At Kennedy Krieger Institute, volunteers make a lasting difference in a child’s life. We welcome you as part of our team and we make it easy for you to get involved. Volunteer opportunities directly support our patients, students, families and staff and are perfect to build teamwork through service and engage in projects with purpose.

Here Are Ways to Make a Difference

Corporate/Group Volunteer

Through customizable opportunities for community service and team building, both in the office and remotely, your group’s contribution helps brighten days and create comfort for the children, students and families we serve. Contact us to brainstorm an engagement activity for your upcoming Day of Service, or Volunteer Group looking to make a positive impact.

Adaptive Sports

Through our Adaptive Sports Program, we provide year-round recreational and competitive sports opportunities for the children we serve. Whatever your ability level or experience, the Adaptive Sports Program at Kennedy Krieger has something for you. Join us to build friendships, promote confidence, and help patients achieve their fullest potential through sports.

Event Volunteer

Get ready to be part of one of Maryland’s most beloved holiday traditions! Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Festival of Trees is back this November, and we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring the magic to life. More than 500 volunteers are needed for all phases of the three-day event (before, during and after), including setup, the event itself and breakdown.

Kits for Kids

Assemble various kits or even make a blanket. These are all ways to make a patient smile!

In-Kind Giving

Donated toys and basic necessity items help our patients, families and students who are coping with a hospital admission and/or experience financial challenges.

Pet Therapy Program

For adults interested in volunteering with their registered canine. Contact our engagement team for information.

Please note these are examples of volunteer events and are subject to change. Kennedy Krieger is committed to supporting the needs of our patients and staff by helping them to provide better patient care all while protecting patient confidentiality.

Employee Volunteer Incentives

Did you know that thousands of companies provide incentives for employees to volunteer with organizations like ours? Please use the below search tool to see if your company provides volunteer grants or Paid Volunteer Time Off (PVTO) programs and to access the forms, guidelines, and instructions that you need to participate in them.

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant information provided by
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Your Impact

3,557 volunteers totaling 11,390 hours.These are just some of the in-kind donations that helped shape the lives of our patients and students in 2024: 46,818 diapers. 2,753 books. 7,822 school supplies. 2,468 food items. 3,667 toys. 1,300 pairs of shoes.We are on is Kennedy Krieger's annual employee giving campaign. Every day, employees of Kennedy Krieger exemplify compassion, kindness and goodwill. By coming together to help others, employees amplify their impact on those they serve. By giving as a community, they fuel that impact even more, demonstrating their pride in, passion for and dedication to their life-changing work. In 2024: Employees raised $165,537 for the Mary Snyder-Vogel Family Fund to support Kennedy Krieger's patient and student families. Employees increase their giving by $37,380 over 2023. 102 new employees contributed.
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