Volunteer guide: How to make a difference in the Sugar Land-Missouri City community

Learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities in Fort Bend County, including Sugar Land, Missouri City and Stafford. For specific volunteer requirements, contact the organization directly.

This list is not comprehensive.

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. The minimum volunteer age is 16 years old, with younger participants required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also a volunteer, and 18 years old to handle dogs.

Volunteers must first attend an open house, with dates posted on social media once they are scheduled. The organization also encourages engagement on social media to help pets in need of more attention.

Sample activities: socializing, walking, bathing and grooming tasks

Donations accepted: food, toys, beds, bottles for kittens and puppies

• 1210 Blume Road, Rosenberg
• www.fortbendcountytx.gov

The city of Sugar Land offers opportunities for volunteers ages 14 and older to assist different city departments, including the Sugar Land Animal Shelter, Parks and Recreation, Civic Arts and Board and Commissions.

Sample activities: cat enrichment, cleaning cages, providing fresh food and water, dog walking, helping at adoption events, parks cleanup, special events assistance, wildflower seeding events and clerical work

Donations accepted: animal shelter donations: money, Fancy Feast canned kitten food, fleece blankets, cat hideaways and dog enrichment items

• 101 Gillingham Lane, Sugar Land
• www.sugarlandtx.gov/volunteer

The organization's vision is to empower people to attack poverty in their life and community by strengthening under-resourced communities through spiritual growth, education, revitalization and basic needs.

Volunteer serve locally, launching what they call ‘Friends Communities' programming that requires mutual relationships and collaborative efforts with local organizations, churches, residents and stakeholders committed to community transformation.

Sample activities: tutoring and mentoring afterschool programs, assisting in English as Second Language, GED prep courses, financial and digital literacy classes, participating in home repair and community revitalization projects and volunteering in wellness programs for both youth and adults

Donations accepted: financial donations, non-perishable food items, school supplies, backpacks, building materials and tools, computers and learning technology and ride share or grocery gift cards for emergency relief.

• PO Box 63, Richmond
• www.attackpoverty.org

Missouri City Green

A Gold Star affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful, this environmental nonprofit inspires residents to create a cleaner, greener and more beautiful Missouri City through community action and education. Individuals, school groups, businesses and service organizations can volunteer.

Sample activities: community cleanups, composting, backyard gardening and rainwater harvesting workshops, recycling drives and storm drain marking projects

Donations accepted: monetary contributions

• P.O. Box 1175, Missouri City
• www.missouricitygreen.org

The affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful offers youth and adult environmental education and engagement programs based on litter prevention, recycling and waste reduction, conservation, beautification, tree planting, pollinator meadows and water quality.

Sample activities: litter cleanups, tree and wildflower planting, storm drain marking, Earth Day Celebration, school and community programs

Donations accepted: monetary donations, event and corporate sponsorships

• P.O. Box 2766, Sugar Land
• www.kslb.org

This organization’s mission is to inspire community pride by collecting, preserving, communicating and celebrating the history of Sugar Land. The museum is open by appointment only.

Sample activities: become a heritage ambassador, office management, artifact cataloging, data entry services and assist with tours and educational programs

Donations accepted: monetary donations

• P.O. Box 1, Sugar Land
• www.slheritage.org

The Fort Bend Education Foundation

This nonprofit organization supports Fort Bend ISD students through its grant programs and community events. Volunteers are needed year-round to assist with events such as the annual gala and other fundraisers.

Sample activities: join the efforts of the Friends of the Foundation Auxiliary, a group that helps create awareness of the community’s educational needs; help with fundraising recruitment; support fundraising events; assist with donation collections

Donations accepted: monetary donations accepted in tiers, cakes before auctions, other auction items for galas, adopt-a-teacher program

• 16431 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land
• www.fortbendisd.com/foundation

The museum offers multiple volunteering opportunities year-round for both adults and high school students looking to promote science education at the museum.

Adult sample activities: demonstrate hands-on activities at exhibits, assisting with field trips and exhibit tours, participating in museum-wide events and helping maintain ongoing exhibits behind the scenes

Teen sample activities: demonstrate hands-on activities at exhibits, assisting with field trips and participating in museum-wide events

Donations accepted: monetary donations

• 13016 University Blvd., Sugar Land
• www.sugarland.hmns.org

The Literacy Council of Fort Bend County provides basic literacy, ESL, GED, computer classes and citizenship classes to Fort Bend County adults.

Sample activities: work one-on-one with adults needing help in basic literacy, assist with mailings, provide administrative support, outreach for participant registration, and help with annual fundraising events

Donations accepted: monetary donations, in-kind donations, paper products, notebooks, general office supplies, children’s books

• 12530 Emily Court, Sugar Land
• www.ftbendliteracy.org

Fort Bend Family Promise

The organization mobilizes local congregations, businesses and community partners to help families experiencing housing insecurity regain stable housing.

Sample activities: administrative support, children’s activities, meal service and hospitality, light maintenance and cleaning, donation sorting and landscaping projects

Donations accepted: gift cards, monetary contributions and in-kind donations, including new and gently used clothing and vehicles

• 4645 Cartwright Road, Missouri City
• 1002 Wilson Road, Rosenberg
• www.fortbendfamilypromise.org

This nonprofit seeks volunteers who can donate their time and skills to build homes throughout the county for the less fortunate.

Sample activities: homebuilding, administrative support at office or ReStore

Donations accepted: monetary donations; household items; building supplies; furniture; building materials such as doors, windows, working appliances; parcels of land; vehicles

• 505 Julie Rivers Drive, Ste. 150, Sugar Land
• www.fortbendhabitat.org

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, grant writing, inventory management, donation solicitation and organizing 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, toys

• 3150 BF Terry Blvd., Rosenberg
• www.fbrr.org

The organization is 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 or help sort through ThriftWise store donations

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

• Home office: 501 E. Hwy. 90A, Richmond
• www.fbwc.org

The nonprofit provides voucher-based support programs that deliver essential furniture, cleaning services, and disaster relief to vulnerable families and seniors throughout Fort Bend County. Backed by trusted partners—including the Houston Furniture Bank, St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Services, and the Coordinated Assistance Network—participants can turn every $1 in staffing into $3 of direct household assistance, creating an economic-resilience multiplier that strengthens entire neighborhoods.

Sample activities: warehouse organizing, client follow-ups, case-management support, and community outreach

Donations accepted: monetary donations, donor-advised fund contributions, gently used furniture, and operable pickup trucks, cargo vans, or box trucks

• 2440 Texas Pkwy, Ste. 370 S., Missouri City
• www.huggsinc.org

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels

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

Sample activities: delivering meals, assisting at special events, packing meals at distribution sites, volunteering at senior centers, holding donation drives, socializing via telephone, providing office clerical assistance, organizing outside fundraising events

Donations accepted: money, in-kind donations including auction items, bingo prizes and welcome bags with toiletries

• Four Corners Recreation Center, 15700 Old Richmond Road, Sugar Land
• 5th Street Community Center, 3110 Fifth St., Stafford
• Christ United Methodist Church, 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land
• www.fortbendseniors.org

Attack Poverty

The organization's vision is to empower people to attack poverty in their life and community by strengthening under-resourced communities through spiritual growth, education, revitalization and basic needs.Volunteer serve locally, launching what they call ‘Friends Communities' programming that requires mutual relationships and collaborative efforts with local organizations, churches, residents and stakeholders committed to community transformation.

Sample activities: tutoring and mentoring afterschool programs, assisting in English as Second Language, GED prep courses, financial and digital literacy classes, participating in home repair and community revitalization projects and volunteering in wellness programs for both youth and adults

Donations accepted: financial donations, non-perishable food items, school supplies, backpacks, building materials and tools, computers and learning technology and ride share or grocery gift cards for emergency relief.

• PO Box 63, Richmond, TX 77406
• www.attackpoverty.org

The Arc of Fort Bend County

The Arc of Fort Bend County is a local chapter of a nationwide advocacy organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Volunteers ages 14 and older are invited to apply online to participate in monthly Teen/Tween Social Nights—evenings filled with games, crafts and activities to foster friendships in an inclusive environment.

Sample activities: being a peer, providing social and recreational activities, playing sports, crafting and playing board games

Donations accepted: money, gifts and sponsorships

• 407 Julie Rivers Drive, Sugar Land
• www.arcoffortbend.org

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 CASA, by volunteering at the Children’s Advocacy Center.

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

Donations accepted: monetary donations, small bottles of water, snacks, toys and activities for teens, gifts cards to local stores

• 5403 Ave. N., Rosenberg
• www.cafb.org

The privately funded nonprofit helps provide the basic needs of families facing food insecurity or temporary financial crisis. Volunteer opportunities are available at the Tri-City Churches Resale Shop (whose proceeds support food pantry programs at EFBHNM), the Food Pantry and through event support.

Volunteers must be 16 or older to serve at the resale shop and 18 or older for the food pantry.

Sample activities: donation sorting (for both food and resale shop items), screening clients, reception duties, packaging food, community event support and more

Donations accepted: monetary donations, non-perishable and unexpired food items; items in good condition for the resale shop, including furniture, clothing, and electronics; and new hygiene products. A full list of eligible donations and most-needed items is available on the website.

• EFBHNM Food Pantry and Business Offices: 435 Stafford Run Road, Stafford
• Tri-City Churches Resale Shop: 425 Stafford Run Road, Stafford
• www.humanneeds.org

The nonprofit focuses on supporting community members through health services, food security, education and community development programs. Volunteers can help with community food fairs, special events, tutoring classes and office work.

Sample activities: food sorting, packing and distributing; event set-up and clean-up; client registration; tutoring, answering phones, helping with walk-in client inquiries, helping with data entry or special events

Donations accepted: monetary donations

• 7707 Hwy. 6, Missouri City
• www.fortbendcarecenter.org

The nonprofit offers free educational, therapeutic and career-building programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Volunteers are delivering impactful programming, hosting inclusive events, and driving community engagement.

Sample volunteer activities: tutoring in literacy and math, assisting with administrative tasks, helping at events, joining planning committees and participating in group volunteering

Donations accepted: Monetary donations through the website.

• 13003 Southwest Fwy, Ste. 170, Stafford
• www.gigisplayhouse.org/sugarland

The Literacy Council of Fort Bend County

The organization serves adults 18 and older with tutoring in basic literacy, English language learning, GED, citizenship preparation and digital literacy. Its mission is to improve community, family, and professional lives through adult literacy education.

Sample Activities: 1-on-1 and small group tutoring, administrative support, annual fundraising event support, and outreach

Donations Accepted: monetary donations, in-kind donations, paper products, notebooks, general office supplies children’s and young adult books

• Main office: 12530 Emily Court, Sugar Land
• www.ftbendliteracy.org

The nonprofit organization provides services to children and adults with mental health issues, autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities across several Texas counties, including Fort Bend, Austin, Colorado, Matagorda, Waller, and Wharton.

Texana offers programs including the 24/7 crisis hotline (800-633-5686), crisis intervention, applied behavioral analysis and career development services. With multiple locations throughout Fort Bend County, Texana is committed to helping individuals and families thrive in their communities.

Sample activities: vary by location but include administrative work, hands-on projects, helping where needed, assisting with events, and working in classrooms

Donations accepted: Monetary and in-kind donations can be sent via mail with the organization’s attached donation form or through online giving through the website.

• Mental Health Sugar Land Clinic: 2535 Cordes Drive, Sugar Land
• Children’s Center for Autism at Sugar Land: 130 Industrial Blvd., Ste. 200, Sugar Land
• www.texanacenter.com

This faith-based nonprofit provides food, educational classes and counseling to residents living in material poverty or crisis. The organization accepts volunteers aged 16 and older at any time during its hours of operation.

Sample activities: restocking food in the pantry, making bags and boxes of food, hanging clothes on the racks, sorting donations and helping neighbors out to their cars to load items

Donations accepted: financial donations, food items, used clothing, furniture and employer matching gifts

• 1135 Hwy. 90A, Missouri City
• www.secondmile.org

The Fort Bend County nonprofit is dedicated exclusively to serving families with autistic adults and children. The organization provides direct support through vetted resources, programs and education. Inspired by one family’s journey raising autistic triplets, the organization seeks to walk alongside and support families on their autism journey.

Through hands-on programs, financial assistance, and community partnerships, the programming bridges critical service gaps to ensure no family faces autism alone.

Sample activities: supporting children and families during sensory-friendly programs and community events; assisting with resource fairs, outreach and awareness campaigns; helping at fundraising events, donation drives and seasonal campaigns

Donations Accepted: one-time or recurring monetary donations for family assistance program; gift cards and raffle items for events; in-kind donations such as office supplies, bottled water, and snacks for events and sponsorships for awareness campaigns and events; Donor-Advised Funds and Qualified Charitable Distribution

• Mailing address: 4771 Sweetwater Blvd., Ste. 358, Sugar Land
• www.hopeforthree.org