Did you know that many organizations can take advantage of unrestricted funds by utilizing grants to turn $1 into as much as $7.00?? There is NO donation too small!

For almost 20 years, Animal Trustees of Austin has provided safe, compassionate and affordable treatment for animals in our community regardless of their owner’s income. We were so excited to donate $3,735.00 to ATA yesterday on behalf of Andrea (and her family).

Did you know that the Austin Community Foundation will match every $4 of your gift with an additional $1? If you are interested in more information check out this link:
http://www.austincommunityfoundation.org/?nd=nonprofit_endowment_initiative

For more information about Animal Trustees of Austin check them out here:
http://www.animaltrustees.org/

Rebecca Pokluda’s recent move not only marked a big moment in her own life, it also helped Give Realty reach a huge milestone – reaching a donation total of over $150,000  since 2008. Rebecca’s move generated a Give Realty-facilitated donation distributed to two organizations, LifeWorks and the B Club.

“It’s so motivating to witness the impact of the two groups,” said Rebecca. “When you see their inspiring stories first-hand, it becomes easier to find the time and resources to help.”

LifeWorks is a nonprofit that transitions youth and families from crisis to safety and success, focusing on the areas of housing, counseling, education/workforce and youth development.

Susan McDowell, executive director for LifeWorks, said the organization was not only thrilled about the monetary gift, but also the opportunity to connect personally with a donor.

“We met Rebecca and took her on a tour of our facility,” said Susan. “It means so much to us that our donors see firsthand the impact their donation makes.”

Rebecca was also able to visit with Jan Hill, member of the B Club, a grassroots group which throws events to raise emergency funds for breast cancer survivors. The funds enable the survivors to remain in treatment without worrying about financial obligations like rent, utilities, food or medication costs.

“The B Club is such an easy way to do something that can make a difference,” said Jan. “Host a party, it doesn’t matter how big or small, it all adds up and it all goes 100% to emergency services.”

Rebecca is happy not only with her new home and having had the opportunity to engage personally with the two organizations, but with the overall service provided by Give Realty during the process of purchasing her new home.

“The Give Realty model really touched me at my core and Laurie exceeded the expectations I had for my buying experience. She’s not only an amazing realtor but an inspiration in how she lives her life and runs her business.”

Three Ways to Help LifeWorks

1.  Host a donation drive. Organizing a gift drive is a rewarding way to get your family, friends, co-workers, neighborhood, civic group or school involved.

2.  Volunteer to teach. Volunteers are needed to teach literacy and English as a Second Language. Visit http://www.lifeworksaustin.org/ to learn more.

3.  Join LifeWorks Executives and Professionals. This auxiliary group hosts volunteer projects and special events to support LifeWorks.

Laraine Altun Gives the Gift of College Education

Laraine Altun has long known the importance of education. She was lucky enough to have a support system that enabled her to access higher education, and has seen the immeasurable benefit of it.

“I know how vital support is for students,” says Altun, “and the education available because of that support can be so key for creating a satisfying, productive life.”

This strong belief in the value of education led Laraine to give $1,320 to Breakthrough Austin through her move with Give Realty. Breakthrough is an organization aiming to create first-generation college graduates through a sustained approach starting in middle school.

“Breakthrough provides individualized and comprehensive support, academic preparation, and the information and advocacy families need to negotiate the complex steps needed for students to be college-ready, gain college admission, and secure financial aid,” says Executive Director Barry Aidman. “We believe there are no quick-fixes.”

The long-term support model provided by the nonprofit has thus far been extremely successful. Since its founding in 2001, Breakthrough has seen its students achieve results that are nothing short of amazing. Breakthrough students’ college enrollment rate of 74% nearly doubles that of their Central Texas low-income peers, 39%.

Through her experience of helping provide learning opportunities by partnering with Give Realty and Laurie Loew, Laraine says she actually learned some things herself.

“I learned that there are people who work for love rather than money. I learned that there are people you can trust and feel good about working with if you look for them. I learned that giving can be a way of life, as it is for Laurie, and not just something we do in our spare time.”

We can all learn a little more below about how to help Breakthrough Austin and its students continue to shatter the statistics and reach their highest potential.

Three Ways to Help Breakthrough

1.  Volunteer with Breakthrough. Mentor students as they craft college essays and prepare scholarship applications, tutor one-on-one after school, or assist with events and communications. Visit http://www.breakthroughaustin.org/get-involved/volunteer for more information.

2.  Keep in touch. Join the newsletter list to receive student stories and photos, as well as program updates and invitations to events

3.  Make a financial contribution. Donate at http://www.breakthroughaustin.org/get-involved/donate so Breakthrough can continue to serve 500 students and their families inAustin and Manor.

In cooperation with Alison Alter and Jeremi Suri Give Realty created a  Social Entrepreneurship Scholarship through Austin Community Foundation.  We are overjoyed about this oppotunity to continue to promote Social Entrepreneurship!  Our first scholarship will be to Leadership Austin for the 2013 Essentials Class.

A cross-country move can seem daunting, but luckily for Alison Alter and Jeremi Suri the couple was introduced to Laurie Loew, of Give Realty, as they prepared their shift from Madison, Wisconsin to Austin, Texas. The philanthropic experience, combined with Laurie’s expertise and desire to go above and beyond made the move more satisfying than either of them ever imagined.

“We purchased a home from Wisconsin and did not move in for a month after closing,” said the Alter-Suris. “Laurie graciously helped us navigate the purchase of appliances and other necessary items needed so we could hit the ground running when school started for our kids, just one week after we moved in.”

Once the transition was complete, the family had to determine where to direct Laurie’s donation of $5,062.50 made on behalf of the Alter-Suris. They were hesitant to commit such a large sum to a single charity in a town they didn’t yet know, and they wanted to use the opportunity to teach their children, Natalie and Zachary, about giving to the community as a whole. Laurie proposed the Alter-Suris create a fund with Austin Community Foundation (ACF).

The ACF provides stewardship for hundreds of charitable funds and works to make each fund flourish and enter back into the community. Alison had worked with the Madison Community Foundation on a large park building project in Wisconsin, and was struck by the strong contributions a community fund could have on its city.

“Creating an ACF fund was a great idea,” say the Alter-Suris. “Each year we will work with our kids to identify and deliver a donation to one or more charities that they choose. We also can add to the fund over time and allocate our donations as we know Austin better.”

The family puts the lesson they learned by working with Give Realty like this: “You can do well while doing good!” The Alter-Suris loved seeing a socially-conscious business model thriving and leading to both charitable donations and successful and happy home purchases.

Three Ways to Help Austin Community Fund

1. Donate to ACF Directly. You can make support the organization directly to help them make a greater impact in Central Texas.

2. Support Art From the Streets. A gift to this fund creates a nurturing environment for homeless persons to create, exhibit and sell works of art.

3. Support The Will Sarosdy Swim for Life Fund. This organization works to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth to participate in the sport of swimming.

Years ago Matt Kouri promised friend Laurie Loew if he ever moved, he would enlist her services. When the time came for Matt and wife Julie to move, they knew they were in good hands with Give Realty, but they didn’t realize just how rewarding the experience would be.

“Laurie helped us find a home so wonderful that we still have to pinch ourselves every now and then,” say the Kouris. “And the idea of being able to support our charitable work with our home purchase, thanks to Laurie’s generosity, was a no-brainer.”

The Kouris’ move resulted in contributions to two groups very dear to the family’s heart. One donation went to Food for the Hungry, an organization in which the Kouris are volunteer leaders, and one to Greenlights, the local nonprofit where Matt is employed.

Food for the Hungry is a global organization working in the areas of community development, health and hygiene, food security, education, spiritual development, economic development, and HIV/AIDS care, to name a few. The Kouris $2,065 donation will be put to use feeding, clothing, providing shelter and educating five orphans in Zeway, Ethiopia for a full year.

Greenlights is a Central Texas organization that works to strengthen the impact of nonprofits by providing resources, training and guidance, like professional development courses and research on area needs and trends. The $1,000 gift not only galvanized the crowd at a fundraising dinner, inspiring more to give more, it will also support Greenlights’ Research and Innovation Fund.

With these donations the Kouris give the gift of sustenance – physical food and care to impoverished children in Ethiopia, and the nourishment of knowledge and tools for growth to local nonprofits of all sorts.

Three Ways to Help Greenlights

1.  Make a gift. By investing in Greenlights, you strengthen the entire Central Texas community by helping to develop exceptional nonprofits. Find out more at http://greenlights.org/about/get-involved.

2.  Get involved in the nonprofit community. Austinites can impact our nonprofit sector in many ways. Sign up for our Board Essentials Course and learn what you need to know about joining a nonprofit board, then attend the Board Summit on June 7^th and meet about 50 nonprofits looking for new board members like you. If you aren’t ready to join a board but want to get more involved, you can join Greenlights’ 501 Council and learn about nonprofit challenges through a competitive grant making process.

3.  Stay informed about nonprofit issues. Visit the website to read Greenlights’ research and blog, and while you’re there, sign up for the monthly e-newsletter, Greenlights2Go. You can also follow Greenlights on Facebook and Twitter.

Three Ways to Help Food for the Hungry

1.  Join the Grace Covenant Church team.  This group in Austin is raising resources for the child-headed household program in Zeway, Ethiopia.  Visit http://grace360.org/ to learn more.
2.  Subscribe and educate yourself. Stay tuned to www.povertyunlocked.com to become more educated about the issues of poverty.
3.  Donate to what moves you. With Food for the Hungry’s vast range of services, you are sure to find a cause you are passionate.  At www.fh.org you can learn more about their individual programs and how to contribute.

The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders is a unique all-girls public school founded to educate young women and give them the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in college, in their careers, and in their communities. This donation will help fund a three week long educational and cultural immersion experience for a group of 20 students this summer.