VOLUNTEER with Charlotte Pride
Year-Round Volunteering
We are seeking individuals from myriad backgrounds, talents, and skill sets to help lead and support the work of Charlotte Pride. We particularly encourage women, people of color, and trans and gender-diverse individuals to apply.
Our Year-Round Volunteer Team Applications for 2027 are opening soon. Check back for updates!
Perks of Volunteering with Charlotte Pride:
Professional Development: Build your portfolio and gain hands-on experience.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals and community leaders.
Make a Difference: Support LGBTQ+ visibility and equality.
Fun & Community: Be part of a passionate, fun-loving team!
general expectations
- Be present: Attend monthly meetings with the entire Charlotte Pride team in addition to attending your individual team’s monthly meetings
- Be engaged: During these meetings and in between meetings, help ensure your team’s projects are progressing on schedule
- Commununicate openly and regularly: Stay in conversation with staff, board, and other leaders and volunteers through the Charlotte Pride-provided email account
- Attend our Monthly Team Huddles
- Be present from Friday morning through Sunday evening of the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade Weekend
- Support: Attend and/or volunteer at three Charlotte Pride events throughout the year, not including the Festival and Parade weekend
* Members of the Reel Out Charlotte Team do not need to attend monthly team huddles and should expect to be present for the week of the film festival.
How to Apply
- Read the general expectations
- Peruse the listing of team descriptions and open positions below
- Click on the application button to apply
Application Timeline
Updates coming soon!
Application and Interview Process
This process helps us identify new leaders, voices, and skills that can help us, together, make a bigger impact on our community. Before any community member takes on a leadership role, we want you to be aware of the amount of work and time you’ll be expected to commit. The descriptions of our team responsibilities, as well as this interview process, will help you make the best decision about how you can best serve.
Applicants will likely be asked to attend an interview, during which staff will ask questions to get to know you — and understand your skillset — better.
Please be sure you have thoroughly reviewed the description and time commitment expectations of the role for which you are applying.
Have questions? Feel free to email us at staff@charlottepride.org.
Festival & Parade Team
The Festival & Parade Team is comprised of dedicated volunteers who oversee key areas of the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade. Working closely with Charlotte Pride staff, this team ensures the successful planning and execution of the weekend’s events. Volunteers contribute to everything from entertainment and stage management to logistics, vendor coordination, and parade operations. Each member plays a crucial role in creating an inclusive, safe, and celebratory experience for the LGBTQ+ community and allies during the festival and parade weekend.
For whom are we looking?
We are seeking music- and pop-culture-lovers who have a passion for arts and entertainment and who understand the value of representation. We are also seeking someone with music/entertainment stage management experience who can help create and/or help execute a run-of-show, with a stage book and stage plot to guide.
Under the leadership of our Entertainment & Drag Team Coordinator, volunteers should be comfortable working with LGBTQ+ performers and drag artists.
This team will help curate, plan, and manage the entertainment lineup on the Charlotte Pride Main Stage. Members can also help support and manage our Charlotte Pride Drag Pageant on the evening of Thursday, August 14, 2026.
What will they be doing?
The Entertainment and Drag Team will coordinate and manage performances and presentations from LGBTQ+ and ally artists, including live music and drag performances. Volunteers will set up and help manage a Charlotte Pride Main Stage “green room” pavilion for Main Stage entertainers, speakers, and support staff, maintaining a comfortable environment for performers, volunteers, and guest speakers and participants, such as our ASL interpreters. Responsibilities include assisting with logistics, coordinating with artists, and making sure the space stays inviting and engaging.
When will they be doing it?
The responsibilities of the Entertainment & Drag Team are most intense during Charlotte Pride Week and Weekend, with minimal work to be done during the year. However, being present for monthly meetings is a must.
For whom are we looking?
Our Festival Zone Team Coordinators are logistical superstars with incredible attention to detail who is proficient in Excel and other Microsoft Office platforms. They are a skilled and detailed communicator who comfortable with managing large databases and helping to coordinate hundreds of vendors and a variety of project components.
What will they be doing?
Along with the Festival Vendor Team Coordinator, this volunteer will help evaluate, organize, and select vendors for the Charlotte Pride festival. Serving as the primary points of contact for all vendor questions and concerns, the team will communicate regular updates with applicants and approved vendors. Additionally, Festival Zone Team volunteers will assist in the development of new and improved check-in/check-out processes for vendors and work with the Operations Manager to develop the festival map.
This person will also assist with vendor load-in on Friday, August 14, and Saturday morning, August 15, as well as vendor load-out on Sunday, August 16. In addition, they will help ensure vendor satisfaction through friendly support and help in answering various vendors’ questions and helping to meet their needs.
When will they be doing it?
Team Coordinators can expect to devote 3-5 hours per week to their work between January and April and up to 10 or more hours per week May through August.
In order to support the Team Coordinator, vendor team members should have significant amounts of freedom in scheduling to ensure participation in team meetings on a nearly weekly basis upon the onset of festival vendor application review.
They will need to be available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the festival weekend.
For whom are we looking?
We are seeking individuals with strong leadership and organizational skills to join the Finance Team and oversee ticket sales operations during the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade weekend. Supervisors should be comfortable assisting staff, managing event logistics, and ensuring smooth ticketing processes.
What will they be doing?
The Ticket Tent Supervisors will oversee the setup and takedown of registers, assist with ID checks and wristband distribution, and ensure ticket sales staff are properly trained and supported. They will work closely with the Finance Team to maintain efficient and organized ticket sales operations throughout the event.
For whom are we looking?
We are seeking volunteers who have a passion for the arts and creating inclusive, welcoming environments. Under the leadership of our Flourish Team Coordinator, volunteers should be comfortable working with LGBTQ+ performing and fine arts groups, as well as spoken word artists and filmmakers. This team will plan and manage this free, indoor arts activation which is held in an air-conditioned space where attendees can relax and enjoy the arts during the Charlotte Pride Festival.
What will they be doing?
The Flourish Team will coordinate and manage performances and presentations from LGBTQ+ artists, including live music, spoken word, short films, and more. Volunteers will help set up and maintain this dedicated arts space, ensuring a comfortable environment for both performers and attendees. Responsibilities include assisting with logistics, coordinating with artists, and making sure the space stays inviting and engaging. Flourish is planned for the afternoon of Saturday, August 15, 2026, in the Dubois Center (TBD).
For whom are we looking?
This volunteer will be incredibly logistics-minded, ready to dive into complex projects, and work to ensure thoughtful solutions that help streamline and support the entire festival and parade weekend. This role isn’t the most glamorous, but it is a perfect place for those who want to really play an essential role while staying a bit more behind-the-scenes.
Operations and Logistics Team Members will be logistics-minded and ready to turn on a dime to solve problems, run errands, set up signs, deliver or pick up items or people, help with event set-up, execution (such as ice delivery to vendors), and much more. This person will be able to lift 30 pounds and is equipped for physical work. They should be able to drive a golf cart, U-Haul, or even a forklift in special cases.
What will they be doing?
This person will be vital in helping the event run smoothly and successfully by helping plan and support the weekend’s set-up, and tear-down. Ideally, this person could be present the week of the festival, particularly the Thursday prior to the festival, for setup and event implementation needs.
For whom are we looking?
We are looking for an individual who is willing to go above and beyond in a volunteer role, with an attentive, professional work ethic, who enjoys rising to challenge, and finding solutions to complex and logistical obstacles. This person is excited about the opportunity to create something exciting, engaging, and sustainable for our community, while understanding and valuing the intensive time commitment that it will take to oversee the operational, logistical, and creative components of the Charlotte Pride Parade.
What will they be doing?
As owner of a key volunteer position, this individual is expected to have a professional or educational background that is relevant to the coordination of large-scale event planning and management. This role supports the Parade Team Coordinator to oversee the parade line-up, parade staging, and outreach to parade participants, including best practices for parade check-in and staging and participant organization and line-up. This individual will work with the full committee of parade volunteers tasked with helping to plan and execute the parade, with a focus on parade staging, emcee guide, parade route crowd control, and management of the de-staging area.
This person will play a key role in executing the parade on Sunday, August 16th, 2026, from early morning through the afternoon.
For whom are we looking?
We are seeking friendly, engaging volunteer leaders who are passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming environments. These volunteer leaders will help recruit, coordinate, and manage 200-300 weekend-of volunteers who will help manage our Charlotte Pride Festival, August 15-16, 2026.
We particularly need individuals who enjoy managing data and/or facilitating ongoing communications with large groups of people.
Under the leadership of our Volunteer Team Coordinator, volunteers should be “people” persons who are proficient at managing hundreds of folks over the course of a couple of days.
What will they be doing?
The Volunteer Experience Team will coordinate and manage hundreds of weekend-of volunteers who will be helping with set-up, ticket tents, parade execution, bar service, and more.
During the Festival weekend, the Volunteer Experience Team will maintain an indoor, air-conditioned space where volunteers can be checked in, receive direction and guidance, and take breaks to relax and enjoy food and drinks and A/C during the Charlotte Pride weekend.
Responsibilities will include assisting with volunteer coordination, walking volunteers to their assigned posts, and making sure the check-in/break room space stays inviting, clean, and organized.
When will they be doing it?
A medium amount of time is needed to participate on this team.
In addition to being available Fesitval and Parade weekend, these volunteer leaders will need to devote time during the summer months to help promote Festival and Parade volunteer opportunities and recruit weekend-of volunteers. Time will also be spent communicating with volunteers who sign up to participate.
In addition, volunteers will help solicit and oversee food donations and purchases for volunteers, in coordination with the operations team.
For whom are we looking?
We are seeking people who are passionate about creating interesting, engaging, creative, and fun spaces for families within Pride. Educators or folks who work with children are ideal for this position.
Under the leadership of our Youth & Family Team Coordinator, volunteers should be comfortable working with children and young people under 21 and should enjoy curating inclusive spaces for children and youth.
What will they be doing?
This team will help curate, plan, and manage the entertainment lineup on the Youth & Family Stage and the games and activities in the Youth & Family Zone. The team will ensure an organized but enjoyable area with a variety of different opportunities to engage, from crafts to story hours to sensory spaces and a family care tent.
When will they be doing it?
The responsibilities of the Youth & Family Team are most intense during Charlotte Pride Week and Weekend, with some work to be done during the year. However, being present for monthly meetings is a must.
The Charlotte Pride Communications Team is composed of creative, passionate volunteers skilled in photography, videography, social media, graphic design, and writing. Under the leadership of the Communications Coordinator, these volunteers amplify the stories, messages, and events of Charlotte Pride. The team helps create, capture, and share content throughout the year, with a special focus on the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade weekend. Each member plays a vital role in event coverage, social media management, and ensuring all content aligns with Charlotte Pride’s voice and brand.
We are seeking team members who are eager to help in one or more of the following ways:
- Photography – You hold experience in photo editing and are confident taking pictures at events.
- Social Media – You are passionate about creating engaging and impactful content for social media. You are familiar with Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and/or LinkedIn. You are a creative thinker who enjoys staying on top of social media trends.
- Videography – You are experienced in video recording, editing, and production. You enjoy crafting short-form videos, event highlights, and promotional material for Charlotte Pride.
- Graphic Design – You have experience in graphic design and are passionate about visually representing the LGBTQ community. You are proficient in Canva, or Adobe Creative Suite.
- Professional writing – You have experience in professional writing, journalism, or copywriting and are excited to help amplify Charlotte Pride’s message. Team members will help craft press releases, newsletters, social media captions, and articles for the annual Charlotte Pride Magazine.
Programs Teams
The Charlotte Pride Programs Teams include Reel Out Charlotte: the Queen City’s Annual LGBTQ Film Festival and the Interfaith Team. These two teams consist of passionate volunteers who work closely with staff to execute impactful programming that supports and uplifts the LGBTQ+ community.
Each team plays a crucial role in creating safe, inclusive, and celebratory spaces for various identities and interests within Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ population.
For whom are we looking?
Individuals passionate about LGBTQ Cinema and bringing together communities with the goal of storytelling. Our Reel Out Charlotte Team will help oversee short film selections, programming, and staffing the event itself.
What will they be doing?
A large portion of this role is watching short films and joining meetings to discuss the films to help make informed decisions about the best picks for the festival. If you enjoy movies, this is the role for you.
For whom are we looking?
An individual passionate about the role of LGBTQ-inclusive and -affirming faith communities in the greater Charlotte community. This person values and respects the various faith traditions without prejudice and prioritizes the contributions of often underrepresented religious and ethnic communities. This team member will support the work of the Interfaith Team Coordinator and current team members.
What will they be doing?
The Interfaith Team is tasked with planning each year’s Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service, planned for August 9, 2026, including coordination on identifying a host congregation or venue, marketing needs, and programmatic development. This committee of volunteers should prioritize intentional outreach to underrepresented faith groups (e.g., Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and others).