Additional Volunteer Opportunities

Medical Center Neighborhood Fund

The Medical Center Neighborhood Fund was founded as a joint effort of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute to enhance the quality of life in the Washington Heights/Inwood community. The MCNF is dedicated to raising funds for local nonprofit organizations that offer vital services and opportunities in northern Manhattan. Currently, the Fund grants more than 60 awards to local organizations. Employees from all three institutions are invited to make a donation and volunteer their time as site visitors. Site visitors are currently reviewing and approving requests for funding. We welcome you to join us as a site visitor to see firsthand the wonderful work being done by our local community-based organizations.

America Reads Program

Medical, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and dental students are needed to tutor at local elementary school, P.S. 128. Tutors work with students during after school hours for one-on-one sessions to improve their reading skills. We are no longer accepting volunteers for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Annual Food Drive

Every year, the Office of Government & Community Affairs sponsors the Fresh Youth Initiatives Helping Hands Food Drive. The Fresh Youth Initiatives Helping Hands Food Bank (HHFB) is New York City’s only youth-run food pantry. HHFB is responsible for feeding over 6,000 residents of the Washington Heights/Inwood community in addition to delivering food to thirty senior centers. Youth at HHFB distribute over 80,000 pounds of food every year. Their efforts provide a much-needed food supply for our most vulnerable populations: children and the elderly. The food drive is consistently a huge success and, thanks to the help and contributions of hospital and university employees, we are able to donate hundreds of canned goods to the food bank. 

Annual Toy Drive

Every year, the Office of Government & Community Affairs coordinates an annual toy drive. Columbia University Irving Medical Center employees donate more than 600 toys that are distributed to local daycare and head start program. Volunteers are welcome for distribution of toys.

Additional volunteer opportunities are available throughout Columbia University. Learn more at Columbia Neighbors.