage their own projects, and possess strong speaking, writing, and presentation skills.
11. American Red Cross Volunteer Opportunities for Teens
Location: Various locations across the United States
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: High acceptance rate
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available; flexible schedule
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Teens aged 13–17 can apply; you can check the additional requirements here
The American Red Cross offers volunteer opportunities for teens interested in disaster relief, health education, or community service. You can join the Youth Corps Program, start a Red Cross Club at your school, apply for the Youth Corps Executive Board, or even work toward a spot on the National Youth Council. These roles will enable you to plan service projects, organize events, and help your community through education and leadership. To get started, you must fill out the online application, and the Volunteer Services team will connect with you to find a role that matches your interests. Training is offered and varies by role, typically combining self-paced online modules through the Red Cross learning system and on-the-job training with your team. As a volunteer, you’ll build leadership skills, gain hands-on experience, meet new people, and learn how to work with diverse communities to create change. You can assist during disasters, deliver blood to hospitals, support blood drives, help veterans and their families, or take part in youth programs.
12. L.A. Works Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Virtual or in person at various nonprofit organizations across Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies based on the opportunity
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available, including in the fall
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Varies depending on the selected opportunity, with options available for students, families, adults over 55, and more
L.A. Works connects volunteers of all ages with nonprofits across Los Angeles to tackle local community challenges. Each year, thousands of people join projects focused on housing insecurity, climate action, education equity, food access, disaster preparedness, and economic opportunity. You can choose from in-person or virtual opportunities that match your schedule and interests. You might help rebuild homes for fire survivors, manage organic waste, work on wildfire prevention and urban greenery projects, or support food security efforts across the city. Through these experiences, you’ll work alongside others who share your passions, gain hands-on community service experience, and learn about the issues impacting LA. You’ll also learn how to advocate for policies and solutions that can create change.
13. Human Rights Education Institute (HREI) Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Human Rights Education Institute, Coeur d’Alene, ID
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Varies depending on the available positions
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available, including in the fall
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; you can contact the volunteer coordinator for more information
Eligibility: Students of all ages
The Human Rights Education Institute (HREI) provides students with a range of volunteer opportunities to support its mission of promoting human rights, equality, diversity, and respect. As a volunteer, you can greet visitors, help plan and participate in fundraisers, lead tours of the exhibits, and assist with office tasks such as writing letters, answering phones, filing, and copying. You might also have the opportunity to catalog cultural or historical artifacts, assist in organizing the Resource Library, and maintain clean and welcoming exhibit spaces and common areas. You can also help design, manage, and run events, programs, and activities that strengthen the community. If you’re interested, you can contact the volunteer coordinator by filling out their online form.
14. Meaningful Teens
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Varies depending on the available positions
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available, including in the fall
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All middle school, high school, and college students
Meaningful Teens offers a range of projects that allow students to help and educate others, including recent immigrants, refugees, and low-income youth. One option is Project Omega, where you’ll teach a new 5th-grade math curriculum. If you’re more interested in language, Project Speak Together will allow you to conduct one-on-one sessions with 7- to 13-year-old Ukrainian students, allowing them to practice conversational English. You’ll design engaging lessons and build meaningful connections with students. For those interested in global culture and exchange, Project Kuunganisha pairs American teens with peers in Kenya, where they can share languages, cultures, and experiences, while also gaining a broader perspective. All these projects provide hands-on experience in teaching, cultural exchange, and personal growth, allowing you to make a positive impact. You can sign up to be a volunteer here.
15. Volunteer Opportunities at Volunteer.gov
Location: Virtual and in-person across the United States
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Varies depending on the available positions
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available, including in the fall
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students who are 18 or older can apply directly. Students under 18 can contact the number listed on the volunteer opportunity page to inquire about eligibility and the application process
Volunteer.gov is a portal that connects students with volunteer opportunities at various federal agencies. You can use it to search for openings, apply, and track your volunteer hours while making a difference in causes you care about. Volunteer opportunities are available nationwide and include tasks such as caring for natural resources, maintaining historic sites, and educating the public. Each agency’s needs are different—some roles take just an hour, while others require ongoing commitment. Some positions need only your time and enthusiasm, while others may require specific skills or training. To explore what’s available, you can browse the Volunteer.gov homepage by filters or check the latest postings. This will help you understand the types of volunteer opportunities currently available across federal agencies.
16. Missing Maps Volunteers
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: High acceptance rate
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available, including in the fall
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students with access to the internet
Missing Maps is a collaborative volunteer project that focuses on creating maps for communities worldwide at risk of disasters and crises, particularly those that remain unmapped. Volunteers contribute by tracing satellite imagery, adding streets and neighborhoods, and more, making it possible for humanitarian teams and first responders to reach these areas quickly. The mapped data is used to plan disaster response efforts and risk reduction strategies that help save lives. You can also join or organize a Mapathon, where you will map with others and share skills and experiences. These Mapathons are hosted by individuals and organizations worldwide. Beginners can use the “Learn to Map” page to get started, making it easy to learn the basics in just one afternoon. To get started, you can sign up on the website and begin contributing.
17. Food on Foot Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Sunday Servings are held on Schrader Blvd. in Hollywood (Los Angeles), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available, including in the fall
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students who are registered members can apply, but anyone under 18 needs to register online and be accompanied by a supervising adult with a ticket
Food on Foot is a Los Angeles nonprofit that helps unhoused and low-income individuals by providing meals, clothing, and programs that offer life skills training, job opportunities, and access to permanent housing for a fresh start. As a volunteer, you’ll help distribute food, clothing, and essentials while connecting with participants in the Jobs & Housing program, which supports individuals in finding full-time jobs, stable housing, and long-term independence. Volunteering here will allow you to give back, learn about the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness, and observe how social services operate. This program is also family-friendly, as it allows children aged six and up to participate. Volunteering here will help you make a real difference, while also gaining firsthand experience with community support and social services.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
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