The holiday season always reminds us to give back. Austin is one of the cities with the most philanthropies per capita, and with that generous spirit, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. As a seasoned philanthropist and volunteer, I recommend diving in and exploring 5-10 organizations through volunteering, attending galas, researching, and connecting with their members. This will help you find the 2-4 causes that truly resonate with you. Once you’ve found your passion, you can commit to supporting them wholeheartedly—not just around the holidays. Here are some standouts that could use your love.

A member of the Texas Advocacy Project represented our state at the White House this year. PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS ADVOCACY PROJECT

Texas Advocacy Project

They are supporting Texans who are victims of dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and human trafficking. Through free legal services and access to the justice system, TAP advances prevention through public outreach and education. Anyone can be a victim, from a visibly battered woman in a shelter to a perfectly groomed child in a three-million-dollar home; you never know who needs help until they make the call. Established in 1982, TAP saves lives day after day by advocating for victims in court and otherwise. Just recently, one of their members was at the White House representing their organization for the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. TAP is everywhere and works hard to protect everyone. texasadvocacyproject.org

Texas Cultural Trust’s Art Access program curates art boxes to ensure all kids have support. PHOTO COURTESY OF: TEXAS CULTURAL TRUST

Texas Cultural Trust

Texas Cultural Trust: TXCT has several programs that help expand access and support the arts across the state. One of the easy ways to get involved with the Texas Cultural Trust that can impact many lives is their Arts Access program. The program examines the needs and opportunities to increase access and engagement to the arts, culture, and arts education for all Texans by providing resources, programming, and financial support. This is everything from school and organization grants to keep arts programs in low-income schools to Art Boxes that TXCT curates for schools, hospitals, and kids who may not have access. The TXCT is helping to ensure that every Texan has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts. txculturaltrust.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF: TEXAS CULTURAL TRUST

Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Pediatrics Community Cares Program provides medical services for children who may otherwise go without care or treatment due to lack of access to health care. Regardless of the family’s financial situation, the Community Cares Program provides healthcare to children from birth to age 18 and offers the opportunity to develop a trusting, long-term relationship with a board-certified pediatrician. Texas Children’s also houses the first level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Texas, the highest level of care available for newborns. In the Pavilion for Women, the combined level 2 and 3 NICU offers specialty care for newborns. Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women prides itself on the fact that no mother and baby will be turned away. They never turn anyone away, and our city is lucky to have them as we don’t have enough hospitals for the population of children Austin has. texaschildrens.org

Muny hosts the most charity tournaments in Austin. PHOTO COURTESY OF: THE MUNY CONSERVANCY

Save Muny

Let Them Play! Lions Municipal opened in 1924 and is the first golf course in the South to desegregate. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a civil rights landmark. Muny is known as a place where all people, regardless of race, talent, age, or gender, could/ and can meet and play golf together. The Muny Conservancy was created in 2019 to raise funds and work with the City of Austin and the University of Texas to preserve the course permanently. As the city’s most well-known and affordable course, Muny currently hosts more than 60,000 rounds of golf each year, stages more charity tournaments than any other Austin course, and serves as a practice facility for more than 12 middle and high school golf teams, and is home to dozens of protected heritage trees. You never know who you will run into when you play a round at Muny or attend an event. themunyconservancy.com