It is a familiar story…come to Austin to attend UT, fall in love with the city and embrace it for the rest of your life. Carol Adams came to Austin in 1970, graduated with a degree In English, married the love of her life, Chris Adams, in 1982 and the powerful philanthropic couple has worked diligently to make this city all it can be. A non-profit consultant, Carol has served as the Development Director of the Paramount Theater, the Executive Director of Sharir dance Company and most recently as the Major gifts and Special Projects Manager for Zach Scott Theater, spearheading a major capital campaign. A dedicated animal welfare advocate, Carol joined the Board of Austin Animal Trustees, helped initiate the successful fundraiser held annually at Fonda San Miguel while expanding and developing the board. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees as well as Chairman of Petcasso. “ATA addresses so many worthwhile and necessary causes – the pet wellness clinic, spay and neuter programs, and the emergency fund which is designed to provide funds for traumatic needs such as unexpected surgery or treatment for a pet of those who are unable to afford the costs of a traumatic injury. In regard to Petcasso, what I am most proud of is that due to the generous support of our donors we give 85% of the proceeds from this event directly back to the organization.”

The Event: Petcasso-Art Extravaganza, Dinner and Auction March 1, 2009.

Dress: Casual Cocktail. The third annual animal art event will be held at the Dell Jewish Community Center and will feature a lavish buffet dinner by Crave, music by Meredith McCall, and a silent and live auction. The evening’s festivities will be emceed by Jim Spencer. With background music by Tony Airoldi and the South Texas Gypsies, animal artists and their companions strut their stuff on the runway while their creations are auctioned off all to support programs providing quality and affordable health care for animals of low income and homeless residents of Austin. Past celebrity participants include Sheryl Crow, Ray Benson and Sara Hickman. A standout work of art this year is a painting by the two horses of Gay Gaddis – sure to fetch a pretty price.

Bang For the Buck – The Organization and its Mission

ATA was founded in May of 1993 by concerned citizens desiring to help lost, abused and abandoned animals in Austin and surrounding counties and to end the crisis of animal overpopulation through sterilization. The organization has grown to include clinics for both wellness and spay/neuter services, provides several programs for animal welfare, and hosts several events throughout the year. Since March 1997, the Spay/Neuter Clinic has safely performed over 72,000 surgeries. Since its inception in June 2002, the Wellness Clinic has provided services to over 85,000 animals.

The Emergency Care Assistance Fund was created in response to the large number of animals in crisis coming to the ATA for help. In some cases these are owned animals brought in by their guardians desperate for help and knowing that they cannot pay for emergency treatment out of pocket. Others are animals brought into ATA by good Samaritans stopping to help animals injured on the road. In all cases, these animals would likely die without immediate intervention and because of our partnership with Austin Vet Care at Central Park and Animal Medical Center, they received all the care they needed. ATA special programs include 4PAWS, the Feral Cat Advocacy Project, Recovering Hearts and Saving Animal Lives. Petcasso 2008 raised more than $130,000 to support ATA’s two clinics, with more than 85% of the proceeds going directly to serve animals in need. For more information go to: www.animaltrustees.org Photo by Korey Howell PETCASSO

After 75 years of service, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) celebrates “the strength of women and the power of community.” Since its inception in 1934, the JLA has been committed to making a direct impact in Austin by promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
 

Through the combined efforts and generous support of the volunteers, partner agencies and donors the JLA is able to strengthen the Austin community. On an annual basis, the League contributes more than $1 million to the Austin community, and its members volunteer more than 100,000 hours to support 24 local nonprofit agencies and eight League programs. In addition to these incredible annual contributions, in 2005 the organization pledged gifts to be paid out over a five year period to two significant community endeavors: the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas and the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Beyond the donation of money and time, the JLA takes measures to perpetuate the positive impact of service, placing focus and energy in preparing its members for serving the community outside the League. The training members receive through their volunteer service with the League enables them to become positive agents of change in the community, serving as board and committee members in their businesses, schools and other nonprofit work. “As we take a look at everything The Junior League of Austin has done for the community over the last 75 years, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride,” said JLA President, Melissa Greenwood Morrow. “Taking time to appreciate the tremendous progress we’ve made since our beginning and the countless people and organizations we’ve impacted is profoundly inspiring. I can’t wait to see how this inspiration drives the League for the next 75 years.”

1930’s

February 9, 1934 – The Junior League of Austin was admitted to the Association of the Junior Leagues of America. Under the leadership of the first president, Gladys Greenlee Bowman, 50 members worked to form volunteer bureaus to recruit, train and place much-needed volunteers in the community. 1934 – The JLA selected its first undertaking, the Settlement Home, a facility that housed underprivileged children. Volunteers’ duties ranged from daily errands, to assisting in the clinic, and even serving as Board members. September 6, 1934 – The JLA opened the Thrift Shop, a venture designed to raise funds that supported other projects in the community. Just like today, members donated merchandise and volunteer hours each year.

1940’s:

1941-1945 – Like the rest of the nation, the JLA saw tremendous change when the U.S. entered WWII. War efforts consumed everyone’s volunteer time, but The Junior League of Austin continued to serve 12 civic agencies. 1945 – The successful radio program and award-winning JLA project, “Leather Breeches,” began as a Saturday morning series called “Books of Adventure” and evolved into a listening aid for public school teachers. The program won a National Radio Institute Award.

1950’s

1950-1954 – The fifties saw an increase in arts sponsorship by the JLA, including the Children’s Symphony Concerts, the Austin Symphony Orchestra and UT’s Fine Arts Department. 1954 – The first Charity Ball touted Johnny Long and his orchestra fresh from Meadowbrook, New Jersey, one of the nations top dance spots. Fundraising efforts associated with the ball nurtured local talent and even a future Broadway star: a tall, talented Texas by the name of Tommy Tune.

1960’s

1960 – With a growing membership, the JLA needed a home of its own to hold meetings and conduct business. The Texas Fine Arts Association offered The Gatehouse at Laguna Gloria Art Museum in west Austin. After an extensive renovation the Gatehouse became the JLA’s first headquarters. In the early 60’s the JLA’ s fundraisers netted record dollars. With an excess of funds in its coffers, the JLA created the “Project Funding Committee,” the precursor to today’s Researchers Committee, to look into local agencies and programs that would benefit from additional funding.

1970’s

The 1970’s marked the creation of the Grants Committee, a group of members that hosted training seminars in grant writing for nonprofit agencies – yet one more way to strengthen the community. 1976 – The JLA’s first cookbook, The Collection, was introduced to the public. November 1976 – “A Christmas Affair,” the JLA’s largest annual fundraiser, was first held at the Driskill Hotel. It has become the largest holiday marketplace of its kind in the country.

1980’s

May 16, 1983 – The JLA purchased the Square at Parkcrest as its permanent headquarters. Plans for renovations, leasing and fundraisers immediately ensued. 1984 – For its 50th Anniversary project, the JLA assisted in establishing Austin’s Ronald McDonald House.

1990’s

1991 – Alarmed at the high percentage of Hispanic girls who dropped out of high school, the JLA created the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program to educate and empower Hispanic girls to complete education and continue on to college. The college preparatory program serves girls in 6th through 12th grades. ***In 2007, the JLA officially launched the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program and successfully established Con Mi MADRE… Mothers and Daughters Raising Expectations – as an independent nonprofit in order to ensure additional growth to meet the growing needs of our local Hispanic community. 1994 – To commemorate its 60th Anniversary, the JLA committed to support the People’s Clinic, a nonprofit primary heath-care facility that serves low-income families. The JLA provided $250,000 over a three-year period that helped fund the construction of a new building and improved services. 1997 – Coats for Kids was adopted by the JLA when its original sponsoring agency could no longer commit the resources to continue this valuable service. From its inception, Coats for Kids has been an extremely touching and rewarding project for both volunteers and recipients.

The New Millennium

2001 – The JLA sponsored its first “Girl Fest,” an event that allowed girls of all ages to learn about programs throughout the community. The half-day event culminated with Space Shuttle astronaut, Mae Jemison, giving an inspirational talk on the infinite opportunities for women today. 2005 – The JLA pledged community gifts over a five year period to two important organizations in Austin: The Dell Children’s Medical Center of Austin and The Long Center for the Performing Arts.

“Charity gives you all four of those things,” he concludes.

There are three major categories of charitable organizations — private, corporate and community. The vast majority are private ones set up as nonprofit organizations and run by a board of trustees. Positions at most non-profits are highly coveted and difficult to get. Most who run them are experienced professionals and or administers with years of experience rising up the ranks to more senior roles.

People are always asking me how to transition into the non-profit sector, but rarely do they understand the true nature of working for such an organization. Yes, it is rewarding to work in a job that positively contributes to our community, but it is not a walk in the park. I believe that it is more demanding to work for a non-profit because you have limited staff and funds with which to operate and must rely on a dedicated staff of volunteers to help execute on programs. So often, it seems the organization is one donor shy of meeting their fundraising goals. However, if you feel passionate about a cause and are sick and tired of Corporate America, joining a non-profit may be the right choice for you. It is in these charitable-based organizations that you can feel true success at the deepest level.

Here are some strategies on how to make philanthropy your career:

Consider starting your own foundation. Charitable foundations are a prudent approach to managing your wealth, and this allows you the flexibility to donate to several different causes that interest you. Research, considering proposals and working with an accountant and lawyer can easily be a full-time job.

Look for positions at existing non-profits. Most jobs at non-profits pay below the competitive salary median and demand energy. Take your time and examine which causes really matter to you. Ask yourself, “How do you want to make a difference?” Your passion for the cause is what will make this job rewarding.

Start your own non-profit. Just like starting a business, clearly illustrate your cause on paper, pick a business name, and diligently prepare how you plan to execute your idea. You’ll need to examine the costs involved in start-up and maintenance. Do your due diligence by researching state and federal guidelines regulating non-profits, apply for applicable grants and loans, and work with experts to come up with a long-term growth strategy.

Provide Pro Bono Services. If you own your business or specialize in a specific trade or industry, providing your expertise and resources to a charitable cause is a great way to make philanthropy a part-time career. Many existing non-profits can’t afford legal fees, facility rental fees or to hire an expert staff to handle recruitment or marketing. There are millions of possibilities and ways to help. All it takes is a phone call.

Another topic that rises in any conversation about working for non-profits is salary. Salaries at non-profits are most often influenced by size the largest groups tend to offer the most generous compensation. Based on our knowledge of the Austin market, the median salary for a development professionals is around $70,000; the median salary for an executive director is around $115,000.

If you are looking to break into non-profit it could take awhile. The turnover rate tends to be very low; a major factor in employee loyalty is the small number of these jobs that are available in our small community. When these jobs are advertised, most people get a foot in the door because of networking with other people in the organization where they want to end up or they have volunteered for an extended amount of time. Whether it’s protecting animals, joining the green movement, helping children, furthering education, working for your church or contributing to the arts, everyone benefits when more people get involved in making a positive difference in our beloved community.