givingcity austin jan/feb 2013

hoW to

do More,

giVe More

and get

More FroM

liFe NANCY MALLORY OF 3M This executive mom, mara-thoner and philanthropist shares her secrets for a more fulfi lling life. 8.

GI

VI

NG

CI

TY

AU

sT

iN

Jan/Feb 2013

2 givingCityaustin.com

childrensaustin.org setonhaysfoundation.org

setonwilliamsonfdn.org setonfund.org

2013 AFP Philanthropy Day - Special Recognition Award Recipient

Sister Gertrude Levy, Daughter of Charity

Seton Healthcare Family

Sister Gertrude Levy, age 93, comforts patients and families every day at Seton Medical Center Austin where she has lovingly served as a community ambassador and fundraiser for more than 40 years.

Thank you, Sister Gertrude, and all the Daughters of Charity at Seton,

for all that you do for our community!

Inspiring donors • Building endowments • Engaging volunteers

Jan/Feb 2013Issue 14

Editor-in-ChiefMonica M. Williams

DesignDJ StoutCarla DelgadoPentagram Design

ContributorsRobert GodwinCecily JohnsonRebecca Persons

Scott Van Osdol

Jamie Maldonado

GivingCity Austin is available online. To request print copies, please send an email to [email protected]. 2013 Copyright GivingCity Austin. No part of this document may be reproduced without permission.

Support GivingCity Austin!GvingCity Austin is a fi scal sponsorship of the Texas Association of Nonprofi t Organizations. To see membership and sponsor levels, please visit GivingCityAustin.org.

Checks may be made to GivingCity/TANO, 8001 Center Park Dr, Austin, TX 78754.

Dnations to GivingCity/TANO are tax-deductible.

5 eDiTOr’s LeTTer

7 briefsfree glasses for kids, a new effort to end violence, COTA generosity and more.

10 hAppeNiNg NOWThe social scene, new events and a win for Austin workers.

27 giVe beTTerWhat $100 can do, Microsooft gives back, and more.

38 giViNg WOrKsA gift from a stranger gives a mother hope.

18 sTep iT Up, AUsTiNyou do have time to get involved! hear how Mike shaw (above) and Nancy Mallory (cover) found time in their lives for philanthropy.

24 JOe’s JOUrNeyAustin native Joe Morales has spent a lifetime with big brothers big sisters. his story is a testament to the transformational power of love.

DEPaRtmENtS

G I V I N G C O N T e N T s

FEatuRES

CoVER StoRy

Jan/Feb 2013 3

CO

Ve

r s

TO

ry

: s

CO

TT

VA

N O

sD

OL

; f

eA

TU

re

: C

eC

iLy

JO

hN

sO

N

Cover photo by Scott Van Osdolchildrensaustin.org setonhaysfoundation.org

setonwilliamsonfdn.org setonfund.org

2013 AFP Philanthropy Day - Special Recognition Award Recipient

Seton Healthcare Family

Sister Gertrude Levy, age 93, comforts patients and families every day at Seton Medical Center Austin where she has lovingly served as a community ambassador and fundraiser for more than 40 years.

Thank you, Sister Gertrude, and all the Daughters of Charity at Seton,

for all that you do for our community!

Jan/Feb 2013 5

Did i mention that giv-ingCity recently became a nonprofi t on its own?

for fi ve years, we have covered nonprofi ts, taking you behind the scenes and helping you understand more about the sector so you can be more effective in your giving. but now i know better.

That is to say, every-thing we’ve told you in the past still holds. The difference is now i can speak with more author-ity when i tell you this: Nonprofi ts are hard.

My grammar might be off, but that is the truest way to express how dif-fi cult it can be to start, run and grow a non-profi t. it also expresses how diffi cult it can be to work with nonprofi ts.

They’re complicated and personal, bureaucratic and entrepreneurial all at the same time.

for myself and the givingCity board, turn-ing this magazine and brand from a com-munity resource into a full-fl edged nonprofi t has been an adventure. There is not a single model to copy, which is to say we are in new territory here. people and organizations from across the country contact us to fi nd out how we do it. And that is what we’re setting out to defi ne now.

for the last two years, we were funded solely by one organization, the Austin Community foundation. This sup-port fueled our tremen-dous growth, but clearly it also put givingCity at risk. When ACf could no longer fund us we found ourselves scrambling to keep the magazine alive.

Now we have the shared support of the Texas Association of Nonprofi t professionals, seton foundations and st. David foundation, and we are inviting oth-

ers to build a coalition that can keep givingCity growing. but to execute this plan and publish the magazine concur-rently is beyond our capabilities and not in the best interest of givingCity.

Which means after this issue, we will launch a full-out fun-draising and organiza-tion-building effort to support givingCity, and we will suspend pub-lication of magazine until we’ve achieved our goals.

it is absolutely vital that we take this time to reassess our place in the community and come up with a course of action that keeps givingCity sustainable.

The givingCity board and i are so grateful for your support. stay tuned!

moNICaeditor-in-Chief

I’d love to hear from you. Find us on

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or online at

GivingCityAustin.org to comment. Or just

send me an e-mail message at monica@

givingcity.com.

a neW plan fOr giViNgCiTyEDItoR’S LEttER

G I V I N G i T b A C K

To execute our plan and

publish the magazine

concurrently is beyond our

capabilities and not in the

best interest of GivingCity.

JO

eL

sA

LC

iDO


Fayruz Benyousef Consulting

Jan/Feb 2013 7

br

ie

fs

G I V I N G N e W s

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

One in four American children has an uncor-rected vision problem— and that number climbs in inner-city commu-nities – yet research shows a large number of those children do not have the glasses they need. if these vision problems are not ad-dressed, research sug-gests that children may face lifelong struggles with literacy, low self-esteem, unemployment, poverty and crime.

in fact, essilor Vision foundation found that 78 percent of the incarcerated youth in two of the Dallas County Juvenile Justice facilities had at least one vision problem.

While school dis-tricts screen for vision problems, kids recognized as having impairment are simply told to go see a doctor. but according to Kids Vision for Life, “A large percentage of students

in Central Texas who fail their vision screen-ing never get to an eye doctor and actually get-ting glasses they need,” says Christin Alvarado.

Kids Vision for Life takes these school screenings a step further by actually providing a full eye exam and making sure every child who needs glasses get them at no cost. in March, Kids Vision will bring its mobile vision clinic to 12 school districts. The hope is that by identifying and correcting vision prob-lems sooner, Kids Vision can give more children a chance at success.

NEED kIDS’ gLaSSES?The trailer will make its debut in 12 area school districts in March including Austin, Del Valle, bastrop, and Taylor isDs. services will be ac-cessible to students four days a week throughout the school year, along with weekend and sum-mer events.

To donate or learn more, visit kidsvisionctx.org

seeing clearly fOr The firsT TiMeA new program hopes to give Central Texas kids a better start in life by making sure

they get the glasses they need — for free.

by REbECCa PERSoNS

How You Can HelpAt least 12 volunteers are

needed every day the clinic is on campus. Donations of $75 can help service 7 to 8

kids. Fee includes $25 for the cost of one pair of glasses

and $50 for the process and operation, which also covers

up to two exams and up to five screenings. J

AM

ie M

AL

DO

NA

DO


G I V I N G N e W s

VICtIm’S SERVICES CommuNIty

The Violence Stops HereA new nonprofi t works to break the cycle of family violence.

By Rebecca Persons

More than 80 percent of the women in Safe Place’s supportive housing program for victims of domestic abuse had a background in the foster care system.

That means it’s likely they have been in abusive relation-ships for much of their lives. And according to studies across the country, it’s likely that their children will suffer family violence, too.

It’s this cycle of abuse and family violence that LIFT Al-liance aims to end in Central Texas by creating a coordi-nated system to strengthen families and identify and ad-dress these situations sooner.

The new organization was born of the ongoing relation-ship between the Austin Children’s Shelter and Safe Place, both of which serve to catch and protect victims more than prevent.

Julia Null Smith of LIFT Alliance says it’s a call to action for everyone who is a part of a child’s life.

“We’re going to push for that in every way that we can,” says Smith. “Let’s be sure every-one is on duty with this issue.”

“The experience for indi-viduals dealing with these situations is overwhelmingly diffi cult. Helping people in the system, that’s a piece of it,” says Kelly White, long-time leader of the Austin Children’s Shelter. “But this is a new effort is to keep people out of the system. What if we could stop that cycle early, teach people how to stay safe and how to be strong, nurtur-ing, protective parents?”

Among other services, LIFT Alliance will offer shelter, parent coaching and support programs for mothers at high risk of losing their children. Smith says one effort that’s already working comes from training teachers is what is called trauma informed care.

“In the past these gets would get absorbed in the system and just fade into being another kid in the hall-way,” says Smith. “Now we have more teachers trained to help them.”

Learn more at LIFTAlliance.org

COTA found ways to work in local

fundraising throughout F1 weekend.

thanks, COTA!Did you know that the 2012 formula 1 grand prix

helped raise more than $140,000 for local nonprof-

its in one weekend? ¶ As the grand prix facility in

the United states, Circuit of The Americas partnered

with sodexo, its catering and hospitality vendor, to

make the grand prix a charitable event. Volunteers

from more than 30 nonprofi ts manned the conses-

sion stands at the grand prix so that a percentage

of the sales would be donated to those nonprofi ts.

Once the weekend was over, sodexo donated sur-

plus food from its fi ne catering — more than 8,300

pounds of it — to the Capital Area food bank. ¶ Cir-

cuit of The Americas also partnered with hotels for

hope, which generates a $2 donation for every room

booked. The money raised was distributed equally

between Austin partners in education and boys &

girls Clubs. Other nonprofi ts that benefi tted from

the event include the Amala foundation, health-

care for the homeless, North Austin youth Associa-

tion and Mr. Vip sports foundation.

ivingCityaustin.com

families and identify and ad-dress these situations sooner.

The new organization was born of the ongoing relation-ship between the Austin Children’s Shelter and Safe Place, both of which serve to catch and protect victims more than prevent.

Julia Null Smith of LIFT Alliance says it’s a call to action for everyone who is a part of a child’s life.

“We’re going to push for that in every way that we can,” says Smith. “Let’s be sure every-one is on duty with this issue.”

risk of losing their children. Smith says one effort that’s already working comes from training teachers is what is called trauma informed care.

“In the past these gets would get absorbed in the system and just fade into being another kid in the hall-way,” says Smith. “Now we have more teachers trained to help them.”

Learn more at LIFTAlliance.org

COTA found ways to work in local

fundraising throughout F1 weekend.

booked. The money raised was distributed equally

between Austin partners in education and boys &

girls Clubs. Other nonprofi ts that benefi tted from

the event include the Amala foundation, health-

care for the homeless, North Austin youth Associa-

tion and Mr. Vip sports foundation.

Jan/Feb 2013 9

aPPtIVIStS buSINESS mENtaL HEaLtH

br

ie

fs

Local, eco-friendly laundry and dry cleaning service,

ecoClean, leverages its customers’ causes to raise

money for local nonprofi ts through its “prOps” pro-

gram. ¶ every Wednesday, ecoClean gives away fi ve

percent of all sales to a designated local nonprofi t-

of-the-month. To date, ecoClean has featured 15

nonprofi ts, totaling $4,700 in donations. past recipi-

ents include Movember, AiDs services of Austin and

hill Country Conservancy. ¶ recipients are chosen

by ecoClean or by customer recommendations, but

all benefi ciaries have to be local.

Learn more ecocleanaustin.com

Help Attack!, one of the pioneers among Austin’s online-giving tools, shut down in December 2012. But it wasn’t for lack of trying. In the end, all that work may have came down to one unavoidable factor.

In a blog post, co-founder Ehren Foss describes what happened here:

“What’s really going on is that nonprofi ts don’t seem to have time for anything

new. Small nonprofi ts are stretched extremely thin. Even if the executive direc-tor ‘gets’ the Internet and social media, how much time can they spend?

“Medium and large nonprofi ts suffer from other maladies: The most common is that the communications team may do a fabulous job managing the website, blog, and social media, but the fundraising department is in another silo.

“If nonprofi ts are going to grow overall, and gain more resources to fi ght the world’s ills, online fundrais-ing has to grow faster. Social networks and social media seem like the most obvious place for that to occur.”

Learn more HelpAttack.com

Can Social Media Fundraising Work?

Rethinking the Shooting

What role did Adam Lanza’s condition play in the shootings at Sandy Hook?

Lanza, the gunman responsible for killing 26 people at Sandy Hook El-ementary in December, was revealed to have Asperger’s Syndrome. The condition is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is present from infancy or early childhood, and studies of children with the disorder suggest that their problems with social-ization and communication continue into adulthood.

Since the shooting, the Austin Travis County Inte-gral Care has assisted local schools and families with their Mental Health First Aid program.

“It is a training program for the public to help them learn to identify, and to a certain extent, provide fi rst aid to people with psychiat-ric illnesses,” says Jim Van Norman, chief medical of-fi cer for Integral Care said.

Van Norman says the fact that Asperger’s Syndrome is part of the national discussion around the shootings, “directs the national dialogue in a way that is not productive.”

In fact, he says the be-haviors exhibited by Lanza were not in conjunction with an individual who has Asperger’s Syndrome. It’s important to note, he says, that people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence rather than perpetrators.

Learn more at IntegralCare.org

Jim Van Norman

green and giViNg bACK


G I V I N G N e W s

FuNDRaISERS

hot TiCKeTs

Scenes from some of Austin’s brightest fundraising events. Photo by Robert Godwin

(clockwise from top) Event Co-Chair Mary Tally, Dance Director Sabrina Barker-Truscott and Event Co-Chair

Maria Groten; Dean and Andrea McWilliams; Jonathan Newton and Jordan Martin

DECEmbER 1

LBJ Library Foundation GalaHeld at the LBJ Presidential Library, this event was a nod to the elegance and class of a White House State Dinner in the 60’s

Tim and Mary Herman; Jo Anne Christian

with Bruce Todd and Elizabeth Christian;

Lyndon and Nicole Nugent with Event Co-

Chairs Nicole and Brent Covert

DECEmbER 7

Dancing with the Stars for Center for Child ProtectionThis was the sixth year for this all-star event, featuring local celebrities strutting their stuff for charity.

Jan/Feb 2013 11

br

ie

fs

For more social photos visit KeepAustinGiving.org

DECEmbER 4

Heart and Sole for Rise SchoolA gorgeous, all-women’s luncheon featuring one-of-a-kind designer handbag, jewelry and shoes.

Sen. Kirk Watson, Laura Templeton, Evan Smith and Belinda Gayle; Ania

Utterback, David Garrido, Magdalena Stefanowicz and Asia Gonczar; Maria

Selde, Lisabeth Buelt and Felesia Rodriguez

NoVEmbER 29

Food For Thought for Communities in Schools CIS’s signature event, Food For Thought, took place at Circuit of the Americas, which added to the excitement of chef’s tast-ings from around Austin.

Nina Seely, Venus Strawn and Kristin Armstrong; Event Co-Chair Sherri Krause,

Kendra Scott and Event Co-Chair Ellen Burt; Shelby Krause and Anita Perry


Crank up the giving.

You look like a philanthropist—perhaps it’s the heart? We’re making donating easy for philanthropists like you on March 4–5, 2013, Austin’s first 24-hour giving day. Just go to ILiveHereIGiveHere.org and choose from over 300 Central Texas nonprofits to give to. With your help, we can raise over a million dollars, making it a rocking good day for your favorite charities. And, your gifts will be amplified 10%, thanks to a generous match from University Federal Credit Union. Encore anyone?

#amplifyATX

Crank up the giving.

You look like a philanthropist—perhaps it’s the heart? We’re making donating easy for philanthropists like you on March 4–5, 2013, Austin’s first 24-hour giving day. Just go to ILiveHereIGiveHere.org and choose from over 300 Central Texas nonprofits to give to. With your help, we can raise over a million dollars, making it a rocking good day for your favorite charities. And, your gifts will be amplified 10%, thanks to a generous match from University Federal Credit Union. Encore anyone?

#amplifyATX

Jan/Feb 2013 13

hA

pp

eN

iN

g

NO

WC

OU

rT

es

y O

f W

Or

Ke

rs

De

fe

Ns

e p

rO

Je

CT

G I V I N G i N A C T i O N

VICtImS’ SERVICES

Workers Defense proj-ect has recovered close to a million dollars for families in Austin, and successfully pushed for higher wages and safety standards for construction work-ers. Last fall, Workers Defense celebrated a landmark victory for the people they represent.

Over the holidays,

the Travis County Commissioner’s Court approved a living wage fl oor of $11 per hour for employees, including construction work-ers. The requirement affects all companies that receive county tax incentives Workers Defense joined with Austin interfaith, stu-dent groups and unions

to achieve their goals. “fifty-two percent of

construction workers in Texas are below the poverty line even though they work full time,” says Christina Tzintzun of Workers Defense.

“Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and we can do a lot better to take care of those that are working so hard for us. We have a unique oppor-tunity to ensure that our growth is sustainable for the workforce, and to ensure that there’s pros-perity for everyone.”

Tzintzun says employ-ers assume they can easily violate worker’s rights because most of their employees are immigrants. in addi-tion, she says many of these construction jobs are the lowest paying and most dangerous in the country.

in the same day as the county vote in Novem-ber, the City of Austin created the economics incentive Committee to continue regulating the living wage fl oor, safety standards and other concerns for workers. The full city council is expected to take up the matter in in 2013.

Learn more at WorkersDefense.org

a Victory For AUsTiN WOrKers Thanks to Austin nonprofi ts, construction workers will now earn a living wage.

Workers Defense Project has held

candlelight vigils for construction

workers who have died on the job

from heat exhaustion or unsafe

working conditions.


G I V I N G i N A C T i O N

uPComINg EVENtS

FEb 23

Cattle Baron’s BallWe just do this differently in Austin, y’all. Yes, it’s a fund-raiser for the American Can-cer Society. But while other cities do this as a black-tie affair, Austin invites you to come in your finest “Texas Chic.” Look for boots, jeans, turquoise and diamonds.

The location is pure Texas Hill Country at the Star Hill Ranch out Hamilton Pool Road. The owners have re-created an old Western town complete with modern touches, gorgeous lighting and the perfect space for a party. The top-notch enter-tainment by our beloved Bob Schneider and The Texas Bluegrass Massacre is a crowd-pleaser guaranteed to fill the tables -– and the dance floor.

The American Cancer So-ciety funds cancer research and patient support, so if this terrible disease has ever affected you, you’ll want to attend. Because not only does it support ACS work, it supports every survivor out there. Buy a table and bring your friends.

Learn more atFacebook.com/CBBAustin

hA

pp

eN

iN

g

NO

W

FEb 22

Austin Under 40 Surely whoever chooses the winners of Austin Under 40 awards can predict the future. Past honorees include some of Austin’s brightest stars today. So you’ll want tickets to this bash-slash-awards-slash-fundraiser. Hosted by the Young Women’s Alliance and the Young Men’s Business League presents its Annual Austin Under 40 Awards to honor young, successful for the 15th year in a row. Proceeds go to fund camp for at-risk youth and scholarships for young women.

Learn more atAustinUnder40.org

FEb 14

Philanthropy Day There’s no need to advertise this event – it sells out weeks in advance. Leave it to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Austin Chapter to host the must-attend awards event of the year. This year they’ll toast Sister Gertrude Levy, Brett Barnes, Mickey and Jeanne Klein and H-E-B among others.

Learn more at AFPAustin.org.

JaNuaRy 26 Dell Children’s gala 2013 at 6pm. benefiting The Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. childrensaustin.org

FEbRuaRy 9 Human Rights Campaign 17th annual austin gala Dinner at 6pm. benefiting The human rights Campaign. hrcaustin.org

9 JDRF Deal for a Cure at 6pm. benefiting Juvenile Diabetes research foundation. jdrf-austin.ejoinme.org

9 Rodeo austin gala at 6pm. benefiting rodeo Austin. rodeoaustin.com.

9 third annual Charity bash masquerade ball at 8pm. benefiting Creative Action. creativeaction.org

10 the Nobelity Project artist and Filmmakers Dinner honor-ing kris kristofferson at 6pm. benefiting The Nobelity project. nobelity.org

14 Philanthropy Day at 10:45 am. benefiting Association of fundraising professionals greater Austin. afpaustin.org

16 the Hollywood & Casino Night gala at 6pm. benefiting The Capital Area Dental founda-tion. capitalareadentalfoundation.org

22 austin under 40 awards gala at 5:30 pm. benefiting Austin sunshine Camps and yWA foundation. austinunder40.org

23 Cattle baron’s ball at 7pm. benefiting American Cancer society. cattlebaronsballaustin.org

Feb 28 – march 1 the Central texas african american Family Support Conference. benefit-ting CTAAfsC. ctaafsc.org

maRCH 2 the Crystal ball. benefiting helping hand home for Chil-dren. helpinghandhome.org

2 CaSablanca gala at 6pm. benefiting CAsA of Travis County. casatravis.org

7 Put kids 1st annual Lun-cheon at 12pm. benefiting Texan’s Care for Children.

CaLENDaR

Jan/Feb 2013 15

Learn more at AustinSocialPlanner.com


It takes funding, hard work, and initiative to build a healthy community, and that’s the mission of St. David’s Foundation. As a joint owner of St. David’s HealthCare, the Foundation achieves its goals by investing the proceeds from the hospitals

back into the Central Texas community.

In 2013, the Foundation is projected to invest $46 million to the community through grants to numerous agencies, local safety net clinics, and the highly acclaimed St. David’s Dental Program. By funding initiatives in six key areas –

Healthy Aging, Healthy Futures, Healthy Living, Healthy Minds, Healthy People and Healthy Smiles – St. David’s Foundation focuses on improving the health and

health care of all Central Texans today and for years to come. Learn more at www.stdavidsfoundation.org.

At St. David’s Foundation, helping create a healthier Central Texas is our

job. And we sure do love our job.

Impact. Community. Health.

Jan/Feb 2013 17

Keep Austin Giving – an online social column by Austin photojournalist Robert Godwin – shares news and photos of the nonprofit events you attend. So whether you are in the photos or want to share them, Keep Austin Giving is your source.

Check out the latest happenings at keepaustingiving.org.

A Candid Look at Austin’s Nonprofit Scene


Upstep it

Meet Nancy and Mike, two Austnites just like you

who are taking their giving to the next level.

by moNICa m. WILLIamSphOTOgrAphs by SCott VaN oSDoL

Jan/Feb 2013 19

gEt INVoLVED

she’s cracked The CODe

Meet Nancy Mallory. Marketing manager, runner, mother, volun-teer. Just another work-ing mom, right?

Well, Mallory is an electrical engineer and the marketing manager of the electrical markets division at 3M. her favorite distance to run is the half marathon, but she has also run 15 marathons across the country. she has three children, ages 21, 19 and 15, and each of them speaks another language. she is active on the 3M Women’s Leadership Council, serves on the board of hope Alliance for Wil-liamson County and at her church she serves on the endowment com-

mittee, sings in the choir and helped open a com-mercial kitchen to make meals for Caritas. Oh, and she speaks french.

This is not a contest. Mallory is not any busier than you are. she’s just decided that volunteer-ing is important.

“i don’t watch a lot of television,” says Mal-lory. “My house is lived in as opposed to clean. for me, it’s a matter of choices.”

On the wall at her office at 3M, Mallory keeps a sign that says, in french, “Life is a series of decisions.” but Mallory has had other signs in her life that point her toward service.

When she was growing up, money was tight.

There’s a secret to finding time to volunteer,

and Nancy Mallory knows it.


There was even one year when her family needed food stamps to put din-ner on the table. still, every time they were on better footing, her parents found a way to share with others.

As the secretary of the board for hope Alliance, Mallory knows there are a number of women who are not as lucky as she is, women who face abuse and assault in their own homes. Last May the board launched a strategic plan to expand the capacity of the organization and find a larger space to accommodate the grow-ing need in Williamson County, one of the fast-est growing communi-ties in the country.

“The projected growth in that area is a big sign that we will have to grow to serve more families,” says Mallory. “And i’m excited to be a part of that growth.”

The fact that her employer, 3M, produces one of the most popular half marathons in the country is another sign that Mallory’s choices are aligned. As a volun-teer she has manned the water stops, stuffed the bags and helped with packet pick-up.

This year, 3M is stepping it up, too. for years, the race has benefited Communi-ties in schools, with 3M committing to donat-ing $30,000 of race proceeds. in 2013, 3M upped that donation to $40,000.

“it helps to know that the company i’ve worked for 24 years is supportive of the com-munity,” says Mallory. “There really is a culture of volunteerism and

community at 3M.”because Mallory’s

schedule can get hectic, she doesn’t leave volunteerism to chance. “i put board meet-ings on my calendar as soon as i know the dates,” she says. “it’s about scheduling and acknowledging that i have to set aside that time, even if it means i have to leave work early one day and leave work late the next.”

it’s also about find-ing something you’re passionate about. Working at 3M has been incredibly rewarding for Mallory and she finds running a great way to stay healthy and relieve stress. Despite her ambivalence for house-keeping, Mallory loves making plans and being organized, two interests that have served her well at hope Alliance and on her church’s en-dowment committee.

“you have to set a goal and you have to map out specific steps to get there,” she says. she even takes this approach to cooking together with the other volunteers at church. “i’m the one who makes the overall plan and gives each person a role,” she says. her church colleagues call her “The general.”

but Mallory’s plan-ning works. she even set a goal for the 3M half Marathon this year of 1:40, slower than her personal best but ac-counting for an altered course that included more hills. We checked the race results: she hit her goal. for Mallory, everything seems to be running according to schedule.

Jan/Feb 2013 21

gEt INVoLVED

his neWFoUnd LOVe

Watching a nonprofit behind the scenes

helped Mike Shaw commit to doing more.

Whether he lived in phoenix, Atlanta or now Austin, Mike shaw, a mortgage broker with 360 Mortgage group, has always made regu-lar donations to support pet protection nonprof-its. As the owners of two dogs and having no children, shaw and his wife stacy were happy to share their good fortune with local and national organizations.

but when he moved to Cedar park six months ago, something made shaw decide to step it up.

The difference for him was his realtor. Laurie Loew of give realty gives clients 25 percent of her commission to donate to the charity of

their choice. it’s part of her mission to get more people to get involved. but an important part of that strategy is get-ting her client to per-sonally present a “big check” to the nonprofit.

shaw had chosen to make the donation from his home purchase, about $2,500, to the humane society of Williamson County (now called Texas humane heroes). “We were looking forward to mak-ing that donation as much as we were mov-ing into our new house,” says shaw.

When they visited the shelter to present the check, the director gra-ciously offered to show them around. That’s


when the light came on for shaw.

“he spent a good hour with us and gave us a nice little tour,” shaw remembers.

“i hadn’t spent a lot of time at shelters. My wife and i love to support them, but we’d always imagined they would be a little depressing, that we’d want to bring all the dogs home. but this shelter was really nice. The facility itself is great. And it’s a no-kill shelter, which means you can look a dog or cat in the eye and know they’re not going to be euthanized.”

shaw also came to understand the value of the staff. “They work all day long to maintain the facilities, raise money, put on special events. it’s not easy work,” he says.

Those insights lead shaw to decide to give beyond his initial check. he has since signed up to make monthly donations, volunteer at the shelter and serve on the com-mittee for the golf tour-nament fundraiser.

“We’ve always donat-ed money,” says shaw, “but getting out to that shelter got us talking to people — and talk-ing to each other about helping more.”

Taking that step to visit the facil-ity changed shaw’s perspective on giving. “i tell people now, ‘Don’t do what we did for so many years,’” he says. “you’ve got to give yourself the opportu-nity to get hands-on.”

he adds, “it’s so much easier than people realize.”

1. CaN’t gIVE uP FamILy tImE?Volunteering with your family is one of the best ways to be together. Children learn to share, parents get to be role models and everyone gets to enjoy the feeling of helping others.

Learn more at LittleHelpingHands.org

2. RatHER HaNg WItH youR FRIENDS?Austin has dozens of professional groups that support local nonprofi ts, from the young Women’s Alliance to habitat young professionals and LeAp for Lifeworks to impact Austin and L3. each of them offers a mix of volunteering, fundraising and leadership oppor-tunities with plenty of happy hours mixed in.

See Inside Austin Philanthropy at

GivingCityAustin.org

3. CaN’t gEt aWay FRom WoRk? if your employer doesn’t offer paid time off for volunteering like 3M, Amplify Credit Union and others, then bring the volunteering to the offi ce. Organize a food drive, a blood drive or a fund-raiser. Or take advantage of a holiday to volunteer with a large group. On Martin Luther King Day, for example, hands On Central Texas organizes community volunteer projects all over town.

Learn more at HandsOnCentralTexas.org

4. too buSy WItH HouSEWoRk?have a “give it away” mindset for chores. Keep a give-away pile near the front door and take it all to goodwill, salvation Army or an-other charitable thrift store. (Not all our chari-table, so read the bin before you throw it in.) Towels and bedding can go to an animal shelter, travel toiletries can go to safeplace or front steps, books can go to inside books project... just about everything still usable can go to a good cause. See Give It Away at GivingCityAustin.org

5. buSy ... but Not SuRE WItH WHat?first, reassess your priorities. yes, Downton Abbey is important, but you will never get back those hours spent on the sofa. Volunteering, however, adds more time to the day.

According to a 2012 study conducted Wharton, harvard and yale, “giving time gives you time.”

And i quote: “in short, we propose that spend-ing time on others makes people feel like they have done a lot with their time — and the more they feel they have done with their time, the more time they feel they will have.”

See Get Involved at GivingCityAustin.org

5 WAys to Work it inFinding the time to volunteer isn’t about

eliminating the things you love or the things

you need to do. It’s about fi nding clever

ways to combine the two. Consider these:

FACT

The most recent data about volunteering in America shows that

WORKING MOTHERS are the population group most likely to volunteer.

$21.91 per hour

That’s the value of a volunteer hour in Texas,

according to Independent Sector’s annual assess-

ment. For most volunteer work, the value is not

based on the volunteer’s earning power. It doesn’t matter if you’re a waiter or a lawyer. Both of your volunteer time is worth

the same amount. Learn more at IndependentSector.org

Make aUstin a giVing city Make aUstin a giVing city Make aUstin a giVing city Make aUstin a giVing city Make aUstin a giVing city

Jan/Feb 2013 23

Make aUstin a giVing city Make aUstin a giVing city Make aUstin a giVing city Make aUstin a giVing city Make aUstin a giVing city

yoUr donations can sUpport oUr Mission to Make aUstin a giViNg CiTy.

become a member now and get your givingCity T-shirt. givingCityaustin.org

Jan/Feb 2013 25

by moNICa m. WILLIamSphOTOgrAphs by CECILy JoHNSoN

“my dad was an alcoholic, a womanizer. He never had a job for more than six months,” remembers Joe morales. “but to me he was everything, you know? He was my dad.” ¶ “When he left, I remember him in his room packing while my mother was crying. I kept saying,


‘Dad, where are you going? Let me come with you. Let me get packed.’ but he just kept telling me, ‘No, mijo, stay here.’ i just wouldn’t let him go.’”

Then Joe’s father did what Joe remembers as the worst thing. “finally my dad said, ‘Look, mijo. i’ll come back later with some ice cream and we can

talk about it.’ so after a while i let him go.”

That night, Joe fell asleep waiting for his dad and his ice cream. he woke up the next morning and asked where his father was. his mother just kept saying, “he’s not com-ing back. he’s gone.” All that remained was Joe, his two-year-old sister and his mother.

Joe’s father had left with his mother’s best friend. Over the years, he never paid child support. he never even remem-bered Joe’s birthday.

“When i was about 11, i started to get a little chirpy,” remem-bers Joe. “Talking back to my mother, getting out of line. she was a strong woman, she did everything for us.” hav-ing volunteered with other local nonprofi ts, Joe’s mother had heard about big brothers, which at the time had only been around about

Being a “Little” helped Joe become a man. Being a “Big” helped Joe become a leader.

How one man embodies the success of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas

JOe’s JOUrNey

Joe Morales TodayToday, Joe works in global

sales at Dell. He has been a

volunteer and board member

for BBBS, and is anxious to

have another Little again.


a year, and got Joe signed up.

“That’s when Dave came into my life.”

“Dave lived in north-east Austin, he was an engineer at ibM,” Joe remembers. “And i’m 11, so you know, i thought, ‘he’s a nerd. he’s a dork. i don’t want this guy.’”

“but i came to love that guy with all my heart,” remembers Joe. “i knew he was going to call me every week. i knew he was going to be there.”

Dave exposed Joe to a different way of life. he was married, he owned a home. he’d graduated from Notre Dame, was enrolled in graduate school at the University of Texas. he had a dog.

“This guy had a boat!” remembers Joe. “i re-member he taught me to water ski, and i went back to school and told my friends. They just looked at me like, ‘What are you talking about, water ski, man? What’s that?’ it was cool.”

tHE LESSoN tHat SaVED HIS LIFEOn sundays Dave and his wife would invite Joe to dinner. One night Dave was outside grill-ing while Joe played with his dog in the grass. “i said, ‘Man, you got a nice house. i’m never going to have a house like this.’

“And Dave said to me, ‘i tell you three things you can do and you can have a house like this. in fact, you can have more than this. One, get an education. Two, always strive to do your best at whatever you do. And three, stay out of trouble.”

Joe and Dave her together for seven years, until Joe outgrew the program when he was 18 years old.

“My life would have been totally different if it weren’t for my big brother Dave.”

After high school, Joe didn’t think he was ready for college, so he got a job. soon he met a young woman, fell in love and eventually got married. she had a de-gree from UT-Austin, so Joe decided it was time he enrolled. Around the same time, he real-ized that he wanted to repay Dave for what he did for him. so Joe decided to become a big brother himself.

JoE’S NEXt bIg StEP“When i think back on becoming a big, what a transformation that was for me,” says Joe. “having that respon-sibility helped me become a man. it forced me to grow up and live the life that Dave expected of me.”

his own Little, David, was a quiet eight-year-old from a family of six children and a single mother. They lived in public housing. The kid had never known a father.

“i’d call and tell him i was going to be there at 9 am, and David would be on his front steps at 8:45, waiting for me.”

Joe met with David every week, taking him on his fi rst trip to the mall, bringing him over to his the house for sunday-night burgers. “At one point David says to me, ‘Man, you got a nice house. i’m never going to have

a house like this,” remembers Joe.

“i knew just what to say.”

JoE SHaRES HIS SuCCESSWhen he was 29 years old, after seven years of working and going to UT-Austin, Joe got his degree. At his graduation were his wife, his mother and Dave. “Dave deserved to be there.”

As Joe’s own Little grew, he realized he wouldn’t need him much longer. When David became 17 years old, Joe could tell he wasn’t interested in having a big brother anymore. “he didn’t know at the time how much that broke my heart,” remembers Joe. “but now he’s mar-ried, he has two kids, works at AMD. he had brothers that were in and out of jail. i gotta believe i made a differ-ence in his life.”

Today Joe has a job he loves at Dell, a daugh-ter in her fi rst year of college, a home and a sense of family. he’s volunteered for big brothers big sisters for years, even serving on the board. he stayed in touch with Dave for years, until Dave moved to the Dallas area to be with his grandchildren. And he knows David is still doing well in south Austin. More than any-thing, he wants people to know the power of that one-on-one mentoring.

“i’m just talking from the heart,” he says, “but i’m a living example that this agency works. And the process of match-ing and supporting the follow-ups works.”

ReuniteNow.orgThis year, Big Brothers Big

Sisters launched a campaign to register alumni of BBBS

to reconnect them to the organization. “Our former Bigs and Littles had some life-changing experiences

because of our organization,” says Melanie Chasteen of

BBBS of Central Texas. “This campaign helps us learn

more about their stories.” In its more than 40 years, the nonprofi t has hosted thou-

sands of Bigs and Littles.

Jan/Feb 2013 27


Thursday april 4 2013 // 7–10pm

The Jones Center // 700 Congress Avenue

Tickets $150 at amoa-arthouse.org/fivexseven

All Five x Seven proceeds support AMOA-Arthouse Exhibitions and Public Programs

Medi a sponsors:

Thursday april 4 2013 // 7–10pm

The Jones Center // 700 Congress Avenue

Tickets $150 at amoa-arthouse.org/fivexseven

All Five x Seven proceeds support AMOA-Arthouse Exhibitions and Public Programs

Medi a sponsors:

Jan/Feb 2013 29

gi

Ve

b

eT

Te

r

G I V I N G i D e A s

gREat EVENtS

yoUr neXt-eVentCheCKLisT

oN bEINg CREatIVE

DON’T forget the fun factor. DON’T overlook the small-est details. They make the difference.

DON’T forget that the basic event format is the same. Your job is to bring the fl avor of your organization to the event.

DO make your event memorable.

Take it from Mia Washington: successful fundraising events don’t happen by accident. for more than 10 years, Washington, a cer-fi ed meeting profes-sional, created some of Austin’s biggest, most successful fundraising

events for the Austin Children’s shelter. Think fore the Children, fash-ion for Compassion, this past fall’s gorgeous “putting on the ritz” gala and this spring’s New Wave ball.

Today she’s one of the city’s leading experts on

event fundraising and owner of Mia the event Diva, an event pro-duction and personal concierge business, and The gift bag, a personal shopping and gift-wrap-ping business.

Take a look at her do’s and don’ts below.

Mia Washington

oN PLaNNINg

DO create a timeline for every event.

Do have goals, objectives and measurable outcomes for the event.

DO create and com-municate clear roles for the staff, committee and board.

DO realize that details make the difference. Remember the fi ve senses: smell, touch, hearing, sight and taste.

oN PREPaRatIoN

DO know that budget drives your event — and you must manage the budget.

DO use good vendors. Work with the best and you will have the best events.

Do ask vendors for what you want. There is always room for negotiation.

DO realize that volunteer committees are essential, but they must be managed well.

DON’T forget to track the cost of raising $1. Great events raise money.

oN EVENt NIgHt

DO take the time to create a smooth check-in pro-cess. The way the event starts sets the tone for the evening.

DO stay calm in a crisis. Staff and attendees feed off your energy.

DON’T ever let them see you sweat.

DO keep speakers on track; too many speeches are boring!

DON’T be surprised when something goes wrong. It will. Be prepared.



buSINESSES gIVINg baCk

Jan/Feb 2013 31

gi

Ve

b

eT

Te

r

open For NON-prOfiT bUsiNessSo much more than a store. How Microsoft at The Domain invites

the community to share its resources and knowledge.

in less than a year, the Microsoft store at The Domain in Austin has donated over $1 million dollars in software, employee volunteerism and monetary and in-kind gifts to dozens of local nonprofits and community organiza-tions. giving to the community has and will continue to be a big part of its mission.

That’s because sup-porting the community aligns perfectly with the corporation’s over-all mission.

“Our goal is to help people and businesses around the world realize their full potential by giving them the technol-ogy tools they need to succeed,” says brynn biddle, community development specialist at the Microsoft at The Domain store.

before the store even opened, employees were out in the community doing days of service, donating software and hardware to local non-profits and spreading the word about its free in-store workshops and educational events.

The workshops con-tinue to grow in popular-

ity; Microsoft associates lead workshops on everything from organiz-ing and editing photos to analyzing data in excel. Workshops are available to anyone in the com-munity; senior citizens, businesses profession-als, and even toddlers —the adorable and popu-lar TechTots program lets little kids get hands-on with tablets, laptops and more. All workshops are held in the store’s meet-ing space, a resource for nonprofits to host events like team meetings and work sessions.

“it’s our responsibility to provide community members with these opportunities to learn more about technology,” biddle said.

Outside the store, biddle organizes two service projects each month for employees, with activities taking place across com-munity gardens, food pantries, nonprofit fun-draisers and more. The Austin store has also sponsored nonprofit events, including easter seals, The susan g. Komen Austin Affiliate, the Autism society of greater Austin.

Your event here!

The Microsoft Store at the Domain invites nonprofits to get creative with its space. Last year, Komen Austin handed out pink boas and other nonprofits brought in senior clients for tech trainings.

To learn more contact Brynn Biddle at

[email protected]

Ce

CiL

y J

Oh

Ns

ON


Pentagram is a multidisciplinary design consultancy with offices in London, New York, Berlin and Austin. Pentagram Austin handles a variety of projects for a broad range of local, national and international clients. 512.476.3076 pentagram.com

Jan/Feb 2013 33

gi

Ve

b

eT

Te

r


DoNatIoNS at WoRk

What can yoUr $100 do?

“$100 pays for 40 hot, healthy, tasty meals delivered right to the doors of some of Austin’s most vulnerable home-bound residents. Often times, these meals are the only nutritious food our clients will eat all day.” MealsOnWheelsandMore.org

DAN prUeTT Meals on Wheels

“$100 donation to emancipet helps provide one spay/neuter surgery and a round a vaccina-tions – yay!”Emancipet.org

ADrieNNe LONgeNeCKer, Cfre Emancipet

“The food bank can take $100 and turn it into $500 worth of nutritious food. With almost 1 in 5 Central Texans living in households at risk of hunger, that puts a lot of meals on hungry families tables.” AustinFoodBank.org

JOhN TUrNerCapital Area Food Bank

“$100 will give a child one week of summer camp, creating life-changing experiences and memories. $100 will give a new swimmer a session of swimming lessons. $100 will give one cancer survivor fi ve weeks of the yMCA’s LiVesTrONg program, helping rebuild strength and well-being. We can make your money go a long way!” AustinYMCA.org

ron perryHealth & Wellness Director at Northwest Family YMCA

A lot more than you think! Here are a few ways

your $100 gets put to work in the community.


TICKETS: perperson$75

benefiting Creative action

18300 FM 1826Driftwood, Texas 78619( (

CHAPARRALCARNIVAL GAMESAL GAMES

Live AnimalsCakewalk

Live Auction

SaturdayMarch 23

On the spot

Jan/Feb 2013 35

gi

Ve

b

eT

Te

r


HomELESSNESS

the Untold story oF hOMeLess yOUThA novelist’s research with LifeWorks becomes a gritty novel about a subculture we should

all pay attention to. Now she asks, what can we do to help?

manity. her novel “Ano-nymity” tells the story of Lorelei, a homeless teen who fi nds herself in Austin with no food and no place to go. in her research McMahan turned to LifeWorks, a youth homeless shelter.

“i started in Austin two years ago where a wonderful outreach professional, steve bewsey, showed me the role LifeWorks plays in helping homeless kids become more self-suffi cient and hopeful.

i quickly learned that i had an ill-informed pro-fi le of homeless youth,” says McMahan.

“The most stunning aspect of this issue was that the majority of kids on the streets aged out of foster care. They truly have nowhere to call home. This is wrong on so many levels.”

As the foster sys-tem turns our more unprepared youth on the streets, McMahan says it’s a shame and a waste that we aren’t helping them see their full potential.

“isn’t it best for all of us if we help them become self-suffi cient, contributing citizens?”

Koehler books will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Anonymity to LifeWorks.

“We are pleased to contribute to LifeWorks,” said publisher John Koehler. “They do vital outreach and help Amer-ica’s young homeless transition to a better, self-suffi cient life.”

Learn more at JannaMcMahan.com.

she was someone Janna McMahan would never forget: a teen-age girl on the street, her face covered with intricate tattoos.

“it was shocking,” says McMahan, a journal-ist turned novelist, “i carried her image in my mind for years.”

McMahan set out to learn more about the millions of teens like this girl who live on the streets. What she dis-covered was a story of survival, hope and hu-C

OU

rT

es

y O

f J

AN

NA

MC

MA

hA

N

Jan/Feb 2013 37

gi

Ve

b

eT

Te

r


EDuCatIoN

captUring A MOTher’s LOVePhotographer Scott Van Osdol fi nds inspiration in a nonprofi t’s mission.

This february, Con Mi MADre will celebrate 20 years of success at its 2013 Annual Corazon Awards with a special gallery displaying the hard work and dedication of girls in their program.

“by looking at those photos you should get some sense of what these young women did and what it was that’s so moving,” says sandy Al-cala, executive director of Con Mi MADre says.

The nonprofi t grooms young hispanic women for success in college by taking a unique approach: making sure their mothers are part of that plan. Most girls in the program are the fi rst from their families to go to college.

Local photographer, scott Van Osdol, donated his time and talent to the Con Mi MADre gallery, saying he was easily convinced

that this was a project worth supporting.

“Working with Con Mi MADre turned out to be a splendid pro-bono project. We had such rich subject matter; mothers and daughters working to get the girls into college,” says Van Osdol. “Our subjects are strong supporters of Con Mi MADre and were very proud to be chosen; you can see it in their faces.”

Learn more at ConMiMADRE.org

by REbECCa PERSoNS

Meet Scott

Van Osdol often shoots pro

bono and he leads the market-

ing team behind Hill Country

Ride for AIDS. About this

shoot, he says, “We had such

rich subject matter.”


Two years ago, when Kennedy Chilton (pic-tured above) was just five years old, a terrible illness forced her into a coma. While Kennedy fought for her life in a bed at Dell Children’s Medical Center, her par-ents never left her side.

finally exhausted and risking their own health, her parents took a break at the ronald McDonald house. While they were there, Karen and rob Matuszeski, long-time rMhC supporters, came to the house with a

delivery of 50 build-a-bear stuffed animals. Karen handed one to Kennedy’s mother, Anna.

“i was stunned,” remembers Anna. “it made me realize how she was living now, but also helped me picture how excited she would be when she woke up.” Anna clutched the little stuffed beagle and sobbed.

When Kennedy came out of the coma a month later, she fell in love with the beagle, promptly naming it Andrea, after

her favorite iCU nurse. Anna and her family have not forgotten that generosity.

This year Kennedy and her mother are teaming up with the Matuszewskis in what has become an annual donation of build-a-bears on Valentine’s Day. On facebook, Karen Matuszewski said, “A lot of great people come together each year to make this event happen for ron-ald McDonald house families — rob and i

are honored to have such great friends!”

Kennedy has been collecting money to pur-chase stuffed animals and intends to deliver them to the ronald Mc-Donald house herself.

says Kennedy’s mother, “i want Karen and bob to see that their generosity is not in vain. it’s healing and therapeutic to families. i can hardly wait to hand a stuffed animal to a mom and see the look on her face.”

Learn more at RMHC-Austin.org

by moNICa m. WILLIamS

gi

Ve

b

eT

Te

r



CO

Ur

Te

sy

Of

rO

NA

LD

MC

DO

NA

LD

hO

Us

e C

hA

riT

ies

Bears Bring hOpe TO fAMiLies With a child in a coma, a mother receives a gift from a stranger she will never forget.

Jan/Feb 2013 39


Save up to 10% with a Friends and Family Discount.*

*Bring this card ad to any participating Microsoft retail store to redeem. Offer not valid online. May not be combined with other offers or applied to prior purchases. Excludes gift cards, pre-ordered products, Offi ce 365, Volume Licensing, Surface, and Microsoft Surface accessories. Limited to stock on hand. Discount applies before taxes, shipping, and other fees. Limit 1 coupon per person. Not for resellers. Quantity limits may apply. See a store associate for details. Valid from 1/13/13 to 3/31/13. Apps from Windows Store; vary by market. Promo code: friends01

PCs, software, and exceptional support are just the beginning of what you’ll fi nd at Microsoft. Come in today to demo Surface or check out Windows 8— and bring in this ad for 10% off eligible Microsoft software or 5% off qualifying hardware.*

Take advantage of our Friends and Family Discount today.

MicrosoftThe Domain3309 Esperanza Crossing, Suite 104Austin, TX 78758

MS213079_SMB_BDS_LocalAds_FP_GC_Austin_R10_RTV.indd 1 1/11/13 11:56 AM

givingcity austin jan/feb 2013

Documents

gvingcity austin

austin workers

seton medical center

support givingcity austin

copyright givingcity

community ambassador

nonprofi ts

comforts patients