Serve the City
Austin Non-profits Doing Good in the City
Click on one of the descriptions below to read more about that organization and how you can help. If you have any questions or would like someone from Cru Austin to contact you about these opportunities, please fill out and submit the contact form on this page.
Serving & meeting the needs of refugees in the greater Austin area – Refugee Services of Texas (RST)
RST Austin primarily serves newly arrived refugees with their initial resettlement into the local community as well as supplementary programs designed for long-term integration and ongoing support.
You can volunteer with RST to serve refugees, asylees, and survivors of trafficking in your community!
Go to https://www.rstx.org to find out how to volunteer RST and make a difference in our city or call (512) 472-9472
Helping eliminate hunger and food insecurity in Austin – Central Texas Food Bank
Central Texas Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief charity in Central Texas. A leader in the fight against hunger for nearly 40 years, the mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. They work with food donors, financial supporters and volunteers and provided nearly 54 million meals to needy people in communities last year.
Roughly 300 Partner Agencies have joined Central Texas Food Bank to serve families in 21 Central Texas counties at soup kitchens, food pantries, after-school programs, snack programs and other service sites.
Explore opportunities to make a difference at https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/ or call 512-282-2111
For local opportunities to donate food or volunteer at a food bank, simply google “food bank near me”
Serving Seniors and those with disabilities – Meals on Wheels Central Texas
Meals On Wheels is best known for delivering hot, nutritious lunchtime meals to homebound older adults and personsto keep people healthy and living in their homes.
For information on how to volunteer to make a difference go to https://www.mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org/ or call (512) 476-MEAL(6325)
Helping tackle hunger and food insecurity – Keep Austin Fed
Keep Austin Fed is a champion for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. We serve our community through the redistribution of wholesome, nutritious food. Their mission is to reduce hunger and help the environment by connecting surplus food with neighbors in need.
For opportunities to donate your time, finances, and food to contribute to the success of their mission go to https://www.keepaustinfed.org/ or call (512) 831-3654
Serving the needs of those experiencing homelessness – Community First Village
Community First! Village is a master planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for adults coming out of chronic homelessness. This transformative residential program exists to serve our neighbors who have been living on the streets, while also empowering the community into a lifestyle of service with the homeless.
To explore volunteer opportunities go to https://mlf.org/volunteer/ or call 512-328-7299
Serving the needs of those experiencing homelessness – Lighter Loads
To provide a community where those experiencing homelessness are loved and served through
hot food, clean clothes, and a shower in a positive, loving atmosphere. Lighter Loads ATX has commercial shower trailers providing mobile hygiene service to our homeless friends.
If you are interested to volunteer with Lighter Loads go to https://lighterloadsatx.org/volunteer/ or email volunteer@lighterloadsatx.org.
Serving the formerly incarcerated – Texas Reach Out Ministry (TROM)
Texas Reach Out Ministry is a local nonprofit that provides services and housing for formerly incarcerated men and women to prepare them to re-enter society and live as productive citizens. TROM has 8 houses for those exiting prison in Travis County as well as help in finding employment. They offer mentoring in personal, professional and spiritual areas of their lives and help in applying life skills and spiritual values learned in weekly small group and personal interaction and coaching.
Interested in volunteer opportunities? Go to https://texasreachout.org/get-involved-1 or call 512-291-0921
Serving the needs of students and elementary schools – Education Connection
By volunteering for just 30 minutes a week in a one-on-one reading session, you will help improve one of the most pressing educational issues in the Greater Austin area- school dropout rates. Research has shown children not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to dop out of school. Through Education Connection, join the movement to minimize this trend by becoming a volunteer in one of the many participating elementary schools in the Greater Austin area.
Register at education-connection.org. Select the district, specific school, and training session of your choice. Requires a 30-minute weekly commitment during the school year.
For questions: https://education-connection.org/ or call 512-813-5918.
Helping rescue homeless animals – Austin Pets Alive! (APA!)
Austin Pets Alive is a No Kill shelter and animal rescue nonprofit that works to save homeless pets in Austin, TX. With a save rate of 98%, it the largest No Kill city in the country.
Austin Pets Alive! fills critical gaps in Austin’s shelter live-outcome rate by identifying the key groups of animals that are typically euthanized in a shelter setting and maintaining comprehensive, innovative programs to help these groups survive. Using best practices from around the country, APA! is reducing their staggering over-representation of animal groups on euthanasia lists and directly increasing the city’s save rate.
To volunteer, go to https://www.austinpetsalive.org/volunteer or call 512-961-6519
Helping to shelter animals in need – Austin Animal Center
Austin Animal Center is the municipal shelter for the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County. AAC accepts animals in need of shelter regardless of age, health, species, or breed.
AAC provides love, care, and attention to the more than 11,000 animals the shelter takes in each year. We need the support of hundreds of volunteers to ensure our cats, dogs and other animals get daily exercise and enrichment and are matched up with loving, forever families. Join our lifesaving volunteer team in America’s largest No Kill city and make a difference for homeless pets! Here are just some of the volunteer positions: you’ll be able to choose from:
Dog Adoption Ambassadors / Cat Enrichment & Adoption Volunteer / Dog Enrichment Volunteer / Greeters / Cat and Kitten Medical Assistant / Outreach Volunteer
For volunteer opportunities, go to https://www.austintexas.gov/department/volunteer-animal-center or call 512-974-2000