Top 15 Nonprofits in Dallas–Fort Worth Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2027
Texas summers mean big electric bills, and DFW rent keeps climbing. If one rough month has you choosing between the light bill and groceries, you're not alone. The Metroplex has a deep bench of nonprofits built for exactly this.
This guide covers the Dallas–Fort Worth metro: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, and Rockwall counties, plus nearby suburbs. We focused on nonprofits with structured help for rent, utility bills, groceries, and free eviction legal help, spread across the region.
Many suburban agencies serve only certain cities or ZIP codes, so check the service area and call early. Details reflect what each organization publishes as of October 2026.
How We Chose These Nonprofits in Dallas–Fort Worth
We included 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based groups like Catholic Charities and The Salvation Army, that serve the metro, run structured aid programs, and publish clear contact info. We ranked them on Impact, Accessibility, Reputation, Transparency, and Equity (serving people regardless of faith, status, or background).
We gave extra weight to rent and utility help, not just food. We did not use Google ratings; trust signals come from each organization's own published information as of October 2026.
1. North Texas Food Bank
The region's largest hunger relief nonprofit, based in Plano.
Primary assistance: Partner pantry network, mobile food distributions, SNAP and benefits application help, senior and child programs
Best for: Anyone in Dallas, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, and nearby counties who needs groceries
How to get help: 214-330-1396; Perot Family Campus, 3677 Mapleshade Lane, Plano, TX 75075; ntfb.org
Use Find a Food Pantry or the mobile distribution schedule to get food this week. Staff can also help you apply for SNAP.
Trust signals: Founded in 1982; reports nearly 500 partner agencies in 12 counties and more than 2 million meals a week.
2. The Salvation Army of North Texas
A faith-based charity with major social service centers in Dallas and Fort Worth.
Primary assistance: Emergency rent or mortgage help, utility help, Home Sweet Home homeless prevention, food pantry, case management
Best for: Households on the edge of eviction or disconnection who need hands-on case management
How to get help: Dallas: Carr P. Collins Social Service Center, 5302 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75235, (214) 424-7050; Fort Worth: Mabee Social Services Center, 1855 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76103, (817) 344-1800; salvationarmyntx.org
Emergency assistance can cover rent, mortgage, and utility bills to keep families housed. In Fort Worth, call to schedule an appointment and leave a voicemail for rent help.
Trust signals: Reports serving about 82,000 North Texans fighting poverty each year.
3. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Free civil legal help for low-income residents across 114 Texas counties.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, landlord-tenant problems, foreclosure, public benefits
Best for: Renters with an eviction notice, a court date, or a utility shutoff dispute
How to get help: Legal Aid Line 1-888-529-5277; landlord-tenant line 855-548-8457; administrative office, 600 E. Weatherford St., Fort Worth, TX 76102; legalaidtx.org
You can apply by phone or online. If you've been served with an eviction suit or have a deadline, call your local office right away.
Trust signals: Free services; publishes eligibility rules and office locations online.
4. Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center
Free eviction legal help for Dallas County tenants.
Primary assistance: Pro bono legal advice and representation in eviction cases, tenant resources, appeal instructions
Best for: Dallas County renters facing an eviction filing
How to get help: (469) 436-2704; info@dallaseac.org; register online at dallaseac.org
DEAC helps all Dallas County tenants regardless of income, race, immigration status, or native language.
Trust signals: Publishes an evictions statistics dashboard and research studies online.
5. Catholic Charities Dallas
The social service arm of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas.
Primary assistance: Food pantries, mobile food pantries, housing programs, financial coaching, senior services
Best for: Southern Dallas County and Dallas families who need groceries and a helpline
How to get help: Helpline 866-223-7500; hunger services 469-704-5374; 1421 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75247 (Mon–Fri 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.); ccdallas.org
Pantries include the Jan Pruitt Community Pantry in Lancaster and Joe's Pantry in North Dallas, each serving listed ZIP codes. Housing programs take referrals through the local coordinated access system, not walk-ins.
Trust signals: 501(c)(3); publishes an annual report and pantry schedules online.
6. Tarrant Area Food Bank
Fort Worth's food bank, serving 13 counties.
Primary assistance: Find Food Map, home delivery program, senior boxes, farmers market programs, SNAP help
Best for: Tarrant County and western Metroplex families who need food
How to get help: 817-857-7100; 2600 Cullen St., Fort Worth, TX 76107; TAFB North, 306 N. Loop 288, Denton; tafb.org
Use the Find Food Map and call ahead to confirm pantry hours. You can also book a SNAP appointment with a community resource specialist.
Trust signals: Founded in 1982 by Fort Worth residents.
7. Mission Arlington
A faith-based nonprofit with walk-in emergency help.
Primary assistance: Partial rent payments, utility help, food, clothing, medical and dental clinics
Best for: Arlington-area families who need help fast
How to get help: 817-277-6620; 210 W. South St., Arlington, TX 76010; emergency assistance Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; missionarlington.org
Mission Arlington helps with partial rent to keep families housed during a crisis.
Trust signals: Serving Arlington since 1986.
8. Metrocrest Services
The safety net for Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, and Coppell.
Primary assistance: Short-term rent, mortgage, and utility help; food pantry; financial and job coaching; senior services
Best for: Residents of Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Farmers Branch, and Dallas ZIP 75287
How to get help: 972-446-2100; 1145 N. Josey Lane, Carrollton, TX 75006 (Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.); metrocrestservices.org
You meet one-on-one with a case manager and must fall within income guidelines. Due to funding, rent help currently covers partial payments.
Trust signals: Serving the Metrocrest area since 1971; publishes a community impact report.
9. Assistance Center of Collin County
Plano's go-to agency for county-wide crisis help.
Primary assistance: Limited rent and utility assistance, Plano Homelessness Prevention Program, referrals
Best for: Collin County residents with a documented financial crisis
How to get help: 972-422-1850, option 3 (call center Mon–Thu 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; no walk-ins); assistancecenter.org
Rent funds go fast; October 2026 funds were already allocated, so call during the third week of the month about next month. Your landlord must accept ACH payments, and you'll need ID, income proof, your lease, and bank statements.
Trust signals: Founded in 1977 as the Information and Referral Center of Collin County; EIN published.
10. Network of Community Ministries
Richardson's community hub for food and basic needs.
Primary assistance: Utility help, Community Food Market, clothing closet, stabilization services, Seniors' Net
Best for: Families living in the 14 ZIP codes of Richardson ISD
How to get help: (972) 234-8880; 1500 International Parkway, Suite 300, Richardson; thenetwork.org
Bring proof of address and income to get certified. Food market shopping is by appointment.
Trust signals: Founded in 1985 by churches and community groups.
11. Sharing Life Community Outreach
Mesquite-based help for eastern Dallas County and nearby suburbs.
Primary assistance: Emergency rent, mortgage, and utility payments; food pantry; financial empowerment center
Best for: Residents of Mesquite, Garland, Balch Springs, Rowlett, Rockwall, Forney, and nearby ZIP codes
How to get help: 972-285-5819; 3795 W. Emporium Circle, Mesquite, TX 75150 (office Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.); sharing.life
Utility applications need ID and a current bill, and utility applicants must take financial coaching or classes. The pantry has evening hours Monday through Thursday.
Trust signals: Founded in 1999; posts audited financial statements online.
12. Community Enrichment Center
Northeast Tarrant County's nonprofit for rent and utility help.
Primary assistance: Temporary rent and utility assistance, food pantry, affordable housing
Best for: Northeast Tarrant households behind after a job loss or crisis
How to get help: (817) 281-1164; 6250 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, TX 76180 (office Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.); cechope.org
CEC offers short-term rent and utility help when funds allow. The food pantry runs weekdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., plus Tuesday evenings.
Trust signals: Began as a church food pantry in 1975; incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1988.
13. GRACE (Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange)
A crisis nonprofit for Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, and northeast Tarrant.
Primary assistance: Eviction and utility cutoff help, food pantry, community clinic, care management
Best for: Northeast Tarrant households in an immediate crisis
How to get help: 817-488-7009; 837 E. Walnut St., Grapevine, TX 76051; walk-ins Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; gracegrapevine.org
Schedule an appointment and upload documents for the fastest response.
Trust signals: Founded in 1987; posts financials and reports online.
14. Frisco Family Services
Frisco's community safety net.
Primary assistance: Rent and utility payments, food market, prescription help, referrals
Best for: Frisco residents and families in Frisco ISD
How to get help: 972-335-9495; 9111 Dogwood St., Frisco, TX 75033 (Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.); friscofamilyservices.org
Fill out an application, then bring ID, your lease, bills, and proof of income to meet a case manager. Payments go directly to landlords and utilities.
Trust signals: Founded in 1994; posts financials and annual reports.
15. Christian Community Action
Denton County's long-running nonprofit, based in Lewisville.
Primary assistance: Emergency food, Food Market, limited utility help, career coaching, Seeds for Success program
Best for: Southern Denton County residents who need food and longer-term support
How to get help: 972-221-1224; 200 S. Mill St., Lewisville, TX 75057; visit Family Services weekday mornings; ccahelps.org
Eligible residents get emergency food the same day. CCA no longer offers general rent help, and financial aid requires joining one of its programs.
Trust signals: Serving Denton County since 1973.
Other Important Helplines and Resources in Dallas–Fort Worth
2-1-1 Texas: Dial 2-1-1 for rent, utility, and food referrals in any county.
County help: Dallas County Health and Human Services and Tarrant County offer utility and rent programs when funded; ask 211 what's open.
TexasLawHelp.org: Free Texas eviction guides and court forms.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 any time if money stress turns into a crisis.
Related Guides
Looking for more options in and around Dallas–Fort Worth? These guides cover churches and nonprofits helping with rent, food, and utility bills:
Closing Thoughts
DFW is huge, and help is local. Start with the agency that covers your city or ZIP code: Metrocrest, Network, Sharing Life, Frisco Family Services, CEC, GRACE, or Mission Arlington. Facing court? Call Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas or DEAC today, not the day before your hearing.
Let the food banks handle groceries while you put cash toward rent and the electric bill. Keep your ID, lease, bills, and pay stubs in one folder, and call more than one place. Asking for help isn't a fail. It's a strategy.
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