JOIN THE
CONVERSATION:
Follow Forefront Austin on FacebookFollow Forefront Austin on TwitterFollow Forefront Austin on LinkedInFollow Forefront Austin on YouTube

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.

Filter by type:
( Forefront partners in bold red )
Organization Type
Project Access Austin

Project Access Austin provides access to health care for uninsured, low-income of Travis County. If your employer does not offer medical insurance or insurance is offered but you cannot afford it, Project Access Austin might be able to help.

Health & Wellness
Project Transitions

Hospice- Doug’s House is a five-bedroom residential hospice for people in the final stages of AIDS-related illnesses. Short-term intensive respite care is also provided on a space available basis.

Housing- We operate three transitional housing programs for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Thrift- Top Drawer Thrift is open to the public and provides an extensive voucher program for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Social Services
Rawson Saunders School

The mission of Rawson-Saunders School is to develop the full potential of children with dyslexia through an extraordinary educational experience. Rawson-Saunders School is the only full curriculum school for elementary and middle school students with dyslexia in Central Texas.

We are proud to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and the International Dyslexia Association.

Education & Literacy
Recognize Good

RecognizeGood's mission is to elevate the world's spirit of community by creating a public forum to recognize, reward, and promote acts of kindness and unselfish charity.
>We believe one act of kindness encourages other acts of kindness. RecognizeGood aims to publicize these acts to lift the human spirit and light a fire of benevolence in our world. Through rewarding these acts, RecognizeGood can supply a sustainable source of monetary support for the exceptional “good” acts provided by The Samaritan Center in Austin and other nonprofit partners serving youth and their families. As a cutting edge social networking website and an innovative way to encourage philanthropy, we strive to meet unprecedented demands in these trying times.

Philanthropy Resources
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. For over 25 years Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin has been providing a home away from home for families with critically ill or injured children receiving treatment at Austin hospitals. We do this through our 30-room Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. David's Women's Center of Texas. We are committed to addressing the basic daily needs of families so that valuable time and energy can be devoted to the hospitalized child.

Health & Wellness
Rude Mechanicals

RUDE MECHANICALS is an ensemble-based company located in Austin, Texas committed to the collaborative creation of brave new works for the stage, the development of new voices in the theatre and young theatre artists, and to forming alliances with other artists locally, nationally, and internationally.

Arts & Culture
Rural Capital Workforce

The goal of Rural Capital Workforce is to help residents of Texas find jobs, unemployment insurance (if necessary), get educated, find childcare, and more. Our staff are dedicated to keeping this site customer centered and user friendly.

Although we provide information valuable to all areas of Texas, we focus especially on the nine county area surrounding Travis County. This includes Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano and Williamson. Texas and Florida are both aggressively overhauling their welfare systems, and we are proud to be able to be a part of helping citizens through the process. We connect you to services that provides placement and retention services to welfare recipients, dislocated workers and disadvantaged youth, and much more. Basically, if you’re a resident of Texas, this is where you need to be.

Education & Literacy
Safeplace

SafePlace Provides Safety for individuals and families affected by sexual and domestic violence.

- Helps victims in their Healing so they can move beyond being defined by the crimes committed against them, and become Survivors.

- Promotes safe and healthy relationships for the Prevention of sexual and domestic violence. 

- Works with others to create Change in attitudes, behaviors and policies that perpetuate the acceptance of, and impact our understanding and responses to, sexual and domestic violence.

Social Services
Salvation Army Austin Metropolitan Area

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Housing & Poverty
San Marcos Hays Co. EMS Inc.

MHCEMS, Inc. is the emergency ambulance provider for the Cities of San Marcos, Kyle, Mountain City, Hays, Dripping Springs, Henly, Driftwood, Uhland and Niederwald. SMHCEMS, Inc. also provides coverage to most of Hays County and portions of Guadalupe County. SMHCEMS, Inc. also provides emergency and non-emergency transfers from the San Marcos area.

Health & Wellness
Scott & White Hospital- Taylor

Scott & White Hospital - Taylor is a 25-bed critical access hospital with 24-hour Emergency Room service. Radiology, Laboratory, and Surgery  are also ready to serve you. Scott & White Hospital – Taylor is a member of Scott & White Healthcare and is a not-for-profit organization. All generated income goes back into the facility for operating expenses and new equipment. We are a local organization focused on serving the needs of Taylor and the surrounding areas. The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission.

Health & Wellness
Seton Family of Hospitals

The Seton Family of Hospitals was recognized as the top-ranked health system in Texas by Modern Healthcare magazine and healthcare data consulting firm Verispan and among the year’s top 100 integrated healthcare systems in the nation for efficiency and performance. A not-for-profit organization, the Seton Family is the leading provider of healthcare services in Central Texas, serving an 11-county population of 1.8 million. Providing: 5 major medical centers; 2 community hospitals

  • 2 rural hospitals; An inpatient mental health hospital; Several strategically located health facilities that provide rehabilitation and medical care for well patients and 3 primary care clinics for the uninsured.

Seton recently entered into a historic partnership with the University of Texas System Board of Regents and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, one of the nation’s premier medical schools, to increase the amount of medical education and medical research conducted in Central Texas. The relationship is expected to significantly expand collaborative research efforts with UT Southwestern and the University of Texas at Austin. As the region's largest community service organization, Seton contributed more than $419 million to care for the poor and community benefit last year. Seton is building for the future to continue providing Healthcare that Works, Healthcare that is Safe and Healthcare that Leaves No One Behind.

Health & Wellness
Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter

The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club is an outdoor recreation and conservation organization representing approximately 24,000 Texans and 10 regional groups from Big Bend to Houston. Our State Conservation Office, located near the State Capitol in Austin, serves as a lobbying office and grassroots communications center supporting advocacy and education about our environmental priorities: Beyond Coal to Clean Energy, Clean Energy Solutions, Green Transportation, Safeguarding Communities: Clean Air & Water, A Texas Land & Wildlife Legacy, Water for People & the Environment. The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club values diversity and promotes environmental education and environmental justice in our efforts to fulfill our mission to explore, enjoy, and protect our Texas natural heritage and to protect public health.

Environment
Skillpoint Alliance

Skillpoint Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that builds partnerships among industry, education and the community, leading to college and career success for Central Texans, while meeting employers’ needs for a qualified workforce. Working as an intermediary, a facilitator and a spark of inspiration, we help the community “close the gap” and improve college and career success for youth and adults. Our goal is to encourage life-long learning, improve career opportunities and build self-sufficiency—while strengthening Central Texas as a region that attracts and retains good jobs.

Education & Literacy
Southwest Educational Development Corp.

SEDL is a private, nonprofit education research, development, and dissemination (RD&D) corporation based in Austin, Texas. Improving teaching and learning has been at the heart of SEDL’s work for more than 40 years. Our projects have changed over time, but our commitment to student success has not.

Education & Literacy
St. Andrews Episcopal School

St. Andrew's Episcopal School is full of motivated, talented, exceptional students - and our families are an important part of their success. Our job is to nurture your child's growth in every way; spiritually, emotionally, athletically, artistically, and academically. Our well-rounded approach helps our students broaden their horizons, realize unbelievable opportunities, and accomplish their dreams. St. Andrew's opened its door in the fall of 1952 with only 32 students in grades 1-3 in a large house on Pearl Street. Mignon Henry, a former teacher at All Saints', was the first director. The school eventually moved to its permanent home on 31st street and has to date expanded to include two campuses and twelve grades. Since 1980, the Head of School and spirit of St. Andrew's has been Lucy Collins Nazro. It is her commitment to the founders' original goals that has allowed the school to hold on to its family sensibility even though it has grown and changed over the years.
Today St. Andrew's student body includes over 838 students and its faculty/staff is over 157 strong. Our community includes people of all faiths, backgrounds, races, and beliefs. Our alumni are living all around the world and are changing it for the better. We look forward to the future and to the new legacies that will undoubtedly become a part of the school's already rich history.

Education & Literacy
St. David's Foundation
St. David’s Foundation works to build healthy communities in Central Texas through grants in six focus areas: Healthy Aging, Healthy Futures, Healthy Living, Healthy Minds, Healthy People, and Healthy Smiles.
St. David's Foundation's vision is to keep the promise of a better life by improving health and health care for all Central Texans. Our mission is to work with commitment, integrity, and respeoct to acheive our vision in our hospitals, programs and community partnerships.

The St. David’s Foundation is a joint partner of St. David’s Health Care, which includes six hospitals, four surgery centers and two urgent care clinics throughout Central Texas. St. David’s Foundation invests the proceeds created by the partnership into the community. In 2010, the Foundation will invest $27 million through grants to Austin area agencies serving the elderly, ill and homeless, mental health agencies, area safety net clinics and the St. David’s Dental Program.

Health & Wellness
St. Edward's University

St. Edward’s University is a diverse, nationally recognized liberal arts institution overlooking downtown Austin, Texas. Founded in 1885 by the Congregation of Holy Cross, the university emphasizes critical thinking, social justice and ethical practice. Combining a Holy Cross, Catholic heritage with a clear vision for the future, St. Edward’s is dedicated to preparing students for the opportunities and challenges of a 21st century world.

Education & Literacy
St. Francis School

St. Francis School is an independent, interdenominational school providing high-quality education to children from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The school will not be affiliated with any church or religious denomination or other supporting organization.

Education & Literacy
Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo

Founded in 1938, the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Over 2,000 volunteers, donors, and sponsors serving on numerous committees work to advance the mission of the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo by providing scholarships to deserving Texas youth. Staying true to the official sport of Texas, the Star of Texas is proud to host the world’s 6th largest indoor, regular season ProRodeo. Along with Rodeo Austin, the organization delivers superior entertainment to fans year-round, while boasting an economic impact that exceeds $54 million annually.

Arts & Culture
Summit Christian Academy

Summit Christian Academy is an independent, non-denominational school system that exists as a partnership between its students, parents, and faculty. Summit’s vision is to equip its students to impact the world through the power of Jesus Christ. To accomplish this, Summit endeavors to enrich the mind of each student through rigorous academics and biblical thinking, to challenge each student to display character that honors Christ and others, and to train students to influence the world around them through Christian service.

Education & Literacy
Tapestry Dance Company

Tapestry Dance Company is a professional, non-profit dance organization founded in 1989 by rhythm tap dancer Acia Gray and ballet/jazz artist Deirdre Strand for the purpose of developing a foundation in multi-form dance performance and education. Initially a performing company of three, the organization has expanded to a major dance organization in Austin. It is home to seven resident artists, a diversified administrative and production support staff and a pre-professional and adult training facility sharing the unique Strand/Gray training syllabus.

Arts & Culture
TexARTS

TexARTS is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization which enriches the lives of people of all ages & backgrounds living in Lakeway, the Lake Travis region and greater Austin through programs which celebrate the human spirit, ignite the imagination and inspire future generations to dance, act, sing, create and enjoy the performing and visual arts. In doing so, TexARTS will strengthen these communities and unite individuals through productions, classes and community events which uplift, educate and transform as only the arts can. Ultimately, TexARTS seeks to become a center for excellence in the education, creation and performance of art. Such a center will draw great American artists, teachers, students and audiences to the Lake Region to live, learn, create and share their passion and expertise with the region's students and audiences for decades to come.

Arts & Culture
Texas Advocacy Project

Texas Advocacy Project provides free legal services statewide to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Now in our 28th year of service, Texas Advocacy Project is a non profit organization working directly with victims, shelters, law enforcement agencies and courts across Texas to deliver effective legal services to Texans in need. Our services are free of charge and provide the type of long-term solutions which break the cycle of violence for thousands of Texans each year. We accept clients without regard to ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or county of residence. Further minimizing barriers to legal services, we have English and Spanish-speaking attorneys and utilize a language interpretation service available around the clock, allowing us to give legal advice in over 170 languages. The Project also employs a service for deaf callers.

Legal Services
Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce

Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce (TACC) is comprised of individuals, businesses and various organizations. TACC serves as a catalyst organization for Asian business associations and chambers of commerce throughout the state of Texas. These institutional affiliates include Korean Chamber of Commerce, Japan Society, Philippine America Chamber of Commerce of North Texas, American Indians Chamber of Commerce of Texas, Austin Filipino-American Association, Asian Scope, etc. Some of these institutional affiliates have from 50 to 1,000 individual members.

Associations
Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations

The Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations (TANO) is the statewide membership association reflecting and promoting Texas’ growing nonprofit community in all its diversity. Envisioning a Texas Nonprofit Sector that works together to be among the healthiest and most vibrant in the nation, TANO’s concern and focus is every nonprofit entity within our state no matter its size or budget, urban or rural location. Our mission is to connect, strengthen, and support the nonprofit community for the public good of Texas.

Philanthropy Resources
Texas Association of Partners in Education

Texas Association of Partners in Education's mission is to provide leadership and expertise for schools, families, businesses and communities to build partnerships that enhance student success. The central purpose of our association is to strengthen student success through volunteer, community and business/school partnerships. We hope to enhance the success of young people in school and prepare them to be responsible citizens who significantly contribute to the economic, civic, and social environment in which they live and work. TAPE offers specific training to help you “Unlock the Partnership Puzzle”. Visit our Trainings-Programs page for details.

Education & Literacy
Texas Book Festival

The Texas Book Festival celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas and imagination. The Texas Book Festival was established in 1995 by First Lady Laura Bush, a former librarian and an ardent advocate of literacy. Mrs. Bush created a task force to plan the book festival to honor Texas authors, promote the joys of reading and serve to benefit the state's public libraries. The first Festival took place at the Capitol in November 1996; the Festival has quickly evolved into one of the premier literary events in the country, annually hosting over 200 Texas and nationally known authors. Approximately 40,000 visitors participate annually in a weekend of author readings and presentations, panel discussions, book signings, and musical entertainment at the State Capitol in Austin.

Education & Literacy
Texas CASA Inc.

Texas CASA partners with the CASA community to be a voice for abused and neglected children through the power of volunteer advocacy and change in the child protection system. A CASA for every child - When home is no longer safe for a child, and the child must enter the foster care system, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer called a CASA or court appointed special advocate®. The volunteer’s focus is on that child, giving hope and help in guiding the child to a safe, permanent home.

Social Services
Texas Center for the Judiciary

The Texas Center for the Judiciary was established in 1973 by the members of the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas to provide continuing judicial education programs for the state’s judiciary and supportive personnel. Since that time, the Texas Center has offered continuing educational programs for judges, court support personnel, district and county clerks, appellate clerks, administrative law judges, and multi-disciplinary groups.

Education & Literacy
Texas Commission on the Arts

Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) invests grants in non-profit organizations throughout the state. These grants serve as a financial catalyst to assist organizations and individuals in opening doors to additional resources. Research indicates each dollar of TCA funding results in significant economic activity. Constituents find success in TCA’s statewide process gives them increased credibility as they approach private sector donors, foundations and corporations.

Arts & Culture
Texas Council on Family Violence

The Texas Council on Family Violence promotes safe and healthy relationships by supporting service providers, facilitating strategic prevention efforts, and creating opportunities for freedom from domestic violence. Since 1978, the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) has been a nationally recognized leader in the efforts to end family violence through partnerships, advocacy and direct services for women, children and men. As one of the largest domestic violence coalitions in the nation, TCFV’s membership is comprised of family violence service providers, supportive organizations, survivors of domestic violence, businesses and professionals, communities of faith and other concerned citizens.  As a membership-focused organization, TCFV is firmly committed to serving its members, communities in Texas and thousands of victims of domestic violence and their families.

Social Services
Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival

For 25 years, the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival has been one of the premier epicurean celebrations in the southern region of the United States. It has attracted top culinary stars like Bobby Flay, John Besh, Robert Mondavi, Colman Andrews and other popular food-world icons to Austin. The festival has created its own unique brand presence that has reinforced the reputation of Austin and Central Texas as top food and wine destinations.

Arts & Culture
Texas Municipal League
The Texas Municipal League exists solely to provide services to Texas cities. Since its formation in 1913, the League’s mission has remained the same: to serve the needs and advocate the interests of its members. Membership in the League is voluntary and is open to any city in Texas. From the original 14 members, TML’s membership has grown to more than 1,117 cities.
Legal Services
Texas Performing Arts

Situated on the main campus, Texas Performing Arts serves The University of Texas at Austin campus and the Austin community at large through a diverse season of world-class fine arts performances, educational activities, and collaborative partnerships. Texas Performing Arts presents an international season of music, theatre, dance, and conversation in our multiple venues, as well as the best in touring Broadway productions and concert attractions. As a university-based arts center we are also committed to serving the academic mission of the College of Fine Arts by supporting the work of our students, faculty and staff on our stages, classrooms, studios and production shops; and in the educational outreach programs we provide for the Austin community.

Arts & Culture
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) serves as a special public school in the continuum of statewide placements for students who have a visual impairment. Students, ages 6 through 21, who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities, are eligible for consideration for services on the TSBVI campus.  It is also a statewide resource to parents of these children and the professionals who serve them, from birth through transition from school.

Education & Literacy
Texas School for the Deaf

Texas School for the Deaf, located in Austin, is the oldest continuously operating publicly funded school in Texas. Since 1857, over 10,000 students have graced the halls of TSD.
In addition to educating students who are deaf and hard of hearing, TSD now serves as a resource center on deafness for students, parents, professionals and others throughout the state.

Education & Literacy
Texas State Affordable Housing Corp.

Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) is a self-supporting, not-for-profit organization and does not receive any state funding for its operations. TSAHC was created by statute in 1994 to be operated exclusively for the promotion of public health, safety and welfare through the provision of safe, decent and affordable housing for low-income Texans and other underserved populations.

Housing & Poverty
TG (Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp.)

Created by the Texas Legislature in 1979, TG is a public, nonprofit corporation that promotes educational access and success so that students can realize their college and career dreams. TG offers resources to help students and families plan and prepare for college, learn the basics of money management, and repay their federal student loans. In addition, TG administers Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans made before July 1, 2010, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education.

Education & Literacy
The Care Communities

The Care Communities is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization formed in 1991 to provide practical, non-medical, compassionate support to those living with AIDS in the Austin area. In 1997 we expanded our focus to include other serious illness, such as cancer.

Health & Wellness