National Nonprofit Day: Spotlighting 5 Nonprofits Transforming Midtown Houston
August 17th is National Nonprofit Day, a time to recognize and honor the organizations that work tirelessly to serve, uplift, and empower our communities. Nonprofits are not just service providers , they are catalysts for change, advocates for justice, and keepers of culture. Here in Midtown Houston, our nonprofit partners enrich daily life in countless ways from preserving our city’s history and championing the arts to addressing critical needs like food insecurity, housing, and economic opportunity.
Midtown is home to a wide range of outstanding nonprofits. In celebration of National Nonprofit Day, we’re highlighting five whose work continues to shape our community into an economically driven community that is more creative, equitable, and inclusive place for all.
(Photo Credit: CRR)
Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. (CRR)
Career and Recovery Resources has created economic empowerment opportunities and transformed lives in Houston for eighty years by helping individuals overcome barriers to
employment, housing, and personal stability. Their programs span job readiness training, career counseling, educational workshops, substance abuse recovery, and specialized support for individuals facing economic hardship or homelessness.
In Midtown, CRR’s impact is amplified through the HueMan:Shelter project, a Bloomberg Philanthropies–funded public art initiative that brings together local artists and individuals with lived experience of homelessness to create installations throughout the neighborhood. Guided by the belief that every person’s story holds value, this collaboration turns bus shelters, murals, and underpasses into platforms for resilience and creativity. By uniting workforce development, art, and advocacy, CRR not only provides employment opportunities through its UpRise Enterprise program but also reshapes public perceptions, reminding us that dignity, talent, and potential exist in every member of our community.
(Photo Credit: Community Artist’ Collective)
Community Artists’ Collective
The Community Artists’ Collective has been fostering artistic excellence and equity since 1985. Their mission is to provide an educational and cultural link among African American artists and all communities to inspire unlimited creativity. Beyond exhibitions and cultural events, they offer arts education for all ages, entrepreneurship support, and community development programs that strengthen both artists and neighborhoods. Their new location in the Ion District features expanded gallery, classroom, and retail spaces creating even more opportunities for artists to grow and for the community to connect through creativity.
(Photo Credit: Bread of Life)
Bread of Life
Bread of Life has been a steadfast force in the fight against hunger and food insecurity in Houston. Through essential food assistance and wraparound support services, they ensure that individuals and families have the resources to make it through difficult times.
By addressing basic needs with dignity and compassion, Bread of Life strengthens the fabric of our community.
(Photo Credit: Ben Doyle)
MATCH – Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston
MATCH is a multidisciplinary arts venue that provides a home for theater, dance, music, visual art, film, and other creative expressions. Designed to serve both artists and audiences, the facility offers four flexible performance spaces, rehearsal studios, and gallery areas, many available at subsidized rates to support small and mid-sized arts organizations.
Beyond being a performance space, MATCH serves as a gathering place where diverse artistic voices connect with the community. Signature programs like Mix-MATCH, a mixed-arts festival featuring dance, theater, film, music, puppetry, and more, highlight MATCH’s commitment to creating accessible, engaging opportunities for artists and audiences to experience Houston’s creative diversity.
(Photo Credit: CFTH)
Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County
The Coalition for the Homeless serves as the coordinating backbone of Houston’s homelessness response system—known as The Way Home—spanning Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. They unify over 100 partner organizations to deliver permanent housing and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Since 2012, The Way Home partners have housed over 33,000 people, achieving a nearly 90% success rate in keeping them stably housed for at least two years. In 2023 alone, more than 23,000 individuals received homeless assistance through CFTH’s efforts.
CFTH directs the region’s response to homelessness—securing and leveraging both public and private funding, analyzing system-wide data, filling service gaps, and driving innovations to better serve the most vulnerable.
A Call to Celebrate, Support, and Engage
National Nonprofit Day is more than a date on the calendar it’s a reminder of the ongoing work required to keep the Midtown community strong, compassionate, and connected. The nonprofits in Midtown are on the front lines of that work every day, bringing creativity to our streets, preserving the stories of our past, and delivering hope and opportunity to those who need it most.
We invite you to learn more about these organizations, attend their events, volunteer your time, or make a contribution to support their missions. Every act of engagement — big or small — makes a difference. Together, we can ensure that Midtown remains not only a hub for art and culture but also a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.