Whether you’re an animal lover, an outdoorsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast, there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 45+ Fort Worth organizations to show a little love to.

While fourth graders and mentors discuss leadership and set goals to grow, they also build transformative relationships that increase the student's sense of self-worth, enhance their outlook on life, and encourage academic performance. | Photo provided by Academy 4

For the natural-born teachers + mentors

Ladder Alliance | Share your tech skills by teaching basic computer skills to women struggling with domestic violence, unemployment, homelessness, or poverty.

Junior Achievement of the Chisholm Trail | Empower the next generation with lessons in financial literacy, career readiness + business ownership.

PeopleFund | Join the People2People volunteer program to lead workshops, mentor local small business owners, and host events throughout the year, focusing on local outreach and economic development.

Academy 4 | Mentor fourth graders from various economically disadvantaged schools across the county and state.

Fortress | Volunteer in the organization's preschool, after-school, summer camp, and adult classes in the Historic Southside.

CASA of Tarrant County | Speak up for children in foster care and help guide them toward safe homes as a Court Appointed Special Advocate — volunteer advocates must be at least 21 years old.

Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program | Be a role model, mentor, and friend to children in your area. Meet with your mentee at a designated organization such as a public school, child care center, Head Start program, hospital, juvenile correction facility, or other child-centered agency.

If you want to be there for abuse victims

Alliance for Children | Help victims of child abuse heal with a coordinated team of healthcare providers, social services + law enforcement agencies. You can aid with special projects, greeting and assisting clients, and more.

The Women’s Center | Volunteer at events throughout the year and help support women in crisis situations.

Camp Hope Texas | Donate to the week-long camp run by One Safe Place that offers a sanctuary for children who have been exposed to domestic violence.

Fort Worth Community Collaborative recently distributed 1,000 lbs of clothing with LVTRise. | Photo courtesy of FWCC

If you have a passion for community members in need

Lighthouse for the Blind | Assist clients with everyday tasks like grocery shopping, translating communication materials, and getting around to appointments.

True Worth Place | Serve meals to 200-300 people per day, teach classes, and help guests apply for jobs online for them to get back on their feet.

The Birthday Party Project | Help by joining in on celebrations for children suffering from homelessness and housing insecurity — volunteers 18+ must complete a background check.

Fort Worth Community Collaborative | Drop donations off at the Benbrook Library for the organization's new community closet, or make financial donations online.

Center for Transforming Lives | Check the nonprofit's volunteer page periodically for current available opportunities — you can also donate monetarily.

Gladney Center for Adoption | Support little ones looking for forever families.

Central Storehouse | In 2020, Central Bible Church established a food pantry to fight against food insecurity in Fort Worth.

If you’re on a tight schedule

Laundry Love | Sign up to provide laundry assistance to those in need on the third Saturday of each month as a floor greeter or part of the "kids' club."

Carter BloodCare | Donate blood on any day and any time that works for you.

YMCA | Find a volunteer opportunity that fits into your schedule and provides mentoring for local children in athletics.

Cook Children's Peaks the Dragon will soon bring medical care and health education to the west side. | Photo courtesy of Cook Children's

If you’re interested in healthcare

A Wish With Wings | Help make a wish come true for children fighting life-threatening medical conditions by becoming a special event volunteer or a holiday party shopper.

Gill Children’s Services | Help fulfill the wish lists for Tarrant County children whose medical, dental, physical, social, psychological, or educational needs have not been met by other community resources.

Cook Children’s Health Foundation | Serve in one of the many volunteer opportunities available, including the pet therapy program, fundraiser planning, or school programs.

Valor Hospice | Volunteer your company — sit and visit with a patient or use your artistic or musical talents to brighten someone's day. Valor also has volunteer opportunities for students.

Cancer Support Community of North Texas | Help uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by volunteering at one of three locations — become a clubhouse greeter, help with special events, lead a class, and beyond.

If you’re an animal lover

Fort Worth Animal Care and Control | Help families meet adoptable cats and dogs and assist with everyday work at the shelter, like cleaning crates, walking dogs, and having playtime with cats.

Almost Home Animal Rescue | Animal foster parents can help pets that are too young for adoption, are recovering from an illness or injury, or are in need of care inside a private home while they wait to be adopted.

Pet and Play Rescue | The nonprofit is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of farm animals. Sign up to help with events, or donate monetarily.

Fort Worth Zoo | Join the Zoo Crew during special events like the Zoo Run or Boo at the Zoo.

Sign up to create your own cleanup event or join one that's already on the calendar with Keep Fort Worth Beautiful. | Photo via City of Fort Worth

For the outdoorsy types

Fairmount Community Garden | Sign up for the community garden's monthly volunteer newsletter to stay updated on volunteer opportunities.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Students between 14-17 years old can give back and get outside while learning about all things botanical.

Keep Fort Worth Beautiful | Contribute to the city’s beautification project and help clear and keep litter from roadways, parks, and public spaces.

If you’re passionate about supporting local community groups

LQBTQ Saves | Assist with public events, participate in Lifeline Chat, co-host meetings, perform administrative duties, and help promote the organization.

FWPD Cold Case Support Group | Monetarily support the police department's criminal investigative efforts, help resolve old cases, and provide answers to family and friends.

Sixty & Better | Volunteers assist in the agency's mission to empower older adults to remain healthy, active, and engaged through Health and Wellness + Creative Arts classes.

If you live + breathe FTW

Fort Worth ISD | Apply via the volunteer portal to set up local food drive events, pack supplies into backpacks, become a crossing guard, or help with after-school car loading.

Cowtown Marathon Inc. | Register the community for the race, unbox t-shirts, organize snacks and beverages, pass out finisher medals, and help tear down tents afterward.

Special Olympics | Volunteers can coach, train, and officiate athletes, or even play alongside those with intellectual disabilities. You can sign up for a day-of or long-term volunteering.

Friends of the Fort Worth Herd | A volunteer board of directors helps to provide monetary, in-kind, and hands-on support to the Fort Worth Herd program. Non-board members can still donate online.

Your old books could soon be on the shelves of a Fort Worth Public Library branch. | Photo by FTWtoday

Self-proclaimed bibliophiles

Fort Worth Public Library Foundation | Provide office assistance, help with fundraiser events, or be a mentor to local children in the reading program.

Tarrant Literacy Coalition | Become a literary teacher and help adults learn how to read.

Read2Win | Help first and second-graders reach their reading goals by providing extra support and resources. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

For the social butterflies

The Taste Project | Become a Taste Bud by preparing and serving food at this pay-what-you-can nonprofit — comprised of 80% volunteers — fighting food insecurity.

Tarrant Area Food Bank | Pick up a themed shift or get out in the community with mobile distribution events. You can check out available shifts on the food bank's website.

United Way of Tarrant County | Volunteer with the Senior Medicare Patrol, aid as a tax preparer, or become a trained ombudsman. You can also volunteer from home by sending a card to someone in long-term care, teachers, or veterans.

Presbyterian Night Shelter | Help serve meals at five different shelter locations across the city.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History | The museum offers volunteer opportunities for adults, youth, school and student groups, and beyond.

Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth | Bring a group to cook meals for families in need, host a story hour, teach a class, or find a number of other opportunities with the local chapter.

DASH Network | This community welcomes newcomers by showing them love, friendship, and hospitality, bridging the gap between asylum seekers and Tarrant County.

For the handy individuals

Trinity Habitat for Humanity | No construction experience is needed to help build and repair homes — or to help paint during the semi-annual Cowtown Brush Up.

This list isn’t even close to complete. Search for an opportunity that fits your skills on Idealist or the city’s website.