For those looking to help out in the Katy community, there are several local nonprofit groups that offer volunteer opportunities and accept donations. This list is not comprehensive.

Animal services

Fort Bend County Animal Services

The organization welcomes volunteers to assist with animal care for the more than 3,500 animals the shelter takes in each year.

Sample activities: assist with socializing, walk, bath and groom animals


Donations accepted: food, toys, beds, bottles for kittens and puppiesSpecial Pals Rescue Resource Center

The organization is the oldest no-kill shelter in Houston. The nonprofit animal welfare organization facilitates adoptions, fostering, low-cost vaccinations and rescue boarding.

Sample activities: take care of animals and administrative duties

Donations accepted: money, dog and cat food, trash bags, puppy pads, laundry detergent, carabiners and disposable rubber glovesCivic


The Coastal Prairie Conservancy

This nonprofit works to preserve and protect the acres that make up the Coastal Prairie for the well-being of the wildlife and people in the area. One of its main goals is land conservation and restoration.

Sample activities: collect seeds, plant new flora and take care of a plant nursery

Donations accepted: money and land donationsFort Bend Partnership for Youth Inc.


This nonprofit works closely with youth and their families that are involved with the Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department.

Sample activities: mentor juveniles in the detention center, one-on-one adult/juvenile mentoring in the community

Donations accepted: moneyEducation
The organization empowers young women ages 7-17 to overcome limited resources and educational barriers. (Courtesy Dream Keepers)
The organization empowers young women ages 7-17 to overcome limited resources and educational barriers. (Courtesy Dream Keepers)
Dream Keepers

The organization empowers young women ages 7-17 to overcome limited resources and educational barriers through structured mentorship, goal-setting and after-school programming. The organization seeks to create support networks to build girls’ confidence and foster a sense of sisterhood.


Sample activities: mentor, chaperone college tours, volunteer to set up events, administrative support, summer camp instruction, write grants

Donations accepted: money, school and craft supplies, nonperishables, books and educational materials, water, cleaning productsHousing support

The Ballard House

This nonprofit provides temporary housing for individuals and families who are receiving medical treatment or are hospitalized. The 34,000-square-foot housing can hold multiple families.


Sample activities: greet visitors, do yard work, clean the house and cook meals

Donations accepted: money, water bottles, household items
This faith-based nonprofit partners with volunteers and stewards resources to create safe and secure homes for vulnerable seniors and low-income families. (Courtesy Katy Responds)
This faith-based nonprofit partners with volunteers and stewards resources to create safe and secure homes for vulnerable seniors and low-income families. (Courtesy Katy Responds)
Katy Responds

This faith-based nonprofit partners with volunteers and stewards resources to create safe and secure homes for vulnerable seniors and low-income families. The group also restores homes that have been destroyed or damaged by natural disasters.

Sample activities: paint, demolition, lawn work, install fences and construction

Donations accepted: moneySenior resources

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels

The nonprofit helps Fort Bend and Waller counties’ seniors age 60 or older with free programs ranging from meal delivery to senior center activities and transportation. They have seven congregate—or social—centers throughout Fort Bend County, including in Sugar Land and Stafford.

Sample activities: deliver meals, assist at special events, pack meals at distribution sites, volunteer at senior centers, hold donation drives, socialize via telephone, provide office clerical assistance, organize outside fundraising events

Donations accepted: money, in-kind donations including auction items, bingo prizes, meals for animals and welcome bags with toiletriesHuman services
The community health center provides medical, dental and counseling services to the Fort Bend and Waller counties. (Courtesy Access Health)
The community health center provides medical, dental and counseling services to the Fort Bend and Waller counties. (Courtesy Access Health)
AccessHealth

The community health center provides medical, dental and counseling services to the Fort Bend and Waller counties. While the center accepts most insurance, it also focuses on serving uninsured patients who are eligible for the center’s sliding fee scale.

Sample activities: assist in vision pre-screenings and event set-up and clean-up for Nov. 5-8 See to Succeed event, which provides exams and corrective eyewear to local students

Donations accepted: money and sponsorshipsChild Advocates of Fort Bend

The nonprofit is dedicated to supporting neglected and abused children and their families. Volunteers, who must be at least 21 years old, can participate in its Court Appointed Special Advocates program or by volunteering at the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Sample activities: help with the Christmas Home Tour, become a Voices of Children Ambassador, help with administrative office tasks, work with children by becoming an advocate

Donations accepted: money, small bottles of water, snacks, toys and activities for teens, gifts cards to local stores
The organization provides a week’s worth of gently used clothing to people in need in the Houston area, free of charge. (Courtesy Clothed By Faith)
The organization provides a week’s worth of gently used clothing to people in need in the Houston area, free of charge. (Courtesy Clothed By Faith)
Clothed By Faith

The organization provides a week’s worth of gently used clothing to people in need in the Houston area, free of charge.

Sample activities: sort, create packages, and deliver shoes and clothes for clients

Donations accepted: washed clothing, new socks and undergarments, purses, accessories, shoes, monetary donationsFort Bend Rainbow Room

The Rainbow Room provides emergency and transitional supplies to Fort Bend County children and families involved with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services due to abuse and neglect.

Sample activities: assist with events, write grants, manage inventory, solicit donations and organize drives to collect needed items

Donations accepted: monetary donations, in-kind donations, new diaper bags, twin-sized sheets and comforters, new athletic shoes, pillows, paper towels and toilet paper, school supplies, books and toysFort Bend Women’s Center

This is an organization designed to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children to gain safety and independence through its services.

Sample activities: work in the shelter and alongside clients through its various programs, assist with special events, help with office administration, staff the crisis hotline or help sort through donations

Donations accepted: monetary donations, household items, toiletries, clothing, diapers, give or shop at ThriftWise store, sponsor eventsKaty Cares

This organization provides counseling, coaching, mentoring and training programs for single-parent families. Secondary support services include free legal counsel, affordable health care, financial guidance, career orientation and basic household necessities.

Sample activities: child care, organize donation drives, collect donations, and organize and facilitate financial support

Donations accepted: monetary donations
The social service nonprofit offers emergency financial assistance and resiliency programs for Katy and west Houston residents. (Courtesy Katy Christian Ministries)
The social service nonprofit offers emergency financial assistance and resiliency programs for Katy and west Houston residents. (Courtesy Katy Christian Ministries)
Katy Christian Ministries

The social service nonprofit offers emergency financial assistance and resiliency programs for Katy and west Houston residents, including a food pantry, crisis center for domestic abuse and sexual assault, resale stores and donation centers.

Sample activities: greet customers and sort donations at resale stores; process intakes and organize at food pantry; answer phone calls for crisis hotline; tutor; offer childcare; administrative work; plant and harvest in community garden; and assist with one-time events

Donations accepted: money, clothing, furniture and household goods
  • Social services and food pantry: 3506 Porter Road, Katy
  • First Street Resale & Donations Center: 5510 First St., Katy
  • Kingsland Resale & Donations Center: 23232 Kingsland Blvd., Katy
  • www.ktcm.org
Lunches of Love

This nonprofit is dedicated to ending childhood hunger in Fort Bend County. It provides packed lunches during school holidays and weekends.

Sample activities: pack and deliver lunches

Donations accepted: money, gift cards, decorated bags, non-perishable food items
This organization provides horse assisted interactions that can be therapeutic for people ages 2 and older with physical and cognitive, social or emotional needs. (Courtesy Reining Strength)
This organization provides horse assisted interactions that can be therapeutic for people ages 2 and older with physical and cognitive, social or emotional needs. (Courtesy Reining Strength)
Reining Strength Therapeutic Horsemanship

This organization provides horse assisted interactions that can be therapeutic for people ages 2 and older with physical and cognitive, social or emotional needs.

Sample activities: walk along riders; groom, lead and prepare horses; clean barn; do office work

Donations accepted: money, usable horse tack, paper towels, toilet paper, bottled water
Texana Center has multiple locations across Fort Bend County, offering services to children and adults with mental health issues, autism, and developmental disabilities. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Texana Center has multiple locations across Fort Bend County, offering services to children and adults with mental health issues, autism, and developmental disabilities. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Texana Center

This nonprofit provides services to children and adults with mental health issues, autism, and developmental disabilities. Services include crisis intervention, behavioral analysis and career development. They have multiple locations offering various services throughout Fort Bend County.

Sample activities: varies by location, administrative work, assist with events and work in classrooms

Donations accepted: varies by location but all accept monetary and in-kind donations
  • Mental Health Brookshire Clinic: 535 FM 359, Brookshire
  • Texana Café: 7440 FM 359 Road S., Fulshear
  • Behavior Treatment and Training Center: 1818 Collins Road, Richmond
  • www.texanacenter.com