A Legacy of Giving in Austin and Central Texas

Stepping Stone School has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to community support and philanthropy, contributing to impactful organizations across Austin, TX, Central Texas, and College Station, TX. These contributions represent only a portion of the school’s broader legacy of giving, which spans decades of service to Austin-area families and the wider Central Texas community.

Young Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists™ Program

Stepping Stone School instills the value of community support and philanthropy in its students through the Young Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists™ program. This unique initiative allows children at its Austin and Central Texas campuses to simulate real-world business experiences by creating and selling products, with all profits donated to charity, creating a meaningful, positive impact right here in our local communities.

The program has raised and donated a combined total of $132,000 to charitable organizations, including Ronald McDonald House Charities in both the Greater Austin, TX and College Station, TX areas, as well as Scotty’s House in College Station. The Ronald McDonald House provides a supportive “home away from home” for families of seriously ill or injured children receiving medical care at Central Texas hospitals. Scotty’s House is a nonprofit Child Advocacy Center in Brazos County offering hope and healing to children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

2025 Highlights – Flood Relief and Ronald McDonald House

In 2025, students in the Young Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists™ program continued their support of Ronald McDonald House while also donating a portion of proceeds to assist victims of the devastating Texas Hill Country floods in Kerr County. The children of Stepping Stone School raised $7,740, which was matched by Rhonda Paver, bringing the total raised this year to $15,480. Students from Stepping Stone School’s Pflugerville, TX campus presented a check for $11,610 to Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas, with more than $3,800 directed to flood relief,  demonstrating how Stepping Stone School nurtures a spirit of empathy and action in young children during times of Texas community crisis.

ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot Sponsorship

For more than 20 years, Stepping Stone School has proudly sponsored the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, an iconic Austin, TX tradition dating back to the early 1990s. All proceeds from the event benefit Caritas of Austin, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in the Austin community.

Supporting Austin-Area Nonprofits and Advocacy Organizations

Stepping Stone School has also supported several other child-focused and community-serving organizations serving the Austin and Central Texas area, including The Thinkery, World Forum Foundation, St. Louise House, The Jeremiah Program, and Texans Care for Children. These organizations share a mission of uplifting children and families through education, empowerment, advocacy, and essential support services, values closely aligned with Stepping Stone School’s commitment to nurturing the whole child and strengthening the communities where our families live and work.

Make A Difference™ College Scholarship Program

This dedication to giving extends internally as well. Through the Make A Difference™ College Scholarship Program, Stepping Stone School has awarded scholarships to employees, their children, and Stepping Stone School families across Austin and College Station, TX, investing directly in the futures of those within our local communities and strengthening not only individual lives but also the broader Central Texas region.

Through its unwavering dedication to charitable giving, Stepping Stone School continues to lead by example, teaching compassion, supporting families, and investing in the well-being of both current and future generations. As one of Austin, TX’s most established early childhood education providers, its commitment to philanthropic efforts reflects a deep-rooted investment in the Central Texas community,  inspiring a culture of kindness, generosity, and service that reaches far beyond its campuses.