Looking for volunteer opportunities in your community? Check out our list of local nonprofits to Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs that are seeking volunteers this season. This list is noncomprehensive. Nonprofits are listed alphabetically.
Any Baby Can
Any Baby Can is a nonprofit organization that provides child development, family health and parent support services in Austin and surrounding counties.
Sample volunteer activities: at-home projects like making developmental tools for kids and creating decorations for client celebrations; hands-on help at seasonal family events and fundraisers; custom volunteer experiences for corporate, school, and community groupsDonations accepted: monetary donations accepted online; sponsorship opportunities; in-kind donations accepted on a case-by-case basis6207 Sheridan Ave., Austinwww.anybabycan.org/get-involvedAustin Parks Foundation
For 33 years, Austin Parks Foundation has partnered with the community to improve public parks, trails and green spaces through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support. Since the nonprofit’s inception in 1992, APF has invested more than $85 million into Austin parks.
Sample volunteer activities: mulching, litter cleanup, invasive species removalDonations accepted: monetary donations1023 Springdale Road, Austinwww.austinparks.orgAustin Pets Alive
Austin Pets Alive is a nonprofit animal rescue organization dedicated to saving companion animals most at risk of euthanasia. APA has helped 130,000 pets since 2008 by saving them from euthanasia, providing care and finding them loving homes.
Sample activities: dog walking, dog and cat care, shelter support, fostering, assisting in the medical clinic, marketing, events and data entryDonations accepted: monetary gifts and pet supplies1156 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austinwww.austinpetsalive.orgAustin Zoo
The rescue zoo cares for neglected, abused and abandoned animals and helps them find forever homes.
Sample activities: raking habitat yards, groundskeeping tasks, picking up trash, cleaning up the groundsDonations accepted: monetary gifts, gift cards, supplies, tools10808 Rawhide Trail, Austinwww.austinzoo.orgCentral Texas Food Bank
The Central Texas Food Bank is a hunger-relief nonprofit that works to provide access to food for individuals throughout its 21-county service area. The nonprofit offers a combination of direct-service programs and works with a network of nearly 250 nonprofit community partners to support over 610,000 food insecure individuals annually.
Sample activities: preparing after school meals for kids, sorting products in the warehouse and harvesting produce in the garden, assisting with one of the 40 mobile pantry distributions which happen monthlyDonations accepted: financial and food donations6500 Metropolis Drive, Austinwww.centraltexasfoodbank.orgCouncil on At-Risk Youth (CARY Kids)
CARY’s mission is to empower at-risk youth with skills to avoid crime and violence.
Sample activities: one-time opportunity as a Program Support Volunteer supporting planning an event or program or a Campus Support Volunteer to help with needs such as acquiring donated snacks or food, dropping off items at the campus, helping to celebrate CARY graduations, and supporting service learning projects and field tripsDonations accepted: monetary gifts or sponsorships3710 Cedar St., Box 23, Austinwww.cary4kids.orgDripping Springs Community Library
The Dripping Springs Community Library is a special district library, funded by a portion of local sales tax revenue rather than property taxes. The library provides access to over 72,000 materials, including books, e-books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs and magazines.
Sample activities: homeschool teacher, college and career readiness counselor, Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master, event assistantDonations accepted: monetary contributions501 Sportsplex Drive, Dripping Springswww.dscl.orgFoster Village
The organization’s mission is to provide support for children and families experiencing foster care by equipping caregivers with essentials and connecting children with trauma-informed therapeutic support services.
Sample activities: organizing clothing and supplies for children entering foster care, assisting with child care during gatherings and trainings, delivering items to familiesDonations accepted: monetary contributions and donations of new children’s clothing and shoes with tags on15400 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs; 10545 Dessau Road, Austinwww.fostervillageaustin.orgHealth Alliance for Austin Musicians
The nonprofit provides access to affordable health care for low-income, working musicians, DJs and music teachers in Central Texas by offering a range of services, including dental, vision, hearing and mental health care. The team also helps members navigate the health care system.
Sample activities: event support, information tabling, donation collecting, selling merchandise, administrative work, material deliveryDonations accepted: monetary donations3036 S. First St., Austinwww.myhaam.orgLifeWorks
The local nonprofit is dedicated to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education and workforce services. Each year, the nonprofit partners with more than 2,500 youth to build pathways to safety, stability and opportunity.
Sample activities: ongoing support opportunities include assisting with daily operations at the Youth Resource Center such as organizing supplies, providing administrative support and creating a welcoming environment, holiday program opportunities include unloading, sorting, organizing holiday gifts for clients and their familiesDonations accepted: in-kind food donations835 N. Pleasant Valley Road, Austinwww.lifeworksaustin.orgMarbridge Foundation
The nonprofit residential community offers transitional care to adults with cognitive disabilities, providing them with opportunities to learn and gain new experiences.
Sample activities: bingo, Special Olympics, mentors, in-classroom helpers, outings, group projectsDonations accepted: monetary donations, in-kind donations, giving tree gifts, wishlist items2310 Bliss Spillar Road, Manchacawww.marbridge.orgMeals on Wheels Central Texas
Meals on Wheels Central Texas works to help homebound and older adults age in place safely, comfortably and with dignity through home delivered meals as well as programs such as Senior Lunch Centers or the PALS program that assists seniors with pet food and veterinary care.
Sample activities: Weekday lunch hour meal delivery, second Saturday grocery delivery, pet to vet transport, office help, and a variety of other special projects and volunteer needs are available.Donations accepted: monetary contributions3227 E. Fifth St., Austinwww.mowctx.orgPAWS Shelter of Central Texas
The no-kill shelter supports homeless, abused and abandoned dogs and cats in Hays County.
Sample activities: walking dogs, cuddling dogs, cuddling cats, taking dogs on day trips, helping with laundry and cleaning, landscaping, maintenanceDonations accepted: monetary donations, in-kind donations such as Purina One dog food, cat litter, cleaning supplies, paper towels, blankets or crates2965 FM 165, Dripping Springs; 500 FM 150 East, Kylewww.pawsshelter.orgRED Arena
RED Arena aims to empower individuals with disabilities with equine therapy. The team provides adaptive horseback riding lessons, physical and occupational therapy, educational programs and vocational training.
Sample activities: care for horses, clean the barn, side-walk in riding sessions, help in the gift shopDonations accepted: monetary donations, gift cards, auction items January-March2435 W. Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springswww.redarena.orgSunrise Homeless Navigation Center
Sunrise offers pathways to housing for people experiencing homelessness through access to wraparound services. The organization has helped more than 5,000 households move into supportive housing and serves more than 10,000 people each year.
Sample activities: sorting donations, assembling hygiene kits, making first aid kits, hanging clothing, serving in the cafeDonations accepted: monetary and in-kind gifts4430 Menchaca Road, Austinwww.sunrisenavigationcenter.orgSwan Songs
Swan Songs gifts private concerts to individuals near the end of life. These intimate “musical last wishes” concerts are held in health care facilities or private homes, and are often attended by family, loved ones, and caregivers.
Sample activities: concert liaison, event volunteer, outreach volunteer, administrative volunteerDonations accepted: monetary donations2101 S. I-35, Ste. 219, Austinwww.swansongs.orgThe SIMS Foundation
The foundation provides mental health and substance use recovery services to musicians, those working in the music industry and their dependents. The SIMS Foundation offers education and accessible care through community partnerships.
Sample activities: graphic design, photography, office work, help at live eventsDonations accepted: monetary donations5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austinwww.simsfoundation.org