Here are 22 notable nonprofits based in Houston, serving a range of community needs, from education and healthcare to social services and the arts:

1. Houston Food Bank

  • Focus: Hunger relief
  • Provides food assistance to those in need across Southeast Texas, partnering with many local agencies.

2. United Way of Greater Houston

  • Focus: Community empowerment
  • Funds various programs in education, financial stability, and health.

3. Memorial Hermann Foundation

  • Focus: Healthcare
  • Supports the Memorial Hermann Health System in providing high-quality medical care and community health programs.

4. The Houston SPCA

  • Focus: Animal welfare
  • Rescues animals and provides them with shelter and medical care, along with advocacy for animal rights.

5. Star of Hope Mission

  • Focus: Homeless services
  • Provides shelter, support, and rehabilitation services to Houston’s homeless population.

6. BakerRipley

  • Focus: Community development
  • Empowers underserved communities through education, financial services, and housing programs.

7. DePelchin Children’s Center

  • Focus: Child welfare and family services
  • Offers counseling, foster care, and adoption services to families in need.

8. The Montrose Center

  • Focus: LGBTQ+ support
  • Provides mental health services, addiction recovery, and support for LGBTQ+ individuals.

9. The Council on Recovery

  • Focus: Addiction recovery
  • Offers prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals struggling with substance abuse.

10. MD Anderson Cancer Center Foundation

  • Focus: Cancer research and care
  • Supports one of the world’s leading cancer treatment centers, focusing on patient care, education, and research.

11. Casa de Esperanza de Los Niños

  • Focus: Children’s welfare
  • Provides residential care for children in crisis due to abuse, neglect, or HIV.

12. The Women’s Home

  • Focus: Homeless women’s support
  • Helps women rebuild their lives through job training, healthcare, and supportive housing.

13. Literacy Advance of Houston

  • Focus: Adult education
  • Provides free literacy and ESL (English as a Second Language) classes to adults in need of language skills.

14. Bo’s Place

  • Focus: Grief support
  • Provides grief counseling and support for families dealing with the death of a loved one.

15. Houston Children’s Charity

  • Focus: Children’s services
  • Supports underprivileged children through programs like the “Better Night’s Sleep” initiative, providing beds for children in need.

16. SEARCH Homeless Services

  • Focus: Homeless assistance
  • Helps the homeless transition to self-sufficiency through education, job training, and housing programs.

17. Houston Habitat for Humanity

  • Focus: Affordable housing
  • Builds affordable housing for low-income families and promotes neighborhood revitalization.

18. Kids’ Meals

  • Focus: Childhood hunger
  • Delivers free, healthy meals to preschool children living in poverty.

19. Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC)

  • Focus: Domestic violence and sexual abuse
  • Provides support, advocacy, and resources for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

20. Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP)

  • Focus: Animal rescue
  • Provides shelter, adoption, and rescue services for homeless animals.

21. Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star

  • Focus: Youth mentorship
  • Matches children with adult mentors to support their emotional and educational growth.

22. Trees For Houston

  • Focus: Environmental conservation
  • Dedicated to planting, protecting, and promoting trees to enhance the environment.

These organizations make a significant impact on Houston’s communities across various sectors, helping to build a better, healthier, and more inclusive city.