Today we’d like to introduce you to JP Trevino-Rodriguez.
Hi JP, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Over the span of about six years, I developed a vision—a plan for how I could help individuals and communities facing challenges, stigma, and unspoken pain. I wanted to be a voice and a beacon of hope for the people I encountered, but for a long time, I didn’t know exactly how or where to begin.
That changed on November 30, 2018, when I hosted my inaugural Red Ball, a fundraising event focused on HIV/AIDS awareness and education. After months of planning, I created a night designed to educate, inspire, and bring people together. The event featured live performances, guest speakers, music, and a DJ, and I invited city officials from San Antonio and across Texas to attend.
As my first independently planned event, I went in without high expectations. I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be—but the response exceeded anything I imagined. The Red Ball received overwhelming positive feedback, media coverage, and recognition from online publications that shared the same values and vision. It became one of my proudest moments and affirmed that this work mattered.
I made a promise to myself: if the Red Ball was successful, I would take it to the next level. I began researching, gathering the necessary paperwork, and building something sustainable. On December 18, 2018, Red Cause Inc. was officially formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. That moment marked the beginning of a new era in my life—one rooted in purpose, advocacy, and community impact.
I’m JP Trevino-Rodriguez of San Antonio, Texas, and this is the story of how I founded Red Cause Inc.
What started as a passion for advocacy and community awareness has grown into a renewed vision for transformative healthcare impact. Today, Red Cause Inc. is relaunching with an expanded mission—supporting health and empowering communities—under my continued leadership and a newly appointed Board of Directors. Building on its legacy in mental health advocacy and HIV/AIDS awareness, the organization is now focused on funding medical research, strengthening access to care, and championing innovative solutions that address urgent healthcare needs while uplifting the communities we serve.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, the road has not been smooth. One of the biggest challenges came in 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Red Cause Inc. relied heavily on crowd-funded, in-person events to generate support and momentum. I had just completed our 2nd Annual Red Ball in 2019, which exceeded expectations—attendance grew, sponsorships increased, donations rose, and our visibility across the state was gaining real traction. The vision was coming together faster than I ever imagined.
When the national lockdown was announced and all in-person gatherings were canceled, everything came to a sudden halt. Plans for Red Ball 2020 were already in motion, with sponsors and donors committed, but the pandemic changed everything. Funding became uncertain, sponsors were no longer able to support, and I was forced to pause all planning indefinitely.
That year was emotionally and mentally exhausting. I spent many sleepless nights questioning whether to continue at all and seriously considered closing the organization. It wasn’t just about me—it was about the people and communities we served—but during that time, everyone was facing their own struggles, and I felt I had nowhere to turn for guidance or reassurance.
Despite the uncertainty, I made the decision not to walk away. While large-scale events were no longer possible, I continued to keep Red Cause Inc. active through smaller sponsored initiatives, simply to keep the mission alive and present in the community. I invested my own time, resources, and skills to sustain the organization during those quiet years.
That period tested my resilience, but it also clarified my purpose. It taught me that impact doesn’t always come from visibility or large events—it comes from persistence, adaptability, and staying committed even when the path forward is unclear.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
For the past several years, I have worked as a Financial Crimes Analyst, a role that has sharpened my skills in risk assessment, regulatory compliance, investigative analysis, and strategic problem-solving. This professional background has deeply influenced how I lead Red Cause Inc., allowing me to approach nonprofit governance with discipline, transparency, and accountability—principles that are often overlooked but essential for long-term impact.
I specialize in building organizations that operate with both heart and structure. I am known for bridging community-driven advocacy with strategic execution, ensuring that mission-centered work is supported by strong governance, ethical financial stewardship, and measurable outcomes. What I am most proud of is sustaining Red Cause Inc. through periods of uncertainty—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—by adapting, restructuring, and refusing to let the mission fade, even when resources were limited.
What sets me apart is my ability to lead with empathy while thinking analytically. I bring a rare combination of lived experience, community trust, and professional expertise in risk and compliance to the nonprofit space. This allows me to not only envision impact, but to build systems that protect it, scale it, and ensure it lasts.
I am supported by a highly trusted leadership team, including my husband, Matthew Treviño-Rodríguez, who serves as Vice Chair and Chief Operations Officer, and Sharon Moya, who serves as Secretary, Treasurer, and Chief Governance and Strategy Officer. Together, we bring operational strength, financial integrity, and strategic vision to Red Cause Inc., ensuring the organization remains mission-aligned, transparent, and positioned for sustainable growth.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, my focus is on strengthening and expanding Red Cause Inc. while remaining adaptable to the evolving needs of our communities. Our priority is to increase visibility and deepen our presence—not only within the communities we currently serve, but in neighboring areas as well—ensuring our support reaches individuals and families who need it most.
As we plan for 2026, one of our long-term goals is the development of a scholarship program. While this initiative is still in the blueprint phase, it reflects our commitment to investing in opportunity, education, and long-term community empowerment.
In the meantime, we continue to build momentum through direct service. This past December, we supported more than 300 individuals in assisted living facilities across San Antonio and Corpus Christi. We also provided winter essentials to over 100 unhoused individuals, supplied local animal shelters with much-needed resources, and assisted families with holiday groceries and utility support. These efforts reflect the kind of immediate, human-centered impact we aim to scale.
One of the biggest changes moving forward is our commitment to being more accessible and responsive. Red Cause Inc. is entirely donation-driven and community-supported, allowing us to remain flexible and act quickly when needs arise. To support this, we’ve expanded our communication infrastructure to ensure we are reachable when our communities need us most.
I am also looking forward to reintroducing a signature fundraising event, inspired by the annual Red Ball. While the concept and name are still in the early planning stages, the goal is to create an experience that brings people together in support of a shared mission.
Ultimately, my vision is for Red Cause Inc. to be an organization for everyone—regardless of background—focused on doing more, reaching further, and empowering communities not just for today, but for the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.redcauseinc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redcauseinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redcauseinc
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/redcauseinc
