The team behind Amplify Austin Day 2020 wants to see over 31,000 people come together to raise over $12 million for Central Texas nonprofits. Such a feat sounds difficult to achieve, but the Austin community has set massive fundraising records before.
Here’s all you need to know to participate yourself.
What Is Amplify Austin Day?
The two words Chief Operations Officer Lindsay Muse would use to describe Amplify Austin Day are “collective generosity.” This initiative sees the entire community pulling together for hundreds of Central Texas nonprofits in the span of a mere 24 hours. And it’s all online!
Amplify Austin was initially launched in 2013 and $2.1 million was contributed. Since then, this event has grown tremendously. Last year in 2019, the community raised more than $11.2 million on Amplify Austin Day.
The event has raised over $57 million dollars total since it first began. All of the funding is distributed by I Live Here I Give Here, a local nonprofit organization with the mission to make Central Texas the most generous community in the nation.
Get Involved in Amplify Austin Day
Community members interested in participating can go online to donate to their favorite nonprofits, and even get involved with peer-to-peer fundraisers by creating a personal fundraising page to share with friends, family, and colleagues.
This year’s Amplify Austin Day will take place from 6 p.m. on March 5, 2020, to 6 p.m. on March 6. But that’s not all. There are additional activities and events taking place before and during Amplify Austin Day to get the community excited!
- Amplify Williamson Kick-Off Event – March 4, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Amplify Austin Mission Control – March 5, 6 to 10 p.m.
- WE RUN THIS TOWN Community Fun Run and Party – March 5, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
You can see all of the upcoming events by checking out the I Live Here, I Give Here Facebook page.
Turning a Small Team Into a Community Effort
“Creating a movement like Amplify Austin Day takes a village,” says Senior Manager of Nonprofit and Customer Relations Christine Herlin. “I Live Here I Give Here is a small but mighty eight-person team committed to ensuring that generosity is prevalent across our seven-county region.”
Amplify Austin Day wouldn’t happen without the assistance of additional supporters: the I Live Here, I Give Here Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers from both I Live Here, I Give Here and the community, interns, and advisory council members. Together, this team facilitates giving from over 31,000 people within the 24 hours of Amplify Austin.
Amplify Austin Day is also made possible by supporters within the community: sponsors, local businesses, media partners, and community members. “Perhaps even more vital to the campaign is the way that the Central Texas nonprofit community has wrapped its arms around the Amplify Austin Day effort,” Herlin shared. “Their belief in us and belief in Amplify Austin Day is what makes our village, and this campaign, successful.”
A Lasting Impact
Once Amplify Austin is over, the participating nonprofits are able to put donated funds to good use and share impact stories with I Live Here, I Give Here and the community, something that fills Muse’s heart with joy. Some of the impact stories include:
- 1.5 million meals for a food bank
- 4 years of breast milk for infants
- 600 pets find their forever homes
- Free summer admission to arts activities
“The power of collective giving on this one day generates an impact that lasts for decades to come,” Muse said.
This year’s Amplify Austin Day has a goal to raise $12 million. If you’re interested in learning more about the initiative or finding a nonprofit to donate to, make sure to check out the Amplify Austin website.
@theAustinot wants to know:
Who will you be supporting on March 5 during Amplify Austin Day 2020?