STRIKING THE RIGHT CHORD: HOW NAPEO GIVES BACK WILL SUPPORT ANTHROPOS ARTS

Every fall, the PEO community gathers for NAPEO’s Annual Conference and Marketplace, a time to connect, learn, and collaborate. Beyond the sessions and networking, what makes this event especially meaningful to me is the chance to support a cause through NAPEO Gives Back.

What makes NAPEO Gives Back meaningful isn’t just the cause we support, it is the way we come together to support it. This initiative works because our industry believes in the power of many. Each year, members from across the country join forces to rally behind a nonprofit rooted in the city hosting our annual conference. When we combine our time, talents, and resources, we create something much bigger than any one company or individual could do alone.

This year, we are proud to support Anthropos Arts, an incredible organization based in Austin that is transforming lives through music. Their mission is rooted in the belief that every young person, regardless of zip code or income, deserves access to high-quality music education and mentorship.

This isn’t the first time our paths have crossed. Anthropos Arts was actually the very first nonprofit selected for NAPEO Gives Back in 2019. The funds raised during that initial partnership helped them navigate the uncertainty of the COVID years, allowing them to continue serving students when in-person programming shut down and many arts organizations were forced to close their doors. To come full circle and partner with them again in 2025 feels especially rewarding.

Since its founding in 1998, Anthropos has served thousands of low-income students across Austin by providing free one-on-one instruction from professional musicians, opportunities to perform on major stages, and mentorship that extends far beyond the classroom. The organization partners directly with Title I schools, focusing on middle and high school students who are often underrepresented in traditional music programs.

Through weekly lessons, masterclasses, and collaborative performances, students gain more than technical skills. They develop confidence, discipline, and the kind of personal support that helps them thrive in school and in life. It’s not just about playing an instrument. It’s about unlocking potential, nurturing creativity, and building relationships with mentors who believe in them. The results speak for themselves. Every Anthropos senior graduates from high school, and most go on to pursue higher education. Many of them are the first in their families to do so.

WHY THIS MISSION MATTERS AND HOW NAPEO WILL HELP

As a longtime supporter and now co-chair of NAPEO Gives Back, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this initiative can be. Our industry is built on people. We support businesses by empowering their employees. That same spirit of investing in human potential is what drives the mission of Anthropos Arts.

Music is a universal language. It crosses backgrounds, barriers, and circumstances. For these students, it is a pathway to possibility. And as a parent, a professional, and someone who believes deeply in expanding opportunity, I cannot think of a better mission for our PEO community to rally behind.

Throughout the 2025 Annual Conference, NAPEO Gives Back will offer several ways to support Anthropos Arts. From our highly anticipated silent auction to direct donations and banner sponsorships, we are focused on raising both funds and awareness. Every contribution helps expand access to music education, purchase instruments, support teaching artists, and invest in the future of Austin’s youth.

In addition to raising funds, we are committed to telling their story. Representatives from Anthropos Arts will join us during the conference to share more about their students, their programs, and the impact of our collective efforts. We hope their presence and message will inspire attendees to take part and help amplify the difference we can make together.

Whether you are attending the conference or supporting from afar, there are meaningful ways to get involved. Donating to the silent auction, sponsoring a banner, or simply sharing Anthropos Arts’ mission within your network can all make a lasting difference. The NAPEO Gives Back committee welcomes participation and new ideas, and we are always looking for ways to grow our impact.

Each year, NAPEO Gives Back reminds us that business success and community impact are not separate goals. They go hand in hand. As we look ahead to Austin, I invite every member of our community to join us in supporting Anthropos Arts. Together, we can help these young musicians find their rhythm, discover their voice, and step into a future full of possibility.

In 2019, NAPEO Gives Back’s first charity to support was Anthropos Arts. The NGB initiative has come a long way since!