Giving Tuesday: Support the AAA Foundation
This Giving Tuesday, you have the power to make a lasting impact. For 10 years, the Austin Apartment Association Foundation has been connecting passion and purpose to strengthen our industry and uplift our community. Your gift today helps fund scholarships, workforce development, and programs that provide hope and opportunity for those who need it most.
Give now and be part of the next decade of progress. Together, we can build careers, change lives, and create a stronger future for Central Texas.
About the AAA Foundation
2025 marked the 10th anniversary of the Austin Apartment Association’s charitable foundation, formed as the Austin Apartment Association Education Foundation (AAAEF). Catapulted by a leading legacy gift of AAA Past President Rich Ellmer, the Foundation was established for educational and charitable purposes of the multifamily and rental housing industry in the 11-county region served by the Austin Apartment Association.
The AAA Foundation connects the passion, talents, and gifts of the rental housing industry with local partners to improve the lives of those in our communities.
Ellmer’s vision was to ensure that many generations of future employees are well educated and that the multifamily rental housing industry remains a strong and successful one.
Over the past several years, the Foundation and its earlier forms have focused on two key areas: helping people grow through education and career development in the rental housing industry, and supporting community efforts that improve the quality of life for our community—especially those living in rental homes.
Building Careers, Changing Lives
This has meant supporting workforce development programs and initiatives aimed at attracting new talent to the multifamily and rental housing industry. The focus has been not only to develop the skills and expertise of industry professionals through coursework and professional certifications, but also to cultivate and grow the skills of new and entry-level talent in the areas of leasing and maintenance.
One such program is a legacy endowment of AAA Past President, James E. Solt – the Solt Scholarship program. Since its inception, the James E. Solt Scholarship program has supported hundreds of individuals, awarding, on average, $5,000 annually.
In 2024, the AAA and the Foundation collaborated to support the local launch of the national nonprofit organization, Entryway. Entryway provides career training, employment, and housing opportunities for those facing situational homelessness in Austin and surrounding communities. AAA and the Foundation support Entryway by providing annual financial support, recruiting mentors to assist participants, and offering general volunteering and support.
Community in Action
The Austin Apartment Association has a longstanding history of philanthropic endeavors, which have included:
- Raising money and volunteering in the annual Doc & Gayle Young Food Drive. The campaign grew from raising $600 a year to over $65,000 at its height, which supported more than 1,000 households annually with holiday meals and pantry staples (with contributions going to Housing Authority City of Austin, SAFE, Foundation Communities, Rainbow Room).
- Raising money to provide Christmas trees for families with children in Dell Children’s Hospital (Brady’s Bridge)
- Hosting regular blood drives (American Red Cross)
- Encouraging industry professionals to train and certify as part of a Disaster Action Team (DAT) to respond to apartment fires (American Red Cross)
- Raising money and volunteers to install smoke detectors in apartments and rental housing as part of the “Sound the Alarm” initiative (American Red Cross)
- Leading a clothing drive for job seekers (Dress for Success)
- Volunteering at local food banks (Central Texas Food Bank, Hays County Area Food Bank, Fredericksburg Food Pantry, Llano Food Pantry, Round Rock Area Serving Center, etc.)
- Preparing comfortable housing units for survivors of domestic violence (SAFE)
In 2025, the Foundation has exceeded our goal of AAA members volunteering more than 1,000 hours - a tremendous amount of hands-on help in our community!
Focus Forward
Looking into 2026 and beyond, the Foundation is renewing its focus and establishing a new trajectory that aligns with the AAA’s vision and brand to increase its impact over the next several years.
The AAA Foundation connects the passion, talents, and gifts of the rental housing industry with local partners to improve the lives of those in our communities.
The Foundation is sharpening its focus through strategic partnerships, disciplined program selection, and expanded workforce development initiatives. By 2030, it aims to launch a new signature community-serving program and the Ellmer Scholarship.