Getting started

How CityServ works

CityServ connects New Yorkers with verified nonprofits in the East Village, Lower East Side, Chinatown, SoHo, and beyond — no spam, no middlemen, just direct connections.

Step by step

  1. Search & filter

    Type a cause ("food"), a neighborhood ("Lower East Side"), or a keyword ("weekend"). Results are sorted by reputability so the most vetted organizations surface first. Use the quick-filter chips to browse by category.

  2. Read the trust score

    Every organization card shows a reputability score (0–100) built from IRS data, Charity Navigator ratings, AmeriCorps grantee status, staff reviews, and community ratings. Click the badge to read exactly how the score was calculated.

  3. Explore the org page

    The org detail page shows the mission, description, verification badges, contact info, all open volunteer opportunities, and reviews from past volunteers — everything you need to decide if it's a good fit.

  4. Sign up directly

    Every "Sign up" button goes straight to the organization's own registration page — not to a middleman form. We intentionally stay out of the way so you connect with the nonprofit directly.

  5. Leave a review

    After you volunteer, come back and leave a review. Ratings and comments help future volunteers make informed decisions and contribute to the organization's reputability score. Sign in with Google or email.

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No gatekeeping

Any volunteer can browse, search, and sign up without creating an account.

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Public data only

Trust scores are built from IRS, AmeriCorps, Charity Navigator, and WHOIS — sources you can check yourself.

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Direct connections

Every sign-up button goes straight to the organization. We never intercept registrations or sell leads.

Frequently asked questions

Is CityServ free?

Yes. CityServ is free for volunteers and free for organizations. We don't charge listing fees, placement fees, or anything else.

How do organizations get listed?

We seed the directory by hand from public data — IRS records, AmeriCorps grantee lists, and ProPublica. If you represent a nonprofit and want to be listed, contact us.

Can I trust the reviews?

Reviews are moderated by AI (Llama Guard) before publication and can be reported by any user. We never edit review text — we either publish or reject it in full. Reviewers must be signed in, which adds a layer of accountability.

Why do some organizations have a low score?

A low score usually means an organization is small or new — not that there's anything wrong. Many excellent community groups haven't filed for AmeriCorps grants or aren't large enough to appear in Charity Navigator yet. Read reviews and visit their website.

What does "Staff Verified" mean?

A CityServ team member reviewed the organization's web presence, confirmed contact info, and checked the volunteer program details. It's a quality signal, not a blanket endorsement.

How do I report an incorrect listing?

Every org page has a "Report this listing" link at the bottom of the sidebar. Use it to flag incorrect info, a defunct organization, or any other concern. We review reports within 7 days.

Ready to start volunteering?

Browse verified opportunities in NYC's East Village and surrounding neighborhoods.

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