We love when local businesses give back - not just because it is good for business, but because they are rooted in our community and understand the importance of a strong Central Texas. We are seeing this with so many businesses right now giving back to the flood relief efforts.
There are several beloved Austin-area establishments that contribute year round in delicious ways to our local nonprofit network. Let’s celebrate some of these generous local establishments!
Read MoreShea Wylen (they/them) would describe themself as a “community connector.” When they are not working part time on strategy at Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, Shea is actively introducing people to causes they can be passionate about. In fact, giving and volunteer advocacy is such a large part of Shea’s life, they recently won the Austin Under 40 Award for the Nonprofit Category. And if you ask Shea why they spend so much time giving back, they will say, “If in this lifetime, I get to be a friend or mentor for someone else who is struggling, it will be the greatest accomplishment I could hope to achieve.”
Read MoreNoel Landuyt & Gary Schumann are a married gay couple who have leveraged their professional and social circles to promote a number of projects within the Austin community. Particularly relating to LGBTQ legal and health issues, causes they are both passionate about. As they like to say, “Give together and you stay together.”
Read MoreMaxine LaQueene (she/her) is an Austin icon in the LGBTQIA+ community. Having worked 12 years as a full time Drag performer, she uses her talent to not only entertain, but to advocate. Standing tall at 6 '4'’ (without the heels and wig), she knows her super power is confidence - confidence in being trans, being queer, and being a voice for those who may not be heard. She regularly gives back to the local community by performing at nonprofit events and taking action at the Texas Capital.
Read MoreMichelle is a successful lawyer having represented clients at the federal and state level in cases involving commercial contract disputes, antitrust, oil and gas, construction, and trade secret law. But it’s her pro bono work alongside Asian Family Support Services of Austin (AFSSA) that allows her to do what she loves while giving back locally.
Read MoreClarena Tobon Guevara is a professional speaker and passionate mental health advocate. As the Executive Director of NAMI Central Texas, she works to support individuals and families impacted by mental health conditions. After losing her mother to suicide and experiencing the unique barriers faced by the BIPOC community, Clarena has become a fierce proponent for mental health equity. Her work focuses on reducing stigma, improving access to care, and fostering community-driven solutions for mental wellness.
Read MoreIt’s interesting times in the nonprofit sector. More than ever, funders need nonprofits to achieve their missions to keep societal norms afloat, while nonprofits need funders to achieve that critical work. This symbiotic relationship creates a perfect opportunity to build human connection and find the ways that work for both sectors - but it must be built on trust.
Read MorePLUS FIND ADVOCACY TALKING POINTS HERE
Since last fall, we’ve been sounding the alarm bells about the painful realities currently facing local nonprofits. Folks, things have the potential to get a lot worse. Nonprofits continue to face growing threats from federal actions that could limit fundraising, cut nonprofit tax endowments, and roll back DEI initiatives—especially impacting organizations serving marginalized communities. It’s estimated that 25% of local Central Texas nonprofits may be negatively impacted by these federal actions. The truth is we need your community support more than ever to help protect these vital services. But we’re not asking for money, we’re asking for your advocacy.
Read MoreChanges in grant funding are gravely impacting the future of the local nonprofit sector.
Read MoreBeyond the feel-good factor of supporting worthy causes, businesses who participate in events like Amplify Austin Day, see their connections to the community strengthen, earn a boost in employee morale and engagement, and receive positive favorability for their corporate image.
Read MoreThe goal of Amplify Austin Day is really to encourage everyone in Central Texas to be engaged in giving back. Businesses play a HUGE role in this - not just by supporting the day financially, but also by encouraging their employees to also get engaged in giving back. We could talk all day about that impact, but why not hear directly from a few of the businesses that are doing the work alongside us.
Read MoreThis Monday, January 20, individuals and communities across the US will honor Martin Luther King Jr. and his nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination. Here in Central Texas, there are many great ways you can celebrate. Read on to find out.
Read MoreOh, wow - do I get overwhelmed by all that happens at the end of the calendar year… But one of the things that we do NOT have to cram into the end of the year is our giving. By thinking about giving throughout the year, we can make sure that we have a good understanding of what we can give and when, and ensure that we are giving back to the community in ways that work for us.
Read MorePost pandemic, many nonprofits do not have the additional revenue from compassionate recurring donors, nor from the extra government support. Nonprofits have been struggling - and it is getting more and more acute. Federal dollars are decreasing and there is a great deal of talk about the nonprofit financial cliff. We are already seeing the impacts…
Read MoreIntermediary organizations are mission-driven organizations designed to channel local resources to where they are needed most.
Here’s what we do. We are connecting donors with those community organizations delivering the imperative charitable services. And by that definition, we are an intermediary. Here’s the thing, intermediary organizations come in many forms, from donor advised funds and giving circles to community foundations and fiscally sponsored projects. The use of intermediary organizations has grown tremendously in recent years.
“When I was 37 years old and had two small babies, it got harder to find the time to do physical volunteer work. That’s when I realized that I could give my time by joining the board of a nonprofit. At the time, I thought of it as the “grown up way” to volunteer - which is of course silly!” I Live Here I Give Here’s Executive Director, Piper Stege Nelson explores the power of giving through Board Service and offers her best takes on why someone should give back by joining a nonprofit board.
What a year! What a day! As I reflect on what we accomplished on Amplify Austin Day this year, I am reminded of the rollercoaster that was 2020. In addition to the devastation and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, we faced an unpredictable economy – which made planning and forecasting for our giving day very difficult.
Read MoreWe broke all kinds of records on Amplify Austin Day this year, raising more than $12.5 million for area nonprofits and increasing the number of donors by 31% – and the following nonprofits and businesses certainly had a hand in that success!
Read MoreSenior Director of Development Erin Ajayi interviews Central Texas businesses about how they’re Amplifying good in our community through our business fundraiser program.
Read MoreNonprofit Relations Intern Audrie Jahnsen interviews a few local nonprofits about the creative ways they are keeping families engaged during COVID-19.
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