Happy New Year’s Eve. No, it’s not Friday. This P.S. Column comes to you early to draw your attention to some critical fundraising campaigns that end tonight.
Texas Appleseed announced Monday that a group of supporters has offered a $10,000 matching gift to double every contribution to the public interest justice center made through Dec. 31.
“That means every dollar you give today goes twice as far to fuel our work in 2026,” Appleseed Executive Director Deborah Fowler wrote in an email to supporters.
Donations may be made through this link.
“Your gift supports critical efforts, including protecting school children from harmful school discipline actions, keeping kids out of adult jails, ensuring that employees can keep working while they pay off their fines and fees, and connecting survivors of domestic violence with attorneys who can help them recover financially,” Fowler wrote.
The Texas Lawbook is a financial supporter of Texas Appleseed.
In South Texas, the non-profit San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA) is trying to reach a $25,000 goal through its Justice for All Starts Here Year-End Campaign.
SALSA reached about five percent of its goal as of Tuesday morning.
SALSA’s work is made possible by a dedicated network of more than 150 volunteer attorneys and 125 law students who contributed more than 7,5000 hours of service in 2025. SALSA served more than 630 clients this year, supporting veterans, families and individuals with disabilities.
Donations to SALSA may be made at this link.
Although not currently facing fundraising deadlines, other legal aid organizations are asking supporters to help close out the year strong by giving.
— Make a donation to the Texas Access to Justice Foundation here.
— Give to Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas here.
— Donate to Lone Star Legal Aid here.
— Help Texas RioGrande Legal Aid here.
Last but not least, State Bar President Santos Vargas is roughly halfway to his $300,000 Stand With Santos fundraising goal. The campaign is a hallmark of Vargas’ year as president. Donations go directly to the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. As of Monday, the campaign had reached over $112,000. Vargas has said the campaign has also generated about 1,150 pledged pro bono hours. The campaign may be found here.
Don’t miss these recent stories on pro bono and public service in Texas:
The Austin Bar Foundation has announced the recipients of its annual gala awards. The gala, benefitting the Austin Bar Foundation, will be held Jan. 24 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin.
A pair of Fort Worth residents face “imminent and irreparable harm” if the nuisance caused by a long-beleaguered motel is not stopped, a pro bono legal team from Troutman Pepper Locke and the Dallas-based nonprofit Advocates for Community Transformation is arguing in Tarrant County.
The Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook announced that senior counsel at Phillips Enterprises, Toyota North America, 7-Eleven and Jacobs International will be honored at the Jan. 29 award ceremony for their extraordinary work and successes involving pro bono and public service and diversity and inclusion.