In April 2011, Dobrev was cast as Candace Kelmeckis in the film adaptation of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, alongside Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Paul Rudd. In August 2014, she starred alongside Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. in the 20th Century Fox comedy Let's Be Cops.
Dobrev is an enthusiastic volunteer and uses her reputation to support many charitable causes, including Puma’s 2011 non-profit "Project Pink" which supports numerous breast cancer charities and "Hunger Bites" organization that is dedicated to reducing hunger in 27 districts across Pennsylvania. Dobrev is also recognized for her long term involvement with WE movement, a Canadian-based charity which empowers youth to be agents of change. Dobrev took part in a Me to We volunteer trip to Kenya to help build a school. She has hosted We Day event in Toronto back in 2011 and made an appearance on stage at WE Day California 2019. Other social and charity issues Dobrev has been involved with include communities in Schools, school supplies, Elton John AIDS Foundation and "Rape Foundation" which gives comprehensive care to rape victims and sexually abused children.