This list is not comprehensive. Organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
Alzheimer's Texas
The group seeks to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research and to enhance care and support for those with the disease, their families and caregivers.
- Sample activities: facilitating support groups, planning special events, representing the nonprofit at health fairs, serving as advocates and social media ambassadors
- Donations accepted: monetary
- 7000 N. MoPac, Ste. 200, Austin
- www.txalz.org
This nonprofit was founded in Austin in 1975 and connects local youth and young adults ages 16-35 to education, paid career training and support services through two main programs, Texas Conservation Corps and YouthBuild. Program participants learn new job skills and implement these skills to address community issues such as building micro homes for unhoused individuals, disaster response and recovery, environmental resiliency projects, and helping people access affordable housing and healthcare.
- Sample activities: support students as a Mentor or Tutor
- Donations: monetary donations, corporate sponsorships, in-kind donation
- 1901 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin
- www.americanyouthworks.org
The national organization works to fight heart disease and stroke through research funding and education.
- Sample activities: events preparation and day-of assistance, tabling at community events, presentations, communications support
- Donations accepted: monetary
- 12345 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 200, Austin
- www.heart.org
Any Baby Can is a Central Texas nonprofit that offers in-home services for children facing a scary diagnosis, first-time moms and parents who need extra support to take on life’s challenges.
- Sample activities: child care, assembling kits, running a phone bank, organizing storage
- Donations accepted: monetary and in-kind donations
- 6207 Sheridan Ave., Austin
- www.anybabycan.org
Assistance League of Austin is an all-volunteer nonprofit that 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 in need with new school clothing, shoes and toiletries; hand out toys and books at Dell Children’s Medical Center; and perform administrative services
- Donations accepted: monetary
- 4901 Burnet Road, Austin
- www.assistanceleague.org/austin/volunteer
Volunteers at the city-run, no-kill shelter are 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 volunteer-run organization works to rehome guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are treated for medical issues, socialized and fostered until they are adopted. All animals are in private foster homes.
- Sample activities: being a foster, transporting guinea pigs from shelters to foster homes, staffing events
- Donations accepted: monetary
- www.austinguineapigrescue.com
Austin Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and rehabilitating homes for low- to moderate-income families. It also operates ReStores, which sells donated home goods to fund its mission while providing housing and financial counseling to empower families to achieve homeownership.
- Sample activities: constructing new homes; working on home repair projects; volunteering at any ReStore location, a discount home improvement stores, and donation centers
- Donations accepted: gently used or new building supplies, appliances, furniture, home goods, clothes, electronics, etc.
- 500 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin
- www.austinhabitat.org
The Austin Humane Society is the longest-standing no-kill, nonprofit pet and adoption center in Austin. AHS saves homeless cats and dogs, and educates about responsible pet ownership and reducing pet overpopulation.
- Sample activities: cat socialization, dog socialization, pet photography, assisting in clinic department, customer service and fostering
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, wish list items available online
- 124 W. Anderson Lane, Austin
- www.austinhumanesociety.org
Austin Parks Foundation partners with the community to make public parks, trails and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support.
- Sample activities: citywide volunteer event It’s My Park Day (first Saturdays in March and November), individual workdays held throughout the year (first Saturday monthly)
- Donations accepted: www.austinparks.org/donate; annual fundraiser Party for the Parks raises essential funds for Austin’s nearly 400 parks, trails and green spaces. Attendees support APF by purchasing a ticket and participating in fundraising opportunities throughout the event.
- 1023 Springdale Road, Ste. 10D, Austin
- www.austinparks.org/volunteer
This nonprofit serves Austin ISD middle and high school students through individualized academic and mentoring programs to help break down barriers to postsecondary education.
- Sample activities: weekly one-on-one mentoring; middle school math tutoring
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- www.austinpartners.org
This nonprofit organization is an animal rescue group that creates programs to promote and provide the resources, education and programs needed to eliminate the killing of companion animals.
- Sample activities: dog walking, fostering pets, caring for cats, assisting in the medical clinic, digital marketing, data entry
- Donations: monetary
- 1156 W. Cesar Chavez, Austin
- www.austinpetsalive.org
The nonprofit zoo hosts family-friendly events and educational programs for all ages and offers long-term volunteer opportunities.
- Sample activities: volunteer work in animal habitats, laundry, trash pickup, raking and maintenance
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin
- www.austinzoo.org
To help children succeed in life, the organization matches children ages 6 and above with caring adults who serve as mentors, advocates, resources and guides. Volunteers commit to meeting with their Littles three to four times per month for a minimum of one year.
- Sample activities: mentors and mentees typically spend quality time together in the community doing things they enjoy, ranging from a trip to the park, grabbing a bite to eat, creating art, playing sports or just hanging out
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, school supplies and gift cards to major retailers $15-$25
- 4800 Manor Road, Unit K, Austin
- www.bigmentoring.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area offers programs and services to help children succeed academically, develop leadership skills, and build character and healthy habits.
- Sample activities: assisting in reading programs, STEM coaching or lending a hand at community events
- Donations accepted: monetary and in-kind donations accepted year-round
- 6648 Ed Bluestein Blvd., Austin
- www.bgcaustin.org
CASA volunteers advocate for children who've experienced abuse or neglect in Travis County. Volunteers must complete a personal interview, background and reference checks, and a 39-hour training.
- Sample activities: spending 15-20 hours a month getting to know a child, their family and situation; gathering information to make recommendations to a judge in their best interest
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 7600 Chevy Chase Drive, Ste. 200, Austin
- www.casatravis.org
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
Chariot helps nondriving seniors by providing transportation and socialization opportunities. Round trips typically take around two to three hours and around an hour for a one-way drop-off.
- Sample activities: volunteers drive seniors to medical appointments, grocery stores, libraries, shopping centers, restaurants and local events.
- Donations: monetary gifts
- www.chariot.org
The Charlie Center is a homeless navigation center that provides services to help homeless individuals work toward finding permanent housing and offers hospitality and health care to meet physical needs.
- Sample activities: prepare a dish at home and deliver to The Charlie Center, serve food on the hospitality team, distribute mail to guests, help set up and clean up in person at The Charlie Center
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts or orders through Amazon wishlist
- 12675 Research Blvd., Austin
- www.thecharliecenter.org
Communities in Schools of Central Texas works to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
- Sample activities: meet with students as a Mentor, Math Buddy or Reading Buddy
- Donations: monetary donations, corporate sponsorships, or coordinating an in-kind drive
- 3000 S. I-35, Ste. 200, Austin
- www.ciscentraltexas.org
This local nonprofit focuses on developing social-emotional learning and college-readiness for students in sixth grade through undergraduate years and their families.
- Sample activities: events assistance, guest speaking
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 1825 Fort View Road, Austin
- www.conmimadre.org
Dress for Success helps women and nonbinary people achieve economic independence by providing support, professional attire and development tools.
- Sample activities: mentoring, career consulting, styling and inventory sorting
- Donations: monetary donations and professional clothing accepted
- 3000 S. I-35 frontage road, Ste. 180, Austin
- www.dressforsuccessaustin.org
Drive a Senior-ATX enables older adults to live independently, avoid social isolation, age in place and enhance quality of life by providing free transportation and other support services.
- Sample activities: drive seniors to appointments, assist them with groceries and participate in weekly phone conservations known as friendly caller, among other services
- Donations accepted: monetary
- 2601 Exposition Blvd., Austin
- www.driveasenioratx.org
Education Connection works to improve childhood literacy rates by offering one-on-one educational support to children.
- Sample activities: reading with students, practicing reading fluency, discussing stories and reading comprehension
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- www.education-connection.org
This nonprofit provides affordable, attractive homes and free on-site support services for thousands of families with kids, as well as veterans, seniors and individuals with disabilities.
- Sample activities: Tax Help program, Learning Centers program (student help), “Home for the Holidays” program (sponsor a household by providing gifts during the holiday season)
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 3000 S. I-35 frontage road, Ste. 300, Austin
- www.foundcom.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: monetary gifts
- 1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin
- www.girlstart.org
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, or HAAM, provides access to affordable health care for the Austin area's low-income working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness.
- Sample activities: collect donations and raise awareness at community events, support HAAM events, deliver items to providers and sponsors, various administrative tasks and more
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 3036 S. First St., Austin
- www.myhaam.org
Hospice Austin provides care to any person with a life expectancy of six months or less. The organization cares for anyone in the community who needs its services regardless of insurance status, income or ability to pay.
- Sample activities: Hospice Austin welcomes volunteers to provide companionship to patients and families and as well volunteers with special skills, such as acupuncturists, hair stylists, massage therapists, musicians and pet therapy experts.
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin
- www.hospiceaustin.org
Part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, the Austin chapter offers programs on career readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurship to students kindergarten through 12th grade and young adults. JA Central Texas provides training to all volunteers.
- 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
LifeWorks focuses on solving youth homelessness in Central Texas by providing housing, workforce, education and mental health services.
- Sample activities: redecorating youths’ homes, gardening, landscape cleanup, gift card drives
- Donations accepted: monetary (cash, stock, grocery and food gift cards) gifts
- 835 N. Pleasant Valley Road, Austin
- www.lifeworksaustin.org
Among providing the immediate needs like food and clothing, Manos de Christo provides low- to no-cost dental services and procedures for individuals that are under- or uninsured.
- Sample activities: teaching positions available for classes in citizenship, English and computer literacy, as well as volunteer opportunities in the organization’s clothes closet, food pantry and community garden
- Donations accepted: food, seasonal clothing, monetary donations, tamale sale with proceeds used to provide emergency food and clothes to those in need
- 4911 Harmon Ave., Austin
- www.manosdecristo.org
The nonprofit distributes 3,000 meals every business day to homebound older adults and people living with disabilities across Travis and Williamson counties.
- Sample activities: provide lunchtime home meal deliveries to homebound older adults, operate 18 senior lunch and activity centers where adults 60-plus can eat lunch in community, in-home care services to help older adults and individuals with disabilities age in place safely and with dignity, help with home repairs, assist with grocery shopping
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts; donations of time to help deliver meals to 3,000-plus neighbors across Central Texas
- 3227 E. Fifth St., Austin
- www.mealsonwheelscentraltexas.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: monetary gifts accepted online including one-time donations, monthly gifts and planned giving
- 9301 Hog Eye Road, Ste. 950, Austin
- www.mlf.org
This regional nonprofit serves thousands of patients each month with health care, such as birth control, breast and cervical cancer screenings, annual wellness exams, and more.
- Sample activities: period supply kit assembly events, book clubs, workshops, tabling at local outreach events, supporting organization events, social media content creation
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts, period kit supplies
- 201 E. Ben White Blvd., Bldg. B, Austin
- www.ppgreatertx.org
The Central Texas Ronald McDonald House and Family Rooms offer a “home-away-from-home” for families facing a child's illness, partnering with its Happy Wheels Carts to provide comfort items in hospitals, and the Healing Hearts program supporting bereaved families with burial assistance and grief support.
- Sample activities: cooking meals for families or preparing sack lunches, snack kits, meals on the go and toiletry kits to pass out in hospital family rooms
- Donations accepted: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily—all items donated must be new
- 7000 N. MoPac, Ste. 200, Austin
- www.rmhc-ctx.org
SAFE is an Austin-based nonprofit organization that supports survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and sex trafficking in Central Texas.
- Sample activities: create hygiene kits, lead an activity with children whose families are in SAFE shelter/housing, stock shelves in the warehouse, help SAFE coordinate a fundraising event
- Donations accepted: monetary, in-kind gifts at 1515 Grove Blvd., Austin, or 4800 Manor Road, Austin
- www.safeaustin.org
The Salvation Army has been in Austin since 1889. Best known for its Red Kettles, Family Stores and disaster relief efforts, the organization is also the largest nonprofit provider of family shelter in Travis County. Other relevant programs include the Angel Tree holiday toy drive and Back to School supply and clothing drive.
- Sample activities: tutoring in shelter, bell ringing, Angel Tree volunteering
- Donations accepted: donations through online wish lists at www.doingmostgood.org/wish, Angel Tree donations at 6510 S. Congress Ave. warehouse, clothing and used item donations at 4216 S. Congress Ave. thrift store
- 4700 Manor Road, Austin
- www.doingmostgood.org/vol
Sunrise offers pathways to housing for people experiencing homelessness through low-barrier access to wraparound services. The organization has helped more than 4,275 households move into safe, supportive housing and serves more than 8,000 people each year.
- Sample activities: sorting donations, assembling hygiene kits, making first aid kits, hanging clothing, serving in the cafe
- Donations accepted: monetary and in-kind gifts
- 4430 Menchaca Road, Austin
- www.sunrisenavigationcenter.org
Swan Songs fulfills musical last wishes by organizing private concerts for individuals with a terminal illness or nearing the end of life. At no cost to the family, a favorite style of music or regional musician is brought directly to the home or care facility. Swan Songs compensates its musicians for each performance.
- Sample activities: concert liaison, event volunteer, administrative support
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- www.swansongs.org
The sole guardian of the community blood supply serves more than 50 medical facilities and emergency medical services agencies across 10 counties in Central Texas.
- Sample activities: donate blood; volunteer to assist at blood drives and events, serve refreshments at donor centers and drives, provide office support, and transport blood donations to processing lab
- Donations accepted: blood and platelet donations are welcomed; monetary gifts accepted
- 4300 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin
- www.weareblood.org
