The Vanguard Award is an award from the Grand Lodge of Texas A.F.&A.M. that is awarded only to Masonic Lodges that meet a long list of specific criteria such as community involvement, charitable activities, support of youth activities, including scholarships and demonstrate overall improvement, as recognized by the District Deputy Grand Master. In 2022 out of 756 lodges in Texas only 32 lodges were awarded this prestigious award. It was established in 1995 by the Grand Master.

Austin Lodge No. 12 received the Vanguard Award in the following years:

1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2022