Create opportunities for others to grow

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The mission of Illinois Extension is to serve the residents of Illinois as we work collaboratively to enhance quality of life for families and economic resilience and vitality for our businesses and communities. This work isn't possible without an army of passionate, dedicated volunteers who generously give of their time and talent. From developing curriculum units to working with kids on 4-H projects, and from mentoring families on personal finances to identifying pesky weeds, volunteers play an essential role within Extension. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Choose how you help others.
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Get growing by sharing what you know.

Master Gardeners helping others learn to grow." We improve the quality of life by helping people find sound management practices for home and urban natural resources, creating aesthetically pleasing environments, promoting well-being through people-plant interactions and horticultural therapy, and  contributing to a safe, abundant food supply through home fruit and vegetable production.

Learn more about Master Gardeners

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Take your love of nature to the next level.

Master Naturalists provide science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards. We all have a responsibility to protect the natural resources in the places where we live to ensure our world is fit for the future. University of Illinois Extension partners with local agencies to accomplish the Master Naturalist mission.

Learn More About Master Naturalists

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Help others achieve their financial goals.

Financial education and coaching can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Money Mentor volunteers offer unbiased resources and quality information at key, timely moments. Illinois Extension educators provide research-based training to volunteers who want to help others with their personal finances. Your help is needed; volunteer with Money Mentors!

Learn more about Money Mentors

group of 4-H volunteers

The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.

As a 4-H volunteer, you can share your skills and experience to help transform a new generation of confident, young leaders. This is your chance to make a change, to be the spark that inspires a generation. You can make a difference in the lives of young people by teaching them skills that they can use the rest of their lives.

Learn more about Illinois 4-H

Requirements for Volunteers

Learn about our selection process.
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Volunteer Process

Volunteers are valued members of University of Illinois Extension programs. They contribute their skills, talents, and experiences to strengthen all aspects of Extension programs and support our mission. We take the volunteer selection process seriously and work to recruit the best volunteers possible to ensure the quality of our programs and the safety of all participants, staff, and fellow volunteers.

Volunteer Process: English

Volunteer Process: En Español

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Background Screening

University of Illinois Extension partners with Sterling Volunteers as a volunteer background screening provider. Background screening is a requirement to provide liability insurance coverage as part of Illinois Extension’s risk management plan. The process includes certain requirements and checks completed as part of new volunteer onboarding, with some repeated annually or every five years.

Screening Requirements: English

Screening Requirements: En Español

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Take the Next Step

To become a volunteer in Adams, Brown, DeWitt, DuPage, Hancock, Kane, Kendall, Macon, Piatt, Pike, or Schuyler county, please create an account on our new Extension User portal.

If you are an existing volunteer, use the email address you used to create your account on learn.extension.edu.

Create Account

Volunteer with Extension

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