Volunteer with EmpoweRanch!

Share Your Time. Use Your Talents.

Make a Difference.

EmpoweRanch volunteers help us care for our animals, support inclusive outdoor programs, improve our ranch spaces, welcome participants, and strengthen our nonprofit behind the scenes.

You do not need horse experience to volunteer. We offer a variety of opportunities and work to match volunteers with roles that fit their interests, abilities, experience, availability, and our current needs.

You are welcome to mix and match roles. Many volunteers help with more than one area. For example, assisting with ranch care regularly while also supporting occasional programs, camps, events, or special projects.

Before You Apply

Regular volunteer roles include training and routine team supervision but do not include continuous one-to-one support. Volunteers must be able to work safely and complete assigned tasks independently after training, or they may participate with their own registered parent, guardian, caregiver, or job coach.

Finding the Right Volunteer Fit

EmpoweRanch welcomes volunteers with varied abilities, backgrounds, skills, and experience. We are happy to discuss accessibility needs, possible task adjustments, and volunteer roles that build on each person’s strengths.

Because EmpoweRanch is a small, volunteer-powered organization, regular volunteer shifts are designed for individuals who can participate safely after training with routine team guidance rather than dedicated one-to-one support.

Volunteers participating independently should be able to:

• Follow safety instructions and remain within assigned areas

• Communicate questions, concerns, and support needs

• Complete agreed-upon tasks with training and routine supervision

• Treat participants, animals, property, and team members with care and respect

• Arrive and depart according to the confirmed volunteer schedule

When feasible, we may modify a task, move materials to a more accessible workspace, or help identify a role that is a better fit. Volunteers who need ongoing individualized assistance are welcome to participate with an approved support person whom they provide. The support person must register with EmpoweRanch, remain present, and provide the individualized assistance needed throughout the volunteer experience.

Please contact us before scheduling if you would like to discuss possible accommodations or determine which volunteer opportunities may be the best fit.

Ranch Terrain and Accessibility

EmpoweRanch is an active outdoor ranch. Much of the property is relatively level, but the natural terrain may include dirt, gravel, rocks, loose soil, dips, divots, mud, hoses, gates, and animal areas.

Accessibility and physical requirements vary by assignment. Some opportunities can be completed from a seated position or in a more accessible workspace, while others require moving through natural terrain, reaching supplies, carrying materials, standing, bending, or working around animals.

Volunteers should be able to navigate their assigned area using their own mobility device or adaptive equipment. Anyone who needs ongoing mobility, orientation, or other individualized assistance may participate with an approved support person whom they provide.

We encourage prospective volunteers to contact us in advance so we can discuss the environment, essential tasks, possible adjustments, and currently available roles.

Youth Volunteers

We welcome youth involvement through safe, age-appropriate opportunities.

Minors may volunteer:

• Alongside a registered parent or guardian who remains present and responsible for their supervision; or

• Through an approved, staffed youth service opportunity or EmpoweRanch Teen Leadership Development program

Minors may not be dropped off for regular volunteer shifts.

Youth participating in the Teen Leadership Development program register as program participants while gaining meaningful service, leadership experience, and eligible volunteer hours. As a young person demonstrates maturity, reliability, good judgment, and the necessary skills, they may be given greater responsibility within appropriately supervised team activities.

Ways to Volunteer

Ranch and Animal Care

Help care for the animals and spaces that make our programs possible! Volunteers may assist with feeding, water, cleaning equine/chicken areas, organizing supplies, tending the garden, and other daily ranch responsibilities.

Training is provided. New volunteers work alongside an approved team member before completing responsibilities independently. We do our best to schedule at least two ranch care volunteers per shift.

Ranch care shifts are available in the morning and late afternoon/evening, depending on the season/weather. Starting upon our return from northern AZ at the end of September, we anticipate AM shifts to run roughly 7am-9am and PM shifts 6pm-8pm. We will coordinate with our ranch care team and solidify the schedule and confirm on our ranch care calendar ahead of time. Ranch care shifts often take less than two hours, but it’s best to plan to have two hours available for unexpected tasks that need extra time and attention.

Every Ranch Care Crew volunteer commits to a minimum of two ranch care shifts per week. This is to allow the volunteer to maintain skills and training, keep an ongoing awareness of changes, ongoing monitoring of animal health and wellness, familiarity with the animals, getting to know and building rapport with the team, etc.

If you’d like to be around the animals but cannot commit to weekly shifts, please consider joining us for a volunteer day or a different role so you can get acquainted before diving into a weekly role.

Program Support

Help our professional team create welcoming, organized, and meaningful experiences for youth, veterans, families, and people of varied abilities.

Program volunteers may help prepare materials, assist with activity stations, support group transitions, encourage participants, and clean or reset program spaces. Additional screening and training may be required for participant-facing roles.

Equine and Animal Program Support

Volunteers with appropriate training may help prepare animals and equipment or assist during structured equine- and animal-supported activities.

Prior horse experience can be helpful, but all volunteers must complete EmpoweRanch-specific training before handling animals or assisting with equine activities.

Camps, Events, and Community Outreach

Support camps, retreats, service days, fundraising events, community outreach, and other special opportunities.

Responsibilities may include setup and cleanup, registration, hospitality, activity support, meals, supplies, participant assistance, or representing EmpoweRanch in the community.

Gardens, Grounds, and Special Projects

Help us maintain and improve the outdoor spaces used by our participants and animals.

Projects may include gardening, organizing, painting, seasonal cleanup, landscaping, facility improvements, animal-area projects, or skilled repairs.

Administrative and Skill-Based Support

Volunteers also help EmpoweRanch grow through professional, creative, administrative, and remote service.

Opportunities may include communications, social media, photography, graphic design, fundraising, grant research, event planning, technology, data entry, community outreach, translation, or other specialized skills.

Choose the Roles That Fit You

You do not have to select only one volunteer role.

You might choose to:

• Serve regularly with ranch and animal care

• Support programs or camps when your schedule allows

• Join occasional events and special projects

• Contribute professional skills remotely

• Explore additional roles after completing more training

Your volunteer application will help us understand your interests, goals, availability, and preferred ways to contribute.

individual volunteers

We have several roles for you to make a positive difference with your unique skills, talents, and expertise!

Individual volunteers may participate regularly, seasonally, occasionally, or through a specific project.

Some roles, especially animal care and ongoing program support, require a dependable commitment. Others are well suited for volunteers who are available only for occasional events, camps, workdays, or behind-the-scenes projects.

volunteer groups

We love introducing volunteer groups to the ranch! We design each group’s unique volunteer experience based on their size, ages, interests, abilities, accessibility needs, and projects currently available. Advance planning is required.

We welcome schools, clubs, service organizations, veterans’ groups, faith communities, youth organizations, and other community groups.

Corporate volunteer groups

If your employer or business is looking for a fun, outdoor, unique group volunteer experience that makes a true direct impact on our community AND brings your team closer, you’ve come to the right place!

Corporate projects may include ranch improvements, gardening, animal-area projects, program preparation, event support, or other priority needs. We work with each organization to create an experience that benefits both the team and the EmpoweRanch mission.

Corporate partners are encouraged to sponsor their project, provide needed materials, or help support the programs and spaces their team is improving.

How It Works

1. Apply

Complete our volunteer application and tell us about your interests, experience, availability, and the types of roles you would like to explore.

2. Get Matched

Our team will review your application and identify opportunities that fit your interests and our current needs.

3. Complete Onboarding and Training

Requirements vary by role and may include an orientation, volunteer agreement, waiver, safety training, background screening, fingerprint-clearance documentation, or role-specific instruction.

4. Start Volunteering

Once you have completed the requirements for your approved role, you can begin signing up for appropriate volunteer shifts, programs, events, or projects.

What We Ask of Our Volunteers

EmpoweRanch volunteers are expected to:

• Be reliable and communicate timely when plans change

• Treat participants, animals, staff, and other volunteers with respect

• Follow safety instructions and staff direction

• Maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality

• Complete the training and screening required for their role(s)

• Ask questions whenever something is unclear

Because we are an active outdoor ranch, volunteers should expect uneven terrain, dust, dirt, manure, animal hair, insects, and changing Arizona weather. Closed-toe shoes are required for most ranch activities, and additional clothing or equipment requirements may apply.

Ranch Access and Locations

EmpoweRanch operates on a private ranch and residence in South Phoenix near Dobbins Road and Central Avenue. We do not offer drop-in volunteer hours.

All volunteer visits must be scheduled and confirmed in advance.

Most ongoing Phoenix opportunities take place at:

EmpoweRanch
308 West Siesta Way
Phoenix, Arizona 85041

Camps, retreats, seasonal programs, and community events may take place at other locations, including northern Arizona. Registered volunteers will receive the appropriate location and arrival instructions.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Help us create opportunities for people of all abilities to connect with animals, nature, recreation, and community.

We look forward to learning about your interests and welcoming you to the EmpoweRanch team!

Questions? Email Howdy@EmpoweRanch.org with “Volunteer Question” in the subject line.