Ways to Help Preserve the Outer Banks

From beach cleanups and restoration projects to fundraising for non-profit organizations, there are many ways to contribute to the care of the OBX.

Voluntourism: Love It Like A Local!

Volunteering on the Outer Banks builds awareness of—and connection to—the important work Dare County nonprofits carry out in the community. Residents, visitors, and second homeowners who participate with local organizations gain a deeper appreciation for the area and a stronger sense of responsibility. Together, we can protect what we love.

Find a Volunteer Opportunity

Search for a Way to Lend a Hand

VolunteerOBX.com serves as an online community hub for doing good. Use the portal to search for and sign up for volunteer opportunities suited to your interests and schedule.

The portal also gives Dare County nonprofits and community organizations FREE tools for recruiting, engaging, and retaining volunteers. In this way, willing hands can connect with the projects that need them most.

Outer Banks Volunteer Week

More Than 200 Hours Contributed During the 2nd Annual Outer Banks Volunteer Week

From October 10-17, 2026, the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau hosted the 2nd Annual Outer Banks Volunteer Week. The event invites visitors, residents and second homeowners to become more connected to the community through volunteer work with local organizations on a variety of projects and events.

Volunteer Week is part of the Bureau’s growing year-round Voluntourism program. It is designed to support local partners, encourage off-season visitation to Dare County and showcase the continuing work involved in caring for the Outer Banks.

The weeklong 2026 event included 16 volunteer opportunities with 11 Dare County nonprofit organizations and municipalities. Participants filled over 140 volunteer spots and contributed more than 200 hours to community projects, including beach and town cleanups, arboretum and outdoor classroom improvements, trail maintenance and event assistance.

A complete recap of Outer Banks Volunteer Week is available on the source page.

“Voluntourism on the OBX” Video Series

The video series features:

• Friends of Jockey's Ridge
• Elizabethan Gardens
• Outer Banks SPCA
• Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
• Beach Food Pantry
• Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
• OBX Community Foundation
• Town of Duck Sweep

Outer Banks Voluntourism in the News

• “Best Places to Travel in 2025” (BBC - May 2025)
• “Reshaping Tourism and Travel in North Carolina” (Business NC - May 2025)
• “Working Vacay?” (Outer Banks Milepost - Issue 13.2, April 2024)
• “Volunteering While Vacationing” (King Air Magazine - March 2024)

Group Voluntourism Guide

Dare County Nonprofit Organizations

The guide includes nonprofit organizations across Dare County, with listings searchable by region and category.

Regions

• Kill Devil Hills (36)
• Manteo (34)
• Nags Head (25)
• Kitty Hawk (24)
• Frisco (22)

Categories

• Education (20)
• History and Culture (19)
• Health and Wellness (18)
• Environment (16)
• Charity Groups (10)

Listed Organizations

• Autism Society of North Carolina
  109 Veterans Drive

• Beach Food Pantry
  4007 N Croatan Hwy

• Better Beaches OBX
  150 Tall Cliff Court

• Blue Star Mothers of America
  P.O. Box 1550

• Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men
  P.O. Box 1591

• Charitocracy
  PO Box 7241

• Chicamacomico Historical Association
  P.O. Box 5

• Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station Historic Site
  23645 N.C. Hwy 12

• Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County
  534 Ananias Dare Street

• Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society
  P.O. Box 339

• Coastal Humane Society
  P.O. Box 1331

• Coastal Studies Institute
  850 NC 345

• Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society
  100 Conservation Way

• Community Care Clinic of Dare
  425 Health Center Drive

• Community for Kids
  715 Highway 64

The directory displays 1 - 15 of 99 organizations.