— Dripping Springs, Texas
Nonprofit Spotlight
The Foundation works with many local noprofits. Here are just a few of the amazing organizations that are helping our community.
DS
Greater Dripping Springs area
— Our purpose
Hometown Missions
Since their founding in 2014, Hometown Missions has completed 64 major projects, touching the lives of over 152 underserved neighbors. Their signature "Home-in-a-Month" project has built six new homes, transforming lives in just 30 days.
The volunteers ranged from high school football players to church groups, all united by a common goal to provide safe and healthy homes. Skilled laborers, including electricians, often offered their services at discounted rates, making the dream of a better home a reality for many.
In the years to come, Hometown Missions plans to complete 8-10 more home improvement projects, focusing on low-income and multi-generational families who needed critical repairs for health and safety. Their "Safe and Healthy Homes," initiative marshals volunteers and resources including donated materials to repair and help upgrade homes of local underserved neighbors. Through their unwavering dedication, Hometown Missions repairs houses and rebuilds hope, one home at a time, leveraging faith, community, and the transformative power of coming together to make a difference.
Dripping Springs Community Foundation has partially underwritten critical home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income retirees, individuals with disabilities, veterans, the working poor and other facing housing insecurity in our community as well as building materials for new home construction.
—The Public for Animal Welfare
PAWS
The PAWS Shelter of Central Texas was born out of a deep love for animals and a commitment to their well-being. Founded in 1986 in Kyle, Texas, PAWS has grown from a small shelter into a beacon of hope for homeless, abandoned, and abused animals across Comal, Blanco, Caldwell, Hays, Gillespie, and Guadalupe counties.
The Dripping Springs Community Foundation has helped to underwritten animal health services so animals would be ready for adoption from the Dripping Springs shelter.
The dedicated team of volunteers and staff who run shelter operations believe every animal deserves a second chance. At the Dripping Springs facility, opened in 2019, a state-of-the-art surgery suite stands ready to heal and restore health to countless dogs and cats.
In 2025 alone, PAWS Shelter adopted out 1034 dogs and cats, each receiving necessary surgeries, vaccinations, and treatments to prepare them for their forever homes. This is a threefold increase from the previous year.
The shelter also performed 1063 spay/neuter surgeries on dogs and cats, helping to control the local animal population humanely. Among the volunteers are residents of Dripping Springs, whose passion and dedication bring warmth and care to every animal that walks through the doors. PAWS also welcomed 156 surrendered animals and 123 stray, each one given a chance to find love and safety.
The mission of PAWS is clear: to rescue, respond to, and accept all animals from under-resourced shelters, providing spay/neuter services, microchipping, and facilitating successful adoptions into loving families. Volunteers are always welcome and foster homes are encouraged to prevent animals from spending unlimited time in the shelter.
—Lone Star Outreach to Place Ex-Racers
LOPE
In the heart of Texas, a passionate group of horse lovers came together to form a unique organization: Lone Star Outreach to Place Ex-Racers, affectionately known as LOPE. Founded in 2003, LOPE is committed to giving at-risk racehorses a second chance at life beyond the racetrack. “Charlie,” the brown ex-racer pictured here, is happily enjoying his new adopted family. Multiple projects of LOPE have been supported by the Dripping Springs Community Foundation.
LOPE’s founders recognized that many ex-racehorses faced uncertain futures once their racing days were over. These magnificent animals, once champions on the track, often struggled to find new homes and careers. LOPE stepped in to change that narrative, dedicating itself to rescuing, rehabilitating, and retraining these horses, while also inspiring young people through horsemanship education and mentoring for future veterinarians.
Over the years, LOPE has successfully transitioned more than 1,000 ex-racehorses into loving new homes. But the mission goes beyond just placing horses—it’s about educating the public on the value and care of these deserving animals, fostering a community that respects and cherishes them.
Looking ahead LOPE has set ambitious goals:
Help 20 at-risk horses find safe landing spots and receive the rehab care they need.
Provide internship opportunities for 60 teens interested in equine, agricultural, or animal welfare careers.
Host equine and farm field trips as part of science-based curricula for 350 middle and high school students.
Develop a replicable model for other horse charities to emulate, combining horse rehabilitation with youth education.
To support these goals, LOPE created its veterinary education initiative. This program offers students career exploration opportunities beyond traditional veterinary medicine, introducing them to roles in animal welfare rescue, farm management, conservation, and equine-assisted therapy.
Through career-focused learning labs, mentorship sessions, and hands-on experiences, LOPE connects students with professionals in animal-related fields. The program also supports diverse learning styles, providing alternative pathways for students who may not pursue conventional college-based veterinary careers.
LOPE’s story is one of hope, transformation, and community—a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets purpose, and when horses and humans come together to create a brighter future.
—advocacy for children
CASA of Central Texas
Court-Appointed Special Advocates envisions a world where every child thrives in a safe, stable, loving home. CASA provides high quality, best interest advocacy for children and youth in the child welfare system and has nearly 900 independent state and local CASA Programs with over 79,000 trained volunteers.
CASACenTex serves children from Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays Counties. During FY 2024-25 226 active CASA volunteers served 379 children and helped close 78 cases, ensuring permanency for 123 children. CASA partners with judges, CPS caseworkers, care providers, community agencies, schools, attorneys and the general public to raise awareness of the need for child abuse prevention and advocacy, offers classes to increase knowledge and understanding of the child welfare system and supports sworn volunteers.
The Dripping Springs Community Foundation helps underwrite advocacy, education, volunteer training and recruiting to serve the local community and to provide a voice for the child in the child welfare system.
—(DSAL) is a vibrant nonprofit organization
Dripping Springs Art League
The Dripping Springs Art League (DSAL) is a vibrant nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering art, community, and connection in the Dripping Springs area. Founded in 2023, DSAL has quickly grown into a dynamic association of over 200 artists, galleries, and creative individuals, all united by a passion for spreading the power of art.
The Dripping Springs Community Foundation applauds this effort, and underwrote intergenerational art workshops, as part of DSAL’s Art Across the Ages project.
Since its inception, DSAL has launched more than 75 successful programs, each designed to engage and enrich the local community. From bustling art markets held throughout the year to the unique Stars of Dripping Springs events, the league has become a cornerstone of cultural life in the region.
DSAL is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of artists through scholarships and youth programs, ensuring that creativity continues to thrive across all ages. Community art exhibits are regularly held at popular local venues such as the Chamber, Rolling in Thyme & Dough, and Deep Eddy Vodka, bringing art into everyday spaces. In collaboration with the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Dripping Springs, DSAL has spearheaded the Art Designation Initiative, further cementing the City’s reputation as a hub for artistic expression. Monthly art programs also reach out to assisted living, nursing home and memory care residents, spreading joy and creativity to all corners of the community.
For individual artists, DSAL offers specialized clubs focusing on various mediums like acrylics and fiber art, providing members with opportunities to explore their craft and find their artistic community. Business of Art classes empower artists with the skills needed to grow their careers, including marketing expertise and financial assistance.
Social gatherings and workshops foster a strong sense of community among artists and art lovers alike, making DSCL not just an organization but a family.
One of the highlights of DSAL's calendar is the Art Lounge at the annual Songwriters Festival, where art and music blend seamlessly every fall, creating an unforgettable experience for attendees. The West of Weird Art Tour, another signature event, showcases the eclectic and diverse talents of local artists, drawing visitors from near and far.
One keystone project is multi-generational art workshops through DSAL’s Art Across the Ages project, held at Ledgestone Senior Living Community, in partnership with Dripping Springs Community Foundation. The goal is to engage at least 180 participants across different age groups, inspire creativity and complete over 175 original artworks, some of which will be displayed publicly.
Since its inception, DSAL has launched more than 75 successful programs, each designed to engage and enrich the local community. From bustling art markets held throughout the year to the unique Stars of Dripping Springs events, the league has become a cornerstone of cultural life in the region.
DSAL is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of artists through scholarships and youth programs, ensuring that creativity continues to thrive across all ages. Community art exhibits are regularly held at popular local venues such as the Chamber, Rolling in Thyme & Dough, and Deep Eddy Vodka, bringing art into everyday spaces. In collaboration with the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Dripping Springs, DSAL has spearheaded the Art Designation Initiative, further cementing the City’s reputation as a hub for artistic expression. Monthly art programs also reach out to assisted living, nursing home and memory care residents, spreading joy and creativity to all corners of the community.
For individual artists, DSAL offers specialized clubs focusing on various mediums like acrylics and fiber art, providing members with opportunities to explore their craft and find their artistic community. Business of Art classes empower artists with the skills needed to grow their careers, including marketing expertise and financial assistance.
Social gatherings and workshops foster a strong sense of community among artists and art lovers alike, making DSCL not just an organization but a family.
One of the highlights of DSAL's calendar is the Art Lounge at the annual Songwriters Festival, where art and music blend seamlessly every fall, creating an unforgettable experience for attendees. The West of Weird Art Tour, another signature event, showcases the eclectic and diverse talents of local artists, drawing visitors from near and far.
One keystone project is multi-generational art workshops through DSAL’s Art Across the Ages project, held at Ledgestone Senior Living Community, in partnership with Dripping Springs Community Foundation. The goal is to engage at least 180 participants across different age groups, inspire creativity and complete over 175 original artworks, some of which will be displayed publicly.
One keystone project is multi-generational art workshops through DSAL’s Art Across the Ages project, held at Ledgestone Senior Living Community, in partnership with Dripping Springs Community Foundation. The goal is to engage at least 180 participants across different age groups, inspire creativity and complete over 175 original artworks, some of which will be displayed publicly.
Contact us at:
737-283-4422
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 1864, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.
The Dripping Springs Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations to DSCF are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID #74-2913771.