I Live Here, I Give Here is inspiring Austinites to give their money as generously as they do their time.

I Live Here, I Give Here

The Need

Austin volunteers donate a lot of hours to Nonprofits. But the needs of many Austinites aren’t currently being met. So, how can you help?

Learning to Give

The needs of a community can be overwhelming. With so many obstacles, where do you get started on a pathway to philanthropy?

Community of Giving

Make giving part of your everyday life. See our Calendar for upcoming events, including The BIG Give! Learn how to incorporate giving into your lifestyle.

Community Spotlight — Spotlighting Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.

The annual household income needed for a family of four to afford to live in the Austin area is $50,000. Yet jobs that pay well below that are the fastest growing segment of Austin’s job market. In fact, the majority of people moving to work in Austin will earn an annual income of $29,000 or less. Today, 18.4 percent of Austinites live in poverty – including more than 50,000 children who simply don’t have enough money to cover their basic needs.

From The Blog

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When Donations Ignite Controversy

You’d have to be hiding under a proverbial nonprofit rock not to have seen last week’s furor over the Susan G. Komen For the Cure organization’s decision to cut (and then restore) funding to Planned Parenthood. Splashed all over Facebook, Twitter, the news, and the blogosphere are polarizing opinions about…

Austin is ranked 48th out of the 50 largest US cities in per capita giving.

66% of Austinites feel uninformed about the issues.

89% say they would give to a specific need in the community.

Learn To Give to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.

How many times do you feel moved by an issue or problem, but don’t know how to help? Do you ever feel you want to give, but won’t be able to give enough to make a difference? Perhaps you’ve heard of a nonprofit organization but don’t know enough about their operations to trust them with your precious money.

These are common obstacles people face every day when considering how, when, and how much to give to a Nonprofits. I Live Here, I Give Here is committed to help you answer these questions and to connect you with nonprofits that focus on the issues you care about.

We educate you about the specific needs and demands of the community. We enable you to discover the causes you’re most passionate about. We encourage you to engage in the true benefits of intentional giving. We are ready to connect you with the needs in Austin!

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When Donations Ignite Controversy

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Let's Talk Admin Fees

For my final blog post, I thought I'd go ahead and tackle a tricky subject. In the fundraising world there's a bit of contention around the subject of administrative fees. On one hand, with the best of intentions, donors often earmark their money to go directly to the programs that…

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Make Giving a Part of Your Life

Growing up, we’re taught to treat others as we’d like to be treated. As adults with busy lifestyles, we strive to uphold that simple idea, to take care of others as well as we take care of our families and ourselves. The most rewarding thing we can do for ourselves is to take care of others. To make philanthropy an ingrained part of your lifestyle benefits our neighbors and our community, but also, the gifts we receive in return far outweigh what we give.

The best way to incorporate giving into your lifestyle is to set up a budget that includes philanthropy. With dedicated funds, the next step is deciding where and how to put the money to work. As you examine the possibilities, we urge you to consider the Nonprofits that speak to you personally, and focus your giving there.

We know you’ll find the most reward in giving to the places that touch your heart. I Live Here, I Give Here’s ultimate goal is to connect your passion with the places that need it the most.

This Month’s Featured Donor

Every month we feature a prominent philanthropist from the Austin area. This month’s Featured Donor is Eileen Van Den Berg. Find out more…

Events this week:

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Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Generous Art Studio Sale Featuring Emily Moores : 3:00 pm @ Texas French Bread Support local artists and SafePlace! Generous Art is hosting a studio sale on February 5, 2012 to present the work of Emily Moores. There will be art for guests to view as well as refreshments provided. The event is free and open to the public. The studio sale will help Emily raise money to attend a residency at the Vermont Studio Center in March. Keeping in line with Generous Art's mission, 40 percent of the proceeds from the sale will also benefit a charity of the buyer's choice. For more info about Emily, the event and her art visit: http://www.generousart.org/blog/2012/1/emily-moores-studio-sale More Information: http://www.safeplace.org/page.aspx?pid=183 Get directions Austin Lyric Opera presents: Lucia di Lammermoor: 3:00 pm @ The Long Center for the Performing Arts A tale of superlative passion. Caught in a blood feud and deceived by her brother to give up the man she loves, Lucia is driven to murder and madness. See Donizetti’s dramatic Lucia di Lammermoor, a thrilling masterpiece of classic Italian opera famous for its “mad scene” that has made the careers of some of opera’s greatest voices. International star soprano Lyubov Petrova shines in the legendary title role. Check online for additional details and ticket information. This is the last performance so come out and enjoy a Sunday afternoon at the theater! More Information: https://ev6.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=LUCIA&linkID=alo&shopperContext;=&caller;=&appCode;= Get directions see more	Free Women's Self-Defense Class: 7:00 pm @ Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy In response to the recent attacks against women, the Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy is offering two months of free two-hour women's self-defense classes. Ages 16 and up. Fill out the form on its website to sign up. More Information: http://www.txkungfu.com/ Get directions "All About Love" Fundraiser: 5:00 pm @ "The Quarries" - Lakeside Grill/Terrace The proceeds go to beginning a highly effective & intensive domestic abuse / anger management curriculum for both men & women. This program has a 90-95% success rate across the country! Let's help stop the cycle of destructive anger, dysfunction, & abuse in Central Texas! Join us for dinner, wedding cake, music, & family time. Everyone (singles, engaged, married, kids) welcome! All the married attendees will have a chance to renew their vows publically too. GET TICKETS on website listed here! (Early Bird Special Ticket Pricing NOW until Feb 19th - so purchase now) More Information: http://allaboutlove.charityhappenings.org Get directions Baby Bloomers: 12:00 pm @ Austin Children's Museum Baby Bloomers is a program for children ages three and under and their caregivers. On Monday mornings, the Museum is open exclusively for this age group only. Discover the Museum's exhibits in a relaxed atmosphere with other families with small children and enjoy special programming designed specifically for babies and toddlers, such as Little Explorers Lab, Storytime and Sing-a-long. More Information: http://www.austinkids.org/Calendar.aspx?trumbaEmbed=view=event&eventid=88240558 Get directions Austin Job Fair: 11:00 am @ Holiday Inn Austin Midtown Coast-to-Coast Career Fairs is hosting a Job Fair in Austin on Monday, February 6, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Austin Midtown. Some of the area’s top local employers, who will be hiring for hundreds of positions. Anyone in the community who is looking for work is encouraged to attend this FREE Job Fair. More Information: http://www.coasttocoastcareerfairs.com/employers/career_fairs/details/TX/Austin/February/6/2012/ Get directions see more	Parent Education Workshops: 6:00 pm @ Austin Child Guidance Center ACGC is pleased to offer a new series of FREE workshops to the community on a variety of topics. Workshops will be held in the evenings of the 1st Tuesday of the month (childcare will be provided). Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 6-7:30 pm Protect your Children from Bullying Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 6-7:30 pm Improving Communications With Your Teenager *DATE TBD Managing Meltdowns: Strategies for Tempering Tantrums If you find yourself frustrated, at a loss for words and actions, this workshop will provide a no-nonsense, step-by-step approach to improving relationships in your house. These techniques are for parents committed to raising great kids without resorting to discredited, harmful, pain-and-fear-based methods of the past, while deepening your bond with your child(ren), and increasing cooperation. These skills will also help you communicate more effectively with everyone in your life, including your partner, boss, friends, coworkers, etc. When you change your approach to how you communicate with people, they often change their behavior (for the better!). More Information: http://www.austinchildguidance.org/services/workshops/ Get directions Festival Fever: Major events and thier impact: 7:30 am @ The Long Center for the Performing Arts Engage Breakfast Series: Program VI- Austin is considered a destination city for good reason. Our reputation as a city of ideas and the Live Music Capital of the World attracts more than 17 million people every year to events such as the Austin City Limits Music Festival, UT football, SXSW, and soon, Formula One Racing. What are the pros and cons of being a magnet for these experiences? Is there a trade-off between the major economic impact these events create and our quality of life? Join our expert panel, moderated by KXAN News Anchor Shannon Wolfson, for an engaging, interactive discussion on "Festival Fever." Panelists: Hugh Forrest - Event Director, SXSW Interactive Festival Lisa Hickey - Festival Marketing Director, C3 Presents Geoff Moore - Chief Marketing and Sales Manager, Circuit of the Americas Jon Roberts - Principal, TIP Strategies More Information: http://www.leadershipaustin.org/ Get directions see more	Shoah: The Unseen Interviews: 7:00 pm @ Alamo Drafthouse South The AJFF and the Austin Film Society (AFS) present Shoah: The Unseen Interviews in a partnership for Holocaust education called Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project. This project promotes the protection of human rights against bigotry and hate through arts, education and public dialogue. Unseen Interviews showcases aspects of historical witnesses’ lives – their families, the will to survive, attempts to alert the world to the Nazi genocide and to rescue Europe’s remaining Jews. The film is compiled from footage shot in the course of making Director Claude Lanzmann’s monumental documentary, Shoah, but not used in that film. More Information: http://shalomaustin.org/page.aspx?pid=1016 Get directions Sounding Together: 100 Years of the Austin Symphony: 10:00 am @ Austin History Center In April of 1911 the Austin Symphony Orchestra played its first public concert at the Hancock Opera House. To celebrate the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s Centennial year, the Austin History Center presents a new exhibit Sounding Together: 100 Years of the Austin Symphony. The exhibit will be on display in the Grand Hallway and Lobby of the Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe Street, from September 13, 2011 to February 12, 2012. More Information: http://www.austinlibrary.com/ahc/ Get directions see more	The Free Fringe: 10:00 pm @ Hideout Theatre I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the Austin improv scene is bursting with creativity. There are hundreds of performers, and every single one of them is prone to saying things like “Wouldn’t it be crazy if…?” or “I just had the most insane idea.” This is where those dreams go, not to die, but to live gloriously on the stage for one night only. Every week will be dramatically different. There could be shows with improvisers tied up in rope, 50 performers onstage, blindfolded actors, improvising dogs, or 1000 other things. Each show will be anchored and presided over by the duo Firth & Arjet, featuring Kristin Firth and Jessica Arjet (co-owner of The Hideout). THE FREE FRINGE IS FREE. FOREVER. Reserve your tickets in advance to guarantee yourself a spot. More Information: http://www.hideouttheatre.com/shows/thefreefringe Get directions Arts & Drafts: 7:00 pm @ Rio Rita Every Thursday finds some of Austin's coolest novice and expert crafters enjoying a night of crafting, food and cocktails! Any and all crafts are welcomed!! Needle arts, knitting, sewing, crocheting, jewelry making, beading, book making, spinning, weaving, basket making, origami. Work on your favorite art or craft or come out and learn a new one. All projects are welcome (unless they involve fire). Come join us and make new friends or meet up with old ones. More Information: http://www.riorita.net/ Get directions NICU Support Group: 6:00 pm @ St. David’s Medical Center Join Hand to Hold’s Family Support Navigator, Erika Goyer, for an ongoing NICU Support Group on Thursday, February 9th at St. David’s Medical Center from 6-7pm. A pizza dinner will be provided at no charge. Find out more by visiting our website today! More Information: http://handtohold.org/news/events/ Get directions Building Community: 10:00 am @ United Way Capital Area Youth Program Workshop Series: This lively workshop introduces participants to numerous community- building and relationship-building activities. More Information: http://www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/ Get directions Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Social Media Marketing Workshop: 8:00 am @ Holiday Inn Midtown Join the GAHCC and our Social Media Ambassadors in learning the top online marketing and social media practices. The GAHCC's panelists will select two small business that will have their current online and social media presence reviewed as a case study from which both they and our audience can learn the top online marketing best practices. This event is free to the general public. More Information: http://www.gahcc.org Get directions see more	CL 1000P (Round 2): 8:00 pm @ The Off Center CL1000P is an interactive puzzle for the stage inspired by alternative reality games and the imaginary world built by the Brontës. This sneak peek workshop production from Rude Mechs will introduce and explore some ideas we've been working with: audience mobility through the piece, audience opt-in interaction, puzzles, mystery, and acting within acting. We're looking for your feedback: what's interesting, what's annoying, where should we go from here as we work toward a full production in May? Come play with us, have a drink, some marshmallows or popcorn, and let us know how to we can make the play of your dreams. Ticket information and additional details can be found on the website! More Information: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/219933 Get directions Teen Group: 7:00 pm @ YMCA The DSACT Teen Group is a social group for teens with Down syndrome between the ages of 13-20. We meet on the second Friday of each month from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at a local YMCA to build social skills, have fun with friends, and dance. A recreational therapist facilitates the group. Parents are welcome to stay or drop their teen and return. There are also community outings for typical teen activities like swimming, bowling, and going to movies. We welcome new members! Please email Suzanne Shepherd at suzshepherd@sbcglobal.net to have your teen join this group. More Information: http://www.dsact.com/index.html Get directions Veronica Sheaffer Trunk Show: 10:00 am @ Unbridaled Veronica Sheaffer’s Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 bridal collections will be presented at Unbridaled in Austin. This event will mark the designer’s first-ever trunk show and the first opportunity for brides to shop the label outside of Chicago. Using fine Italian trimmings and dotted swiss in abundance, Sheaffer marries old-fashioned sweetness with modern individuality. From a gown of silk voile to a flirty cocktail dress, each look is a study in femininity and refinement. Only the finest silk fabrics are used and each piece is handmade in Chicago. Please contact Unbridaled to schedule an appointment. Refer to the website for additional show dates and times. Admission is free to the general public. More Information: http://www.vsgowns.com/#!__events Get directions see more	Guitars Under The Stars with Eliot Fisk: 6:30 pm @ One World Theatre Imagine… Valentine’s Day weekend, valet parking at one of Aus- tin’s premiere, breathtaking venues, gorgeous tables, a spectacular dinner and open bar, with one of the greatest guitarists of all time waiting to perform just up the stone and iron-work staircase… all for a great cause. ACGS has transformed school-based classi- cal guitar education in Austin. Thousands of young people have connected with music in school for the first time as a result. Sup- port this award-winning program at Guitars Under the Stars, and allow us to say a personal “Thank you” at Austin’s most elegant Valentine’s Day gala. All tickets are $125.00, and dress attire is cocktail. More Information: http://www.austinclassicalguitar.org/ Get directions CASAblanca 2012 Gala and Benefit Auction: 6:00 pm @ Hyatt Regency Austin 6:00 - Casino, Silent Auction & Open Cocktail Hour 7:30 - Cuisine by Executive Chef Javier Ortiz 8:00 - Program: Recognizing Gigi Bryant, Live Auction & Fund-a-Need 9:30 - Music by Vendetta Big Band, Casino & Silent Auction Resume Black Tie Attire More Information: http://www.casatravis.org/events/casablanca Get directions Sweetheart Scramble 2012: 1:00 pm @ Harvey Penick Golf Campus The First Tee of Greater Austin's 2012 Sweetheart Scramble is open to all couples who want to come out and play! The Sweetheart Scramble Tournament, held at the The First Tee of Greater Austin's Harvey Penick Golf Campus, is a great way to tune up your golf game for the Spring and spend some time with your significant other or good friend! The Sweetheart Scramble is scheduled for February 11th and it will be a scramble format to be fun for everyone! The field is limited to 27 teams, and only 18 can ride, so register early. Cost: $35/team to walk $45/team to ride *Entry fee includes greens fees, warm-up time, practice balls, beverages and prizes! More Information: http://www.thefirstteeaustin.org/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp Get directions The Austin Flea: 11:00 am @ Highball Austin Join us for the next Austin Flea on Saturday, February 11th from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the fabulous Highball on S. Lamar. The Flea features all local handmade items and vintage wares from some of Austin's most amazing and talented vendors. Expect to find one of a kind gifts for any occasion including jewelry, glasswork, clothing, artwork, cards, purses, woodwork and so much more!. Entrance to the event is FREE and open to all ages! More Information: http://www.austinflea.net/ Get directions Hornsby Bend Monthly Bird Count: 7:00 am @ 2210 South FM 973, Austin, TX This event is sponsored monthly by the Hornsby Bend Bird Conservatory. All levels of birders are welcome and no registration is required. Contact Eric Carpenter at ecarpe@gmail.com for more information. Survey birds in the morning and/or join the die-hards in the afternoon to search for birds missed earlier. More Information: Get directions see more