$1,220,000.00+
donated on behalf of GIVE Realty and our clients.
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 7th 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.
Greenlights was founded in 2001 by a group of local funders, nonprofit leaders and community volunteers as a place where Central Texas nonprofits could go for resources and guidance. Since that time, we have grown our programs and services that we now directly support more than 800 organizations and 2,500 individuals annually.
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.
Julie Johnson Gives the Gift of Support to Women
Julie Johnson strongly believes in the importance and power of improving the lives of women. “If you help a mother, you help their children.” This belief is the reason she chose to have her Give Realty facilitated donation to the Women Rising Project (WRP) and SAHELI.
Helping women is exactly what Julie’s move did, as it led to a contribution of $1430 to WRP, a collaborative project at AIDS Services of Austin providing services and programs to women with HIV and AIDS in a nurturing, peer-driven atmosphere. The education, connection and advocacy provided create healthier and happier lives for the women served by the organization. Julie’s gift will host a one-day retreat this fall for 25 to 35 HIV+ women.
Sylvia Lopez, co-founder of WRP, met Julie years ago when she generously volunteered her services as a massage therapist to treat the staff at AIDS Services of Austin. Sylvia would not have guessed that years later Julie would again be making a generous contribution in such a unique way.
“I was elated and deeply touched,” said Sylvia, “to once again see a woman from the community supporting women.”
Julie’s contributions to area women didn’t stop there. She also donated $1430 to SAHELI, an organization offering assistance to Asian and other immigrant families struggling with domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking. The unique non-profit integrates specific cultural and language needs into the services it provides and models itself after the six words represented in its name: Support, Advocate, Heal, Empower, Listen and Inform. The donation made on Julie’s behalf will result in emergency housing for several more families and a large contribution to their survivor assistance fund.
Julie believes the Give Realty business model is a lesson to be learned. “If Give Realty’s model was replicated, it would change the landscape of how well off the community is. Imagine the support the community would receive if all the realtors in Austin had the same model.”
Three Ways to Help AIDS Services of Austin
1. Volunteer. The Food Bank is in special need of volunteers. Contact the volunteer services coordinator Sandy Bartlett at 512-406-6163 or sandy.bartlett@asaustin.org for details.
2. Participate in Special Events. Retreats and AIDS Walk Austin require participants and volunteers to execute events.
3. Provide office assistance. Help is needed for administrative duties, sending out mailings and providing back-up for front desk reception.
Three Ways to Help SAHELI
1. Respect your loved ones. SAHELI believes recognizing that love and respect take energy is one of the most important things we all can do.
2. Volunteer. SAHELI is in need of interpreters, fundraisers, clerical support, graphic designers and board members who are committed and passionate about the cause of trafficking and domestic violence.
3. Donate. Clothing, toiletries and culturally specific food are needed.
Girlstart’s mission is to empower girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Founded in Austin, Texas, in 1997, Girlstart is one of the few community-based informal education programs in the nation specifically dedicated to empowering and equipping K–12 girls in STEM. This donation will help support Girlstart’s Annual Luncheon on October 12th 2011 that will spotlight “gaming”. For more information go to girlstart.org.
The Vadodarias Give the Gift of an Enriched Childhood
Hema and Sachin Vadodaria live by the basic principal, anytime they can give, they do.
“It’s just a part of living – giving back to the community you live in.”
Their pursuit of giving, combined with a past experience with Realtor® Laurie Loew, led the Vadodarias back to Give Realty when it was time to move again.
“We kept in touch with Laurie after she facilitated the purchase of our home in Cedar Park in 2006. She started Give Realty and we loved idea of the donation as part of the home buying and selling process. When we were ready, we only thought of Laurie and Give Realty.”
The Vadodarias chose two charities with ties to the generous and community-centered family. The first, Chinmaya Mission Austin (CMA), is where the Vadodaria children attend Sunday School and Hema is a volunteer teacher.
CMA aims to instill in youth the philosophies of Indian culture while engaging in a wide range of spiritual, educational and charitable activities. The $4,000 donation on behalf of the Vadodarias will support the building of a new facility in North Austin.
According to Subhash Vohra, CMA President, “Our pledge highlights ‘giving more than we receive’ and their gift truly embodies this spirit.”
The Vadodaria’s giving spirit didn’t stop there. Their move also contributed $910.10 to Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center (WCCAC), an organization providing assistance victims of child abuse, non-offending family members and the professionals that help them.
WCCAC Executive Director Brenda Staples says the non-profit was “delighted to learn of the gift, but even more honored when we learned it was from such a wonderful former volunteer of the center.”
Hema frequently volunteered at WCCAC when the family lived in Cedar Park, providing logistical support during the weekdays and doing her part for the children in need.
The family says giving is important because they themselves are very thankful for receiving so much in their lives from the people around them. Follow The Vadodaria’s’ example and see how you can contribute to these great organizations.
Three ways to Help Chinmaya Mission Austin.
1. Donate to the Building Fund. These donations assist CMA’s expansion.
2. Participate. Attend the public lecture series and learn about the tradition and philosophies taught at CMA.
3. Engage. Visit chinmayaaustin.org to keep up-to-date and expand your knowledge.
Three Ways to Help Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center
1. Make a commitment to volunteer. WCCAC is in need of volunteers who can commit at least four hours biweekly to host the center.
2. Donate. Financial contributions are needed to sustain WCCAC operations and plan for the future.
3. Take a tour. WCCAC wants people to “walk the halls the children walk” in order to learn more.
The Williams Give the Gift of Lifelong Philanthropy
Austin Community Foundation (ACF) is not an organization that is built on the typical non-profit model. According to Executive Director MariBen Ramsey, “Our organization is not the go-to place to make a one-time gift, rather, it is the outlet to start a lifelong tradition of giving.”
The idea of creating a philanthropic habit in their household was what attracted Monica and Norwood Williams to work with ACF and Give Realty. “We wanted to make philanthropy a bigger part of our family’s actions and the lessons we teach our children, so it was a win-win and the only fit that made sense.”
The Williams’ move from Convict Hill to Brushy Creek created a $2688.75 family fund, which may be viewed as a “charity checking account.” The Williams have the option to make donations online to charities of their choice. At the end of the year, they will receive a statement detailing their contributions for tax reporting.
The ability to continually give has made the reward of their move so much more than about just a house. “This is a Give Realty sponsored opportunity to build something for our family. The purchase of our house has become an outlet for longtime giving for our children,” said the Williams.
ACF agrees its services are customized for building traditions of charity and personal ties between the family and the community to which it is contributing. According to Ramsey, “It’s an excellent opportunity for donors to build upon the community infrastructure with their families. We build relationships with the family to make giving back easy.”
The process of finding a cause important to you is made easy with the guidance of ACF, as they manage more than 900 charitable funds. ACF works to make all of these diverse funds prosper so they can continuously flow back into the community, creating an ongoing cycle of giving. Read on for just a few examples of ACF funds and how you can contribute.
Three Ways to Help Austin Community Fund
1. Support the Central Texas Wildfire Fund. Financial contributions are needed for 500 children without a home in Bastrop County to provide basics and trauma counseling.
2. Support AISD and schools in response to cutbacks. The quality of our future depends on what we do now!
3. Support the Women’s Fund. These funds are directed to grants aiding women and children in a variety of ways, for example, insuring women have training for jobs that pay a living wage.
The Dennys Give the Gift of Recreation
“What a blessing!”
This was the response from Hill Country Christian School of Austin’s (HCCS) Head Master Bill McGee when he learned of the recent Give Realty gift to his school.
The $5002.50 contribution was made possible by Reggie and Debbie Denny’s move from the Woodlands to Austin. The Dennys are raising their granddaughter and were thrilled to be able to give to her new school.
“The school benefits not only the children and families who attend but they also address the needs of the community. Our donation will not only support the school our granddaughter attends, but also meet the needs of others,” said the Dennys.
The Denny’s donation is the first to HCCS’s 2011-12 annual fund and will be directed toward the purchase of new playground equipment and additions to the school’s recreational field. The school’s goal this year is $100,000 and McGee hopes the contribution made by Laurie Loew, founder and owner of Give Realty, will encourage others to also stand behind HCCS.
McGee’s surprise and excitement was not only in response to the monetary gift to his school, but also to Give Realty’s model.
“When we learned the gift was 25% percentage of Ms. Loew’s commission from selling the Denny’s home, we were amazed. We have never heard of a realtor giving back to the community in this manner,” said McGee.
HCCS is no stranger to giving back. The school serves nearly 500 students from pre-school to twelfth grade and aims to keep the school as accessible to as many socioeconomically diverse families as possible through tuition assistance and other programs. The goal of HCCS is to provide “a Christ-centered, classical, college-preparatory school to serve local families,” according to McGee.
Three Ways to Help Hill Country Christian School
1. Donate to the 2011-2012 Annual Fund. Help the school reach their $100,000 goal!
2. Contribute to the Legacy Scholarship Fund. This fund provides annual college scholarships to at least two HCCS graduates.
3. Support HCCS through United Way. Select HCCS as your charity of choice during your employer’s State Employee Charitable Campaign.
When you buy or sell a home, 25% of Give Realty’s commission is donated to the 501(c)3 nonprofit of the client’s choice. That’s right – YOU choose the recipient. Learn More
