Nonprofits

From left, Keith Parker, JISD Communities in Schools site coordinator; Evelyn DeJesus, JISD social worker; Jane Medema, Purl Elementary School counselor; Gloria Casso, Family Support Specialist at Mary Bailey Head Start; Carl Illig, executive director of the W.D. Kelley Foundation; and Shannon Illig, operations manager of the W.D. Kelley Foundation, at the check presentation on August 17. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

From left, Keith Parker, JISD Communities in Schools site coordinator; Evelyn DeJesus, JISD social worker; Jane Medema, Purl Elementary School counselor; Gloria Casso, Family Support Specialist at Mary Bailey Head Start; Carl Illig, executive director of the W.D. Kelley Foundation; and Shannon Illig, operations manager of the W.D. Kelley Foundation, at the check presentation on August 17. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

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Uplift Wilco receives $100,000 from W.D. Kelley Foundation

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
As school starts back up, children in Georgetown and Jarrell ISDs will head to class showing off their newest clothes and shoes. Some of the outfits came together thanks to vouchers from Uplift Wilco’s Ready for School program, which allows students to show up dressed for success.
The Williamson County Commissioners approved supporting four Williamson County nonprofits by giving $200,000 each during the July 14 meeting. From left are Commissioner Cynthia Long, County Judge Steve Snell, Commissioner Valerie Covey and Commissioner Russ Boles. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

The Williamson County Commissioners approved supporting four Williamson County nonprofits by giving $200,000 each during the July 14 meeting. From left are Commissioner Cynthia Long, County Judge Steve Snell, Commissioner Valerie Covey and Commissioner Russ Boles. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

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Commissioners distribute $800,000 to Williamson County nonprofits

Nalani Nuylan
Monday, July 20, 2026
For the first meeting at the new county administration building, the Williamson County Commissioners Court allocated $800,000 to four nonprofits from its Community Recreation Fund on Tuesday, July 14.The four $200,000 donations came from fees collected at the Williamson County Landfill.
Chloe Harlow runs Chloe’s Pet Corral and raises money for animal nonprofits, including the Ride on Center for Kids. (Photo courtesy of ROCK)

Chloe Harlow runs Chloe’s Pet Corral and raises money for animal nonprofits, including the Ride on Center for Kids. (Photo courtesy of ROCK)

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Georgetown 14-year-old raises $1,000 for Ride on Center for Kids

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Chloe’s Pet Corral has been run by Chloe Harlow since she was in third grade and had a lesson about giving back to the community. Now 14, Chloe’s Pet Corral is not only an official nonprofit, but Chloe has raised $1,000 for the Ride on Center for Kids and also donated supplies for the animals.
Community members pack the sold-out annual gala at The Vineyard in Florence, April 22, where the Assistance League of Georgetown announced that the organization will now be its own nonprofit, Uplift Wilco.

Community members pack the sold-out annual gala at The Vineyard in Florence, April 22, where the Assistance League of Georgetown announced that the organization will now be its own nonprofit, Uplift Wilco.

Georgetown Assistance League rebrands to Uplift Wilco, supporting local students, families in need

Nalani Nuylan
Thursday, April 30, 2026
A longtime Georgetown nonprofit has changed its name, but not its mission. The Assistance League of Georgetown is officially rebranding to Uplift Wilco, and will become an independent nonprofit on June 1.
Randell Dlouhy, left, makes way for food items he was collecting for several friends at Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry and Thrift Shop, at 121 East 2nd Street, was founded by Executive Director Loretta Masters in 1994. The group distributes food several times a week. In 2025 Shepherd’s Heart averaged 2,110 distributions a month. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Randell Dlouhy, left, makes way for food items he was collecting for several friends at Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry and Thrift Shop, at 121 East 2nd Street, was founded by Executive Director Loretta Masters in 1994. The group distributes food several times a week. In 2025 Shepherd’s Heart averaged 2,110 distributions a month. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Olson Legacy Foundation partners with food banks to fight summer hunger

News Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
By ISIS AIDE REYESThe Georgetown-based Anna+Anton Olson Legacy Foundation has launched a new April initiative that targets food insecurity across Williamson County. The “Feeding Your Neighbors Challenge” strives to meet the demand students and their families face during the summertime.
Ron Watson, Executive Artistic Director at the Georgetown Palace, stands in the theatre’s seating area at the historic theater on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The theater, which turned 100 years-old in February, sustained severe damage during a winter storm on January 25th. The theater is closed while restoration work continues. The goal is to open a performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the Springer Stage on May 29th.

Ron Watson, Executive Artistic Director at the Georgetown Palace, stands in the theatre’s seating area at the historic theater on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The theater, which turned 100 years-old in February, sustained severe damage during a winter storm on January 25th. The theater is closed while restoration work continues. The goal is to open a performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the Springer Stage on May 29th.

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The Palace needs $500,000 for repairs to bring it back 'like you've never seen'

Kaitlyn Wilkes and Photos By Andy Sharp
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
In what was supposed to be a year of celebrating 100 years of the Palace Theatre, mother nature had a different plan. The winter storm and low temperatures on January 24-26 damaged  The Palace Theatre on the Square, putting a damper on plans and closing the theatre for several months.
Gift of Time Executive Director Becky Folta-May and Activities Coordinator Jeanette Workman review seating arrangements before the start of the F7 Group Foundation’s March 5 gala that drew more than 320 people to the Sun City Ballroom.

Gift of Time Executive Director Becky Folta-May and Activities Coordinator Jeanette Workman review seating arrangements before the start of the F7 Group Foundation’s March 5 gala that drew more than 320 people to the Sun City Ballroom.

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A night of memories: Sun City gala raises more than $20,000 for A Gift of Time

Brad Stutzman
Thursday, March 19, 2026
A Gift of Time’s “Night of Classic Memories” fundraising gala lived up to its name March 5. More than 320 people attended the event, raising more than $20,000 for the nonprofit.F7 Group Foundation sponsored and organized the gala on A Gift of Time’s behalf.
The Caring Place’s Hana Horick and Rita Turner pose in their super capes and with a can of green beans, representing the nonprofit’s food program. The Caring Place also provides rent, mortgage and utility assistance; clothing, housewares and furniture; laundry services; medical and transportation assistance; elder care; and case management help. Learn more at www.caringplacetx.org.

The Caring Place’s Hana Horick and Rita Turner pose in their super capes and with a can of green beans, representing the nonprofit’s food program. The Caring Place also provides rent, mortgage and utility assistance; clothing, housewares and furniture; laundry services; medical and transportation assistance; elder care; and case management help. Learn more at www.caringplacetx.org.

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Animal nonprofits prove popular for Amplify Wilco Day

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Monday, March 9, 2026
In the third year of Amplify Wilco Day from Austin nonprofit I Live Here I Give Here, $1.4 million was raised for the 103 participating nonprofits throughout the county. Williamson County nonprofits made up 14 percent of nonprofit participation this year, according to I Live Here I Give Here.
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