“Music should be available to everyone, regardless of circumstances. The ACMS Harmony Initiative is designed to meet the intellectual and situational needs of the communities they serve, positively impacting the lives of underserved populations with the enormous power of music.”

–Sydney Barrosse, Associate Director of Special Events
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“The Austin Center for Grief & Loss assists adults and children with extraordinary care as they transition from from loss back to life. The Austin Center for Grief & Loss is an incredible resource in our community, especially in these tumultuous times. People are experiencing loss of health, jobs, community, and any sense of security. Austin Grief is here to meet those needs. They have gone entirely to telehealth services during this pandemic, and provide therapy to people in need. The Austin Center for Grief & Loss strives to help anyone in need of hope and healing, regardless of their ability to pay. For those in need, they offer a sliding fee scale and a care assistance program when funds are available.”

–Laura Hinken, Individual Giving Associate
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“The entire country experienced a racial reckoning in the Summer of 2020, and we can’t ignore or forget about the work that needs to be done. Austin Justice Coalition serves our entire community by educating, highlighting Black excellence, and championing how we as a city can deconstruct systems of oppression.”

–Krystal Parsons, Director of Development
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“Candlelight Ranch is truly one of the difference-making organizations in Central Texas. The staff and volunteers offer opportunities to explore, learn and heal through creative and nature-based experiences in the Texas hill country. I came to love my time at the Ranch as a volunteer where I assisted individuals of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to traverse the canyon over Lake Travis on zip lines. CLR creates ways for participants with unique challenges and barriers to enjoy outdoor activities in a full and meaningful way. Seeing someone uncover the courage to try something new followed by the absolute elation experienced when they conquered the journey is indescribable!”

–Cathy McDonald, General Manager of Operations
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“College Houses is a cooperative nonprofit that provides AFFORDABLE student housing. Located near UT and Austin Community College, housing is some of the highest in the city. Even though they’re located near UT and ACC, you can be a student at any higher learning institution – online, HT, or St. Edwards. Most of the affordable housing costs also include food and other resources by being a cooperative community. I lived there for four years all through college, and it is what has influenced and changed me the most. This place was not only my home, but helped me grow into who I am.”

–Krystal Parsons, Director of Development
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“Deaf Austin Theatre strives to create a world where theatre is accessible to everyone!”

–Katie Moore, Associate Director of Literacy to Life, Production
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Photos: Cindy Elizabeth

“They promote and produce socially relevant and responsible theatre, reflecting the full spectrum of diversity of people of color, gay and trans people. GFT is an important addition to Austin’s theater community.

Ground Floor Theatre began as play! Theatre Group, a jewel box theatre on Cedar and 12th Street. In 2014 they changed their name to Ground Floor Theatre and updated their mission to concentrate on works by and for underrepresented communities. They are an incubator to foster and grow new and groundbreaking works that shine a light on groups that seldom bask in light.

Their mission is to foster an environment for creative thinkers and artists to produce works by and for underrepresented communities lifting voices that need to be heard to people who need to hear them – working to create equity through art.

Ground Floor Theatre provides a performance space for companies that share our vision and serves as a creative home for the Austin performance community for collaboration and artistic development.”

–SJ Williams, Event Services Manager
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“I’ve been supporting the Hill Country Ride for AIDS since 2008 when I served as their first ever intern and volunteered on the Production Team and created the Finish Line support team. I learned so much about HIV/AIDS issues happening and services available to those right here in Austin. The Ride is for all levels with multiple route distances and really fun volunteer opportunities, and is the largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser in Texas. The Ride supports nine local agencies that support those/families of those with HIV/AIDS. The agencies include Allgo, ASHwell, CARE Program, Community Action, Friends of David Powell Clinic, Out Youth, Project Transitions, Vivent Health, and Waterloo Counseling Center. The founder of the Ride, David C. Smith, is also a board member at the Paramount!”

–Lauren Garcia, Associate Director of Major Gifts
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“Knights of the Grail is the 501(c)3 that receives my donations, both monetary and volunteering. I’ve seen firsthand the effects of equine therapy on PTSD sufferers, and the transformation is miraculous. Much like the effects of equine therapy on autistic youth, equine therapy benefits PTSD sufferers though a non-verbal connection with the animals, the physical presence of the animals, the responsibility of riding, training, and care, and the companionship. I’ve seen veterans who were incapacitated by their PTSD open up, calm, and live massively better lives through this program.”

–Alex Koreneff, IT Manager
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“Of course KUTX lifts up local musicians, venues, nonprofits, and is the equivalent to your bestest friend making you an eclectic mixtape EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. But what really stands out to me about this nonprofit, listener-supported station is an effortless sense of community. Old Austin lives on here, but they’ve also got a welcoming space for the newbies without a blink of an eye. Over the past few years, the therapeutic, city-and-people-connecting vibes of the station have been the most important element to me.”

–Nick Barbieri, Chief Marketing Officer
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“During a time when so much about our democratic process has been challenged, it is important to support their mission of empowering voters and defending our democracy.”

–Maica Jordan, Chief Development Officer
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“There are quite a few places that do not allow bully breeds and I feel it would help shine a positive spotlight on the Love-A-Bull organization and the breed if Paramount were to support them. Bullies of all kinds are so sweet and any dog and their parent should be allowed to live wherever…not all bullies are bad…not all dogs are bad. I’ve supported this organization for so long now and can’t tell you how sweet they are and how sad it is to see such discrimination. They’re less likely to get adopted due to residency restrictions and it’s about time bullies get some more love.”

–Marie Vargas, Production Manager
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“Manna strives to reach children all across the world who are in desperate need for food, water, shelter, and safety. They do this by providing nutrition, clean water, medical clinics, care for orphans, and education to children who are in the midst of harsh poverty. I personally have seen how selflessly helping others in those conditions helps the giver and the receiver; by giving a little or a lot, it goes a long way to ensure a long healthy life to a child who needs it the most.”

–Katie Bagley, Facilities and Marquee Queen
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“Organizations like this are vital to helping young LGBT people get valuable counseling and resources which can be very hard to come by. This organization also does a lot of amazing events to foster a sense of community all over the greater Austin area.”

–Kit Taylor, Patron Services Show Manager

“I’ve long admired Out Youth’s commitment to providing a safe space for Central Texas youth from all sexual orientations and gender identities. Their work is critical, now more than ever.”

–Brian Fahey, Director of Education
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“I’m proud to be a board member and supporter of Painting Pandas for the same reason all board members and volunteers are, because we are actively making a difference in young people’s lives. Established in October 2020 to fulfill a need to provide art lessons and supplies to students in Kindergarten through fifth grade, Painting Pandas believes art is fuel and encouragement to believe anything is possible and that our youth should have quality visual art instruction and supplies to draw and create.

Our hope is that through the instruction and art kits we supply, students experience the empowering joy of creativity while expressing themselves in both emotional and educational aspects. In the short time since our founding, we have served more than 400 enrollees from 16 Austin zip codes and 11 Texas towns. We offered three six-week sessions in 2021 and have four six-week sessions scheduled this year with hopes of growing and serving even more young minds.”

–Donna Wilkins, Board Member
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“As new developments change Austin’s cultural landscape and the city continues to grow in population, I am grateful for Six Square’s preservation efforts. Six Square is dedicated to protecting the history of Austin east of IH-35 that was once the forced home to Black Austin residents. Through celebrations of the people, businesses, events and traditions that made East Austin a vibrant community, Six Square makes sure that the legacy of Black Austin is not lost or forgotten.”

–Erin Waelder, Associate Director of Individual Campaigns
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“The treasure trove that is the Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) is a collection of art, history and pop culture from home movies, old advertisements, news footage, amateur and Hollywood films, etc. Their film preservation is a resource to explore, remanence, celebrate and learn about Texans and the history of our state. TAMI never disappoints in content whenever I am feeling a little nostalgic.”

–Erin Waelder, Associate Director of Individual Campaigns
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“TENT is a trans-led statewide organization that does amazing work for transgender and gender diverse Texans. They provide education and advocacy for schools, businesses, and organizations. They connect transgender Texans to resources, and advocate for trans rights at municipalities across the state. They’re a great organization that more people should know about!”

–Ammon Taylor, Paramount Education Music Director
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“I love this place! I shopped there for a couple years (great prices!) before volunteering over the spring/summer. It’s a no-waste thrift store, and once a month they have a “free market” where items that didn’t sell are free to anyone, first come first serve. They used to have these markets in parks but they have been held outside the store in East Austin since the pandemic. It’s a great resource for the houseless community. They also support/promote other local human rights non-profits which you can read about here: https://treasurecitythrift.org/groups-we-support/. Their moto is “Solidarity not charity”; there’s definitely a feeling that everyone is welcome there. It’s run by a non-hierarchal counsel of employees and volunteers that vote on decisions for the store. It’s such a great concept, I wish every city had one like it!”

–Tal Filossof, Patron Services Assistant Manager
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“I admire the incredible work of the Workers Defense Project. While their programs focus on the construction industry, their advocacy and impact influences many sectors working to create safer work environments and fair compensation. From allowing people to have water breaks when working outdoors in 100+ degree temperatures to paid sick time, WDP’s mission helps secure basic workplace rights.”

–Krystal Parsons, Director of Development
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“We have been so lucky to partner with Young Voices of Austin for the past few years. Their programs bring something so magical to young people, as they use musical instruction, vocal technique, and so much more to not only create stronger musicians but stronger people, empowering the voices of Austin’s youngest citizens so that they may become its future leaders.”

–Sydney Barrosse, Associate Director of Special Events
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