Check out some local volunteer opportunities, from education foundations and food banks to parks and thrift shops. 

Education
Eanes Education Foundation
The nonprofit foundation helps fund educator positions not fully funded by the state of Texas.

• Sample activities: teacher fund campus representatives, event volunteers, corporate sponsor liaisons, special education endowment advocate, auction team, social media ambassador, general office help
• Donations accepted: monetary donations
• 1101 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Bldg. H, Ste. 200, Austin

• Sample activities: pricer, donation sorter, retail floor assistants
• Donations accepted: gently used items in good condition for resale such as clothing, shoes, accessories, toys, books, DVDs, CDs, tools, electronics, small kitchen appliances, housewares, linens, musical instruments, sporting goods and antiques
• 440 Medical Parkway, Lakeway

Eanes ISD, in partnership with local solar energy company Axis Solar, recently completed a project that has laid over 8,000 solar panels on the roofs of all eight of the district's campuses.

The details: District officials said Axis Solar began the process of installing solar panels last July, which generate 4.75 megawatts of energy and surpass energy generated from panels at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College and Austin ISD.

Funding for the $8.6 million project came from the district's 2023 bond, which included funds for energy-efficiency projects. The project was aided by $6 million in incentives, which included about $3.5 million in Austin Energy rebates and $2.6 million in federal incentives. 

Major takeaways: Chief Financial Officer Chris Scott said the panels are helping save approximately half of EISD's annual electricity costs. The $700,000 in savings expected to be generated from the panels—equivalent to 11 teaching positions— will help alleviate a part of EISD's projected budget shortfalls.

Local environmental nonprofit Keep Austin Beautiful is celebrating 40 years of service to the Austin community.

The backstory: Keep Austin Beautiful promotes the restoration and beautification of the environment in Austin through organizing volunteer opportunities for community members. The organization was started through the city of Austin’s public works department in 1985 and became a nonprofit in 2010.

Something to note: Keep Austin Beautiful will host a 40th anniversary celebration at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13. The event will feature remarks from Keep Austin Beautiful founder and former Austin Mayor Ron Mullen as well as live music by Tomar and The FCs. Attendees can view a new art print from Austin-based artist David Regone honoring Lady Bird Lake.

Ticket sales are now closed but those interested in attending can contact [email protected] to be placed on the waitlist, according to the organization's website.