Author: Heather Luecke

United Way for Greater Austin (UWATX) today kicked off a 3-month media campaign to inspire increased philanthropic giving in the local community. The campaign, which was created by local agency Creative Suitcase, will run September into early December and be seen in online and print advertising as well as on three CapMetro buses. One of the buses is a full-wrap making a dramatic and impactful impression on Austin’s roads. Bus routes of the wrapped buses are alternated over the three months to increase visibility across the city. Additionally, radio advertising will also be a part of the campaign. This campaign is possible due to in-kind contributions from media outlets, companies and organizations. 3M donated the materials, production and installation for the bus wraps; Creative Suitcase donated design hours; and Austin American-Statesman, KUT, Texas Tribune, The Austin Chronicle, CapMetro and Google have all contributed in-kind media space. All told the in-kind contributions making this campaign possible total more than $150,000. Russell Bridges, Government and Community Affairs Manager at 3M commented: “3M is pleased to be the market leader in many innovative materials, one being the product that makes these creative and impactful bus wraps possible. And we are particularly pleased to be able to offer our product and support the production and installation for a campaign here locally with United Way for Greater Austin.” He continued, “3M has a long history of philanthropic support worldwide for the communities in which it does business and we are proud to support United Way […]

On August 28, 2012 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) responded to an urgent “call to action” from United Way for Greater Austin (UWATX) and challenged other corporate citizens to do the same. In July, UWATX announced that it had to cut grant funding for a number of the local nonprofits it had supported in prior. When UWATX had to make cuts to their grants due to fundraising shortfalls they immediately put out a call-to-action to the community to increase giving to pre-recession levels. “The UWATX Board and staff were personally devastated that these cuts were necessary, and felt compelled to do all they could to help the affected agencies. They asked themselves: ‘What can we do?’” said Debbie Bresette, president of UWATX. “Several board members and staff made personal donations and others organized fundraisers. We also reached out to a great corporate citizen, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and asked them to respond to the call-to-action. And respond they did.” Because of its mission to improve wellness within its communities, BCBSTX pledged $100,000 to UWATX and designated their gift to help five local charitable organizations that support the health of children and senior citizens with $20,000.00 grants each. Agencies are: Any Baby Can, Austin Groups for the Elderly, Meals on Wheels and More, People’s Community Clinic, and Safeplace. “We work for a customer-owned company and we understand the commitment that nonprofits make to the people they serve,” said Bert Marshall, president of BCBSTX. “Helping others […]