Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Who We Are

History & Focus

The Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established to raise funds for the support and enhancement of the local Port Aransas community. What began as a conduit to give back to a supportive community soon became a lifeline to people, businesses, and organizations in Port Aransas when the category 4 Hurricane Harvey devastated the island on August 25, 2017.

Mission Statement

To enhance quality of life through arts, nature, recreation, conservation, education, small business support, and areas of community need, especially in times of community disaster relief.

How to Give

Your support directly supports the people of Port Aransas. Your gift will help improve the quality of life for the residents here and support the island as a destination for all. Make a gift to the Foundation today and to the Port Aransas of tomorrow! Please consider a tax-deductible gift to our foundation today by clicking the "Donate Now" button below.

Enhancing Port Aransas

Laptops for Students

Seventy-five refurbished laptops were given to K-12 Port Aransas students as part of AT&T’s nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide. AT&T is working with Human-I-T to provide the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce Foundation with refurbished laptops. The refurbished laptops, funded by an AT&T donation to Human-I-T, were given to Port Aransas Independent School District K-12th grade students in the fall of 2023 to help them fully participate in our digital world.

Sustainability Support

To support the conservation and ecology of Mustang Island and Port Aransas, the foundation partners with the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce to deliver sustainability focused and educational events such as the Whooping Crane Festival and Respect Our Island Home initiatives. Direct funding from these initiatives is provided annually to our community and nature-based partners including: 

• Amos Rehabilitation Keep
• UT Marine Science Institute Patton Center
• International Crane Foundation
• Goose Island State Park (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
• Coastal Bend Audubon Society
• Friends of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
• Port Aransas Art Center
• Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries
• Port Aransas Nature Preserve

Recreational Support

Outdoor activity is commonplace in Port Aransas, and sports are big in the Port Aransas School District. That’s why our foundation partnered with the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce to support training athletes in a summer camp program hosted by the school's Athletic Director for the Cross-Country teams. 

Harvey Restoration

On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey ravaged through the city of Port Aransas and Mustang Island. Thousands of people were displaced and in desperate need of support. A few days after the storm, this foundation began the New Day Port A campaign that raised and distributed more than $2.4 million to help our communities. Support from providing basic needs, gas money, restoration help, and more were just some of the needs met through the generosity of others. While we know that the name Harvey will never be used again for a storm as it was retired, we know that hurricanes and natural disasters are part of the Port Aransas future. But, with the generosity of others, the resilient spirit of our residents, and the preparedness in place, Port A will remain a force for which to be reckoned.