In the heart of Central Texas, the team from Primarily Primates, Inc. is doing vital work, and we were lucky enough to cross paths with them at SXSW. Each year, UPLIFT Desk has a booth at SXSW and we love to befriend our booth "neighbors" as the week progresses. This past year, Primarily Primates told us about their mission: rescuing and rehabilitating primates who’ve suffered in labs, the entertainment industry, or the exotic pet trade.

As we chatted, their passion was contagious. They explained that running a sanctuary for over 300 animals is a full-time job, demanding compassionate care, physical rehabilitation, and enrichment to reignite wild behaviors.

Becoming Part of Their Story — and Ours

During the conversation, they casually mentioned that it would be nice to have new chairs for their office and we learned that every resource is prioritized for animal care. Knowing their dedication, we wanted to support them in kind. We love to support local, mission-driven organizations run by people who pour their hearts into making a difference and we wanted to do what we could for their staff. Through our UPLIFT Desk donation program, we were thrilled to provide them with new chairs and desks, offering a more comfortable and functional workspace for their dedicated team.

And Then There Was Baxter

During our SXSW conversation, we discovered something special: Primarily Primates sells paintings done by the primates! Baxter the chimpanzee (and his artwork) caught our eye. Baxter’s journey is remarkable: born in a research lab, he was later leased to television, trained to perform tricks, and finally rescued by the sanctuary. We couldn’t resist supporting him, so we ended up taking home a couple of his paintings. It's nice to have a quirky memento that also helps fund his care!

Why This Matters to Us

For us, philanthropy is woven into our company DNA, especially when it supports neighbors doing incredible work right here in Texas. It’s a little "bananas" to think how a walk through SXSW led to a long-term partnership with a primate sanctuary, but we wouldn’t trade it for the world. Sharing stories like these reminds us how powerful business connections can be not only to foster growth but also to give back when there is opportunity. They are currently building a new enclosure for the 4 new chimpanzee residents who arrived earlier this year. The addition of this new housing array will benefit all 31 chimps residing at PPI by providing additional space for social introductions and as backup housing to allow for maintenance on other enclosures. We encourage you to learn more about Primarily Primates and their mission.