AUSTIN, Texas — More than a dozen media outlets in Austin are collaborating to host an all-day digital telethon on Friday, April 3, with all proceeds going to All Together ATX – a new philanthropic fund created to aid community relief efforts in Central Texas.
KVUE is proud to be working alongside nonprofits Austin Community Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin, as well as many other local media groups, to aid those impacted by the coronavirus in the Austin area. On-air and digital content on KVUE on Friday, April 3, will be filled with stories about the immediate needs in the community.
Funds raised will be distributed to local organizations working with people disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak. Funds will be distributed in a phased approach, focused first on the most affected and later on long-term recovery and sustainability for the nonprofit sector.
As of Friday evening, All Together ATX had already raised nearly $3.5 million thanks to more than 2,000 donors.
The Moody Foundation pledged a matching gift of $250,000, while J.P. Morgan donated $110,000 to the fund.
On Friday, Austin-based National Instruments announced it would pledge a matching gift of up to $1 million towards All Together ATX.
“We are honored to contribute to the All Together ATX Fund,” said Tabitha Upshaw, head of corporate responsibility at National Instruments. “As the name suggests, we are all in this together. So, we hope our matching grant will bring even more people together and encourage them to give in support of our community during this unprecedented time.”
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In the first phase, grants will focus on immediate needs, including food insecurity, basic needs, medical needs, employment and child care. The size of grants will range up to $25,000.
Applications are now open. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on April 10. Grants will be distributed electronically by May 1.
“Local media’s purpose is to serve the communities we broadcast in, and I’m so proud that during this challenging time, we are joining forces to raise funds for every person impacted by this health and economic crisis,” said Kristie Gonzales, KVUE president and general manager.
“Many individuals and families in Central Texas were already struggling with economic, social and health hardships before the COVID-19 outbreak shook our community and this crisis will only further widen the opportunity gap,” Mike Nellis, CEO of Austin Community Foundation, said. “For these reasons, Austin Community Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin are working to quickly deploy philanthropic capital to nonprofit organizations working on the frontlines by supporting local workers and families most affected by this pandemic.”
“For nearly 100 years, United Way for Greater Austin has been dedicated to those in our community who are suffering and creating an opportunity for all people, children and families,” said David C. Smith, CEO of United Way for Greater Austin. “The work we’ve been doing all along has prepared us for this moment. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented action. With children out of school, businesses temporarily closing and many workers out of work, your partnership and support is needed now more than ever. As we respond to this crisis, you can provide fellow community members with critical, immediate needs like emergency assistance, health services, child care and food.”
You can donate here.
Media outlets participating in the all-day digital telethon are:
- Media ATX
- Austin American-Statesman
- Austin Business Journal
- Austin Radio Network (KOKE-FM 98.5/99.3-FM, The Horn 104.9/101.9-FM/AM-1260, 105.3 The Bat)
- Austin Monitor
- Giving City Austin
- KLRU
- KTBC FOX 7 Austin
- KUT
- KVUE
- KXAN
- Radio.com (KKMJ/Majic 95.5, KAMX/Mix 94.7, KKMJ-F3 /Hot 95.9, KJCE/Talk 1370)
- Spectrum News
Media outlets interested in participating in this effort should contact KVUE at marketing@kvue.com.
About All Together ATX
In an effort to support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin Community Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin have partnered to create All Together ATX. This community-led philanthropic fund will provide flexible resources to nonprofit organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak.