Dripping Springs organizations welcome annual day of giving now more than ever

I Live Here I Give Here is gearing up for its 9th annual Amplify Austin Day on Thursday, March 4 through Friday, March 5. Several Dripping Springs organizations and businesses are participating in the day of giving. This 24-hour generosity event provides an easy and fun way for the entire community to give together, building a transformative, collective impact for more than 675 local nonprofits spanning seven central Texas counties, including Hays.

"Amplify Austin Day always feels vital and important, but especially so against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic and February's devastating winter storms,” Courtney Manuel, CEO of I Live Here I Give Here said. “Our nonprofit sector is working overtime this year to meet the extraordinary needs of our community. On this special day, if we all come together to give as little as $5 each, we will collectively make a transformational impact on Central Texas."

Over the past eight years, Amplify Austin Day has raised $69 Million in critical unrestricted funds for the nonprofit sector. According to their website, on Amplify Austin Day, every organization receives matching dollars provided by generous sponsors. Nonprofits also have the opportunity to win grand prizes, early giving prizes, and hourly prizes. The more donations a nonprofit organization receives on Amplify Austin Day, the more extra funds the nonprofit organization is awarded, providing extra operational funding to underwrite their community programming. Donors have the power to help their causes secure those extra funds.

Jenifer Young, Physical Therapist, Founder and CEO of RED Arena says the matching funds will truly help this year. “We are always grateful for the corporate matching that goes through Amplify, it definitely incentivises donors when their company matches their donation,” Young said. “Our goal is to raise $10,000 through Amplify this year to help us complete the covered arena currently under construction. We are excited because we have also been approved for a $300,000 challenge grant for this new arena, so Amplify donations could potentially be tripled with corporate matching and the challenge grant.” RED Arena’s mission is to empower individuals with disabilities through horses.

“The added stressors caused by the pandemic, economic hardships, and the terrible weatherrelated events have had a devastating impact on so many of our vulnerable neighbors who lack the support and resources needed to stay afloat,” Chrystal Smith, founder of Foster Village said. “We have seen this to be especially true in our child welfare system. Events like Amplify ATX are a great opportunity for us to unite as a community and bridge the many gaps for those in need of help.” Foster Village is a non-profit designed to support and serve local foster families.

Several other Dripping Springs area organizations are also participating in Amplify Austin Day, and a full list can be found at www.amplifyatx.org.