About the I Live Here I Give Here Campaign

Austin is no doubt a caring community. But we don't act on our values by giving more to charitable organizations. National studies consistently find that Austinites give far less to charitable causes than people in other cities. In fact, Austin is ranked 48th out of the 50 largest cities in the nation in per capita giving.

The mission of the I Live Here, I Give Here campaign is to change that.

A recent local study showed an overwhelming majority of Central Texans believe financial support of nonprofits is key to maintaining a strong, vibrant community. Austinites also think an important measure of community success is how well it takes care of those who are at risk of falling between the cracks.

Yet, many Austin nonprofits are struggling to provide the programs and services to meet the needs.

In the same study, Central Texans said they would give more if they better understood the community's needs.

So, the I Live Here, I Give Here Campaign is on a mission to boost local giving by educating fellow Austinites about the needs in Central Texas and the organizations working to meet those needs..

Our promise is to raise awareness. We hope you'll promise to raise your level of giving.

View a list of nonprofit organizations in Austin >

Outreach
Whether reading the Sunday paper or cheering on your favorite team, the I Live Here, I Give Here campaign will be with you. Thanks to a handful of generous donors, we are educating people on the radio, in print and on the web to raise awareness. Visitors of www.ILiveHereIGiveHere.com, like you, will learn about needs in Central Texas and the value of giving.

Issues & Solutions
The I Live Here, I Give Here Web site lists information about the issues facing our community, and links to nonprofit organizations providing solutions.

Donor Education
We not only want to raise the level of giving in Austin, we want people to be smart about ways they can make their donations have the most impact. In partnership with Wachovia Bank, the I Live Here, I Give Here campaign has links to information and training sessions available for donors seeking a deeper understanding of current best practices in philanthropy.

Supporting Organizations
Thanks to the following groups who are providing resources and leadership for the I Live Here, I Give Here Campaign:

Nonprofit Advisory Council

Association of Fundraising Professionals
Austin Area Interreligious Ministries
Austin Community Foundation
Ballet Austin
The Basic Needs Coalition of Central Texas*
City of Austin Cultural Arts Program
Goodwill of Central Texas
Greenlights for Nonprofit Success
The Hill Country Conservancy

Hospice Austin
The Junior League of Austin
Las Comadres para las Américas
Lifeworks
The Lance Armstrong Foundation
The Long Center for the Performing Arts
The Links, Town Lake Chapter
The Seton Family of Hospitals
United Way Capital Area
   

*Includes: AIDS Services of Austin, Arc of the Capital Area, Capital Area Food Bank, Caritas, Communities in Schools, Family Eldercare,  Foundation Communities,  Meals on Wheels, SafePlace, & Sustainable Food Center.  

Corporate Council

AT&T
Austin American-Statesman
Bob Miller
Dini Partners
Grande Communications
JP Morgan Chase
OnNetworks

Public Strategies, Inc.
Texas Monthly

Russell T. Kelley
Wachovia
Temple Inland, Inc.
Maxwell, Locke & Ritter
Thompson & Knight Foundation

   

Foundation Support

MFI Foundation  

Contact Us

Patsy Woods Martin
Director
(512) 432-1900

Karen Wilson
Voices Coordinator
(512) 432-1900

Helen Watkins
Nonprofit Coordinator
(512) 432-1900

Evvie Nazro
Press Coordinator
(512) 432-1940

Press Center

Download background materials and information on the campaign here.