Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” ethos extends to its volunteer culture — alongside the standard food banks and housing nonprofits, you’ll find music-education programs, environmental organizations focused on Austin’s unique natural resources, and community organizations that reflect the city’s creative spirit. Here’s how to get involved.
Food Security Organizations
Central Texas Food Bank is the region’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving 21 counties. The Austin facility welcomes volunteers for food sorting, packing, and distribution. The organization’s garden program grows fresh produce, and volunteers help in the fields and with community distribution.
Mobile Loaves & Fishes provides food, clothing, and other life-sustaining items to homeless and working-poor individuals and families — primarily through mobile food trucks that bring meals directly to where people are. The organization also developed Community First! Village, a 51-acre master-planned community for chronically homeless individuals.
Housing and Community Development
Austin Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates homes across the metro. Austin’s affordability challenges make Habitat’s work critical, and the organization’s advocacy programs complement the construction mission.
Foundation Communities provides affordable housing and support services for families and individuals with low incomes. Volunteers assist with tax preparation (VITA program), tutoring for residents’ children, and community events.
Youth and Education
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas matches mentors with youth. Austin Partners in Education connects volunteers with Austin ISD schools for mentoring, tutoring, and classroom support.
KLRU (Austin PBS) welcomes volunteers for educational outreach and community events. Girls Empowerment Network provides programming for girls and non-binary youth, and volunteers serve as mentors and workshop facilitators.
Music and Creative Volunteering
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) provides healthcare access to Austin’s low-income working musicians — volunteers assist with fundraising events and community outreach. Austin Creative Alliance connects volunteers with arts organizations across the city. SIMS Foundation provides mental health and substance-use recovery services for Austin musicians, with volunteer opportunities in fundraising and events.
Environmental and Outdoor
Keep Austin Beautiful organizes creek cleanups, community beautification projects, and the annual Creek to Colorado River cleanup events. Austin Parks Foundation coordinates volunteer workdays for park maintenance, trail building, and community garden support across the city’s 300+ parks.
Barton Springs Conservancy focuses on the preservation of Barton Springs and the Barton Creek watershed — one of Austin’s most iconic natural resources. Volunteers support cleanup events, educational programming, and advocacy.
How to Find Opportunities
Hands On Central Texas serves as Austin’s volunteer clearinghouse, and United Way for Greater Austin coordinates community-wide campaigns and volunteer matching.
For more on Austin community life, explore our free things to do guide and best neighborhoods.