Texanthropy Spotlight

Texanthropy Spotlight: Amplify Austin

It’s that time of year again in Austin for the annual fundraising extravaganza known as Amplify Austin! There are hundreds of Central Austin nonprofits participating in Amplify Austin this year, and your dollars go even further than you think because many of the monetary donations are matched by generous businesses and individuals. Through Amplify Austin, millions of dollars have been raised for local nonprofits – $35 million since the first campaign in 2013.

Texanthropy Spotlight: Granite Properties, Inc. – 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Award Winner

The 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Award Winner for Corporate Community Impact by a Small Business is Granite Properties, Inc., a commercial real estate development and investment firm. This award recognizes a small business that has made community engagement a priority, whether it is through employee volunteer programs, making community service as a core value and business strategy, or other ways. Founded in Dallas and later expanding to Houston and across the nation, since 1991 Granite Properties has had growing servant leaders as an integral part of its corporate fabric.

Texanthropy Spotlight: Tony Smith – 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Award Winner

Another week, another 2017 GVA winner! Today’s Texanthropy Spotlight is Tony Smith, the Service to Veteran’s Award winner. This award recognizes an individual or organization that focuses on providing needed programs or services to meet the needs of military-connected families or individuals.

Texanthropy Spotlight: Fort Bend Education Foundation – 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Award Winner

The Fort Bend Education Foundation was the 2017 winner of the Governor’s Volunteer Award for Partners in Education, and the Foundation is also the subject of this week’s Texanthropy Spotlight! The Partners in Education Award recognizes an individual or group that demonstrates measurable impact on a recognized need within a public, charter or parochial school by implementing ideas and solutions to further educational goals for students.

Texanthropy Spotlight: David Godwin – 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Award Winner

This week we’ll continue to highlight the winners of the 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Awards by spotlighting David Godwin, the Governor’s Lone Star Achievement Award winner. This award recognizes the exemplary service of an individual who has volunteered for a minimum of 15 years. Houstonian David Godwin is a retired volunteer and humanitarian, but David’s service doesn’t appear to match that of someone who considers themselves retired.

Texanthropy Spotlight: Micah Pinson – 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Award Winner

This week’s Spotlight is on the winner of the 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Award titled the “First Lady’s Rising Star Award”. This award honors an individual 18 years or younger for their service to their community. Micah Pinson wanted to find a way to give back to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, the hospital that has helped him over the years with a hand deformity. So in 2011, at the age of seven, Micah conceived a community service project that today stands as the largest single toy donation for the hospital.

Texanthropy Spotlight: Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America originated in 1992 with one man’s generous effort to remember veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. Each year on Wreaths Across America Day, coordinated wreath-laying ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

Texanthropy Spotlight: Giving Tuesday

Today is Giving Tuesday! Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (and Black Friday and Cyber Monday) Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving to kick off the charitable holiday season.