UVA Community in Action
The University of Virginia is committed to partnering with organizations in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties to create a more just and sustainable community. For University employees who are able, volunteering one’s time, talents, and energy to mission-driven organizations, supports community well-being and personal satisfaction.
This webpage centralizes resources that may help University employees as they consider volunteering in the community.
The University provides paid leave to employees to perform community service work for eligible organizations. Employees must seek approval from their managers in advance.
Please see the Occasional Time Off section of the website for details on this time off type by Employee Classification.
The United Way Laurence E. Richardson Day of Caring happens every September when teams of people volunteer to complete special projects at regional nonprofits, schools, and faith-based organizations. UVA employees are invited to form teams and contact the United Way to get involved.
Explore the Day of Caring FAQ Read about Day of Caring 2021Browse these websites for current volunteer needs in the community:
In-Kind Donations: Donate and shop online for area nonprofits.
Back to School Bash: The Albemarle Foundation for Education is collecting donations for the annual Back to School Bash. Held on August 2, 2025, this event provides students from both Albemarle County and Charlottesville City schools with essential school supplies, backpacks, and access to critical community resources. Donate online through this secure donation link.
Charlottesville City Schools: Give to students in Charlottesville City Schools (CCS) any time by shopping from the CCS Amazon wishlists:
Questions? Please contact Dr. Denise Johnson, CCS’s Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives, 434.245.2593.
Visit the American Red Cross Find-a-Drive website to learn about upcoming blood drives in your area.
*Please note the University Medical Center Team members have particular leave type for blood and blood product donation. It is keyed under Administrative time off.
Volunteer leave for University Medical Center Team members, University Staff, and Classified Staff does not include time off to donate blood.
See Occasional Time Off for more information
This annual campaign lets UVA employees donate to local and national nonprofits directly from their paychecks. The automatic payroll deduction option makes it convenient.
The COVID-19 pandemic created and widened disparities across industry sectors, race, region, and income levels. While the University of Virginia was able to move employees off Grounds and continue to serve its students, the education sector suffered in Virginia, particularly in K-12 programs that were not equipped to provide remote education to all students. The learning gaps created by this are still felt today in some schools.
UVA's Police Department launched a tutoring program to reduce this gap. Learn more about their program, and all faculty, staff, and student are invited to join them!
Charlottesville City Schools face a significant literacy gap, with only 40% of black students and 42% of economically disadvantaged students reading at grade level, compared to 89% of white students.
This disparity underscores the urgent need for community support.
By volunteering with City of Promise, you can help provide high-fidelity, high-dose tutoring programs to these students. Volunteer with City of Promise and make a difference in closing the literacy gap in Charlottesville.
The COVID-19 pandemic created and widened disparities across industry sectors, race, region, and income levels. While the University of Virginia was able to move employees off Grounds and continue to serve its students, the education sector suffered in Virginia, particularly in K-12 programs that were not equipped to provide remote education to all students. The learning gaps created by this are still felt today in some schools. UVA's Police Department launched a tutoring program to reduce this gap. Read their heartwarming stories, watch the videos about their volunteer experiences, and consider becoming a UPD tutor!
Listen to Jane Colony Mills, Executive Director of Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, and the personal experience of one UVA volunteer, Kevin Murray, who spent time recently with this food pantry serving the Charlottesville community.
Aubrey O’Hara is the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications for UVA Career Center, where she informs and connects students with the Career Center’s amazing resources, including online resources, one-on-one counseling, events, and career fairs. We asked her about how her volunteer experience has contributed to creating a more meaningful life.
Ann Lawrence Grasty is the Director for University Annual Giving at UVA. She helps people learn how they can engage with the University philanthropically, no matter where they want to give or how much they want to donate. We caught up recently with Ann Lawrence to ask about her volunteer work in the community. It was quite inspiring! Read on …
Learn from staff at the Faculty & Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) about the positive impact of altruistic acts, like volunteering, on individual happiness, life satisfaction, and social wellbeing. Watch the “Do Good, Feel Good” FEAP webinar with Mary Sherman.
Join the Volunteer Center mailing list to receive news about emerging volunteer needs, events, and volunteer-related resources. You can also email Ellen Blackmon with additional questions.
When you are offering to perform or are performing volunteer services for a community organization, you are not acting within the course and scope of your employment with the University. You are responsible for the terms and conditions under which you will render volunteer services.
In connection with this program, the University has not endorsed or approved volunteer opportunities or organizations. The participating organizations are independent and are not part of or affiliated with the University. Accordingly, the University does not control, supervise, or direct their activities or personnel and the University is not responsible for their operations, facilities, or property. The University therefore does not warrant or make any promises or representations regarding the conditions, safety, security, personnel, or characteristics of any organization or the location, facilities, or property in which you may be performing volunteer services. You must exercise your own judgment when evaluating a prospective organization and volunteer opportunity. The University is not responsible for resolving any problem or dispute of any nature between you and the organization for which you may choose to provide volunteer services.
The University also is not liable for the independent organization’s contracts, torts, acts or omissions, or those of any person associated with or acting on behalf of the organization or any person being served by the organization. Importantly, when you are performing volunteer services you are not within the course and scope of your University employment and you are not covered by the University’s or Commonwealth of Virginia’s insurance or risk management plans.
Performing volunteer activities in the midst of a global pandemic subjects you to risks associated with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and numerous associated serious diseases, medical conditions, and complications up to and including death. You understand and voluntarily assume all risks associated with providing volunteer services in these conditions, and you agree to waive, release, hold harmless, and not to sue the University, its employees and agents, for any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, expense, cost, injury, or death caused by or associated in any way with your performance of volunteer services.
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