Animal services
Austin Animal Center
Volunteers at the city-run, no-kill shelter required to attend a training session and commit to six hours a month. The nonprofit is operating services and opportunities by appointment only.
- Sample activities: greeting adopters at the shelter, providing outreach, giving enrichment to dogs or cats, serving as adoption ambassadors, providing medical assistance
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts accepted online, item donations dropped off at shelter or ordered through Amazon wish list
- 7201 Levander Loop, Bldg. A, Austin
- www.austintexas.gov/austin-animal-center
The organization serves children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted therapies, therapeutic riding sessions, reading programs, job training programs and summer camps.
- Sample activities: grooming horses, fundraising, walking beside riders
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, purchases from the Red Arena gift shop or Amazon wish list
- 2435 W. Fitzhugh Rd., Dripping Springs
- www.redarena.org
Central Texas Food Bank
The food bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Central Texas, serving more than 93,000 people every week.
- Sample activities: sorting food donations, assisting with the mobile food pantry, working in a community garden or kitchen
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin
- www.centraltexasfoodbank.org
This nonprofit is dedicated to preserving natural areas, such as rivers and scenic vistas, as well as working farms and ranches in the Texas Hill Country through community, collaboration and engagement.
- Sample activities: Volunteers can help with monthly Violet Crown Trail cleanups.
- Donations accepted: Hill Country Conservancy accepts one-time, monthly or annual donations online.
- 1601 S. MoPac Expressway., Ste. 150C, Austin
- www.hillcountryconservancy.org
The nonprofit operates as a thrift shop and supports over 50 nonprofit organizations through its shop proceeds.
- Sample activities: 3-hour shift at the store
- Donations accepted: Clothing, shoes, jewelry, toys, books, DVDs, CDs, kitchen appliances, electronics, household decor, musical instruments, sporting goods and more, all in good condition.
- 440 Medical Pkwy., Austin
- www.laketravisthriftshop.com
The nonprofit provides food and limited financial support to neighbors living within Lake Travis ISD boundaries who find themselves in a crisis.
- Sample activities: Drivers, grocery carriers, interpreters
- Donations accepted: Nonperishable food, hygiene items, and diapers can be dropped off at local churches (designated drop off locations) or the LTCM office during hours of operation.
- 107 S. RM 620, Ste. 114, Lakeway
- www.ltcrisisministries.org
The nonprofit offers youth sports including soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, tackle football, flag football, cheerleading, dance, wrestling, boys and girls lacrosse and track and field.
- Sample activities: Volunteer coaches
- Donations accepted: Monetary donations
- 2101 Lakeway Blvd., Ste. 115, Lakeway
- www.ltya.org
As a social outreach ministry, this nonprofit empowers communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless. Its mission is to provide food and clothing, cultivate community, and promote dignity to those in need.
- Sample activities: Volunteers at the St. John Neumann Commissary can organize, prepare and deliver meals. Opportunities at the Community First! Village may include gardening, prepping micro homes and more.
- Donations accepted: Donations accepted online including one-time donations, monthly gifts and planned giving.
- 9301 Hog Eye Road, Ste. 950, Austin
- www.mlf.org
Eanes Education Foundation
The foundation strives to fund over 50 educator positions for the district each year, including nurses, counselors, reading specialists, advanced math teachers and more.
- Sample activities: Assisting with fundraising campaigns, serving as a campus representative, participating in a Gala committee, helping at various events throughout the year
- Donations accepted: Monetary donations
- 601 Camp Craft Road, Austin
- www.eaneseducationfoundation.org
This nonprofit empowers girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
- Sample activities: Volunteers are needed to lead hands-on STEM activities, serve as guest speakers, write inspirational note cards and more.
- Donations accepted: Donations are accepted online.
- 1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin
- www.girlstart.org
The foundation exists to meet critical classroom needs beyond the funding capabilities of the district by providing grants to schools.
- Sample Activities: Turkey Trot and Race Day setup, mentors and guest speakers for Entrepreneurial Studies program.
- Donations accepted: Cash, checks, bitcoin donations.
- 607 N. RM 620, Austin
- www.lteducationfoundation.org
The organization provides free, gently-used clothes to all students in Leander ISD.
- Sample activities: sorting donations, organizing bins, tagging and hanging clothes, doing inventory, helping families sign in, finding sizes or items, helping with check out
- Donations accepted: gently-used, school appropriate clothing; closed-toe shoes; new socks and underwear
- 324 S. West Drive, Leander; 6500 Sitio Del Rio Blvd., Austin
- www.lisdptacouncil.com/clothes-closet
