If you are a young professional in Dallas, chances are you do more than just your 9-to-5 job. It makes sense, if you think about it: Texas is a mecca for young people, who get rewarding jobs and earn a good living, so it's only natural they want to give back by volunteering, serving in positions of leadership, and cultivating meaningful relationships with like-minded people who are the future of this great city.
For those who have yet to make their marks on the Dallas charity circuit, we've created the ultimate cheat sheet to the top YP groups in town. Whether your passion is the arts, education, cancer awareness, or eradicating domestic violence or hunger, you'll be exercising your civic duty quicker than you can say "benevolence."
American Red Cross DFW Young Professionals Auxiliary
Mission: The Young Professionals Auxiliary works with the American Red Cross to aid victims of disasters through volunteering, fundraising and networking. Major influencers and mentors to the Young Professionals Auxiliary include both the American Red Cross North Texas Region’s board of directors and Tiffany Circle members. These three groups come together to fulfill the mission of the American Red Cross.
Membership: $75 for a single annual membership or $100 for a Piper the Puppy sponsorship
Major fundraiser: Rock out for Red Cross
Get involved: YPA is intended only for dedicated men and women desiring to engage with the Red Cross to make a difference. Contact Margaret Arnot at 214-678-4404 to complete an application.
Crayon Club at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital For Children
Mission: Crayon Club was established to unite individuals dedicated to improving the lives of children in our community. Together, through volunteerism, education and philanthropy. Crayon Club supports the mission of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in transforming children's lives.
Donation: $100 annually for singles and $150 for couples
Major fundraiser: Crawfish Boil, Character Breakfast, Educational Evening at TSRHC and Truck or Treat
Get involved: Join online
Dallas Autumn Ball
Mission: The Dallas Autumn Ball engages and empowers young professionals and young individuals to celebrate charity and raise much-needed awareness and funds for worthy educational causes in Dallas.
Membership: Ball tickets range in price.
Major fundraiser: Dallas Autumn Ball
Get involved: info@dallasautumnball.com
Dallas CASA Young Professionals
Mission: This social group increases awareness for Dallas CASA and encourages participation of any young professionals in the Dallas area who want to make an impact in the lives of abused children.
Membership: $50 annually
Major fundraisers: Cherish the Children Luncheon, Champion of Children Award Dinner
Get involved: 214-827-9603 x. 301
Dallas Children's Advocacy Center Alliance
Mission: Alliance is a growing group that offers participation in a unique mix of social, educational and volunteer opportunities benefiting the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, which aims to improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and provide national leadership on child abuse issues.
Membership: $125 annually for singles and $225 for couples
Major fundraisers: Art for Advocacy, Appetite for Advocacy
Get involved: Join online, or contact Mallory Bassham at 214.818.2682 or alliance@dcac.org
Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce
Mission: Established in 1918, the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce (DJCC) is the city’s premier network for young professionals between the ages 21 – 41. They offer diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth through professional development, networking and philanthropy.
Membership: $125 annually
Major Fundraisers: Taste Annual Wine Tasting Event, Christmas in July, BEEP, Johnny Sides Police Rookie of the Year Gala
Get Involved: Join online, or contact the organization at membership@dallasjuniorchamber.com
Dallas Museum of Art Junior Associates
Mission: DMAJunior Associates is a group of young professionals who want to connect with art and each other. Being involved with this group is a great way to meet other young people in the community who share your love of the arts and culture.
Membership: $250 annually
Major fundraiser:Affair of the Art
Get involved:Join online
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Vivaldi Patron Circle
Mission: The DSO Vivaldi Patron Circle provides various social opportunities for people of similar interests to get to know the DSO musicians and get involved in the community.
Membership: Minimum gift of $250
Major fundraiser: Mid-Winter's Eve
Get involved: Contact Nick Weege, senior manager of donor advancement, at 214-871-4071 or n.weege@dalsym.com.
Echelon
Mission: Echelon is a community of diverse young adults collectively rising up to serve the Salvation Army through fellowship and networking, donations and fundraising, and service and volunteering.
Membership: $50 annually for singles and $75 for couples
Major fundraiser: The Salvation Army Echelon 30M Gala
Get involved:Join online or membership@echelondfw.org
Flight
Mission: This young professionals organization engages young professionals; creates awareness in the community for the plight of homeless children; and raises funds for Vogel Alcove, which provides free quality child development services for homeless children in Dallas.
Membership: $400 total membership dues or $34 monthly donation for 12 months. Married couples receive a discounted rate of $600 per couple or $50 monthly donation per couple.
Major fundraiser: 23rd annual Arts Performance Event with Diana Ross
Get involved:Join online or YP@vogelalcove.org
Genesis Young Leaders
Mission: Like the organization it serves,the mission of GYL is to eliminate family violence through volunteerism, education and community awareness.
Membership: $40 annually for singles, $75 for couples, $100 for single patrons and $150 for patron couples
Major fundraisers: Masquerade, Genesis Women's Shelter Luncheon
Get involved:Join online
Junior League of Dallas
Mission: The Junior League of Dallas is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Founded in 1922, JLD is dedicated to the belief that volunteer service is an essential part of responsible citizenship.
Membership: Attend a minimum of three general membership and/or group meetings per year, along with annual dues of $256 and completion of one placement of 60 hours of volunteer hours per year.
Major fundraisers: JLD Annual Gala, Milestones Luncheon, 2014 Auction & Casino
Get involved: The process is a rather long one. First you submit the prospective member application online. Then you find three sponsors and attend a provisional meeting. The membership application process has closed for this year, but check back on the JLD website for info on the 2015-2016 provisional class.
Lee Park Junior Conservancy
Mission: The Junior Conservancy has been designed for those young professionals who want to experience very special social, networking and philanthropic opportunities, who are ready to give something back to the community, and who are interested in helping develop and conserve the most scenic urban green space in Dallas.
Membership: $95 annually
Major fundraiser: Day at the Races Derby Party
Get involved:Join online or 214-521-2003
The One Society
Mission: The One Society supports Children's Medical Center by engaging and fostering young leaders to make life better for children through philanthropic, educational, fundraising, volunteer and social opportunities.
Membership: $100 annually, which can be paid monthly
Major fundraiser: The Event, Red Balloon Run & Ride
Get involved:Join online or 214-456-8380
Ronald McDonald House Young Friends
Mission: Young Friends comprises professionals couples and singles looking to give back to their community through a number of fundraising and social activities that benefit Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Membership: $60 annually for individuals, $250 lifetime for individuals, $90 annually for couples, $350 lifetime for couples
Major fundraiser: Annual Young Friends Party, monthly volunteer nights at RMHD
Get involved:Join online
The Round Table
Mission: The Round Table currently comprises more than 350 members interested in supporting the North Texas Food Bank who participate in networking, fundraising and volunteer events with other members.
Membership: There are currently no membership dues.
Major fundraisers: Main events include monthly service Saturdays.
Get involved:Volunteer online, 214-270-0856 or ntfb@roundtabledallas.com
Texas Parks & Wildlife Young Professionals
Mission: This group connects professionals 40 and under who are driven by a common vision to raise awareness of the land and wildlife conservation issues facing our generation; preserve our hunting, fishing and outdoor heritage; lead and serve in our communities; and establish meaningful relationships among like-minded individuals.
Membership: $75 annually
Major fundraisers: Check the online calendar for upcoming events.
Get involved:Join online, 214-720-1478 or info@tpwf.org
Think Ahead Group
Mission: TAG is a group of young professionals who are passionate about brain health. The group teaches people how to think about the current and future health of their brains. The organization raises money to support research at the Center for BrainHealth that discovers and implements new ways to understand, protect and heal the human brain.
Membership: $100 annually
Major fundraiser: TAG Kentucky Derby
Get involved:Join online, 972-883-3277 or julie.carter@utdallas.edu
Wilkinson Center Young Friends
Mission: Young Friends are committed to helping those in need and our home communities while enjoying the friendship and camaraderie of an established group of inspired people. They support Wilkinson Center in its mission as a leading poverty rescue and prevention agency for the working poor.
Membership: Bronze ($25), Gold ($50), Platinum ($100) and Lifetime ($500)
Major fundraisers:Can Do Luncheon, White Party, Sunday in the Park
Get involved: Join online, or contact Vodi Cook at vodi_cook@wilkinsoncenter.org or 972-284-0305.
Young Texans Against Cancer
Mission: YTAC is a nonprofit organization comprising young men and women who have been affected by cancer and are seeking to become more actively involved in the cancer community. The organization is focused on raising funds for local research and support organizations, using our member base to increase awareness of volunteer organizations and helping to educate our community on cancer research.
Membership: $75 annually for singles, $115 for married couples, $350 for lifetime singles, $500 for lifetime couples
Major fundraiser:Bubbly Q
Get involved:Join online
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Did we miss your favorite organization? We want this list to be inclusive, so let us know in the comments.
Lamar Wilson, Richard Howard, Jon Gattman and Nadia Dabbakah at Vivaldi Patron Circle event.
