Animal and environmental services
Austin Animal Center
Austin Animal Center is a city-run no-kill shelter. Volunteers 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: greet adopters at the shelter, provide outreach, give enrichment to dogs or cats, serve as adoption ambassadors, provide medical assistance
- Donations accepted: Monetary donations are accepted online while item donations can be dropped off at the shelter or ordered online through the shelter’s Amazon wish list.
- 7201 Levander Loop, Bldg. A, Austin
- www.austintexas.gov/austin-animal-center
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 accepted: monetary
- 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin
- www.austinpetsalive.org
The nonprofit zoo hosts an array of educational events for the community and supports long-term volunteer opportunities for those looking to help.
- Sample activities: doing laundry, restocking restrooms, trash pickup, working in the gift shop
- Donations accepted: monetary, fruit, dry dog and cat food, animal toys
- 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin
- www.austinzoo.org
Hill Country Conservancy is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving natural areas, such as rivers and scenic vistas, as well as working farms and ranches in the Texas Hill Country.
- Sample activities: trail cleanup and gardening
- Donations accepted: one-time donations online and monthly donations through the Wellspring program
- 5524 Bee Caves Road, Ste. G4, Austin
- www.hillcountryconservancy.org
Austin Partners in Education
This nonprofit organization provides college and career readiness support through individualized academic and mentoring programs.
- Sample activities: volunteer with Austin ISD middle and high school students through Math Classroom Coaching and Mentoring programs
- Donations accepted: monetary
- 3100 E. 4th St., Austin
- www.austinpartners.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas matches children age 6 and older with caring adults who serve as mentors, advocates, resources and guides.
- Sample activities: meet with “littles” to do activities, such as hiking, cooking or going to the movie theater
- Donations accepted: monetary, gifts for the children and families, and school supplies
- 4800 Manor Road, Bldg. K, Austin
- www.bigmentoring.org
Based in Austin, Con Mi Madre offers social-emotional and college readiness support to students in local school districts.
- Sample activities: plan and work at special events, be a guest speaker
- Donations accepted: monetary
- 1825 Fort View Road, Austin
- www.conmimadre.org
The organization’s volunteers advocate for neglected or abused children in the 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 organization is a nonprofit aimed at advocating for the health, education and financial literacy of all residents in Austin.
- Sample activities: building a playhouse at a child care center, planting native Texas flowers, mulching a local trail, painting pre-K classrooms, sorting books for students
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts
- 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, 5th Floor, Austin
- 512-255-6799
- www.unitedwayaustin.org
Alzheimer’s Texas
Alzheimer’s Texas 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: help facilitate support groups, plan special events, represent the nonprofit at health fairs, serve as advocates and social media ambassadors; virtual opportunities are also available
- Donations accepted: monetary
- 7000 N. MoPac, Ste. 200, Austin
- www.txalz.org
Chariot helps nondriving seniors by providing transportation and socialization opportunities. Volunteers must complete at least one drive per month with rides coordinated by phone or email. Round trips typically take around two to three hours and around an hour for a one-way drop-off.
- Sample activities: drive seniors to medical appointments, grocery stores, libraries, shopping centers, restaurants and local events
- Donations accepted: monetary
- P.O. Box 202283, Austin
- www.chariot.org
The nonprofit distributes 3,000 meals every business day to homebound older adults and people with disabilities across Travis and Williamson counties.
- Sample activities: providing lunchtime meal deliveries, in-home care services and Alzheimer’s respite care; helping with home repairs; assisting with grocery shopping
- Donations accepted: monetary gifts; sanitary supplies, such as hand sanitizer and masks; toiletry items, such as shampoo and toothpaste; socks; blankets; towels; household items, such as toilet paper and cleaning supplies; wall calendars; microwaves; dog and cat food, accessories and toys
- 3227 E. Fifth St., Austin
- www.mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org
Neonatologists founded this nonprofit in the late 1990s after babies in the neonatal intensive care unit assessed better after drinking human milk. Mothers in need can request breast milk, and, conversely, mothers can also donate spare milk.
- Sample activities: milk logging and processing, assisting with inventory, event preparations
- Donations accepted: breastmilk, monetary donations
- 5925 Dillard Circle, Austin
- www.milkbank.org
Red Arena serves children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted therapies, therapeutic riding sessions, reading programs, family support, social skill groups, job training programs and summer camps.
- Sample activities: groom horses, fundraise, walk beside riders
- Donations accepted: Monetary donations can be made online, by mail, or through purchases from the Red Arena gift shop or Amazon wish list.
- 2435 W. Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs
- www.redarena.org
The SIMS Foundation provides mental health and substance use recovery services and support for musicians, music industry professionals and their dependent family members. Through education, community partnerships and accessible managed care, SIMS seeks to destigmatize and reduce mental health and substance use issues, while supporting and enhancing the well-being of the music community at large.
- Sample activities: help with tabling and operations at live music or fundraising events, data organization, graphic design, marketing, merch sales
- Donations accepted: Monetary donations can be made online, through PayPal or by texting SIMS to 44321.
- 3010-B S. Lamar Blvd., Austin
- www.simsfoundation.org
Swan Songs Musical Last Wishes 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 or facility, a favorite style of music or regional musician is brought directly to the home or care facility.
- Sample activities: Concert liaisons are trained volunteers from all backgrounds of life, most of whom have a heartfelt desire to help others. The liaison is present at the concert to ensure all parties are communicated with in a timely manner, including concert details, setup and follow-through. Other volunteer opportunities would be for administrative, outreach and events.
- Donations accepted: monetary
- www.swansongs.org
The organization uses volunteers to maintain the community blood supply for more than 50 medical facilities.
- Sample activities: assist with blood drives, serve refreshments in donor centers, provide office support and transportation of blood donations
- Donations accepted: monetary
- 4300 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin
- www.weareblood.org
Central Texas Food Bank
Central Texas Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in the Central Texas area, serving more than 46,000 people every week.
- Sample activities: sort food donations, assist with the mobile food pantry, work in a community garden or community kitchen
- Donations accepted: Monetary donations are accepted online, by phone or mail
- 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin
- www.centraltexasfoodbank.org
Helping Hands Inc. is a Dripping Springs-based, volunteer-run food bank.
- Sample activities: assist with sorting and distributing donated food
- Donations accepted: Monetary donations are accepted online and nonperishable items can be placed in donation bins at the food pantry or in front of participating businesses in Dripping Springs.
- 28708 RR 12, Dripping Springs
- www.helphands-drippingsprings.org
Keep Austin Fed is a food rescue nonprofit that reduces hunger and helps the environment by connecting surplus food with people experiencing food insecurity.
- Sample activities: food rescue runners, food sorters, set up/distribute food at free mobile food markets
- Donations accepted: food
- 3903 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 40760, Austin
- www.keepaustinfed.org
Dripping Springs Community Library
Dripping Springs Community Library is a nonprofit government entity that provides free services to all residents living within or any person employed within Hays County as well as Dripping Springs ISD. Cards are available to nonresidents or persons not employed within either the county or district for a small fee.
- Sample activities: work with library staff to sort and shelve books as well as coordinate events
- Donations accepted: Monetary donations are accepted online or by mail
- 501 Sportsplex Drive, Dripping Springs
- www.dscl.org
Southwest Family YMCA is dedicated to building programs for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
- Sample activities: coach youth sports, help with community events and programs, provide child care support, clean or serve as a greeter
- Donations accepted: Monetary donations are accepted online
- 6219 Oakclaire Drive, Austin
- www.austinymca.org/volunteer
Austin Habitat for Humanity
Austin Habitat for Humanity dedicates its resources to building homes for individuals.
- Sample activities: constructing new homes; working on home repair projects; supporting ReStores, discount home improvement stores and donation centers
- Donations accepted: gently used or new building supplies, appliances, furniture, home goods, clothes, monetary goods
- 13804 US 183, Austin
- www.austinhabitat.org/get-involved
Derived from the Latin word meaning love or charity, Caritas of Austin aims to prevent and end homelessness in the Austin area.
- Sample activities: packaging care kits, preparing and serving lunch, working one on one with individuals, picking up and delivering donations
- Donations accepted: towels, blankets, journals, art supplies, diapers
- 611 Neches St., Austin
- www.caritasofaustin.org
Foster Village works to support and serve foster families in the Austin area.
- Sample activities: help organize resource centers, deliver items to families, provide child care for caregiver events, prepare meals and facilitate donation drives
- Donations: Monetary contributions can be made at www.fostervillageaustin.org/give, or tangible donations of new items can be dropped off at resource centers. Addresses, wishlist items and in-kind donation information can be found on the website.
- 15400 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs
- www.fostervillageaustin.org
Founded in 1998, this nonprofit offers nearly 20 different programs for young adults and youth experiencing homelessness, trauma or abuse.
- Sample activities: host gatherings, provide meals to those experiencing homelessness, sponsor an individual or family for the holidays
- Donations accepted: gloves, hats, socks, sleeping bags, hoodies, hand warmers
- 3700 S. 1st St., Austin
- www.lifeworksaustin.org
Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center offers pathways to housing for people experiencing homelessness through low-barrier access to wraparound services by providing innovative, trauma-informed and person-centered programming that engages our communities and leads systemwide transformation. As the largest provider of homelessness services in Travis County, Sunrise has helped more than 1,600 people move into safe, supportive housing and serves more than 8,000 people each year.
- Sample volunteer activities: sorting donations, assembling hygiene kits, making first aid kits, hanging clothing, serving in the cafe
- Donations accepted: Monetary
- 4430 Menchaca Road, Austin
- www.sunrisenavigationcenter.org
