Learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities in Houston's Inner Loop and surrounding area. For specific volunteer requirements, contact the organization directly. This list is not comprehensive.

Empower children

1. Girls Empowerment Network: The organization advances self-efficacy—or the belief in oneself to succeed—in girls in grades 3-12 through programs that foster confidence, coping skills, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity.

Sample activities: writing role model letters, creating armation bookmarks, signing up for Girl Connect events

Donations accepted: money, merchandise sales, car donations, stock donations2. Workshop Houston: The nonprofit’s mission is to provide creative, technical and educational resources to young people who are involved in the arts.

Sample activities: working with students during after-school programs once per week during the semester

Donations accepted: checks, in-kind materials3. Be a Resource: The nonprofit works to provide resources to children in Child Protective Services in Houston as well as children who are referred to the organization.


Sample activities: helping with community events; creating hygiene packs and school bags; hosting drives

Donations accepted: money; hygiene products for babies and children; toys; books; diapers; clothing in all sizes; blankets; stuffed animals

Care for the environment

4. Coastal Prairie Conservancy: This organization works to preserve and protect the acres that make up Katy Prairie for the well-being of the wildlife and people in the area.

Sample activities: participating in Stewardship Saturdays; collecting seeds; caring for the plant nursery; guiding as a docent; helping with pocket prairie initiatives

Donations accepted: money, estate plans, merchandise sales, Kroger Community Awards5. Plant it Forward: The Houston-based nonprofit works with more than 60 farmers with refugee backgrounds, including farmers operating five urban sites and four rural sites.


Sample activities: helping urban farmers weed, mulch and compost; working at a local farmers market; being a veggie guide content creator

Donations accepted: Venmo, PayPal, mail, stock
  • Fondren: 10595 Fondren Road, Houston
  • Westbury: 12581 Dunlap St., Houston
  • Montrose: 1318 Sul Ross St., Houston
  • Blossom Heights: 8720 Lipan Road, Houston
  • www.plantitforward.farm

Feed the hungry

6. Houston Food Bank: The nonprofit collects, inspects, sorts, stores and distributes food to community partners, such as pantries, soup kitchens, schools and multi-service centers.

Sample activities: sorting food; building home delivery kits; assisting with hot meals; distributing food and school supplies

Donations accepted: money, food, vehicles, stocks7. Second Servings of Houston: The nonprofit rescues surplus perishable food from retailers, distributors and manufacturers, and delivers it to local nonprofits.


Sample activities: assisting drivers with food rescues; helping with PopUp Grocery Stores

Donations accepted: surplus food, money

Help animals

8. Special Pals: This animal welfare nonprofit and no-kill shelter works to save animal lives. The center provides adoptions, fostering, low-cost clinics and rescue boarding.

Sample activities: taking care of animals; assisting with administrative work; helping with events; helping transport animals to veterinarians for medical needs; fostering; dog walking; photography, marketing and social media help

Donations accepted: money, gift cards

Support those in need

9. The Alliance: The nonprofit assists those who face financial, educational, health, language or cultural barriers with several core programs that go beyond refugee settlement and social-educational and wellness services. Interested volunteers can receive more information by reaching out to [email protected].


Sample activities: assisting with special events; helping with administrative tasks; sorting donations; helping interpret foreign languages; serving as English language partners, job readiness mentors or refugee youth mentors

Donations accepted: money; nonperishable food items; new baby items, new full-sized hygiene items; new household items and gently-used furniture; electronics; vehicles; gently-used clothing10. Covenant House Texas: The nonprofit serves as a shelter for homeless youth between 18-24, providing services such as substance abuse counseling, education, vocational training and basic needs such as food, toiletries, and medical and mental healthcare.

Sample activities: hosting an activity; facilitating life skill workshops; street outreach; serving as a mentor; clerical and administrative support; serving as an academic tutor; helping with job searches; helping with special events; donating and serving a meal

Donations accepted: money; holiday gifts and gift cards; new clothing and shoes for young men, women and children; diapers; hygiene products; cleaning supplies, including laundry detergent and towels11. Houston Area Women’s Center: This organization works to end domestic violence, sexual assault and sex trafficking. Services include crisis intervention, support programs and violence prevention initiatives.


Sample activities: joining a committed volunteer fundraising committee; helping at events; offering holiday gift items to survivors and their families; assembling essential supply kits to aid women and children in the HAWC shelter

Donations accepted: monetary contributions; food items; brand new clothing for women, infants and toddlers; toys; diapers; hygiene products; beauty products; first aid items; luggage; detergent; smaller appliances12. Montrose Grace Place: The organization aims to provide a safe place for youth and young adults ages 13-24 of all sexualities and genders experiencing homelessness in Houston.

Sample activities: providing and serving dinner; facilitating creative group activities; helping clean the clothing closet; providing direct mentorship, which includes eating dinner with our youth, helping them "shop" in the closet, engaging in the nights activities, and facilitating peer group discussions through active listening

Donations accepted: money; Amazon wishlist purchases; new and gently-used clothing for ages 13-24; unopened packages of underwear and socks