Finding Your People in Seattle

 

HOW TO USE THIS PAGE

Start with what sounds good today, not what sounds impressive.

Want something low-pressure? Try Low-Energy Options

Want to help directly? Look at Mutual Aid & Direct Support

Want art, music, or creativity? Go to Arts & Creative Community

Want joy and connection? Check Party & Social Spaces

Want to share your skills? See Skill-Based Volunteering

Want to give or learn? See Giving & Learning

Showing up once counts :)

 

MUTUAL AID & DIRECT SUPPORT

Neighbors helping neighbors

 

Beacon Hill Mutual Aid

Grassroots support for unhoused neighbors in South Seattle through weekly outreach and supplies.

Good for: People who want hands-on, relationship-based community work

Get involved: Outreach, supply crews, communications

👉 https://sites.google.com/view/beaconhillma

 

Seattle Community Fridge

Free, shared fridges stocked by the community. No questions asked.

Good for: People with limited time or energy

Get involved: Drop off food, help clean, host a fridge

👉 https://seattlecommunityfridge.org/

 

Rainier Valley Food Bank

Food access, mobile markets, and home delivery rooted in dignity and choice.

Good for: Drivers, translators, people who like fast-paced teamwork

Get involved: On-site or delivery volunteering

👉 https://www.rvfb.org/volunteer

 

University District Food Bank

Grocery-style food bank with multiple volunteer roles plus a rooftop farm.

Good for: Introverts, organizers, behind-the-scenes helpers, gardeners

Get involved: Packing, delivery, store reset shifts

👉 https://www.udistrictfoodbank.org/getinvolved/

 

Free Food For All

Free markets, food delivery, and community meals including the Free Burrito Project.

Good for: Cooks, drivers, early risers

Get involved: Market days or food prep

👉 https://www.freefoodforall.org/serve.html

 

West Seattle Food Bank

Neighborhood food bank with grocery access and clothing through their Clothesline program.

Good for: Weekday morning availability, people comfortable with customer interaction

Get involved: Attend online Volunteer Orientation

👉 https://westseattlefoodbank.org/volunteer/

 

FareStart

Job training in food service combined with community meals. Multiple ways to help.

Good for: Food prep helpers, event support, produce gleaners

Get involved: Sign up for available shifts

👉 https://www.farestart.org/volunteer/

 

Solid Ground

One of Seattle's largest community organizations—food access, housing support, and neighborhood programs.

Good for: People who want variety (gardening, tutoring, cooking, office work), adults 55+ through RSVP

Get involved: Attend a volunteer orientation

👉 https://www.solid-ground.org/get-involved/volunteer/

 

The Block Project

Builds tiny sustainable homes in backyards to welcome neighbors into community. Practical and beautiful.

Good for: Construction volunteers, gardeners, architects, homeowners ready to host

Get involved: Build days, landscaping, design support

👉 https://www.the-block-project.org/get-involved-1

 

ARTS, CULTURE & CREATIVE COMMUNITY

Where people gather, make, and heal

 

Wa Na Wari

Black-centered community art space in the Central District celebrating neighborhood history.

Good for: Artists, neighbors, people who value place and history

Get involved: Events, volunteering, Walk the Block festival

👉 https://www.wanawari.org/events

 

LANGSTON Seattle

Arts programming at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute.

Good for: Performers, filmmakers, youth artists

Get involved: Attend events, volunteer, apply for space

👉 https://www.langstonseattle.org/events/

 

Common Area Maintenance (CAM)

Volunteer-run shared studio and gallery in Belltown with 75+ artist members, printshop, and bookstore.

Good for: Visual artists, writers, printmakers

Get involved: Volunteer or apply for membership

👉 https://www.camseattle.org/volunteer

 

Path with Art

Free art classes for adults in life transitions. Volunteers serve as supportive creative mentors.

Good for: Gentle helpers, empathetic listeners, teaching artists

Get involved: Volunteer or teach

👉 https://www.pathwithart.org/jobs-volunteer

 

Gay City Arts

LGBTQ+ arts programs for youth, emerging artists, and community celebrations.

Good for: LGBTQ+ artists, youth, creatives

Get involved: Apply to programs or volunteer

👉 https://www.gaycity.org/arts/

 

Estelita's Library

Community bookstore and library in South Seattle. A welcoming place to read, learn, and gather.

Good for: Readers, people seeking a "third place," event supporters

Get involved: Visit, attend events, volunteer

👉 https://estelitaslibrary.org/

 

Coyote Central

Connects young people (10-15) with creative professionals in hands-on studio classes.

Good for: Adults who enjoy mentoring youth alongside teaching artists

Get involved: 7-week studio mentor commitment

👉 https://www.coyotenorth.org/volunteer

 

Seattle ReCreative

Creative reuse center keeping art supplies in circulation plus free and low-cost classes.

Good for: Artists of all levels, teachers, families, eco-minded makers

Get involved: Volunteer, teach a class, attend workshops

👉 https://www.seattlerecreative.org/volunteer

 

Pratt Fine Arts Center

600+ classes annually in glassblowing, metalwork, jewelry, woodworking, printmaking, and more.

Good for: Anyone who wants to learn a craft, all skill levels welcome

Get involved: Take a class, use open studio

👉 https://canvas.pratt.org/

 

Push/Pull

Artist cooperative in Ballard with classes, teen programs, and community nights.

Good for: Comic artists, illustrators, teens 13+, LGBTQ+ artists

Get involved: Classes, community craft nights

👉 https://www.pushpullseattle.com/community.html

 

PARTY & SOCIAL SPACES

Joy is part of community care

 

Kremwerk / Timbre Room / Cherry

Queer-owned nightlife and electronic music spaces in one beloved complex.

Good for: Dancing, music, being around people who get it

Get involved: Attend events

👉 https://www.kremwerk.com/upcoming-events

 

IMPACT! Foundation Seattle

Community-centered dance events that support local care work. By ravers, for ravers.

Good for: People who want joy with intention

Get involved: Attend events, donate

👉 https://impactraves.org/events/

 

Queer Social Club

A calendar of queer gatherings across Seattle, from book clubs to dance floors.

Good for: Finding something that fits your mood

Get involved: Browse and attend

👉 https://queersocialclub.com/events-seattle

 

Asylum Collective

Volunteer-run underground arts and dance space in Pioneer Square.

Good for: Artists, dancers, curious humans

Get involved: Attend events, volunteer, workshops

👉 https://www.asylumcollective.org/events

 

Queerchata Seattle

Queer dance classes (bachata, salsa) in a welcoming environment. No rigid roles.

Good for: Dancers of all levels, people who want to learn something new together

Get involved: Classes, monthly socials, annual retreat

👉 https://www.queerchata.com/locations/seattle

 

Queer the Land

Community project with monthly garden days May–September. Growing food, growing connection.

Good for: Gardeners, community builders, people who like working outside together

Get involved: Garden days, community events

👉 https://queertheland.org/

 

Black & Tan Hall

Cooperative restaurant and venue in Hillman City. Great food, live music, neighborhood gathering.

Good for: Anyone who wants a neighborhood spot with heart

Get involved: Dine, attend shows, be a regular

👉 https://www.blackandtanhall.com/events

 

LOW-ENERGY OPTIONS

Quiet ways to be part of something

 

Books to Prisoners

Sending books to incarcerated people. Calm, focused, meaningful.

Good for: Readers, introverts, people who like quiet focused tasks

Get involved: Book selection and wrapping shifts

👉 https://www.bookstoprisoners.net/volunteer

 

Green Seattle Partnership

Park restoration through drop-in work parties. No sign-up required for most events.

Good for: Fresh air, meditative tasks, being outside

Get involved: Show up to a work party

👉 https://greenseattle.org/get-involved/volunteer/

 

Food Lifeline

Warehouse shifts sorting food for community distribution.

Good for: One-time volunteering, minimal social interaction

Get involved: Sign up for a single shift

👉 https://foodlifeline.org/volunteer

 

Washington Trails Association

One-day trail maintenance outings. Show up, work with your hands, enjoy nature.

Good for: Being outside with others, hikers, families with kids 10+

Get involved: Sign up for a work party

👉 https://www.wta.org/get-involved/volunteer

 

Seattle Dogs Homeless Program

Provides pet food, supplies, and vet care for companion animals of unhoused community members.

Good for: Animal lovers, drivers, foster families, vet professionals

Get involved: Outreach, supply distribution, fostering

👉 https://seattledogs.info/

 

SKILL-BASED VOLUNTEERING

Share what you already know

 

The Beyond Project

Beauty and wellness professionals offering care in community settings.

Good for: Hair stylists, barbers, braiders, makeup artists, estheticians, massage therapists

Get involved: Monthly service events

👉 https://www.thebeyondproject.org/volunteercalendar

 

Open Seattle

Civic tech projects that support local communities.

Good for: Developers, designers, data folks

Get involved: Project-based volunteering

👉 https://openseattle.org/

 

Seattle GiveCamp

Annual weekend where tech folks build websites and tools for community organizations.

Good for: Developers, designers, UX people, project managers

Get involved: One weekend in October

👉 https://seattlegivecamp.org/

 

Business Impact NW

Support for small business owners and entrepreneurs with coaching and resources.

Good for: Business, marketing, finance, admin skills

Get involved: Volunteer your expertise

👉 https://businessimpactnw.org/support-business-impact-nw/volunteer-with-business-impact-nw/

 

Reading Partners Seattle

One-on-one reading support in local schools. Curriculum and training provided.

Good for: People who can commit to twice-weekly sessions

Get involved: Apply to become a tutor

👉 https://readingpartners.org/get-involved/where-how/seattle/

 

Youth Tutoring Program (CCS)

After-school tutoring for K-12 students in local housing communities.

Good for: Anyone who enjoys spending time with young people

Get involved: Apply, attend orientation

👉 https://ccsww.org/services/youth-tutoring-program-ytp/

 

GIVING & LEARNING

Ways to contribute and grow

 

Real Rent Duwamish

Seattle sits on Duwamish land. Real Rent invites residents to honor that relationship through direct support.

Good for: Everyone living or working in Seattle

Get involved: Set up a recurring contribution

👉 https://www.realrentduwamish.org/

 

Social Justice Fund NW – Giving Projects

A 6-month learning cohort: education, community fundraising, and collective decision-making.

Good for: People who want to learn deeply and build relationships over time

Get involved: Apply for a cohort

👉 https://socialjusticefund.org/giving-projects/

 

United Way of King County Volunteer Portal

Searchable database of volunteer opportunities across King County.

Good for: People who want to browse options and find their fit

Get involved: Search, filter, connect

👉 https://www.uwkc.org/volunteer/

 

A FINAL NOTE

Choose what fits your life. The most effective action is the one you can sustain.

Community happens one conversation at a time.

One shared meal.

One night out.

One afternoon helping.

Have fun!!! 💛