With love in the forefront of our thoughts this season, we think it’s a great time to support the local organizations that do good for the Austin community. There are so many well-deserving charities that can always use our help, with both financial donations as well as volunteer hours. We are especially grateful to the nonprofits that serve the children of Central Texas.

We partnered with one of our favorite organizations, Creative Action, to provide this list of charities below that you might consider showing some love to this Valentine’s Day — or any time of year.

Any Baby Can
Mission: Any Baby Can improves the lives of children by strengthening them and their families through education, therapy and family support services through home visitation programs, community classes and support groups.
Donate: https://www.anybabycan.org/donate

Austin Child Guidance Center
Mission: The mission of the Austin Child Guidance Center is to improve the mental health of children and their families through early intervention, diagnosis and treatment to help them develop the emotional skills to face life’s challenges.
Donate: https://www.austinchildguidance.org/donors/donate.html

Austin Diaper Bank
Mission: Austin Diaper Bank is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing diapers to Austin families in need to strengthen the community as a whole.
Donate: https://austindiapers.org/donate-dollars

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Austin Area
Mission: Boys and Girls Clubs provides hope to all kids, especially those who need it most, between the ages of 6 and 18. They provide the opportunity to belong, to succeed, to serve their communities, and to share their voice with the world. With 28 Clubs and four outreach programs in Travis and Bastrop County, they impact nearly 12,000 youth each year.
Donate: https://www.bgcaustin.org/donate

CASA of Travis County
Mission: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County believes every child who’s been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school and in our community. 
Donate: http://www.casatravis.org/give

Creative Action
Mission: Creative Action is a nonprofit, arts-based, youth development organization that provides fun, hands-on creative learning programs in the classroom, in after school settings and in the community. They use the creative arts to actively engage students in exploring age-appropriate social issues, building appreciation for diversity and learning how to make a positive difference in their communities. They teach children that becoming a “4C” student—Creative Artists, Courageous Allies, Critical Thinkers, and Confident Leaders—is a pathway to becoming a successful adult.
Donate: https://creativeaction.org/donate-now

Please take note that Creative Action’s annual fundraising event, the Big Hair County Fair is coming up on February 24. Held at Fair Market, you can play carnival games, chat with fortune tellers, enjoy signature cocktails, watch youth performances, snap pics in the photo booth and listen to live music! Click here for ticket info.

Girls Empowerment Network
Mission: GEN’s mission is to ignite power in girls by teaching them skills to thrive and believe in their ability to be unstoppable. This organization was originally created to to address loss of self-esteem leading to anorexia/bulimia, self-mutilation, depression, low academic achievement, teen pregnancy, and drug abuse.
Donate: https://girlsempowermentnetwork.org/donate

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas
Mission: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children and their families. They provide provides lodging and support services for families with children in Central Texas Hospitals.
Donate: https://rmhc-ctx.org/donate-today

SAFE
Mission: The SAFE Alliance is a merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, both serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence. They believe that every child, youth and young adult deserves to feel safe; to receive nurturing care; and the opportunity to grow into happy, responsible and fulfilled adults.
Donate: http://www.safeaustin.org/get-involved/give/donate

The Settlement Home for Children
Mission: The Settlement Home is a private, licensed nonprofit that cares for children who come from abusive and neglectful backgrounds. Their mission is to promote healing and growth in children, young adults and families by providing a continuum of care, support and resources. They serve individuals who have experienced severe emotional trauma, abuse and neglect.
Donate: https://www.settlementhome.org/donate

Upbring
Mission: This nonprofit organization that is dedicated to creating a world where all children are cherished. For abused children, they not only help remove them from harmful situations and provide clothing, food and shelter, but they also provide support services for safety, life skills, education, health and vocation.
Donate: https://www.upbring.org/give

United Way for Greater Austin
Mission: United Way for Greater Austin is dedicated to providing families and individuals in need with the tools and resources needed to thrive by partnering with and investing in efforts to address the immediate needs of families in poverty while also leading efforts to address long-term community change.
Donate: http://www.unitedwayaustin.org/get-involved

Wonders and Worries
Mission: Wonders and Worries provides tools to help kids and teens build their well-being and cope with a parent’s serious or chronic physical illness.
Donate: https://www.wondersandworries.org/donate

Of course, this is only a short list of local nonprofit organizations geared towards helping children. For more ways to give back to the community, visit ilivehereigivehere.org and givingcityaustin.com.