Austin fall concerts that give back: 8 benefit shows supporting nonprofits

Just like the colorful leaves that will soon blanket the ground, fall in Austin comes scattered with music festivals. While everyone in town is hyped for Austin City Limits Music Festival, we can’t forget about the music moments this season that will support nonprofit organizations in our city and beyond. If you’re looking for a noble reason to jam out at a concert, you’re in luck. From a Beastie Boys collaborator to a member of Run The Jewels, here are eight upcoming concerts that will donate profits to worthwhile causes.

Music for the Mind is celebrating SIMS Foundation’s 30th anniversary by honoring a beloved champion of the Austin music scene. Steve Wertheimer, longtime owner of the Continental Club and C-Boy’s Heart and Soul, will receive the foundation’s inaugural Sims Ellison Impact Award. The award is named after the songwriter and bassist of the Austin band Pariah who died by suicide in 1995. His friends and family started the SIMS Foundation later that same year.

Three decades later, Music for the Mind will gather 200 of Austin’s most influential musicians, industry leaders, creatives and philanthropists for an intimate three-course seated dinner, open bar, silent auction and performances from local musicians Ben Kweller and BROSFRESH. Some tickets may still be available for this milestone in Austin music philanthropy.

Info: All ages, $250, secure.qgiv.com.

National philanthropic community Stand Together is partnering with Austin community outreach platform Red River Rising for their second annual benefit concert supporting the Travis Manion Foundation on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks. The concert features country music group Old Dominion, Austin native Ty Meyers and special guest John Morgan. Last year, the nonprofit raised $45,000 for Mobile Loaves and Fishes at their inaugural benefit concert featuring Alabama.

All proceeds from this year’s show will be donated to the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), a national organization that empowers veterans and families of fallen service members after their military tenure. Aligned with the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America, TMF highlights the sobering number of military personnel who die by suicide every day and the need for proactive community support for veterans following active duty. In addition to the concert, TMF is hosting their annual Heroes Run at Camp Mabry on Sept. 14.

Info: All ages, $50 and up, moodycenteratx.com.

DAWA (Diversity and Wellness in Action) is celebrating its sixth anniversary with a special concert featuring Killer Mike & the Mighty Midnight Revival, David Shabai & the Nu Leopards, Anastasia Hera and more. All proceeds will benefit DAWA, a local nonprofit started by Riders Against the Storm’s Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone in 2019. The group’s goal is to support and uplift Austin’s communities of color through health programs and financial assistance. This year, the City of Austin is declaring Sept. 11 DAWA Day.

DAWA’s programs include financial backing for community leaders through the DAWA Fund, grassroots organization support with Vision:8291, a no-cost media production space DAWA Studios and the Black Live Music Fund. Since its inception, DAWA has distributed over $530,000 to artists and healers across Austin. 

Info: All ages, $55 and up, dice.fm.

In 2022, Austin musicians Graham Weber and Graham Wilkinson started Grahams Give Back, a concert series that benefits local nonprofit organizations including DAWA, SIMS Foundation, HAAM, the Other Ones Foundation and Free Lunch. This year’s “GrahamStock” is raising money for Travis Heights Elementary, one of Austin’s most ethnically diverse schools with more than 62% of the student body identifying as economically disadvantaged. 

The show will culminate in a star-studded lineup of Austin musicians playing a tribute to Wilco’s debut album “A.M.” on the 30th anniversary of its release. Performances from S.L. Houser, Jane Leo, Restos, Macy Todd, Pecan Street Preachers, Taylor Rae and more will be spread across two stages throughout the day. 

Info: All ages, $24, dice.fm.

Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of HAAM Day, the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The day-long, multi-venue festival will be packed with over 250 free, family-friendly performances by local musicians across Austin, all open to the public. Founded in 2005, HAAM has provided essential health services — such as dental care, eye exams, counseling sessions and more — to low-income, working musicians across the Austin area. In 2024, HAAM Day raised over $850,000 for Central Texas musicians.

This year, HAAM Day will kick off at the new H-E-B Plus! location on South Congress Avenue, which will be hosting music from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Organizers have made an interactive map to help music lovers navigate where to eat, drink and see music around town on Sept. 23. Programming will be extended to new stages in Lockhart and Round Rock, and will also feature a performance from Gina Chavez on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol.

Info: All ages, free, myhaam.org.

For the next three months, Central Machine Works and Resound Presents are presenting a free concert series to celebrate the construction of the brewery’s new stage. The Next Stage will benefit eight local nonprofits: Colorado River Alliance, ATX Free Fridge Project, Central Texas Food Bank, Good Work Austin, Save Our Springs, Austin Parks Foundation, Austin Powwow and KUTX 98.9. Participating acts include Adrian Quesada’s Trio Asesino, Grupo Fantasma, Briscoe, Heartless Bastards, Rattlesnake Milk, Wild Child and more. The final two dates will feature special guests yet to be announced, so follow Central Machine Works’ social media for updates.

Info: All ages, free, cmwbrewery.com.

Austin Parks Foundation’s annual fundraiser Party for the Parks is back at Zilker Park on the Wednesday between Weekend 1 and Weekend 2 of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Passion Pit will be playing the Tito’s stage this year to raise funds for the nearly 400 parks, trails and green spaces throughout Austin. Tickets for Party for the Parks include access to an open bar, shuttle service, Tacodeli catering and more evening activities. 

Since the Austin Parks Foundation is ACL Fest’s main beneficiary, a portion of every ticket sold supports parks across the Austin area. In 2024, the festival generated $8.4 million toward park improvements and brought its total contributions to more than $71 million over the last 20 years. 

Info: All ages, $300, party.austinparks.org.

Mix Master Mike, the former Beastie Boys tour DJ, is coming to Austin for Been There 4 Fest, an annual music festival raising money to support unhoused communities. Been There is a nonprofit that hosts creative projects and events to get community members involved in social causes. The day will also include performances by Ben Kweller, Grandmaster, DeadEye (a Grateful Dead tribute band), Panic Stricken, TC Superstar, Benji Hughes, Ruby Jane and more.

Proceeds from the event will be shared among Been There and three other service organizations: Sunrise Navigation Center, the Other Ones Foundation and Caritas of Austin. Past events from the organization have raised over $3 million. Ticket prices come with a minimum donation, but you can always give more with your purchase.

Info: All Ages, $20 and up, eventim.us.