Charity Guide

These Austin education charities earn an A-plus in giving back

Seedling helps kids whose parents are currently incarcerated.

Austin may have a burgeoning technology sector and renowned food scene, but at its heart, it will always be a college town. Empowerment through education is one of Austin's core values (just look at our Austin Central Library or the annual Texas Book Festival) and these local nonprofits are working hard to keep it a core value.

Ranging from after-school programs to mentorships, Austin's education nonprofits are empowering local youth in a variety of ways. Read on to learn how to get involved, give back, and maybe learn a thing or two along the way.

Andy Roddick Foundation
Mission: The Andy Roddick Foundation, founded by the Austin-based tennis star, takes the time kids spend outside the classroom and turns it into growth opportunities through enriching experiences after school and during the summer. ARF creates high-quality after-school activities — developed in cooperation with the Austin Independent School District — and hosts an acclaimed six-week summer program to help kids o grow in literacy, STEM, art, and sports.
Membership: Donate here or join the Opportunity Matters Circle. OMC members commit a minimum donation of $1,500 per year for three years.
Get involved: A portion of proceeds from merchandise sales at the Andy Roddick Foundation online store directly supports the work of the foundation.
Big event:ARF Luncheon hosted by Brooklyn Decker

Capital Idea
Mission: Since 1998, Capital Idea has provided financial support and extensive professional guidance to motivated, non-traditional students who want to earn more and move up in a great career. With community partners like Austin Community College, the group stands committed to providing individuals with the opportunity and support they need to earn a degree and get started in a promising career.
Get involved: Donate here.

Caring for Cambodia
Mission: Caring for Cambodia believes that when knowledge cannot be handed down, it must be handed out. The organization, which has an office in Austin, works to educate one child at a time today, to make a difference for Cambodia's tomorrow. They create and sustain safe, modern, technologically equipped schools; mentor and professionally train teachers; and fund supplies and other tools needed to teach those who want to learn. CFC provides educational opportunities for Cambodian children so they may reach their highest potential and make valuable contributions to their communities.
Get involved: Volunteer here or donate here.
Big event:Caring for Cambodia's 15th Anniversary Luncheon

Communities In Schools of Central Texas
Mission: Communities In Schools of Central Texas surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through campus-based programs and special projects, Communities In Schools creates a network of volunteers, social services, businesses, and community resources that work together to break down barriers and help students succeed.
Get involved: Volunteer here or donate here.
Big event:Food for Thought

HealthStart
Mission: HealthStart provides the blueprints for creating healthier communities through children's science-based health education. The nonprofit believes that by captivating children, engaging teachers, and involving parents in early health educaxtion, we will build a healthier future for all communities.
Get involved: Donate here or volunteer here.
Big event: I <3 HealthStart Gala

Inside Books Project
Mission: Inside Books Project is an Austin-based community service volunteer organization that sends free books and educational materials to prisoners in Texas. Inside Books is the only books-to-prisoners program in Texas, a state where over 140,000 people are incarcerated. Inside Books Project works to promote reading, literacy, and education among incarcerated individuals and to educate the general public on issues of incarceration.
Get involved: Donate books or magazines to the organization. Learn how to volunteer (there are twice weekly events) here or email insidebooksproject@gmail.com.

Seedling
Mission: Seedling's mission is to support children challenged by parental incarceration with innovative, research-driven, school-based mentoring.
Get involved: Seedling is in need of volunteer mentors to spend lunch with a deserving child one day per week during the school year on their school campus. They are seeking to match 667 mentors during the 2018-19 school year. Mentoring benefits the child and is equally rewarding for the mentor. Head here to watch a video about mentoring for Seedling. Donate here.
Big event: Austin's Fab Five

Texas Can Academies
Mission: Texas Can Academies provides the highest quality education for all students, especially those who have struggled in a traditional high school setting, in order to ensure their economic independence.
Get involved: Donate here or volunteer here.
Big event: Countdown to Class Uniform Drive, an annual event that raises funds to benefit students at 14 campuses across Texas.

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MESSAGE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE

Austin theater auctions off chance to write message on iconic marquee

Paramount Theatre/Instagram

The Paramount Theatre is auctioning off the chance to share a holiday message on its marquee.

Austinites craving the limelight might get the chance to see their name in lights — or at least a personalized holiday message — illuminated on one of Austin’s most historic marquees.

As part of the Austin Theatre Alliance’s final 2020 auction to raise funds for the Paramount and Stateside theaters, the nonprofit is offering up an array of unusual and very “Austintatious” items for bid, including the chance to share a customized holiday message on the iconic Paramount Theatre marquee.

The auction item is one of several dozen currently up for bid through ATA’s online holiday auction, which runs through December 11.

With a starting bid of $1,500, the Paramount marquee message is one of the pricier items in the auction, but it may be well worth the glory, as the winning bidder can treat all of Austin to a two-line, 80-character custom holiday message that will be professionally photographed and live on the marquee for a minimum of four hours. (It should be noted that the chosen message is subject to review. After all, this is a nonprofit theater marquee, not the infamously sassy El Arroyo sign.)

Having to cancel or reschedule hundreds of planned shows because of COVID-19 concerns, the Paramount Theatre has had a particularly rough year but recently reopened at 25 percent capacity for limited engagements, like its Holiday Film Series, which is currently underway. Funds raised from the auction enable the ATA, which manages the Paramount and Stateside, to reach Central Texas students through virtual programs, employ venue staff, and help the historic theaters survive the pandemic.

In addition to the Paramount marquee message item, the auction also includes other perfectly weird items befitting a homegrown Austin event, like Matt Lankes photos of Willie Nelson playing chess and the late, great Billy Joe Shaver looking contemplative while perched on a bridge in Waco; and several autographed guitars, including one commemorative acoustic guitar signed by 10 of Austin’s most notable musicians, Ruthie Foster, Carrie Rodriguez, and Tameca Jones among them.

Of course, there is no lack of booze-forward packages, hotel stays, and artist-signed prints also up for grabs. But true lovers of the Paramount Theatre will find the item with the highest opening bid ($5,000) steals the show: a private catered dinner for four on the Paramount stage.

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