This list is noncomprehensive. Nonprofits are listed in alphabetical order.
Any Baby Can
The nonprofit provides child development, family health and parent support services in Austin and surrounding counties.
- Sample activities: creating developmental tools for kids or decorations for celebrations; help at events and fundraisers; custom experiences for groups
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, in-kind donations on a case-by-case basis
- 6207 Sheridan Ave., Austin
- www.anybabycan.org/get-involved
APF is dedicated to partnering with the community to enhance people’s lives by improving public parks, trails and green spaces through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support. Since its inception in 1992, APF has invested more than $85 million into the city's parks.
- Sample activities: mulching, litter cleanup, invasive species removal
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 1023 Springdale Road, Austin
- www.austinparks.org
APA is a nonprofit animal rescue organization dedicated to saving companion animals most at risk of euthanasia and has helped 130,000 pets since 2008.
- Sample activities: dog walking, dog and cat care, shelter support, fostering, assisting in the medical clinic, marketing, events and data entry
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts and pet supplies.
- 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin
- www.austinpetsalive.org
Formerly known as Assistance League of Austin, the nonprofit aims to strengthen communities through the operation of its seven programs that serve children, teens and adults in the Greater Austin area. Programs and operations are funded by Thrift House revenue, foundation grants, member dues and donations.
- Sample activities: volunteer in the Thrift House; provide school-age children with clothing, shoes and toiletries; work with hospital patients; perform administrative services
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 4901 Burnet Road, Austin
- www.betteratx.org/get-involved
Since 1971, the nonprofit has facilitated mentor-mentee matches. The organization’s mission is to provide the support and guidance youth need to achieve their full potential.
- Sample activities: match events, fundraising or event support, mentorships
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, in-kind donations
- 4800 Manor Road, Bldg. K, Austin
- www.bigmentoring.org
The 10-acre nature preserve provides woodland, riparian and prairie habitat for urban wildlife and is open to the public daily.
- Sample activities: maintaining trails, removing invasive plant species, cleaning the preserve
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 5401 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin
- https://travisaudubon.org/sanctuaries/blair-woods
The nonprofit is dedicated to providing homes and tailored services to prevent and end homelessness.
- Sample activities: serve lunch in the Community Kitchen; assemble and donate care kits; work directly with clients; provide administrative support; pick up and deliver donations
- Donations accepted: monetary donations, gift cards, snack packs, hygiene packs, winter care kits
- 611 Neches St., Austin
- www.caritasofaustin.org
The hunger-relief nonprofit works to provide access to nutritious food for individuals throughout its 21-county service area.
- Sample activities: preparing afterschool meals, sorting products in the warehouse and harvesting produce in the garden, assisting with one of 40 mobile pantry distributions
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, food donations
- 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin
- www.centraltexasfoodbank.org
The homeless navigation and hospitality center offers navigation services to help individuals move toward permanent housing.
- Sample activities: preparing a dish; helping to serve a meal; set-up and clean-up of the center; welcoming clients; helping clients check mail
- Donations accepted: foam bowls, disposable lunch plates, napkins, granulated sugar, coffee creamer, ground coffee, items off Amazon wishlist
- Mosaic Church, 12675 Research Blvd., Austin; 12116 Jekel Circle, Austin
- www.thecharliecenter.org/new-page-volunteer
The nonprofit works with students pre-K through 12th grade to provide the support and resources they need to unlock their potential and thrive.
- Sample activities: meet with a student weekly at their campus as a reading buddy, math buddy or mentor; host a supply drive at your business or group
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, in-kind donations, drives
- Located within 55 schools in Austin ISD
- www.ciscentraltexas.org
CARY's mission is to empower at-risk youth with skills to avoid crime and violence.
- Sample activities: planning an event or program, dropping off donations, helping celebrate CARY graduations, supporting service learning projects and field trips
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, sponsorships
- 3710 Cedar Street, Box 23, Austin
- www.cary4kids.org
Drive a Senior ATX, Chariot and Senior Access recently merged to become one agency to serve more older adults in the greater Austin area. Now called Drive a Senior, the nonprofit’s mission is to empower older adults to live independently, stay connected and age in place by providing crucial transportation and support services, helping seniors avoid social isolation and maintain their quality of life.
- Sample activities: using own car to provide transportation to seniors; helping at home with minor repairs; technical support and light yard work.
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 2601 Exposition Blvd., Austin
- www.driveasenioratx.org
The nonprofit works to improve childhood literacy rates by offering one-on-one reading support to children.
- Sample activities: reading with students, practicing reading fluency, discussing stories and reading
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- www.education-connection.org
The nonprofit empowers youth from economically disadvantaged communities through leadership, mentoring and outdoor adventure.
- Sample activities: become a youth mentor, work a fundraising event, join the young professionals group, organize the warehouse gear, serve breakfast to youth, work a shift during summer wilderness trip season
- Donations accepted: outdoor gear and monetary donations
- 1211 W. Sixth St., Ste. 600, Austin
- www.exploreaustin.org
The nonprofit provides affordable homes and free on-site support services.
- Sample activities: helping Central Texans file their taxes, manage finances, find insurance plans, learn English, help children with their homework
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 3000 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Ste. 300, Austin
- www.foundcom.org
Founded in 1997, the nonprofit provides shelter, affordable housing, and education to help residents find stability and long-term housing.
- Sample activities: support fundraising events through organizing and administrative tasks; distribute hygiene kits and blankets; assist with annual community outreach and data collection efforts
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, blankets and new coats
- 4507 N. I-35 Frontage Road, Austin
- www.frontsteps.org
The nonprofit provides access to affordable healthcare for low-income, working musicians, DJs and music teachers in Central Texas by offering a range of services, including dental, vision, hearing and mental health care. The team also helps members navigate the healthcare system.
- Sample activities: event support, information tabling, donation collecting, selling merchandise, administrative work, material delivery
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 3036 S. First St., Austin
- www.myhaam.org
Part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, the Austin chapter offers programs on career readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurship to children and young adults.
- Sample activities: student mentorship, event setup and teardown, program presentations, one-day program assistance
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- www.jacentex.org
Keep Austin Fed is a food rescue organization that collects surplus food from businesses throughout Austin and redistributes it to communities facing hunger.
- Sample activities: food rescue driver, food sorting and organizing at cooler hub, assist with community food giveaways
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- www.keepaustinfed.org
The local nonprofit is dedicated to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education and workforce services. Each year, the nonprofit partners with more than 2,500 youths to build pathways to safety, stability, and opportunity.
- Sample activities: ongoing support opportunities include assisting with daily operations at the Youth Resource Center, holiday program opportunities include organizing holiday gifts for clients
- Donations accepted: in-kind food donations
- 835 N. Pleasant Valley Road, Austin
- www.lifeworksaustin.org
The dental practice offers low-cost dental care. The organization also provides adult education programs, including English learning classes, computer skills workshops, and citizenship courses. In addition, the center operates a food pantry that distributes food and clothing.
- Sample activities: support adult learners through ESL programs, computer and citizenship classes; distribute food; provide dental care
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, food and clothing donations, auction item donations
- 4911 Harmon Ave., Austin
- www.manosdecristo.org
The nonprofit helps homebound and older adults age in place through home-delivered meals along with other programs, including Senior Lunch Centers or the PALS program that assists seniors with pet food and veterinary care.
- Sample activities: lunch hour delivery, grocery delivery, pet to vet transport, office help
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 3227 E. Fifth St., Austin
- www.mowctx.org
The 30-bedroom Ronald McDonald House provides a place to stay near the hospital with meals, laundry and spaces to rest at no cost. Family rooms inside partner hospitals offer parents a quiet place to recharge and Happy Wheels Carts bring snacks, small toys and comfort to families in hospital rooms. Family Support Services provide emotional and practical resources.
- Sample activities: cook and serve meals, help with daily tasks, restocking and assisting with families in need
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd. Ste. 1/2, Austin
- www.rmhc-ctx.org
The nonprofit gives private concerts to individuals near the end of life.
- Sample activities: concert liaison, event volunteer, outreach volunteer, administrative volunteer
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 2101 S. I-35, Ste. 219, Austin
- www.swansongs.org
Sunrise offers pathways to housing for people experiencing homelessness through access to wraparound services. The organization has helped more than 5,000 households move into supportive housing and serves more than 10,000 people each year.
- Sample activities: sorting donations, assembling hygiene kits, making first aid kits, hanging clothing, serving in the cafe
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, in-kind donations
- 4430 Menchaca Road, Austin
- www.sunrisenavigationcenter.org
TTC works to protect and enhance the Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake.
- Sample activities: native planting and seeding, mulching, trash pickup, event support
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, corporate sponsorships, memberships
- 1920 E. Riverside Drive, Ste. A-120, PMB 223, Austin
- www.thetrailconservancy.org
