SSSwan Songs Musical Last Wishes
UnclaimedIs this your nonprofit? Claim it, edit it, and get free access to our grant matches, donor leads, and fundraising tools.
About Swan Songs Musical Last Wishes
Swan Songs makes room for a favorite song at a moment when that can mean everything. In Austin, the organization brings private, personalized concerts directly to homes and care facilities for people with a terminal illness or nearing the end of life, and families do not pay for them. It also pays the musicians who show up to play, which keeps the whole experience grounded and respectful. For donors, the appeal is simple, this is a very human kind of care, built around music, memory, and presence.
What sets Swan Songs apart is how specific it is. The concerts are tailored to a person’s favorite style of music, song, or musician, and they happen where the person already is, at home or in care. It also extends that same idea through personalized tributes and writing sessions, while paying the musicians for their time.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Musical Last Wishes concerts
Private, personalized concerts for individuals with a terminal illness or nearing the end of life, held in homes or care facilities, at no cost to the family or facility.
Gift of Song
A personalized musical tribute written and performed by Texas songwriter George Ensle, based on a person’s life story and delivered at no cost to the family.
Swan Songs Writing Sessions
An Austin program that pairs a terminally ill person or someone nearing the end of life with songwriter and artist Darden Smith to co-create a song and studio recording that reflects their story.
About this work
Mission
Swan Songs fulfills musical last wishes by organizing private concerts for individuals with a terminal illness or nearing the end of life. At no cost to the family, a favorite style of music or regional musician is brought directly to the home or care facility. Swan Songs compensates its musicians for each performance.
Who they serve
Individuals with a terminal illness or nearing the end of life, in a non-curative phase of care, along with their families, loved ones, and caregivers.
Their impact
- Receives an average of one request per day.
- Raised $34,000 during the Amplify Austin 2026 campaign.
- The Central Texas Medical Orchestra Benefit Concert raised $714.50 for Swan Songs.
How your donation helps
- Compensating musicians for private 30 to 40 minute concerts.
- Providing free Musical Last Wishes concerts for families and care facilities.
- Supporting personalized Gift of Song tributes.
- Supporting Swan Songs Writing Sessions and their studio recordings.
- Funding specialized volunteer training and concert facilitation.
- Supporting Austin-area musicians and the organization’s mission infrastructure.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Swan Songs Musical Last Wishes’s services.
Family members, friends, or professional caregivers can request a Musical Last Wishes concert for someone in a non-curative phase of treatment. Swan Songs then matches the request to musicians and arranges the concert, which is typically 30 to 40 minutes long and can also be presented virtually.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
I gotta tell ya. I love those gigs so much. They are literally the most important shows of the year for me.
They are just such moving experiences. As you all know. You take away a piece of the recipient’s heart with you.
This service is such a blessing to our community.
Grant support
$150,428 from 4 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC — $15,800 (2024)GENERAL SUPPORT
- Tejemos Foundation — $10,000 (2024)General Support
- THE LIND FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION — $10,000 (2024)OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
- AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC — $11,650 (2023)GENERAL SUPPORT
- HUNT FAMILY FOUNDATION — $11,350 (2023)GENERAL SUPPORT
- THE LIND FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION — $10,000 (2023)OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
- AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC — $12,200 (2022)GENERAL
- THE LIND FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION — $10,000 (2022)OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
Events
Swan Songs Serenade
annualAnnual fundraising gala with a seated dinner, silent and live auction, and live musical performance.
Remember & Reflect Gathering
annualAnnual June remembrance gathering that invites reflection on loved ones and supports the organization’s mission.
Swan Songs @ The Artichoke
bi-monthlyPortland benefit concert series featuring local musicians in support of Swan Songs Portland.
Amplify Austin campaign
annualA 24-hour giving campaign used to raise support for Swan Songs.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Swan Songs Musical Last Wishes has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Concert Liaison
- Event Volunteer
- Admin Support
Recognition & press
In the media
- Sun Radio, interview with Christine Albert about Swan Songs and how to support the mission.
- Johnny Goudie’s “how did i get here?”, podcast interview with Christine Albert about Swan Songs.
- Austin Community Impact Magazine, profile on Swan Songs honoring individuals’ last wishes.
- AARP, feature on singing to people at the end of their lives.
- KATU2 Everyday Heroes Series, feature on Swan Songs Portland.
- OPB Think Out Loud, feature on Swan Songs Portland.
Partners & funders
In the news
Articles featuring Swan Songs Musical Last Wishes from the Love What You Fund newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What happens if the recipient is not feeling up for the concert on the scheduled date?
The concert can be rescheduled, or canceled if needed. Families are encouraged to go forward when possible, and the recipient does not need to dress up or be fully responsive.
How many people should attend a Swan Songs concert?
Swan Songs recommends keeping it small, with no more than 15 visitors, so the recipient and the musicians can really connect.
Can families request specific songs or artists?
Yes. Swan Songs welcomes requests and works to shape concerts around the recipient’s preferences, though it can’t promise every requested song or artist will be played.
Does the family need to pay for the concert or tip the musicians?
No. The concert is free for families because Swan Songs is supported by grants and contributions, and the musicians are paid for their time and mileage.
What are Gift of Song and Swan Songs Writing Sessions?
Gift of Song is a personalized tribute song written and performed by George Ensle. Swan Songs Writing Sessions pair an Austin recipient with Darden Smith to co-create a song and recording that reflects the person’s story.
Similar nonprofits
Other hospices nonprofits in TX.