SXSW 2023 Climate Hub – Photo by David Brendan Hall

Community

While we love bringing our registrants up close and personal with their favorite artists and speakers, some of the work we’re most proud of is conducted behind the scenes. The annual March event brings out organizations like HeadCount and HAAM to activate, host showcases, and more while connecting one on one with SXSW registrants.

About

A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION - A LITTLE MORE ACTION, PLEASE

The SXSW event was created with the belief that individuals have the power to initiate real change in their lives and others. Through programs advocating for human rights, the climate crisis, our community and more we are working to become a positive force in the festival industry.

Through creative solutions and mindful partnerships, the SXSW staff works throughout the year to support causes we are most passionate about. By staying engaged in our community throughout the year, taking action, educating ourselves and others, we hope to continuously grow our social efforts.

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT

HeadCount is a non-partisan organization that uses the power of music to register voters and promote participation in democracy. This year, Headcount was in the Artist Gifting Lounge and the Creative Industries Expo connecting with young people and music fans where they already are - at concerts and online - to inform and empower.

IT’S NOT EASY BEIN’ GREEN

SXSW’s CSR Council has introduced multiple initiatives aimed at reducing our environmental impact. These goals are not just a business imperative - but a company cultural commitment and we are focused on creating a more sustainable experience with this year’s programming and operations. Stay tuned for the next exciting steps in the SXSW Conference & Festival sustainability journey as we continue to gather data from the annual event, and plot our green course for the future.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

SXSW is a proud sponsor of Austin’s HAAM Corporate Battle of the Bands where each year, professionals are given a once in a lifetime chance to unleash their inner rock star for a good cause. Austin-based businesses pull their talented employees together and showcase their unsung talents as they compete at the award-winning ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Competing bands rock-out during 12 minute sets, working to impress a panel of celebrity and music industry judges who ultimately decide which band will leave with the title of Austin’s Best Corporate Band.

Jake Lloyd and the Health Alliance of Austin Musicians (HAAM) at SXSW 2023 - Photo by Kenneth Eke

Make-A-Wish Logo

In 2023, SXSW was honored to play host to Spencer Buchanan and family during the event. In collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, SXSW artists, filmmakers and the Austin Police Department, we were able to create a stellar experience for a young man who truly rocks.

SXSW Has PRIDE

2023 Austin Pride Parade

SXSW staff members assembled on August 12, 2023 as a vendor in partnership with the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), and marching alongside other local businesses and organizations down historic Congress Avenue.

"We had so much fun and felt a real sense of community involvement from SXSW!" - Amy Patton, SXSW Facilities Coordinator & Office Manager

Learn More About TENT

Learn More About Austin Pride

SXSW Staff At The Austin Pride Parade 2023

COLLABS FOR A CAUSE

SXSW 2023 Partnerships

RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT A portion of proceeds raises funds and awareness for the Red River Cultural District and their efforts to keep the heart of Austin's live music scene alive and well.

HEADCOUNT This shirt helps raise awareness for voting rights and education. A portion of proceeds of this official merchandise item benefit HeadCount, a non-partisan organization that uses the power of music to register voters and promote participation in democracy. Their goal is to reach young people and music fans where they already are - at concerts and online (at SXSW!) - to inform and empower.

HAAM A portion of proceeds will raise money and awareness for HAAM, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. HAAM provides access to affordable healthcare for greater Austin’s low-income, working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness.

TENT We proudly chose the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) as the official recipient of our annual SXSW Pride fundraising program. To learn more about TENT's initiatives on education, advocacy, and empowerment and how you can support them, please visit https://www.transtexas.org/

SOUTHERN SMOKE FOUNDATION To bring attention to Austin’s struggling restaurants, we teamed up with local artist Lauren Dickens to design a shirt inspired by the local foodie scene that we all love and miss so much. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Southern Smoke Foundation to help raise money and awareness for those in the industry that have been affected. If you are able to donate directly, please do so at southernsmoke.org/support and select Austin Relief Funds.

All Collabs For A Cause Merch

RED RIVER TEE

Support The Red River Cultural District

SXPRIDE TEE

Support TENT

2023 SXSW Pride Tee - Collabs For A Cause

WANTED: LIVE MUSIC TEE

Support Local Live Music

2023 SXSW Wanted: Live Music - Collabs FOr A Cause

FOODIE TEE

Support Local Restaurants

SXSW In Action

See photos from some of our past volunteer events below.

Join In

See You at SXSW 2024

Take a look back at 2023 and get ready for the next SXSW Conference & Festivals in Austin from March 8-16, 2024.

Learn More

Participate

The SXSW Volunteer Program mobilizes an army of global volunteers and resources to drive SXSW, its registrants, staff and the Austin community. Our goal is to enhance the volunteer experience from start to finish, so that we continue to offer the best opportunity to contribute to the fun and success of SXSW Conferences + Festivals.

Participate!