17 Local Nonprofits You May Not Know — But Should

National Nonprofit Day shines a light on some of the smaller organizations making a difference in and around Simi Valley.

August 17 is National Nonprofit Day, a chance to recognize the organizations that step in, lend a hand and quietly make communities stronger.

Simi Valley has some well-known charitable organizations, but there are also plenty of smaller groups working behind the scenes — rescuing animals, mentoring young people, helping veterans, supporting seniors, providing opportunities for people with disabilities and opening doors through sports and education.

In honor of August 17, here are 17 local and regional nonprofits worth getting to know.

🐾 Animal Rescue & Welfare

1. Animal Guardians Horse Rescue

Not every rescue animal has paws. Simi Valley-based Animal Guardians Horse Rescue provides sanctuary, rehabilitation and quality-of-life support for senior horses and other equines with special needs. The organization also connects people with horses through community programs, fostering, adoption, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. (Animal Guardians Horse Rescue, Inc.)

2. Once Upon a Kitten Rescue

One of Simi Valley's newer and smaller rescues, Once Upon a Kitten Rescue focuses on orphaned kittens and other small animals. The nonprofit takes animals from the streets and shelter euthanasia lists, provides veterinary care and fostering, and ultimately works to place them in permanent homes. (Adopt a Pet)

3. Simi Valley Non-Profit Spay and Neuter Clinic

Animal rescue isn't only about finding homes. Preventing unwanted litters is another important piece of the puzzle. The Simi Valley Non-Profit Spay and Neuter Clinic provides lower-cost spay and neuter services for dogs, cats and rabbits, along with services for feral cats and mobile clinics serving surrounding communities. (Simi Valley Spay & Neuter Clinic)

🇺🇸 Supporting Veterans

4. Simi Valley Veterans Foundation

Created in 2021, the Simi Valley Veterans Foundation has a very local mission: improving the quality of life of veterans and their families in Simi Valley and surrounding communities. The foundation works alongside established veterans organizations and seeks to connect local veterans with resources ranging from outreach to transportation. (Simi Valley Veterans Foundation)

5. Gold Coast Veterans Foundation

Just down the road in Camarillo, Gold Coast Veterans Foundation serves veterans and their families throughout Ventura County. Its assistance includes navigating earned VA benefits and connecting veterans with help involving housing, transportation, food security, medical or mobility equipment and other needs. (Gold Coast Veterans Foundation)

♿ Disability & Special-Needs Services

6. Rainbow Connection Family Resource & Empowerment Center

Families navigating developmental disabilities and special needs don't always know where to begin. Rainbow Connection operates a Simi Valley office and provides families with information, training, support and help understanding the systems and resources available to them. Perhaps most importantly, its staff includes parents of children and adults with special needs who bring their own lived experience to the organization. (Rainbow Connection Center)

7. PathPoint

PathPoint may be a regional organization, but it has a dedicated Simi Valley location on East Los Angeles Avenue. Its programs support people with disabilities and their families with an emphasis on independence, life skills, meaningful relationships, employment and fuller participation in their communities. (PathPoint)

8. The Arc of Ventura County

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, The Arc of Ventura County provides programs designed to promote greater independence and community inclusion. The organization serves hundreds of people across Ventura County and operates programs at Simi Valley locations as well. (Arcvc)

⚾ Youth Sports

Youth sports organizations may not immediately come to mind when we think about nonprofits, but many of the programs Simi Valley families rely on are volunteer-run nonprofit organizations.

9. Simi Valley Bulldogs Football & Cheer

The Simi Valley Bulldogs provide nonprofit youth football and cheer programs for local children. Beyond competition, the organization emphasizes goal-setting, classroom achievement, community involvement and creating a positive environment for young athletes and their families. (Impala)

10. Simi Valley Youth Soccer League

Simi Valley Youth Soccer League is a long-running, volunteer-led nonprofit bringing organized soccer to local children. Sponsorships help the league cover expenses such as fields, equipment and uniforms while also helping provide scholarships for families that might otherwise have difficulty participating. (Simi Youth Soccer)

11. Simi Youth Baseball

Baseball has been part of growing up in Simi Valley for generations. Simi Youth Baseball is a nonprofit PONY organization run by volunteers and has served local kids since 1962. Its mission extends beyond baseball, using the game to help children develop friendships, confidence, self-esteem and sportsmanship. (Simi Youth)

🎓 Scholarships & Education

12. Simi Sunrise Rotary Charitable Foundation

Behind the familiar Rotary name is a charitable foundation investing directly in local education. The Simi Sunrise Rotary Charitable Foundation supports educational scholarships and vocational training, including scholarships that help adults learn a trade or retrain for a new career through Simi Valley Adult School. (Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise

The impact can be substantial. In one recent scholarship cycle, Simi Sunrise Rotary awarded $20,000 to 16 graduating seniors from Simi Valley high schools. (Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise)

13. Simi Valley PTA Council Scholarship Program

The Simi Valley PTA Council does considerably more than coordinate school PTAs. The nonprofit volunteer organization also awards scholarships to graduating seniors from participating Simi Valley high schools, with applications offered through SVUSD's Universal Scholarship Application. (Simi Valley PTA Council)

👵 Helping Seniors Stay Independent

14. Grey Law

Legal questions can become particularly complicated as we age. Grey Law is a volunteer-based nonprofit providing free legal advice and assistance to Ventura County residents age 60 and older, with services available through senior centers from Fillmore to Simi Valley. (Grey Law)

For older residents and their families, simply knowing that this resource exists could make a significant difference.

15. CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly

Sometimes the difference between remaining independent at home and becoming isolated is a ride, a grocery trip or someone stopping by to help.

CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly has been matching volunteers with Ventura County seniors since 1984. The organization provides neighbor-to-neighbor assistance at no cost to adults 60 and older, with the goal of supporting their health, well-being and ability to continue aging in place. (VCC Caregivers)

❤️ Children & Families

16. James Storehouse

With the simple mission of serving foster youth “from cribs to college,” James Storehouse helps children, teens and young adults involved in foster care.

Based in Newbury Park and serving Ventura County foster families, the nonprofit provides practical resources for children entering foster and kinship placements as well as support for young adults who have aged out of the foster-care system. (James Storehouse)

17. For The Need Foundation

Located right here in Simi Valley, For The Need Foundation works with children and young adults facing difficult circumstances, including homelessness and poverty.

Through its Bow & Arrow Mentorship Program, youth ages 7 to 24 are paired with consistent volunteer mentors who can become a positive and dependable presence in their lives. The organization also brings young people and their families together for activities and support throughout the year — and reports that its work is overwhelmingly volunteer-powered. (For the Need)

A Different Way to Celebrate National Nonprofit Day

National Nonprofit Day doesn't have to mean writing a check — although donations are certainly welcome at organizations like these.

It can mean volunteering for a few hours, fostering an animal, coaching a team, mentoring a young person, donating needed supplies or simply telling someone about a resource they didn't know existed.

And that may be the biggest reason to recognize these 17 organizations.

Behind each one are people who saw a need and decided to do something about it. Some operate with professional staff, others rely heavily on volunteers, and several are small enough that you may have driven past their work without ever knowing it was happening.

On August 17, take a few minutes to discover a local nonprofit you haven't heard of before. You may find a cause you'd like to support — or a resource that someday helps someone you know.