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.

Why We’re Here

I Live Here, I Give Here’s mission is to deepen and expand the culture of personal philanthropy by inspiring Central Texans to invest more money in our community. We educate and connect individuals and non-profits so more Central Texans experience the personal benefit of increased philanthropy.

Did you know Austin is ranked 48th out of the 50 largest cities in the nation in per capita charitable giving?

Austin is a vibrant city with a personality all its own. The people are passionate, driven, and generous volunteers of their time and talent. But that’s not enough. The biggest problem facing Austin Nonprofits is there is not enough money.

For a city so involved in protecting its natural habitats and native small businesses, the nonprofit needs of Austin should be equally met. But the severe shortage of funds for Nonprofits hurts the community every day.

This is where I Live Here, I Give Here steps in. Our main purpose is to connect people like YOU with the issues you care about and the Nonprofits that support them.

I Live Here, I Give Here is proud of the work we have accomplished since our launch in 2007. We connect the people of Austin with the causes they care about.

We partner with nonprofit groups so they can be more accessible to you. We spotlight specific needs in Austin every month to let you know how you can help.

Please check out our Programs and get to know our Board Members and Staff!



How Are We Doing?

Are you human? Prove it. How much is 6 + 1

The BIG Give — Recognizing Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.

Nominate the 2013 BIG Giver!


You did it, Austin! $2.8 Million in 24 hours

Featured Donors:
The following people give thoughtfully and repeatedly to Austinites in need

I Live Here, I Give Here

Rusty Morrison - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.

Rusty Morrison

Rusty Morrison is our Donor of the Month! A familiar name, you say? We were honored to recognize Rusty as our 2012 Big Giver last September, when Austin's Boys and Girls Club nominated Rusty for his years of service to them.

His tireless work and passion for our community was again highlighted by his involvement in Amplify Austin as Rusty finished the 24-hour campaign as our most successful individual fundraiser, raising $11,326 for his favorite charity - the Boys and Girls Club of the Austin Area! 

Every month, I Live Here, I Give Here will select a philanthropist from the Austin area and entitle them: I LIVE HERE, I GIVE HERE’S FEATURED DONOR! Bum-bum-bum! (we figured this idea was so big that it needed its own theme music, no?) We will then carefully paste a photographic representation of the Featured Donor’s glorious face on the homepage of our website (and up above), and then dote on how wonderful they are for an entire month! At the end of said month of doting and face-pasting, we will carefully place their profile, face and all, into our Hall of Fame, so that generations to come can, at any time they choose, look back on those that have made this amazing city a little better and its future a lot brighter.

To find out how you can improve your own personal philianthropy, please take a look at our programs below. A good place to start is our Community Spotlight Conversation that we host monthly, where community leaders and experts lead thoughtful discussion about the issues effecting Austin. If you feel ready to jump in right now and start giving, hop straight to over to our find your Nonprofit widget, and start giving!

Previous Featured Donors:

Laura and Patrick Hotze - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.
Laura and Patrick Hotze

Members of The Junior League of Austin since 2008, Laura and Patrick chose to dedicate their time to The Junior League's Community Placement Program, helping older adults maintain and improve their quality of life. By providing rides to these individuals when needed, the Hotze's had the opportunity to visit with the program's clients, creating lasting relationships. After directly witnessing the positive impact of The Junior League's work, Laura and Patrick decided to become financially invested in The Junior League of Austin as routine donors. To the Hotze's, who purposefully tithe, The Junior League of Austin is an organization worthy of their dollars. 

Ben Vaughan - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.
Ben Vaughan

For many years, Ben Vaughan has actively supported Volunteer Legal Services, offering his legal services on a pro bono basis to low-income members of the Austin community. He not only financially supports their mission, but utilizes his skillset to help the organization. Mr. Vaughan has been instrumental in seeking out new donors, providing valuable feedback and making a huge impact in the organization. 

Alison Silverstein - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.
Alison Silverstein

Alison Silverstein serves on the HAAM Benefit Day committee, playing a critical role as trainer for over 200 volunteers. She is also the finance director for HAAM Benefit Day, making sure that donations are handled appropriately. Alison advocates for HAAM in the community, both with musicians who she encourages to enroll and with potential donors who she cultivates through her enthusiastic promotion of HAAM. Alison is invested in HAAM at all levels and is willing to do any job asked no matter how big or small and does so cheerfully. Alison is one of HAAM’s most generous donors, but it is the time and talent that she shares that sets her apart. 

Craig Hester - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.
Craig Hester

Since 2005, Craig Hester has been a generous donor to the Long Center for the Performing Arts. He volunteered as the Long Center's Corporate Council Chair, where he successfully engaged corporate support.  Mr. Hester donates his time and talent by offering pro-bono investment advisory services for how to best invest endowment funds. As Chair of our Board of Trustees, he helped develop a strategic planning process that led to refined mission statement and a re-energized spirit of collaboration with other arts groups. He’s been a vocal advocate and he’s always willing to help, whether it’s giving a speech to party guests or taking a visiting artist hunting on his ranch. 

Ann Palmer - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.
Ann Palmer

For the past 10 years, Ann Palmer has worked with energy and enthusiasm helping Trinity Child Development Center writing grants, sharing the cause, helping out at the annual fundraiser and collecting items for the children. Ann is a driving force in keeping the doors to the organization open. Her undying belief in, and passion for the work Trinity Child Development Center does has been a steadfast, positive force.

Jim Taylor - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.
Jim Taylor

Jim Taylor is an advocate for the Austin State Hospital Volunteer Service Council's mission to enrich the lives of children and adults receiving treatment for mental illness. He has brought much needed attention to the challenges and triumphs of people who suffer from a mental illness and he has helped erase the negative stigma that surrounds mental illness. Jim’s commitment to the organization has had an incredible impact. His personal level of involvement spans from board membership to solicitation of sponsorships, volunteering and beyond! 

Eileen Van Den Berg - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.
Eileen Van Den Berg

Helping Hand Home for Children created an award especially inspired by Ms. Eileen.  It's called the Eileen Van Den Berg Volunteer of the Year Award and will annually recognize one volunteer or group who embodies the spirit of commitment and generosity she has brought to the Helping Hand Home community.  She has truly dedicated her life to helping children, healing one heart at a time. 

Hal Meyer - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.
Hal Meyer

Upon retiring, Hal gave his time and talents to Any Baby Can as a Board President, where he was instrumental in helping Any Baby Can form a partnership with the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Program. Hal also helped the organization form the Angel Society, a multi-year pledge program in which donors make financial commitments from $1,200 to $25,000 per year. As one of ABC's first Angel Society members, Hal has helped increase the agency's ability to serve our community's youngest, sickest and poorest children and their families.

Steve Fenoglio - Featured Donor to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.
Steve Fenoglio

Steve Fenoglio has been championing The Arc of the Capital Area for 24 years! He is a tireless advocate for people with disabilities and he provides The Arc with countless hours of expertise. He supports the agency with money, with time, with treasure and with a commitment that is so inspiring to everyone at The Arc. Steve became a volunteer at The Arc in 1987, as a financial advocate for one of their adult clients in the Citizen Advocacy Program. He then joined the Program Advisory Committee, then the Board of Directors, where he served for 10 years, three as Board Chair. He also serves on The Arc's Bingo Management Team.

Our Programs

Give Back Jack — Inspiring Men to Give to Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.

Visit with Austin’s most influential men, and enjoy an evening out while you learn how you too can make a difference in your community.

See Jane Give — Inspiring Women to Give Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.

Get motivated by our highly accomplished and inspiring women speakers! Network and mingle with like-minded women who love being involved in the community.

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

Every month we highlight a specific problem in Austin. Learn in-depth insights from area experts by viewing our videos and reading our monthly issue paper.

The BIG Give — Recognizing Charities and Nonprofit Organizations in Austin, TX.

The ultimate celebration for Austin’s most deserving Nonprofits! Join our annual party that celebrates the act of giving and receiving.

Amplify Austin — Our Big Day of Giving in Austin

Austin is a great place to live, but we want to make it the best place that gives. Join us for our annual day of giving and help raise $1 million in 24-hours!

Austin Involved

If you’ve wanted to give back to Austin but you didn’t think you had enough time or money, or you didn’t know where to start, now you can. Join Austin Involved!

Thanks to I Live Here, I Give Here® Sponsors

International Paper University Federal Credit Union
Hill+Knowlton

98 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 1200, Austin, Texas 78701
© copyright 2010 I Live Here, I Give Here
web design and video production by invenio