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Forefront Austin partners are the top thinkers and doers from Central Texas nonprofit, civic and corporate sectors.   Each month, Forefront Austin partners offer their answers to key questions facing Central Texas, providing their vision for a robust, engaged and vibrant community.  Contact Jill Weir to learn how to become a Forefront Austin partner.

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( Forefront partners in bold red )
Organization Type
Community Action Network

Community Action Network is a collaboration of organizations and individuals in Central Texas who are working together to build a community of equity and opportunity.

Social Services
Computers 4 Kids

Computers4Kids goal is to put computers into the hands of as many Texas Public School students who wish to cross that divide by providing workshops and school assistance programs. We are on the forefront of placing technology into the hands of kids for the new millennium. On average, we provide computers to at least 50 students per month. We hope that with more donations and more in school programs we can make more computers available to those who would benefit the most, kids!

Education & Literacy
Connections Individual & Family Services

Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc. (Connections), established in 1981, is a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded by a group of community leaders to provide a safe and secure alternative from the “streets” for homeless, abused, or at-risk youth. The agency’s mission is to “Provide youth, families, and communities opportunities for a brighter future.

Social Services
Conspirare

Inspired by the power of music to change lives, Conspirare engages audiences in extraordinary musical experiences through world-class choral performances and recordings. The Conspirare ensembles’ 2009-2010 season consisted of 25 performances of eight different programs, in Austin, Wimberley, Fredericksburg, San Antonio and Victoria. In February 2010 Conspirare was an invited, featured choir at the annual convention of the American Choral Directors Association/Eastern Division in Philadelphia.

Arts & Culture
Convio

Convio is the leading provider of donor management and fundraising solutions that enable nonprofit organziations to maximize the value of every supporter relationship. With Convio solutions, nonprofits of all sizes can more effectively raise funds, advocate for change and cultivate relationships with donors, activists, volunteers, alumni and other supporters.

Convio offers two complete solutions for nonprofits:

Convio® Luminate™ for large, enterprise nonprofits with complex multi-channel integration and analytic needs.

Convio® Common Ground ™ for small to mid-sized nonprofits seeking a complete donor management and fundraising solution that is affordable, easy to use, and helps save valuable staff time.

Follow Convio on FaceBook Follow Convio on Twitter View Convio Videos on YouTube View Convio Profile on LinkedIn

Philanthropy Resources
Dell Children's Medical Center

Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas is the only dedicated freestanding pediatric facility in the region.  Serving a 46-county area and beyond, Dell Children’s is the premier health care provider for children and adolescents. Dell Children’s is a truly one-of-a-kind place that gives Central Texas families access to a wide range of healthcare services. Children are cared for with a family-centered approach that keeps patients close to loved ones at all times. And our dedicated multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists and nurses are all committed to a single purpose: making your child feel like a kid again.

Health & Wellness
Dini Partners

More than just fundraising consultants, Dini Partners works with clients to achieve a broad range of institutional objectives by setting goals and financial strategies, mobilizing volunteers, raising funds, building community partnerships and assessing outcomes. They help our clients realize their missions with confidence and demonstrated success.

Services are grouped into three major divisions:

  • 1) Leadership and Teamwork
  • 2) Planning and Mission Performance
  • 3) Fundraising.
Philanthropy Resources
DonorsChoose.org

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Here's how it works: public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class. Then, you can browse project requests and give any amount to the one that inspires you. Once a project reaches its funding goal, we deliver the materials to the school. You'll get photos of your project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent. If you give over $100, you'll also receive hand-written thank-you letters from the students. At DonorsChoose.org, you can give as little as $1 and get the same level of choice, transparency, and feedback that is traditionally reserved for someone who gives millions. We call it citizen philanthropy.

Philanthropy Resources
Downtown Austin Alliance

The Downtown Austin Alliance is a partnership of individuals and businesses devoted to promoting and maintaining a safe, clean, attractive, accessible, and fun Downtown environment, making Downtown the destination for Austinites and visitors.

Associations
Dress For Success Austin

The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help our clients find jobs and remain employed. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and can return for a second suit or separates when she finds work.

Education & Literacy
E3 Alliance

The E3 Alliance believes fundamentally that Education Equals Economics.  It is a regional collaborative dedicated to developing a comprehensive, data-driven view of the Central Texas education landscape with the intention of aligning education with employment needs through The Blueprint for Educational Change.  The Blueprint is a first of its kind strategic plan that addresses the regional education needs across the entire continuum, from cradle to career. The Blueprint is the Central Texas community’s effort to build the most successful educational pipeline in the country and to ensure our competitiveness and quality of life as a region.

Education & Literacy
EarthShare Texas

EarthShare of Texas is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation is committed to making environmental support as easy as possible by giving working people the ability to donate through workplace payroll contribution campaigns. Founded by its member charities in 1988, EarthShare is an opportunity for environmentally-conscious employees and workplaces to support hundreds of environmental groups through a charitable giving drive. EarthShare of Texas participates in campaigns at hundreds of public and privates sector workplaces.

Today EarthShare of Texas represents and supports more than 70 of America's most respected environmental and conservation groups, including 39 national organizations and hundreds of local groups in 18 affiliate states. EarthShare of Texas' member organizations work hard every day to safeguard your health and the environment by combating global warming, protecting ancient forests, protecting our water from toxic contaminants, saving endangered species and so much more. All of these efforts are supported by EarthShare of Texas' mission.

Environment
Easter Seals Central Texas

Since 1937, Easter Seals Central Texas (originally chartered as the Texas Society for Crippled Children), has been providing services to children and adults with disabilities and their caregivers. In 1949, a small building was dedicated as the Austin Cerebral Palsy Center serving a small population of Central Texas residents. Almost twenty years later, it became the Capital Area Rehabilitation Center, expanding its services, programs and persons served. In 1985, the Capital Area Rehabilitation Center became an official affiliate of the Easter Seals National and was renamed The Capital Area Easter Seals Society. Finally, in 1998, the name was changed to Easter Seals Central Texas. In 2006 ESCT opened its Hays County Workforce Development office and in 2007 Easter Seals moved its headquarters to the current location at 1611 Headway Circle. 2010 brough more change as ESCT expended to include more comprehensive community and housing services. Easter Seals Central Texas currently provides over 7,000 local children and adults with quality, person-centered services and support.

Social Services
EmanciPET

EMANCIPE+ has chosen to advocate for and provide free and low-cost spay/neuter services since day one because we believe it is one of the most efficient and effective methods of reducing the homeless pet population. We provide spay/neuter services throughout the Central Texas area via both mobile and stationary clinics, and serve between 1,200 – 2,000 pets each month. We employ highly skilled veterinary surgeons and veterinary technicians, and our medical protocols exceed the highest standards in veterinary medicine today. 

Animal Welfare
Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO)

Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) is dedicated to planning, prioritizing, and developing strategies to end homelessness in Austin, TX. The overall role of the ECHO is to identify specific strategies and to oversee ongoing planning efforts and implementation of the Plan to End Community Homelessness.

Housing & Poverty
Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas

The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas is a community of entrepreneurs. We amplify the philanthropic efforts of our member companies, their entrepreneurs, boards and employees who invest time, talent and equity to make Central Texas an even better place to live, work and play. Our programs help build successful corporate cultures and allow start-up companies to participate philanthropically, even though charitable funds may be scarce.

Philanthropy Resources
Environmental Defense Fund Austin

Founded in 1967 as the Environmental Defense Fund, we tackle the most serious environmental problems with:Sound science - Economic incentives - Corporate partnerships - Getting the law right. How do we at EDF change the world? We find new ways to take ideas grounded in science and scale them up to transform entire sectors.

Environment
Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest

Seminary of the Southwest forms men and women for the service of Christ in lay or ordained ministry within the church and the larger society. Southwest’s vision is to be a community for formation and leadership within the church supported by a strength of program, endowment, and environment that assures excellence in theological and pastoral education .

Education & Literacy
Equality Texas

Equality Texas advocates and lobbies for the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. 
Equality Texas Foundation educates and engages the public about policies and their effect on Texans of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

Associations
Ex-Student's Association of UT

The saying goes that everything’s bigger in Texas. The Texas Exes are no exception, with our membership of more than 91,000 forming one of the largest, most renowned alumni networks in the world. Since 1885, our mission has remained simple: to connect alumni and friends in order to promote, protect, and preserve The University of Texas. Whether it’s through scholarships, teaching awards, legislative advocacy, The Alcalde magazine, or just plain fun (like hosting the world’s biggest tailgate party before every home football game), the Texas Exes exist to support the University and its proud traditions.  

Education & Literacy
Extend-A-Care Kids

Extend-A-Care for Kids (EAC) supports families, schools, employers, and communities by providing enriching, affordable, licensed child care for children. We are here for the community to provide a safe, enriching program for children and peace of mind for parents at work or in training. We give hope for the future of our nation and leave a legacy for tomorrow.

Children & Youth
For The Children

For the Children, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization in the Central Texas area that provides basic school supplies to children that qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program. Our goal is to reach all elementary age children first; currently we serve Pre-K through 4th grade students in ten school districts in Central Texas. We are proud that 100% of funds donated are used to purchase school supplies. This is possible because board members serve a dual purpose of performing in-kind administrative duties and providing the administrative funds required to run the organization and because of in-kind support from area businesses and volunteers.

Education & Literacy
Foster Angels of Central Texas Foundation

The Foster Angels of Central Texas Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of children in foster care, ensuring that each child has his or her basic needs met, and to provide life-enriching and life-enhancing experiences whenever possible.

Follow Foster Angels on Facebook

Children & Youth
Foundation Communities

Foundation Communities is a nonprofit organization providing service-enriched, high-quality affordable housing that enables families and individuals with low incomes to permanently improve their educational and economic standing.

Housing & Poverty
Front Steps Inc.

Working to End Homelessness in Austin. At Front Steps, we believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Their mission is to provide a pathway home through shelter, affordable housing, and community education. Providing excellent case management, support, and shelter services, transitioning people experiencing chronic homelessness to a variety of sustainable housing options and educating the community about the needs of men and women experiencing homelessness and innovative approaches to meeting those need.

Housing & Poverty
GENaustin - Girls Empowerment Network

Originally called The Ophelia Project, GENaustin (the Girls Empowerment Network) was created in 1996 by 12 concerned mothers raising adolescent girls in Austin, Texas. These mothers met after reading Reviving Ophelia, a book by Dr. Mary Pipher, to address an increasing trend among middle school aged girls - a systematic decline and sometimes permanent loss of self-esteem, the outcome of which can be devastating: epidemic levels of anorexia/bulimia, selfmutilation, depression, low academic achievement, teen pregnancy, and drug abuse. Their mission is to foster healthy self-esteem in girls by engaging them to explore and define their personal values and to build skills that empower them with confidence and courage to make wise choices.

Children & Youth
Girls, Inc.

Girls Incorporated is a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and boldSM through a network of local organizations in the United States and Canada. With local roots dating to 1864 and national status in the U.S. since 1945, Girls Inc. responds to the changing needs of girls and their communities through research-based programs and advocacy that empower girls to reach their full potential and to understand, value, and assert their rights. In 2009, Girls Inc. reached over 900,000 girls through Girls Inc. affiliates, our website, and educational publications.

Children & Youth
GirlStart

Girlstart is a non-profit organization created to empower girls to excel in math, science, and technology. Founded in 1997 in Austin, Texas, Girlstart has quickly established itself as a best-case practices leader in empowering, educating, and motivating girls to enjoy and become more proficient in math, science and technology.

Education & Literacy
Giving City

GivingCity is the guide to doing good in Austin. On the website and online magazine, we offer actionable community content with the goal of connecting more Central Texans to philanthropy and improving communication and collaboration across the community.

Philanthropy Resources
GivShop

GivShop is a new venture located in Austin, TX. We’ve created a unique partnership that brings consumers, businesses and non-profit organizations together to harness commerce for the benefit of the local community. We support local businesses and local non-profits by providing consumers with great deals on shopping and fun things to do while generating funds for local charities.

Philanthropy Resources
Gone for Good

Gone For Good will turn your stuff into cash to do good. Refresh, renew, de-clutter, downsize. One call or click to Gone For Good — you're done. Gone For Good will pick it up, sell it! Donate.

Philanthropy Resources
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas is a private, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the mission of providing job-related services for people with barriers to employment. Established in 1958 in Austin, Goodwill served 69 people in its first year of operation. Goodwill now serves thousands of people annually, helping them to gain new job skills and start new lives of independence. Goodwill works in tandem with a wide variety of human service agencies in order to provide the best support network possible for people with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions who are seeking employment. Every day Goodwill helps 5 Central Texans find a job in our community.

Social Services
Great Wall China Adoption Inc.

Great Wall China Adoption is dedicated to helping children around the world find loving and permanent families of their own in accordance with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children, U.S. and international laws. They aim to accomplish three goals:

  • Work with countries around the world to find homes for abandoned children
  • Assist U.S. and foreign governments to improve both the international adoption process and laws to protect children
  • Act as ambassadors to educate the public toward building a better relationship between the U.S. and other countries
Children & Youth
Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Established in 1973, the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) primary goal is to continue the advancement and progression of a strong and stable economic culture for Hispanic Businesses.  The Chamber strives to reach these goals by developing business and management skills and bridging access to financial capital and maintaining our cultural values and integrity. We build our members’ wealth...through programs and services in economic and workforce development, business networking, and community and policy advocacy.

Associations
Green Doors

Green Doors' mission is to prevent and help end homelessness and poverty housing for those working to achieve independent living in Central Texas. Green Doors accomplishes this by: creating affordable, safe, quality housing; providing residents with access to supportive services; and educating about, and advocating for, individuals and families struggling with homelessness and at-risk for homelessness.

Housing & Poverty
HAND - Helping the Aging, Needy and Disabled

Helping the Aging, Needy and Disabled, Inc (HAND), Formerly Services For The Elderly, Inc., has been providing in-home attendant services to elderly and disabled persons since 1972. We incorporated as a nonprofit agency in 1976 and are licensed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services to provide Personal Assistant services.

Social Services
Hays Nursing Center Inc.

Hays Nursing & Rehab Center is a not-for-profit faith based long term care organization. Hays Nursing & Rehab Center is founded on the Seventh-day Adventist legacy of Christian healthcare.

Health & Wellness
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians
The mission of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is to provide access to affordable healthcare for low-income, uninsured working musicians, focusing on prevention and wellness.
Health & Wellness
Heart House

Heart House Austin is a free afterschool program dedicated to providing a safe haven and academic support to low-income children and encouraging them to become good citizens.  

Children & Youth
Helping Hand Home for Children Inc.

For 118 years, Helping Hand Home for Children has provided a place to heal for abused, neglected and abandoned children. Helping Hand Home provides residential treatment services, therapeutic foster care, adoption services, and an on-site charter school for emotionally disturbed children. We are a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Austin, Texas licensed by the State of Texas, and governed by the membership of the Helping Hand Society.

Housing & Poverty