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Austin Volunteer Opportunities – Holiday Charities & Giving Campaigns For 2024

December 21, 2024 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Austin Volunteer Opportunities

Austin Volunteer Opportunities

Austin Volunteer Opportunities

For the Community

For the Animals


The holiday season is a time for giving back and Christmas volunteering Austin locals can make a difference with are waiting for you! Some options include LifeWorks Austin, which helps youth and families experiencing homelessness and Austin Pets Alive!, an animal shelter dedicated to saving the lives of animals.


Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.


Christmas Volunteering in Austin For the Community

Caritas of Austin

christmas volunteering in austin

Image credit: Caritas of Austin

Caritas of Austin is a local non-profit that helps people experiencing homelessness in the city. This Christmas, consider volunteering your time to support their important work. You can assist clients directly by helping them find housing or employment, support staff with daily operations such as preparing meals or organizing donations, or participate in special holiday events that raise awareness and funds.

Where: 611 Neches St, Austin, TX 78701


Operation Blue Santa

By volunteering with Operation Blue Santa, you can help bring joy and hope to children in need this Christmas. This is an annual program run by the Austin Police Department that provides toys and food to children and families in need during the holiday season.

Where: 4101 S Industrial Dr #260, Austin, TX 78744


Austin Disaster Relief Network

christmas volunteering austin

Image credit: Austin Disaster Relief Network

The Austin Disaster Relief Network is one of the best places for Christmas volunteering Austin locals and visitors can head out to. Volunteer opportunities include hands-on work such as cleanup and debris removal, behind-the-scenes support with administrative tasks and logistics, and providing emotional support to survivors.

Where: 13801 Burnet Rd Suite 100, Austin, TX 78727


Community First! Village

For over 25 years, Community First! Village has been supported by tens of thousands of volunteers who share their time and talents with the community. Whether you’re an individual, a family, or part of a larger group, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved. By volunteering, you’ll join a movement to support and care for individuals who have experienced homelessness, ensuring they are not forgotten.

Where: 9301 Hog Eye Rd Suite 950, Austin, TX 78724


LifeWorks Austin

christmas volunteering austin

Image credit: LifeWorks Austin

LifeWorks Austin is dedicated to helping youth and families experiencing homelessness build stable futures. When you choose this organization for Christmas volunteering Austin has, you join a community committed to solving youth homelessness in our city. Whether you prefer direct service with young people, supporting behind-the-scenes operations, or making a financial contribution, your involvement makes a significant difference.

Where: 3700 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704


SAFE Holidays Program

SafePlace’s Safe Holidays program provides support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse during the holiday season. This year, the program focuses on providing Thanksgiving meals, holiday gifts, and festive decorations to create a sense of normalcy and joy for families in need. Check out their website for more information on Christmas volunteering Austin has this year.

Where: 4800 Manor Rd building k, Austin, TX 78723


Volunteer on Christmas in Austin For the Animals

Austin Pets Alive!

volunteering christmas austin tx

Image credit: Austin Pets Alive!

Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is an animal shelter that works to save the lives of animals in Austin. Volunteers are important to their work. With Christmas volunteering Austin opportunities like this won, you can help care for animals, gain new skills, and connect with other animal lovers. APA! believes everyone can help animals, and volunteering is a great way to get involved.

Where: 1156 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78703


Stay up to date on all fun things going on in Austin with our weekly updates on Things to Do in Austin this Weekend!

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Filed Under: Family Friendly, Non-Profits Tagged With: christmas

Black Fret Keeps Live Music Alive With a New Festival

May 12, 2021 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Nakia SXSW 2018 Black Fret
Nakia enlivened an amazing Black Fret showcase during SXSW 2018. (credit: Bill Tucker)

For more than eight years, Black Fret supported the Austin music community with an unstoppable sense of purpose and accomplishment. When COVID brought live music to a near standstill, many of us wondered who would step up and take a stand. Black Fret came to the table and their brand new music festival, “Keep Live Music Alive,” is the comeback party we’ve been asking for since March of 2020. And with news of the 2021 class of grant nominees around the corner, there has never been a better time to become a member and support the music.

Doing The Right Thing Since 2013

Matt and Colin Black Ball 2018
Colin Kendrick (L) and Matt Ott (R) pose before the 2018 Black Ball (credit: Bill Tucker)

Founded by Colin Kendrick and Matt Ott in 2013, Black Fret aims to support the local music scene through member support. Members pay a flat fee that goes toward yearly grants. In return, members get access to unique, intimate listening room style performances. Every year, members nominate twenty artists to receive either a minor ($5,000) or major ($20,000) grant. The year culminates in the Black Ball, a sensational awards show and concert blowout at the Moody Theater. I’ve been to multiple Black Balls over the years, and trust me. They are experiences!

And while COVID kicked the Austin live music scene in the gut, Black Fret fought back with the Happy Hour Concert series. The program paid out over $250,000 to over 150 musicians for playing shows for companies and businesses over Zoom. It’s that sort of innovation that helped Black Fret stay helpful and relevant during the pandemic.

How’s this for numbers? To date, Black Fret has awarded $2,000,000 to local musicians and $1,500,000 to Austin-area venues and music businesses. Every artist playing a Black Fret showcase gets paid as does every venue. And for the first time, this year’s season dues is $750. While that may seem steep, it’s a hefty discount from years past. And consider the amount of live shows you get exclusive access to, along with knowing you’re supporting the art that keeps Austin the “Live Music Capital of the World. It’s a donation worth considering if you have the means to do so.

The Keep Live Music Alive Festival

Buffalo Hunt during the Black Fret SXSW 2021 showcase.

Now that COVID restrictions are relaxing enough for Austin to dip its collective toe back into live music, Black Fret is launching its first membership drive of the season in the form of a festival. The “Keep Live Music Alive” festival will take place from May 14-16th at the Long Center Terrace. While the event is listed as members only, single-day tickets are available for non-members. But that’s not the point. With an incredible lineup to offer, becoming a member is the best way to experience this three-day extravaganza.

The jam packed schedule reads like a who’s who of new Austin music. While ATX staples like Ley Line and Darkbird make me smile, I’m dying to check out Zach Person. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this local up-and-comer. The full schedule is as follows:

Day 1Time
Eimarl Sol4:00
Darkbird4:45
Mike Melinoe5:30
Miggy Milla6:15
Zach Person7:00
Buffalo Hunt7:45
Nane8:30
Day 2
Night Blooms3:00
Motenko4:00
Ley Line4:45
Clarence James5:30
Lisa Morales6:15
Harry Edohoukwa7:00
American Dreamer7:45
Sam Houston & Blk Odyssy8:30
Jake Lloyd9:00
Day 3
Special Tribute to Bob Dylan11:00 AM
Jon Muq2:00
Casey McPherson3:00
Dom Fisher3:45
Pat Byrne4:30
J Soulja5:15
Matt the Electrician6:00
The Reverent Few6:45
Deezie Brown7:30

Looking Forward to the Season Ahead

Austin band Motenko performing during Black Fret’s SXSW 2021 showcase.

And the festival is a jumping-off point. On June 11th via a private event at the Moody Theatre, Black Fret will announce this year’s class of artists. After months of live shows, the season will culminate in this year’s Black Ball on December 4th. As a fan of this wonderful organization, it’s great to see it up and running as intended: promoting and stewarding Austin live music. And if Black Fret’s re-emergence is the goal, the Keep Live Music Alive festival is its proof of concept.

“Black Fret is all about supporting our local music as the art that it is and we thank the Long Center for hosting our first ‘Keep Live Music Alive’ festival,” said Matt Ott, Co-founder of Black Fret. “COVID knocked our music community on our collective ass and it is time for us all to come together to support our artists, venues, and vendors that create our amazing music ecosystem in Austin. Joining Black Fret is a great way to accomplish that.”

When the music community was sucker-punched by COVID over a year ago, it hit everyone hard. From artists to venues and everyone in between, it was a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Despite it all, Black Fret continued to do what it does best—provide a lifeline to Austin’s cherished and storied music scene when it needed it most. And with this weekend’s celebration, the Austin music community hopes to turn the page on the year that was, and look forward to a great season of sounds ahead.

To become a member and attend the festival, visit https://www.blackfret.org/klma/ for everything you need to do so.

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Ever been to a Black Fret event? Tell us about your experience!

Filed Under: Arts, Events, Music, Non-Profits Tagged With: Austin, black fret, COVID, festival, live, music, nonprofit

Local Austin Non-Profits Featured at SXSW Online 2021

March 16, 2021 by Austinot Writer Leave a Comment

Picture of a sign calling for donations to Austin musicians.
(credit: Ben Porter Photography)

South by Southwest is almost here! The time of year when locals and visitors alike flock to the streets of Austin to celebrate culture, film, music, art, and food. Of course, this year, people across the world are flocking to their phones and computers, because SXSW 2021 is fully online! Although not quite the same as the Austin’s beloved annual (in person) festival, we are so glad that SXSW is still able to happen this year. I’m looking forward to being able to attend and participate in more events than ever before, using their online platform.

SXSW has an incredible history of giving back, something that is near and dear to my heart and so important to me when choosing organizations to support. Every year, they showcase world-changing non-profits from across the globe, invest in the local community, promote human rights, and support environmental protection.  

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Non-Profits Tagged With: sxsw

CASA of Travis County Seeks Advocates to Serve Local Foster Children

June 29, 2020 by Brittany Ballard Leave a Comment

CASA of Travis County in Austin
Volunteers are needed to serve even more children (Credit: CASA of Travis County)

There is nothing more important than the well-being of a child. When children have to enter the foster care system, CASA of Travis County is there to provide an unbiased recommendation to the court.

CASA accepts all new cases for children aged one and up, and always needs volunteers to serve as advocates. “For every child in need, CASA of Travis County envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home, and a promising future” (CASA of Travis County). To continue their progress this year, CASA’s goal is to serve 2,200 children with 900 active volunteers in 2020. Continue reading to learn how you can help.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Et Cetera, Non-Profits

Let’s Make Amplify Austin Day 2020 the Most Generous Event Yet

February 26, 2020 by Brittany Ballard Leave a Comment

Amplify Austin Day 2020
Amplify Austin Day hopes to raise over $12 million in just 24 hours (Credit: I Live Here I Give Here)

The team behind Amplify Austin Day 2020 wants to see over 31,000 people come together to raise over $12 million for Central Texas nonprofits. Such a feat sounds difficult to achieve, but the Austin community has set massive fundraising records before. 

Here’s all you need to know to participate yourself.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Austinot Loves, Discoveries, Et Cetera, Non-Profits Tagged With: amplify austin

8 Springdale General Tenants to Seek Out in East Austin

January 7, 2020 by Brittany Ballard Leave a Comment

Springdale General Austin Texas
This 15-building complex is home to some of Austin’s most well-loved creatives and nonprofits
(Credit: Center for Social Innovation)

If you’ve talked to anyone about east Austin, then the name “Springdale General” has probably popped up more than once. This 15-building complex is home to some of Austin’s well-loved creatives and nonprofits. 

One of my favorite things about Springdale General is the variety of businesses and organizations that call it home. From creative studios to fun service-based businesses to educational opportunities, it holds a bit of everything. Keep reading to learn about some of the businesses you might want to visit next time you’re near 1023 Springdale Road. 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Et Cetera, Local Business, Non-Profits Tagged With: coffee shops, eastside

Austin Musicians Granted $250,000 at 2019 Black Fret Ball

December 9, 2019 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Black Fret Ball 2019
Dr. Joe closed Black Fret Ball 2019 in explosive fashion (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Music is the lifeblood of Austin. Anyone who tells you different hasn’t spent a Saturday night on Red River or discovered a random artist during SXSW. On any given night, there are 100 shows to choose from in the greater Austin area. Music is a piece of who we are.

But the vein is starting to clot. Rising cost of living, higher venue rent, and dozens of entertainment options force world-class artists to stagnate.

Enter Black Fret, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, both financial and practical, to Austin musicians. On Dec. 7, 2019, during the annual Black Fret Ball gala, the group awarded $250,000 to 19 local artists. It was an evening of heart, community, and giving.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Et Cetera, Events, Music, Non-Profits Tagged With: black fret

Swan Songs Unites Austin Musicians With Those Facing Terminal Illness

September 17, 2019 by Brittany Ballard Leave a Comment

Swan Songs Private Concert for Patients in Austin
Swan Songs provides private concerts for those facing terminal illnesses (Credit: Carrell Grigsby)

Music is such a central part of Austin. Swan Songs is a local organization that embodies this piece of Austin, and turns it into something even greater by providing private concerts for those facing terminal illness and the end of life.

But Swan Songs offers more than a concert, as patients experience a meaningful and beautiful moment that gives joy.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Et Cetera, Non-Profits

Candlelight Ranch’s Mission to Heal Hearts Through Nature Continues to Bloom

September 11, 2019 by Krista Hager Leave a Comment

Horse Therapy for Kids at Candlelight Ranch

There is a place right outside of Austin on the north shore of Lake Travis where spirits fly, minds strengthen, and hope blooms. Candlelight Ranch is a nonprofit gifting children of all abilities adventure and healing through nature. 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Et Cetera, Non-Profits

Nonprofit We Are Blood Saves Lives and You Can Help Now

July 31, 2019 by Katrina Cervantes 1 Comment

We Are Blood is only closed three days each year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day (Credit: We Are Blood)
We Are Blood is only closed three days each year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day (Credit: We Are Blood)

Sometimes a health issue calls for a blood transfusion, platelets, or both. And with Austin’s growing population comes an increasing need for both these life-giving substances. We Are Blood is the exclusive blood provider for Central Texas, with the help of two additional centers in Round Rock and south Austin. They provide blood to more than 40 hospitals and medical centers across 10 counties.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Et Cetera, Non-Profits

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