Volunteers serving at Desert Rose Bahai Institute

Come and Serve

Volunteer at
Desert Rose

"This is worship, to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people."

— 'Abdu'l-Baha

Why come here

Service is not what we do on the side.
It is the point.

In the Bahai tradition, work done in a spirit of service is a form of worship. You don't need to be Bahai to experience this — you just need to believe that showing up and giving your time and skill to something larger than yourself matters.

DRBI is a real place with real needs. We are not a polished institution with a professional staff for everything. We are a community that runs on the generosity of people who care. When you volunteer here, your contribution is felt immediately and directly.

Volunteers at DRBI become part of the community for as long as they are here. You share meals, conversations, devotionals, and the daily rhythm of life on the campus. Many people come for a week and return for years.

We are located in Eloy, Arizona — between Phoenix and Tucson — on a hundred acres of Sonoran Desert. Accommodation is available on the grounds for volunteers staying longer than a few days. We ask that you reach out so we can welcome you properly.

What DRBI offers volunteers

A Place to Stay

On-site accommodation available for longer-term volunteers. A roof, a bed, and a community to come home to.

Meals & Community

Shared meals, shared work, shared purpose. You will not be alone here. You will be part of something.

Meaningful Work

Every task here — whether it is cooking, farming, teaching, or painting — contributes to something that will outlast your visit.

Open Positions

What we need help with

Each opportunity below describes what you would actually do, how long a commitment is typical, and what kind of person tends to thrive in that role.

The Land

Agricultural Volunteer

Long-term

Work alongside our team to grow food on DRBI's desert land. Tasks include planting, watering, composting, soil preparation, and learning desert-adapted farming practices. No prior experience needed — just a willingness to get your hands in the soil.

Skills: Physical ability to work outdoors. Desert farming knowledge is a bonus but not required.

Ideal for: Someone who wants to learn sustainable agriculture while living in community.

Grounds & Landscaping

Short or Long-term

Help maintain and beautify DRBI's grounds — the paths, the trees, the common spaces. Weekend volunteers are welcome for specific projects like planting or clearing. Longer-term volunteers help shape the look and feel of the campus.

Skills: Basic gardening. Enthusiasm for outdoor work.

Ideal for: People who find peace working outside and want to leave a place more beautiful than they found it.

The Kitchen

Cook & Kitchen Support

Short or Long-term

Prepare meals for classes, retreats, and visiting guests. DRBI has a large professional kitchen. Short-term volunteers are especially needed during events and weekend programs. Longer-term volunteers help establish a regular meal rhythm for the community.

Skills: Cooking experience preferred. Ability to prepare for groups of 10-50 people.

Ideal for: Someone who sees feeding people as a form of hospitality and service.

Buildings & Maintenance

Maintenance & Repair

Short or Long-term

DRBI's campus includes meeting spaces, dormitories, a library, an art gallery, rental units, and a swimming pool. There is always work to be done — painting, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, general repairs. Both skilled tradespeople and general helpers are welcome.

Skills: Any construction, plumbing, electrical, or carpentry skills are very valuable. General helpers welcome too.

Ideal for: People who are good with their hands and enjoy practical problem-solving.

Renovation Project Volunteer

Short-term

Specific renovation projects arise throughout the year — renovating a dormitory room, updating a space, building new infrastructure. These are great opportunities for skilled volunteers who can commit to a focused project over a week or two.

Skills: Construction or renovation skills. Ability to work independently and follow a plan.

Ideal for: Skilled builders or craftspeople who want to leave something lasting.

Education & Programs

Teacher or Workshop Leader

Short-term

Share your expertise by leading a class, workshop, or intensive session. DRBI welcomes teachers in Bahai scripture, arts, agriculture, music, crafts, permaculture, language, history, or any field aligned with our mission. We handle logistics — you bring the teaching.

Skills: Deep knowledge in your area. Ability to engage a small group of serious learners.

Ideal for: Scholars, practitioners, artists, or experts who want to teach in an intimate setting.

Event Coordinator

Short-term

Help plan and run DRBI events — coordinating logistics, welcoming guests, managing schedules, communicating with attendees. This can be done partly remotely in advance and on-site during the event itself.

Skills: Organizational skills. Good communication. Experience with event logistics helpful.

Ideal for: Detail-oriented people who enjoy making experiences run smoothly for others.

Arts & Creative

Artist in Residence

Long-term

Live and create at DRBI. In exchange for contributing to the life of the community — teaching a workshop, performing, or sharing your work — you receive time, space, and quiet to create. Painters, musicians, writers, potters, weavers, and other artists are all welcome.

Skills: A serious creative practice in any medium.

Ideal for: Artists who want to create in a spiritually meaningful environment and give back through their art.

Music & Performance Support

Short-term

DRBI events often include music, devotionals, and performances. Musicians, sound technicians, and performers who can contribute to events and concerts are warmly welcomed.

Skills: Musical skill or sound/AV technical ability.

Ideal for: Musicians and performers who see their art as a form of service.

Media & Technology

KURE Radio Volunteer

Short or Long-term

KURE-LP 106.1 FM is DRBI's community radio station. Volunteers are needed for programming, on-air hosting, production, content curation, and station operations. If you have broadcast or media experience, we'd love to hear from you.

Skills: Radio, broadcasting, audio production, or media experience.

Ideal for: People who believe in the power of community media to spread ideas.

Web & Technology

Remote possible

DRBI's website and digital systems need ongoing care and improvement. If you have web development, design, or digital media skills, there is meaningful work to contribute — even from a distance.

Skills: Web development, graphic design, photography, video editing, or social media.

Ideal for: Tech-minded people who want their skills to serve a mission-driven organization.

Photographer / Videographer

Short-term

DRBI events, programs, and campus life deserve to be documented well. We need photographers and videographers who can capture the spirit of what happens here — for our website, our newsletter, and our history.

Skills: Photography or video skills. An eye for authentic, human moments.

Ideal for: Visual storytellers who want to help DRBI share its story with the world.

Administration & Operations

Office & Administration

Long-term

Help keep DRBI running — correspondence, scheduling, record-keeping, donor communications, and general office support. This is the backbone that allows everything else to happen.

Skills: Organizational ability. Computer proficiency. MBA or nonprofit administration experience valued.

Ideal for: Detail-oriented people who thrive in a support role and understand that good administration is itself a form of service.

Grant Writing & Fundraising

Remote possible

DRBI depends on grants and donations to fund its programs and infrastructure. Volunteers with experience writing grant proposals or developing fundraising strategies can make an enormous difference to our long-term sustainability.

Skills: Grant writing, fundraising, nonprofit finance, or communications.

Ideal for: People with development experience who want to help a worthy cause secure the resources it needs.

Our People