Annual Events
Explore Austin hosts a variety of community and fundraising events throughout the year that allow the general public to get involved and support our programming. The following are annual events that both the Explore Austin community and general public can participate in.
Quest for the Summit
The 2025 Quest for the Summit took place the evening of April 1 at the AT&T Hotel & Conference Center.
Quest is Explore Austin’s most impactful night of philanthropy, featuring a seated dinner, libations, silent and live auctions and stories from our Explorers and Mentors.
Gather with new friends, longtime Explore Austin champions, business leaders and philanthropists to transform lives through mentorship and outdoor adventure!
- Now looking for 2026 sponsors – become an event sponsor today!
- Become a 2026 in-kind donor
- Volunteer the night of the event
- Host a table
- Purchase tickets to the event
To get involved, please contact:
Blair Adams, Events Manager
blair.adams@exploreaustin.org
2025 Quest for the Summit Committee
Jarrod Freshour, Erin Keys, Tori Liggett and Wendy Papasan
Aces for Adventure
The annual charity Poker Tournament, hosted by Wendy and Jay Papasan of Papasan Properties Group, will benefit the 280 youth from economically disadvantaged communities served by Explore Austin.
This year’s event takes place the evening of May 21, 2025 at The Austin Club. Last year’s event sold out, so be sure to get your tickets early!
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
Poker Tournament: $199 – Includes buffet dinner, unlimited drinks and first round of chips.
Casino Games Only: $199 – Includes buffet dinner, unlimited drinks and first round of chips for all roulette, craps and blackjack. Does not include tournament poker play.
HOST A TABLE – BRONZE SPONSOR
Host a table for 10! Tables are now on sale for $1,999. This includes a buffet dinner, unlimited drinks and entry in the Poker Tournament for you and nine guests, plus table signage and a social media shoutout leading up to the event. Purchase a table online, or contact Lauren Zurbrugg, Chief Development Officer to make your table pledge today.
BECOME AN EVENT SPONSOR
With opportunities at all levels, it’s easy to play (and win!) at Aces for Adventure. Help ensure that 100% of the funds raised benefit Explore Austin’s youth! View sponsorship benefits and become a sponsor at the event link, or contact Lauren Zurbrugg, Chief Development Officer with any questions.
Sam’s Summer Slam
Sweat for a cause! Hosted by Sam McCathren of Landy Frost Group at Compass, the second annual Sam’s Summer Slam is a Pickleball & Corn Hole Tournament benefiting Explore Austin’s youth.
This year’s event takes place June 1, 2025 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Bouldin Acres. Register as an individual or team up with a partner and play together for a day of friendly competition benefiting the youth Explore Austin serves.
TICKETS
Pickleball Tournament Single Ticket: $75 – Includes entry into the tournament, plus 2 cocktails.
Pickleball Tournament Team Ticket: $150 – Includes 2 entries into the tournament, plus 4 cocktails.
Corn Hole Tournament Team Ticket: $50 – Includes 2 entries into the tournament, plus 4 cocktails.
BECOME AN EVENT SPONSOR
Help ensure that 100% of the funds raised benefit Explore Austin’s youth! Contact Blair Adams, Events Manager for sponsorship opportunities.
Trailblazer Campaign
Trailblazer is Explore Austin’s annual peer-to-peer fundraising campaign. Taking place entirely online, anyone can easily fundraise for our program by creating an individual fundraising page online.
When you support Explore Austin’s mission through the Trailblazer campaign, you are ensuring that we can continue to provide this transformational program free of cost.
Trailblazer 2025 is now active!
Support the Trailblazer campaign by:
- Creating a fundraising page
- Donating to another individual’s page
For questions, please contact:
Lauren Zurbrugg, Chief Development Officer
lauren.zurbrugg@exploreaustin.org
Create Your Own Fundraiser
Explore Austin’s staff is happy to assist you if you have an idea for creating your own online fundraiser or in-person event to benefit Explore Austin. Not only does your third-party event or fundraiser raise much-needed funds to empower youth through long-term mentorship, leadership development and outdoor adventure, it also helps raise awareness for Explore Austin’s mission.
Please note that our guidelines prohibit us from soliciting those we serve or our current donors for such fundraisers. Additionally, Explore Austin is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and cannot be affiliated with politics or political rhetoric. Thank you for helping us to maintain our nonpartisan status.
We appreciate your interest in investing in our mission and look forward to discussing the possibilities with you!
To discuss your idea, please contact:
Blair Adams, Events Manager
blair.adams@exploreaustin.org