Become a Volunteer
Your time and expertise can change lives. From leadership board members and JA camp counselors to Connect Group facilitators and Walk to Cure Arthritis participants, we are a volunteer-powered organization with many opportunities, whether you want to give back for a day or commit to developing and contributing leadership talents.
Pathways 2026 Awaits!
Registration Is Open — Save Your Spot!
Register for the 2026 Pathways Conference, March 27–28 in Seattle! Connect, learn and be inspired by breakthroughs in science, advocacy and fundraising. Meals and registration are free.
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Making an Impact
We have the best volunteers! At the Arthritis Foundation, we’re so grateful for the passionate and generous support of our volunteers, who give their time, talents and financial support to advance our work all year long.
Joining Us Is EasyJoin Our Movement
As a volunteer-powered organization, we are guided by our strong community of patients and volunteers. By joining our movement, you’ll be helping to raise up the nearly 60 million adults and children living in the U.S. with arthritis.Whether you spend a week as a JA camp counselor, helping kids build confidence and independence; or whether you join our local or national leadership boards, helping guide and achieve our mission while developing new networks and opportunities; or whether you fundraise for one of our local or national events — you’ll be changing lives of all people living with arthritis for the better.
For every No that arthritis carries with it, you’ll be helping us turn it into a Yes. Yes to strengthening our community and reducing the challenges we face. Yes to making connections that count. Yes to raising awareness of the nation’s #1 cause of disability. Yes to advancing research for better treatments. Yes to everyday wins for everyone living with arthritis.
Join our movement! It’s the easiest and best thing you’ll do today.
Our Impact Last Year
Total volunteers
Are personally affected by arthritis
Active arthritis ambassadors
Volunteers power local events and programs
Community Outreach Educator
The Impact of Giving Back
The greatest reward of volunteering with the Arthritis Foundation is how good it feels to make a real impact. Together, we improve the quality of life for people with arthritis by creating safe, supportive spaces, expanding access to essential resources and raising awareness through community outreach, advocacy, patient engagement and partnerships with health care providers and organizations committed to Corporate Social Responsibility. Our volunteers help dispel myths and amplify understanding of arthritis.Level Up
When you choose a specific volunteer role, you’ll receive personalized training designed to empower and prepare you to deliver excellence. Join a Virtual Volunteer Open House to learn how to get started and begin your training!
• Virtual Open House: Offered monthly – Sign up
Leadership Pathways
Serving as a volunteer leader is a powerful way to grow personally and professionally. Serve on a local leadership board to increase your impact and support our mission. Earn advocacy, emotional intelligence and diversity, equity and inclusion certifications to enhance your leadership abilities. Through skill-based volunteering, you’ll develop new skills, expand your network and gain valuable nonprofit experience while helping us grow stronger together.
- Nonprofit Experience, Certifications & Networking Opportunities
Empowered to Serve
Gain access to exclusive resources that help you lead with impact. Explore our project management tools, impact reports and outreach materials, and learn how to leverage them to strengthen your volunteer experience and community engagement.
- Volunteer Project Management Tools to Enhance Your Service
Powered by Community
Our volunteers include people with arthritis, parents of children with juvenile arthritis, caregivers, corporate partners, health care providers and family and friends. Together, we form a powerful network united by compassion, purpose and action.
- Be part of our movement to serve and unite the arthritis community.
Volunteering with the Arthritis Foundation, you have the opportunity to make a difference. Helping people live better lives, be more self-confident, become who they are. Being a volunteer helps keep that engine going — for kids, for families and people of all ages.
Aaron Breitenbach, Arthritis Foundation Volunteer, Wichita, KS