An indispensable Dallas guide to young professional charity groups

Dallas is one of the best cities for working millennials, and given the city's charitable reputation, it isn't that surprising that young professionals here have plenty of opportunities to socialize, network, and give back. Regardless of your interests, there's more than one option for volunteering your time and efforts once your 9-to-5 job is done for the day.

For those who haven't yet made their marks on the Dallas charity scene, we present the ultimate cheat sheet to the top YP groups in town, whether your passion is the arts, education, cancer awareness, or eradicating domestic violence or hunger. Now's your chance to get involved.

American Red Cross DFW Young Professionals Auxiliary
Mission: The Young Professionals Auxiliary works with the American Red Cross to aid victims of disasters through volunteering, fundraising, and networking. Major influencers and mentors to the Young Professionals Auxiliary include both the American Red Cross North Texas Region’s board of directors and Tiffany Circle members. These three groups come together to fulfill the mission of the American Red Cross.
Membership: $250 annually
Major fundraiser: Rock Out for Red Cross, Wrapped in Red
Get involved: Join online

BvB Dallas
Mission: BvB Dallas is a powder-puff football game that provides a day of fun, fellowship, philanthropy, and enjoyment as a way of raising money for Alzheimer's research and awareness.
Donation: Each player must raise $1,200 to play.
Major fundraiser: BvB Powder-Puff Game
Get involved: Sign up to play online

Crayon Club at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital For Children
Mission: Crayon Club was established to unite individuals dedicated to improving the lives of children in our community. Through volunteerism, education, and philanthropy, Crayon Club supports the mission of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in transforming children's lives.
Donation: Red Crayon $25, Blue Crayon $75, Green Crayon $125
Major fundraiser: Crawfish Boil, Character Breakfast, Educational Evening at TSRHC, and Truck or Treat
Get involved: Join online

Dallas Autumn Ball
Mission: The Dallas Autumn Ball engages and empowers young professionals and young individuals to celebrate charity and raise much-needed awareness and funds for worthy educational causes in Dallas.
Membership: Ball tickets range in price
Major fundraiser: Dallas Autumn Ball
Get involved: info@dallasautumnball.com

Dallas CASA Young Professionals
Mission: This social group increases awareness for Dallas CASA and encourages participation of any young professionals in the Dallas area who want to make an impact in the lives of abused children.
Membership: $50 annually
Major fundraisers: Cherish the Children Luncheon, Champion of Children Award Dinner, CASAblanca
Get involved: Join online

Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce
Mission: Established in 1918, the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce (DJCC) is the city's premier network for young professionals between the ages of 21 and 41. They offer diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth through professional development, networking, and philanthropy.
Membership: $125 annually
Major Fundraisers: Taste Annual Wine Tasting Event, Christmas in July, BEEP, Johnny Sides Police Rookie of the Year Gala
Get Involved: Join online

Dallas Museum of Art Junior Associates
Mission: DMA Junior Associates is a group of young professionals who want to connect with art and each other. Being involved with this group is a great way to meet other young people in the community who share your love of arts and culture.
Membership: $250 annually for singles, $500 for couples
Major fundraiser: Art Ball After Party
Get involved: Join online

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Vivaldi Patron Circle
Mission: The DSO Vivaldi Patron Circle provides various social opportunities for people of similar interests to get to know the DSO musicians and get involved in the community.
Membership: Minimum gift of $150
Major fundraiser: Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala After Party
Get involved: Join online

DIFFA Young Professionals
Mission: DIFFA young professionals are devoted to helping raise funds and awareness about HIV/AIDS in North Texas.
Membership: 20 hours of volunteer work to an AIDS service organization
Major fundraiser: House of DIFFA
Get involved: dallas@diffa.org

Echelon
Mission: Echelon is a community of diverse young adults collectively rising up to serve the Salvation Army through fellowship and networking, donations, fundraising, and service and volunteering.
Membership: $50 annually for singles, $75 for couples
Major fundraiser: Salvation Army Echelon 30M Gala, Crawfish Boil
Get involved: Join online or membership@echelondfw.org

EDTx Young Professionals
Mission: Earth Day Texas Young Professionals seek to create a place where smart and successful YPs can come together and support efforts that positively affect our environment.
Donation: $50 for basic membership
Major fundraiser: Earth Day Texas
Get involved: Join online or contact Laura Reeder at laura@laurareeder.com

Flight
Mission: This organization engages young professionals; creates awareness in the community for the plight of homeless children; and raises funds for Vogel Alcove, which provides free quality child development services for homeless children in Dallas.
Membership: $400 total membership dues or $34 monthly donation for 12 months. Married couples receive a discounted rate of $600 per couple or $50 monthly donation per couple.
Major fundraiser: 25th annual Performing Arts Event featuring Earth, Wind and Fire
Get involved: Join online or YP@vogelalcove.org

Genesis Young Leaders (GYL)
Mission: Like the organization it serves, Genesis Women's Shelter, the mission of GYL is to eliminate family violence through volunteerism, education, and community awareness.
Membership: $40 annually for singles, $75 for couples, $100 for single patrons, and $150 for patron couples
Major fundraisers: Masquerade, Genesis Women's Shelter Luncheon
Get involved: Join online

Junior League of Dallas
Mission: The Junior League of Dallas is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Founded in 1922, JLD is dedicated to the belief that volunteer service is an essential part of responsible citizenship.
Membership: Attend a minimum of three general membership and/or group meetings per year, along with annual dues of $256 and completion of one placement of 60 hours of volunteer hours per year
Major fundraisers: JLD Annual Gala, Milestones Luncheon, Auction & Casino
Get involved: The process is a rather long one. First you submit the prospective member application online. Then you find three sponsors and attend a provisional meeting. The membership application process has closed for this year, but check back on the JLD website for info on the 2015-16 provisional class.

Lee Park Junior Conservancy
Mission: The Junior Conservancy has been designed for those young professionals who want to experience very special social, networking, and philanthropic opportunities; who are ready to give something back to the community; and who are interested in helping develop and conserve the most scenic urban green space in Dallas, Lee Park.
Membership: $95 annually
Major fundraiser: Day at the Races Derby Party
Get involved: Join online or 214-521-2003

The One Society
Mission: The One Society supports Children's Medical Center by engaging and fostering young leaders to make life better for children through philanthropic, educational, fundraising, volunteer, and social opportunities.
Membership: $100 annually, which can be paid monthly
Major fundraiser: The Event, Red Balloon Run & Ride
Get involved: Join online or 214-456-8380

Ronald McDonald House Young Friends
Mission: Young Friends comprises professional couples and singles looking to give back to their community through a number of fundraising and social activities that benefit Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Membership: $60 annually for individuals, $250 lifetime for individuals, $90 annually for couples, $350 lifetime for couples
Major fundraiser: Annual Young Friends Party, monthly volunteer nights at RMHD
Get involved: Join online

The Round Table
Mission: The Round Table currently comprises more than 350 members interested in supporting the North Texas Food Bank who participate in networking, fundraising, and volunteer events with other members.
Membership: No dues currently
Major fundraisers: Main events include monthly service Saturdays
Get involved: Volunteer online, 214-270-0856 or ntfb@roundtabledallas.com

Texas Parks & Wildlife Young Professionals
Mission: This group, dubbed Stewards of the Wild, connects professionals 40 and under who are driven by a common vision to raise awareness of the land and wildlife conservation issues facing our generation; preserve our hunting, fishing, and outdoor heritage; lead and serve in our communities; and establish meaningful relationships among like-minded individuals.
Membership: Starting at $75 annually
Major fundraisers: State of Conservation Dinner
Get involved: Join online, 214-720-1478, or info@tpwf.org

Think Ahead Group (TAG)
Mission: TAG is a group of young professionals who are passionate about brain health. The group teaches people how to think about the current and future health of their brains. The organization raises money to support research at the Center for BrainHealth that discovers and implements new ways to understand, protect, and heal the human brain.
Membership: $100 annually
Major fundraiser: TAG Kentucky Derby
Get involved: Join online

United Way Young Leaders Society
Mission: The United Way Young Leaders Society unites donors and volunteers with organizations that are focused on producing real results in the areas of education, financial stability, and health.
Donation: At least $250 per year
Get involved: Join online or email youngleaders@unitedwaydallas.org

Urban League of Greater Dallas Young Professionals
Mission: Founded in 1991, the Urban League of Greater Dallas Young Professionals (formerly the Young Adult Council) was formed to groom and advance the aims of the Urban League of Greater Dallas and the National Urban League into the future.
Membership: $75 annually
Major fundraiser: Walk for our Heroes
Get involved: membership@ulgdyp.org

WaterTower Theatre Young Professionals
Mission: The WaterTower Theatre Young Professionals draw together young people with business acumen, leadership aspirations, and awareness of social responsibilities, while supporting the local arts scene.
Membership: Free
Get involved: Contact Garret Reeves at 972-450-6275

Wilkinson Center Young Friends
Mission: Young Friends are committed to helping those in need in our home communities while enjoying the friendship and camaraderie of an established group of inspired people. They support Wilkinson Center in its mission as a leading poverty rescue and prevention agency for the working poor.
Membership: Bronze ($25), Gold ($50), Platinum ($100), and Lifetime ($500)
Major fundraisers: Can Do Luncheon, White Party
Get involved: Join online, or contact Vodi Cook at vodi_cook@wilkinsoncenter.org or 972-284-0305

Young Community Partners of Dallas (YCPD)
Mission: The Young Community Partners of Dallas formed to inspire a new generation of Community Partners of Dallas supporters through opportunities to volunteer, socialize, and network.
Membership: $50 for individuals, $70 for couples
Major fundraiser: YCPD Field Day
Get Involved: Join online

Yellow Rose Gala Young Professionals
Mission: The mission of Yellow Rose Gala Young Professionals is to rid the world of MS. One hundred percent of net proceeds from the gala go to progressive MS research through its partnership with the National MS Society.
Membership: Donations start at $25
Major fundraiser: Yellow Rose Gala
Get involved: info@theyellowrose.org

Young Texans Against Cancer (YTAC)
Mission: YTAC is a nonprofit organization comprising young men and women who have been affected by cancer and are seeking to become more actively involved in the cancer community. The organization is focused on raising funds for local research and support organizations, using its member base to increase awareness of volunteer organizations, and helping to educate the community on cancer research.
Membership: $75 annually for singles, $115 for married couples, $350 for lifetime singles, $500 for lifetime couples
Major fundraiser: Bubbly Q
Get involved: Join online