Get Started

Take action to make a difference in your community.

HandsOn Bay Area (HOBA) is working to remove the barriers that keep people from taking action in their community. Our unique volunteer program makes it easy to get involved and network with others who are passionate about making a difference.

What's unique about HOBA's volunteer program?

  • We've done the foot-work for you by finding and scheduling high-impact projects at nonprofits, parks and schools that need your help. Choose from 80+ opportunities a month!

  • You won't be on your own. Our projects are group-based, so you'll be working alongside other volunteers from HOBA.

  • HOBA projects occur on weekday evenings and weekends to accommodate busy schedules.

  • Aside from a brief online orientation, you do not need to attend any in-person training or orientation before you get started.

  • You don't have to make a long-term commitment. (We do ask that you only sign up for those projects you intend on attending. Our projects are in high-demand!)

  • Every HOBA project will be led by a trained HOBA Project Leader who will serve as your contact in case you have questions before, during and after your project.

Get started now by selecting the sentence below that best describes you.

I am 18 or older and ready to volunteer!

I am 16 or 17 years old and ready to volunteer!

I am a parent or guardian who wants to volunteer with my childen!

My community or school group is ready to volunteer!

A group from my company is ready to volunteer!

I am 18 or older and ready to volunteer!

  1. Create an online account. You will get an e-mail with a link that will take you to our Online Orientation.

  2. Watch the short online orientation.

  3. We ask a $25 tax-deductible donation to gain full access to 80+ projects on our calendar. If you opt to donate, you will use your Network For Good Authorization Code to confirm your payment and activate your account. Once you've clicked "I'm Done!" on the final slide, you'll be ready to sign up!

  4. If you decline to donate, you will still be able to sign up for projects on first Saturdays of the month, and all of our film screenings and book clubs. You may also request a fee waiver at the end of your orientation.

  5. Once you've finished to orientation, you're ready to start volunteering! Find and sign up for projects on our project calendar-- just click on the project name to read the description and sign up.

I am 16 or 17 years old and ready to volunteer!

REMEMBER: Bring a minor consent form signed by your parent or guardian with you to every project, or we won't be able to use your help. Turn your form in to your Project Leader upon your arrival.

  1. Create an online account. You will get an e-mail with a link that will take you to our Online Orientation.

  2. Watch the short online orientation.

  3. We ask a $25 tax-deductible donation to gain full access to 80+ projects on our calendar. If you opt to donate, you will use your Network For Good Authorization Code to confirm your payment and activate your account. Once you've clicked "I'm Done!" on the final slide, you'll be ready to sign up!

  4. If you decline to donate, you will still be able to sign up for projects on first Saturdays of the monthy, and all of our film screenings and book clubs. You may also request a fee waiver at the end of your orientation.

  5. Find a project that can use you by selecting "Ages 16+" in the drop-down menu "Filter by Project Attributes" on our calendar. Every project should have a volunteer minimum age listed, so make sure you're above it before you sign up.

  6. Bring a minor consent form signed by a parent or guardian to each project.

I am a parent or guardian who wants to volunteer with my children!

To get started with the family registration process, click here!

  1. Hello parent or guardian! First, create an online account. You will get an e-mail with a link that will take you to our Online Orientation.

  2. Watch the short online orientation -- with your child, if it's appropriate.

  3. We ask a $25 tax-deductible donation to gain full access to 80+ projects on our calendar, and a $10 tax-deductible donation for each minor accompanying you to projects. If you opt to donate, you will use your Network For Good Authorization Code to confirm your payment and activate your account. Once you've clicked "Click here to activate your account" on the final slide, you'll be ready to sign up!

  4. If you decline to donate, you and your child will still be able to sign up for projects on first Saturdays of the month, and all of our film screenings and book clubs. You may also request a fee waiver at the end of your orientation.

  5. Find a project that can use you and your child by selecting their age level in the drop-down menu "Filter by Project Attributes" on our calendar. Every project should have a volunteer minimum age listed, so make sure you are both above it before you sign up.

  6. Send an email with the project name and date and your child's name and age to goodforfamilies@hoba.org. Your RSVP ensures we have work ready that's appropriate for your child.

My community or school group is ready to volunteer!

To get started with group registration,

To start, find a project on our project calendar that you are interested in. Click on the project name to read project descriptions, and ensure that there is enough room for your entire group to volunteer.

There are two options for HandsOn Bay Area registration for community groups:

Option 1:

  1. Each member of your group who is 16 or older must create their own HOBA account and sign up for the project you'd like to attend together.

  2. If your project is not on the first Saturday of the month, each group member will be asked to either donate the $25 registration fee (good for life!) or complete and be accepted for a fee waiver request.

  3. Groups with children must have 1 adult for every four volunteers who are under 16.

Option 2:

  1.  Register as a group, and pay a $5/head fee for the project. 

  2. The group members will only be allowed to attend the selected project, but will have $5 towards lifetime membership at HOBA should they choose to register in the future.

  3. HOBA must receive the fee before the date of the project, or else we will be unable to register the group. If you choose to register as a group, please email julie@hoba.org with the names of your group members and an indication of whether or not they are minors to get started with the registration process.

I'm not sure where to begin!

Visit our FAQ, and if you still can't find what you need, contact us.