Get Involved! Volunteer with Emotions Matter
Emotions Matter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization our mission is to support, advocate, and educate for borderline personality disorder. Our vision is to create a world in which every individual impacted by BPD has access to treatment, resources and support.
We depend on volunteers to help us make this vision a reality through our programs and events. Will you get involved to help us expand our mission and services for the BPD community?
Emotions Matter’s volunteer needs change throughout the year based on the needs of our organization. Below are the different ways volunteers may get involved with Emotions Matter. Some opportunities are ongoing, while others have limited openings or are available based on current projects and needs.
Volunteer Application & Onboarding Process
All volunteers are required to:
Submit a Volunteer Application
Participate in a brief 15-min volunteer interview
Attend a one-hour Volunteer Orientation
Sign our Volunteer Agreement
We review volunteer applications throughout the year based on our current needs and available opportunities. Applicants who may be a good fit for a current or upcoming opportunity will be invited to a brief interview with a member of our team.
Following the interview, selected applicants will be invited to attend a Volunteer Orientation via Zoom. Volunteer Orientations are typically held once a quarter, four times a year. Volunteer Orientation is generally held in the evening EST.
Once orientation is completed and the Volunteer Agreement is signed, volunteers can begin getting involved in their specific role, committee, or project.
Volunteer Opportunities for 2026
Emotions Matter’s volunteer needs change based on the strategic needs of our organization. Here are the currently open volunteer roles and committee opportunities for 2026, listed by category.
For Clinicians/Researchers:
Education Committee Volunteer
The Education Committee is a small, working committee with limited openings. Volunteer opportunities are considered periodically based on the committee’s current needs and areas of focus.
Education Committee volunteers contribute to the organizing and leadership of workshops and other educational programs and events at Emotions Matter. This committee also oversees the creation of stigma-free educational content about borderline personality disorder for our lived experience community. Volunteers on this committee should be involved in research or clinical work related to the BPD field, and be willing to take on leadership to help the committee with implementing its strategic goals. Committee volunteers are appointed by Emotions Matter leadership.
Grant Writing & Research Support Volunteer – Emotions Matter often collaborates with clinician-researchers and other experienced volunteers to assist with grant prospecting, grant research, editing and reviewing grant applications, and advising on submissions. These volunteers are not working as part of a committee, but work directly with staff or Board members as part of our fundraising and program development efforts. Volunteers in this role should have professional experience with grant writing, grant research, or related work.
For People with Lived Experience of Borderline Personality Disorder
Lived Experience Advisory Committee Volunteer
The Lived Experience Advisory Committee is a leadership committee that provides critical input into the programs, communications, and strategic work of Emotions Matter. The committee advises staff and the Board by offering lived experience perspectives and feedback on new programs, fundraising initiatives, communications, educational materials, and other organizational projects.
Committee volunteers may also be invited to review materials or outside projects through a lived experience lens, helping ensure that language and content about BPD are respectful, stigma-free, and reflective of the community we serve. Volunteers on this committee must have lived experience of BPD. Opportunities are available based on current needs, and volunteers are invited to join by committee leadership.
Program Volunteer: Peer Support Group Facilitator
Emotions Matter welcomes people with lived experience of BPD who identify with recovery to volunteer as Peer Group Facilitators for our BPD Peer Online Support Groups. These volunteers require a special application, references, peer group attendance, an interview, and up to 10 hours of training. For more information about the Peer Support Group Facilitator application process: https://emotionsmatterbpd.org/peer-facilitators
Program Volunteer: Lived Experience Speaker/Panelist
Emotions Matter incorporates lived experience voices into educational programs and workshops, including our Demystifying BPD program. Volunteers in this role may be invited to share their personal experience with BPD as a speaker or panelist to help educate others and reduce stigma.
Emotions Matter works with volunteers to prepare for these opportunities, including guidance and support in developing their personal narrative and sharing their story in a way that feels comfortable and appropriate for the program.
Volunteers should have lived experience of BPD and be comfortable speaking about their experiences with others. Speaking opportunities are offered based on program needs throughout the year.
For the Community, Family Members and People with Lived Experience
Fundraising & Events Committee
Fundraising and Events Committee Volunteers plan and oversee Emotions Matter’s fundraising events throughout the year. These events will include planning and getting involved in our BPD Walk in New York, as well as our 2026 BPD Walk expansion to other cities across the United States.
Responsibilities may include planning our 2026 BPD Art Show and other special fundraising events. Our volunteers are what make our fun, engaging in-person events happen, building community and connecting people to Emotions Matter’s work and mission.
Without fundraising, Emotions Matter would not have the financing to support our mission to empower and connect people impacted by BPD through peer programs, education and advocacy. This committee is essential to leading our Giving Tuesday campaign and Holiday Appeal, promoting the sustainability of our programs. These campaigns involve digital communications, online fundraising, outreach, and other fundraising strategies.
Volunteers on this committee often have lived experience of BPD, either as a family member or person with lived experience, however, it is not a requirement. This committee is open to people in the community who want to get involved to support our public events and fundraising efforts.
New volunteers will be asked to choose which fundraising event or project they want to be a part of during the calendar year during the interview.
Skill-Based Volunteer Opportunities
Emotions Matter also works with volunteers who contribute specific professional skills or provide behind-the-scenes support for short-term projects and ongoing organizational needs. These opportunities are not necessarily part of a committee and may be available at different times throughout the year based on current needs.
Areas of need may include:
Administrative & Project Support - Assist with administrative projects, data organization, research, outreach research, sponsor or donor prospect research, and other behind-the-scenes needs.
Communications & Creative Support - Assist with graphic design/Canva, social media and content creation, writing and editing, photography, video editing, and other communications projects.
Fundraising & Grant Support - Assist with fundraising research, sponsor and donor prospecting, grant research and writing, and other development projects.
Information Technology - Assist with Emotions Matter’s technology needs, including technology implementation, integrations, systems, and other technical projects.
Finance & Accounting - Volunteers with professional experience in accounting, bookkeeping, financial management, nonprofit finance, or related areas may support specific financial and operational projects.
Legal & Professional Services - Volunteers with legal or other specialized professional experience may assist with specific organizational needs and projects based on their area of expertise.
These needs change throughout the year. If you have professional experience or a skill that is not listed here but you believe could contribute to Emotions Matter, we still encourage you to tell us about it in your application.
Questions? Email: info@emotionsmatterbpd.org.