Giving back is a priority and investing in our community has been central to our business model at The Mineral Maven, whether that's contributing to non-profits or mutual aid funds. We believe that the best way to commit to giving long-term is to do so consistently and in a sustainable way.

2024 UPDATE:

Given the current economic climate for small businesses, in 2024 we’re shifting to a more focused contribution based on sales of highlighted items.

Each month, there will be a designated collection on our website (Crystals for Community) where 50% of sales from those products will go to the selected mutual aid org. We will still update here with contributions each month for transparency.

We will also host additional fundraisers from time to time. This will allow us to be able to better adapt to the business’ financial needs on a month-to-month basis.

In 2023 we committed to contributing 3% of sales each month to a designated nonprofit or mutual aid fund. 

2023 GIVING

• January 2023 - Sanctuary DMV (@sanctuarydmv)
  Migrant justice in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Specifically our donation will go to 'TX Solidarity' which is their fund to help support the migrant community that Gov. Abbott has been bussing from TX to DC for the last year. For more info and links to donate/support this Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network, visit their linktree.
  We raised $190 - thank you!
• February 2023 - Remora House DC (@remorahouse_dc)
  Material support and advocacy for unhoused & recently unhoused people in Washington DC.
  We raised $200 - thank you!
• March 2023 - Queertopia (@queertopiatx)
  A grassroots org that runs the only LGBTQ+ shelter in Travis County, TX. Community by and for LGBTQ+ folks who have experienced homelessness.
  We raised $450 - thank you!
• April 2023 - Mr Trash Wheel (@mrtrashwheel)
  Mr Trash Wheel removes trash from Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Part of the Healthy Harbor Initiative by Waterfront Partnership.
  We raised $130 - thank you!
• May 2023 - Transgender Education Network of Texas (@transtexas)
  The Transgender Education Network of Texas works to lift up the voices of Transgender Texans because trans rights are human rights.
  We raised $300 - thank you!
• June 2023 - Queertopia (@queertopiatx)
  A grassroots org that runs the only LGBTQ+ shelter in Travis County, TX. Community by and for LGBTQ+ folks who have experienced homelessness.
  We raised $300 - thank you!
• July 2023 - inTRANSitive (@intransitive.ar)
  An org by trans people, for trans people, inTRANSitive works to advance trans liberation in Arkansas to create systemic change and on-the-ground impact.
  We raised $200 - thank you!
• August 2023 - Little Petal Alliance (@littlepetalalliance)
  A non-profit organization that provides gender euphoria care packages and comprehensive mental wellness resources to trans individuals nationally.
  We raised $200 - thank you!
• September 2023 - Black SWer Project (@blkswproject)
  Black SWer Project is a self driven group of local Black SWers in Austin, TX. Their goal is to form a community, share resources, and help uplift Black SWers.
  We raised $350 - thank you!
• October 2023 - UFW Foundation (@ufwfoundation)
  A nonprofit who's core purpose is to empower communities to ensure human dignity. They provide community services for farmworkers and their families.
  We raised $275 - thank you!
• November 2023 - Palestine Children's Relief Fund (@thepcrf)
  A nonprofit humanitarian organization providing medical relief to children in the Middle East - they are currently fundraising for Gaza relief efforts.
  We raised $250 - thank you!
• December 2023 - Palestine Children's Relief Fund (@thepcrf) (continued!)
  A nonprofit humanitarian organization providing medical relief to children in the Middle East - they are currently fundraising for Gaza relief efforts.
  We raised $65 - thank you!

In 2021 & 2022 we committed to contributing 5% of sales each month to a designated nonprofit or mutual aid fund. 

2022 GIVING

• January 2022 - Our Shared Kitchen (@our.shared.kitchen)
  A local nonprofit that prepares and hand delivers freshly made meals to those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Austin, TX.
  We raised $300 - thank you!
• February 2022 - Equality Texas (@equalitytexas)
  "Working to secure full equality for LGBTQ+ Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration."
  We raised $700 - thank you!
• March 2022 - Little Petal Alliance (@littlepetalalliance)
  A non-profit organization that provides gender euphoria care packages and comprehensive mental wellness resources to trans individuals nationally.
  We raised $550 - thank you!
• March 2022 bonus - raised $443 for Austin Wildlife Rescue (@austinwildliferescue)
  To support their work through "baby season" for wildlife, with our Crystal Surprise Eggs that we sold (100% sales donated).
• April 2022 - Queertopia (@queertopia)
  A community by and for LGBTQPIA2S folks and allies. To help them support our unhoused neighbors.
  We raised $400 - thank you!
• May 2022 - TENT (@transtexas)
  Our May mutual aid contribution will go to Transgender Education Network of Texas to assist in their efforts to uplift the voice of Transgender Texans.
  We raised $350 - thank you!
• May 2022 bonus - raised $140 for Frontera Fund (@fronterafundrgv)
  To support their work as an abortion fund in the Rio Grande Valley, we had a fundraiser in Crystal Club.
• June 2022 - Queertopia (@queertopia)
  A community by and for LGBTQPIA2S folks and allies. To help them support our unhoused neighbors.
  We raised $550 - thank you!
• July 2022 - Buckle Bunnies Fund (@bucklebunniesfundtx)
  Texas wide abortion mutual aid network. Volunteer ran and queer SWer led organization.
  We raised $1,230 - thank you!
• August, September, October 2022 - No mutual aid contributions, no sales as shop was closed for the cross-country move.
• November 2022 - Little Petal Alliance (@littlepetalalliance)
  A non-profit organization that provides gender euphoria care packages and comprehensive mental wellness resources to trans individuals nationally.
  We raised $820 - thank you!
• December 2022 - Transanta (@transanta)
  An organization that sends gifts to trans youth in need.
  We raised $220 - thank you!

2021 GIVING

• January 2021 - Austin Mutual Aid (@austinmutualaid)
  These folks work tirelessly to support and empower our unhoused neighbors here in Austin. Their Kick the Cold fundraiser that we contributed to is working to provide cases of water, warm meals, tents/sleeping bags, and hygiene supplies to our unhoused neighbors, and stipends for hard-working volunteers/leaders.
  $700 raised - thank you!
• February 2021 - Austin Justice Coalition (@austinjusticecoalition)
  "The Austin Justice Coalition (AJC) serves people who are historically and systematically impacted by gentrification, segregation, over policing, a lack of educational and employment opportunities, and other institutional forms of racism in Austin."
  $950 raised - thank you!
• February 2021 bonus - raised $2110 for Little Petal Alliance (@littlepetalalliance)
  To support their work of transporting our unhoused neighbors to safety during the climate crisis/statewide blackout in Texas, with a feed sale (100% sales donated).
• March 2021 - De Sol a Sol Collective (@desolasol.colectiva)
  "Autonomous collective providing mutual aid to undocumented indigenous farmworkers in Watsonville, CA."
  $2,000 raised - thank you!
• March 2021 bonus - raised $300 for Austin Wildlife Rescue!
  To support their work through "baby season" for wildlife, with our Crystal Surprise Eggs that we sold (100% sales donated).
• April 2021 - Minnesota Healing Justice Network (@mnhealingjustice)
  "Intergenerational community of healers & cultural workers that center black & brown wellness through mutual aid, holistic care, and solidarity work."
  $500 raised - thank you!
  
• May 2021 - Little Petal Alliance (@littlepetalalliance)
  To fund their efforts to provide resources and support to our unhoused neighbors in Austin, TX after Austin passed Proposition B in May 2021 to ban public camping, greatly endangering the safety of this marginalized community.
  $850 raised - thank you!
• May 2021 bonus - raised $470 for MMIP | Who is Missing (@mmiwhoismissing)
  To support their work providing mutual aid to the indigenous community & raising awareness of MMIP.
• June 2021 - Little Petal Alliance (@littlepetalalliance)
  To fund their efforts in supporting the City Hall Camp and our unhoused neighbors, as well as mental health services for transgender and BIPOC folks.
  $900 raised - thank you!
• July 2021 - Drip Hit Different (@driphitdifferent)
  To help fund their initiative to provide clean drinking water to people in the local Austin community who lack access to that resource.
  $900 raised - thank you!
• August 2021 - Reclaim Our Power Co (@reclaimourpowerco)
  To help fund healthcare services for folx who hold marginalized identities.
  $850 raised - thank you!
• September 2021 - The Sidewalk School (@thesidewalkschool)
  To support their mission of educating & serving children asylum seekers in Mexico and Haitian asylum seekers in Reynosa, MX.
  $500 raised - thank you!
• September 2021 bonus - raised $300 for UHN United Houma Nation (@united_houma_nation)
  To support their community Hurricane Ida relief.
• October 2021 - Line 3 Legal Defense Fund 
  To help fund their mission to support folks "facing arrest, jail time, and state repression because of their opposition to Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline project."
  $800 raised - thank you!
• October 2021 bonus - raised $250 for Austin Bat Refuge (@austinbatrefuge)
• November 2021 - Queertopia (sister org of Little Petal Alliance)
  A community by and for unhoused LGBTQPIA2S folks and allies. To help support their current stage where they are fundraising to purchase land.
  $1,100 raised - thank you!
• December 2021 - Transanta (@transanta)
  To deliver gifts to trans youth in need.
  $400 raised - thank you!

2020 GIVING

In early 2020, we donated over $500 to Australian wildlife nonprofits during and directly following the bushfires, and $300 to a local wildlife rescue (Austin Wildlife Rescue).

After the COVID-19 pandemic began, we amped up contributions in every way we could throughout the year and contributed over $4,000 in non-profits and mutual aid funds (locally and across the country). These groups include: The Okra Project, Emergency Release Fund, G.L.I.T.S, The Loveland Foundation, TX Civil Rights Projects, Austin Mutual Aid, House of Tulip, The Trevor Project, and mutual aid funds to support farmworkers in California.