Volunteer with Downtown Spokane

Downtown Spokane is looking for interested individuals or groups who would like to participate in a service, event, or office based activities that help keep downtown moving.

About This Series

Volunteer opportunities vary. Some are re-occurring, some are individual-day events, and others are a part of a larger community celebration.

We've detailed a few events here and all volunteer activities will be listed as an event below. To sign-up to participate please complete the online form and a representative from downtown will be in contact.

Volunteer Sign-up Volunteer Safety Memo Volunteer Waiver

First Friday Hospitality Team

  • When: The Tuesday immediately prior to First Friday.
  • Where: Participating First Friday Venues
  • What: Deliver First Friday walking guides and posters to participating venues. Check  in and make sure that venues needs are met and network among local art supporters.

Volunteers should have an interest in art, be available mid-afternoon and have the ability to walk for longer distances around downtown Spokane.

Fall Fest

When:

    • Fall Fest Carnival October 2, 11:00am to 2:00pm- 16 Helpers
    • Fall Fest Carnival October 2, 2:00-5:00pm- 16 Helpers
    • Fall Fest Carnival October 3, 11:00am to 2:00pm- 16 Helpers
    • Fall Fest Carnival October 3, 2:00-5:00pm- 16 Helpers

Where: Wall Street between Main and Spokane Falls Blvd

What: Manage various carnival games at the Fall Fest Country Carnival. Give away prizes and have fun! Manage pumpkin patch distribution.

Need: 10-15 volunteers per shift. Four hours of parking validation will be provided for River Park Square.

Crescent Window Display Refurbishment

  • When: Saturday / Sundays in September and October
  • Where: To be determined
  • What: Help bring the tradition of holidays displays back to life in downtown Spokane! The Crescent Window Displays returned for the 2018 holiday season and a whole new set of found figurines need to be prepared to delight families again in 2019.

Volunteers needed: If you have experience working with small motors, backdrops, set design or with fabrics and costuming, please indicate an interest in volunteering to refurbish displays. A downtown representative will reach out with specific tasks.

Spring Planting

Help plant 150+ sidewalk planters in the downtown core as a team or individual. Number of planters in planting zones vary. First come first served.

  • May 12, Noon: Volunteers needed 4, Monroe Street, Mallon
  • May 19, Noon: Volunteers needed 2, Main Ave, Riverside Ave, Sprague Ave, Wall Street, Howard Street

Coming Up

Past Events

  • Thursday, Jan 28 / 5:30pm

    Paws on Patrol Monthly Meet-up

    Please join Paws on Patrol downtown!

    Combine crime fighting and getting to know your neighborhood and neighbors with walking your dog – it’s free and it’s easy right here in downtown Spokane.

    Paws on Patrol meet up on the last Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. by the big Riverfront Park sign at the north end of Howard Street. You don’t have to register or sign up for the first walk or two – just show up WITH your dog.

    Paws on Patrol is a COPS program that aims to make dog walkers more aware of their neighborhood as they are out on their regular daily walks. Chances are you meet many of the same people and you know what’s ordinary for your street – and what’s out of the ordinary. Think of it as Neighborhood Observation Patrol on four legs.

    Please mask up and maintain proper COVID safe distance, bring dog doodoo bags and gloves for yourself, and a garbage bag if you want to help pick up litter.

    By joining Paws on Patrol, you help create and maintain a safe and livable downtown Spokane. Once you’ve done a few walks, please contact COPS at 509.625.3302 to sign up and become an official volunteer.

    Questions? Email Riversideneighborhoodnews@gmail.com

    This is a program of the Riverside Neighborhood Council.

    2021 scheduled meetups are rain or shine on January 28, February 25, March 25, April 29, May 27 and June 24 at 5:30 p.m. Sunday meetups may be scheduled if there is any interest.

  • Friday, Sep 17 / 12:00am

    Hands Across the Falls

    September is National Recovery Month and Recovery Cafe Spokane wants to celebrate and honor all those on a recovery journey.

    The 5th annual Hands Across the Falls is a public show of support for those in recovery and those who are still battling addictions as well as a time to honor those who have been lost to their addictions.

    Choose your reason… are you celebrating your own recovery, are you honoring someone who lost a battle with addiction, or are you an ally of our recovery community? No matter your WHY, we are excited to see you and show just how strong the Spokane Recovery Community really is!

    Sign up now to participate in this year’s virtual event.

  • Saturday, Sep 18 / 10:00am

    Spokane River Clean-Up

    Love the Spokane River? Join over 600 folks from across our region in the annual 18th Annual Spokane River Clean-Up on Saturday, September 18th.

    Each year, the trash tallies grow as more and more volunteers show up and cover more and more areas along the Spokane River shoreline. A growing list of groups and organizations – like high schools, churches, whitewater groups, service clubs and others – sign up too. The Clean-Up is a great way to give back to the community and beautify the river.

    Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced picker-upper, you’re invited to join the fun. This year’s event is planned to cover locations in the Spokane Valley, University District, the Downtown River Gorge area around Peaceful Valley, High Bridge Park, and People’s Park.