Strengthen Families. Build Community.
Every strong community is built on the generosity of individuals who give their time, talent, and resources. Whether you have one Saturday a month or want to make a lasting financial investment, the White Picket Fence Foundation offers meaningful opportunities to improve the lives of Charlotte families. Since 2011, over 2,800 volunteers have contributed more than 142,000 hours of service through our programs.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our volunteers serve in roles that directly support families in crisis and families working toward long-term stability. Each position includes comprehensive training, ongoing supervision from program staff, and the satisfaction of making a tangible difference in a family's journey. Below are our current open volunteer positions.
Family Mentor
Pair with a family enrolled in our stabilization programs for one-on-one support over a 6- to 12-month period. Family mentors meet weekly to help with goal setting, navigating systems (housing, employment, school enrollment), budgeting, and providing encouragement. Mentors receive 12 hours of initial training plus monthly group supervision with a licensed social worker. Ideal for professionals with backgrounds in social work, education, or counseling, though no formal credentials are required.
Commitment: 4–6 hours/week for 6+ months
Youth Tutoring & Homework Help
Support children in grades K–8 with reading comprehension, math fundamentals, and homework completion at our after-school enrichment centers. Tutoring sessions run Monday through Thursday from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM at our Park Road center and partner locations in West Charlotte and University City. All materials are provided. Tutors work with small groups of 3–4 students matched by grade level and subject area.
Commitment: 2 hours/week minimum, school year schedule
Event & Program Support
Assist with seasonal events including our annual Family Fun Day (April), Back-to-School Supply Drive (August), Thanksgiving Family Feast (November), and Holiday Gift Program (December). Event volunteers help with setup, registration, activity stations, food service, cleanup, and family engagement. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals or groups looking for one-time or recurring volunteer experiences without a long-term weekly commitment.
Commitment: Event-based, 4–8 hours per event
Office & Administrative Support
Help our small but dedicated staff manage the daily operations that keep programs running smoothly. Administrative volunteers assist with data entry, filing, phone reception, supply organization, donor acknowledgment letters, and community outreach mailings. Consistent weekday availability is preferred. This role offers a behind-the-scenes view of how a family services nonprofit operates and is valuable experience for students pursuing degrees in social work, public administration, or nonprofit management.
Commitment: 3–4 hours/week during business hours
Bilingual Translation & Interpretation
Approximately 28% of the families we serve speak Spanish as their primary language, and a growing number speak French, Arabic, or Karen. Bilingual volunteers assist with intake interviews, document translation, parent workshop interpretation, and accompanying families to appointments with government agencies, schools, and healthcare providers. This role is critical for ensuring equitable access to our services and the broader social safety net.
Commitment: Flexible, as-needed basis (2–6 hours/week)
Pro Bono Professional Services
We welcome pro bono contributions from licensed professionals including family attorneys (custody, landlord-tenant), CPAs and financial advisors (tax preparation, debt counseling), licensed therapists (individual and family counseling), healthcare providers (wellness screenings), and marketing or IT professionals. Pro bono partnerships typically involve a set number of hours per quarter and are formalized with a memorandum of understanding.
Commitment: Varies by specialty, quarterly agreements
Volunteer Requirements
The safety of the families we serve is our highest priority. All prospective volunteers must complete the following before beginning service:
- Background Check: A comprehensive criminal background check, sex offender registry search, and reference verification conducted by our HR coordinator at no cost to the volunteer.
- Volunteer Orientation: A mandatory 4-hour orientation session covering our mission, trauma-informed care principles, confidentiality policies, mandatory reporting obligations, cultural competency, and program-specific protocols. Orientations are held on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at our Park Road office.
- Minimum Commitment: We ask all ongoing volunteers for a 6-month minimum commitment to provide consistency for the families we serve. Event-based volunteers are exempt from this requirement.
- Age Requirement: Volunteers must be 18 years or older for direct client-facing roles. Youth volunteers (ages 14–17) may participate in supervised event support with a signed parental consent form.
Make a Tax-Deductible Contribution
The White Picket Fence Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 56-4821903), and all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Your financial support directly funds the programs and services that help Charlotte families achieve stability, self-sufficiency, and hope. Approximately 87 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to program delivery, with the remaining 13% supporting administrative operations and fundraising.
Monthly Giving — The Cornerstone Circle
Our Cornerstone Circle monthly donors provide the predictable, sustainable revenue that allows us to plan programs confidently and respond to emerging family needs without delay. Monthly donors receive quarterly impact reports, invitations to our annual appreciation dinner, and recognition in our annual report. Monthly gifts of any amount are welcome, and all recurring donations can be adjusted or canceled at any time by contacting our development office.
In-Kind Donations
We gratefully accept donations of gently used children's clothing (sizes newborn through 16), diapers and wipes, non-perishable food items, school supplies, household essentials, and professional office supplies. In-kind donations can be dropped off at our Park Road office during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM). For large donations or furniture, please call ahead to arrange pickup.
Corporate & Community Partnerships
We collaborate with businesses, faith communities, civic organizations, and school districts to amplify our impact. Corporate partners benefit from enhanced employee engagement, positive community visibility, and fulfillment of corporate social responsibility objectives. Current partnership opportunities include:
Employee Volunteer Days
We design custom team volunteer experiences for corporate groups of 10 to 100 people. Activities include facility improvement projects, supply kit assembly, family event support, and career day presentations. We handle all planning, logistics, and materials so your team can focus on making an impact.
Matching Gift Programs
Many employers match charitable contributions made by their employees, effectively doubling or tripling the impact of individual gifts. Our development team can verify your company's matching gift policy and assist with the required documentation. We participate in most major corporate matching platforms including Benevity, YourCause, and CyberGrants.
Program Sponsorship
Sponsor an entire program track for the year, from our Financial Literacy Workshop series ($15,000) to our Summer STEM Enrichment Camp ($35,000) to our full Housing Stability caseload ($80,000). Sponsors receive naming recognition, quarterly impact metrics, site visits, and featured placement in all program communications and annual reports.
Upcoming Events
November 16, 2026 — 10:00 AM
Free Family Financial Literacy Workshop
A two-hour workshop covering household budgeting, credit score improvement, and available financial assistance programs. Free childcare provided. Light refreshments served. Open to the public — no registration required but seating is limited to 40 participants.
WPFF Community Room, 4280 Park Road, Suite 215
November 22, 2026 — 11:00 AM
Thanksgiving Family Feast
Our 12th annual community Thanksgiving meal for families enrolled in WPFF programs and their extended networks. Volunteers are needed for food preparation (starting 7:00 AM), serving, children's activities, and cleanup. Donations of turkeys, side dishes, and desserts are gratefully accepted through November 20th.
First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 501 N. Tryon St
December 7, 2026 — 9:00 AM
New Volunteer Orientation
Mandatory 4-hour orientation for all new volunteers covering our mission, trauma-informed care, confidentiality, mandatory reporting, cultural competency, and program-specific training tracks. Lunch is provided. Please bring a valid photo ID for background check processing.
WPFF Main Office, 4280 Park Road, Suite 215
December 13–14, 2026 — 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Holiday Gift Program Distribution
Annual gift distribution event where enrolled families receive wrapped holiday gifts for each child, winter coats, and food boxes. Volunteer roles include gift wrapping (December 10–12), registration desk, distribution runners, children's crafts, and family photography. Corporate sponsor recognition on display.
Oasis Shrine Center, 604 Doug Mayes Place, Charlotte, NC 28262
Volunteer & Donor Registration
Complete the form below and a member of our engagement team will contact you within three business days to discuss next steps. For volunteer inquiries, we will schedule you for the next available orientation session. For donation questions, our development director will reach out to discuss giving options that match your goals.