With the United States economy continuing to work its way back from decline, nonprofit organizations across the country, including those in Central Texas, continue to feel the sting of budget cuts and decreased funding. In fact, a recent study conducted by the Nonprofit Research Collaborative found that 65 percent of charities reported an increased demand for their services in 2011 while just 41 percent saw increased fundraising results.
To alleviate funding needs, charities in the Austin area are now invited to apply for the $100,000 Humana Communities Benefit charitable grant in Austin, sponsored by health benefits provider Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM). Entering its second year in Austin, the Humana Communities Benefit program awards a one-time, $100,000 grant annually to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Central Texas focused on improving health experiences or building healthy communities.
Applications from eligible nonprofit organizations in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis or Williamson County are being accepted now through July 27. Organizations will be considered in the operational areas of childhood health and education, health literacy and services or intergenerational health. Following a selection process by a panel of local judges, the 2012 grant winner will be announced at a celebratory event on Oct. 25.
More information on the application and the grant are available at www.Humana.com/HCB. Questions can also be directed to Humana by e-mail to HCBAustin@Humana.com.
Hill Country Healthcare Networking Group
The Hill Country Healthcare Networking Group will be meeting Thursday, June 21st 4PM-6PM. This particular meeting will be open to Austin providers and vendors as well. Evite will be coming soon. New Fun venue "The Barn at Bell Springs" in Dripping Springs.
If you are interested, please contact Ann Passino, Director of Business Development and Admissions at Hill Country Care Healthcare and Rehabilitation(512) 858-5624.
ROTARY CLUB OF DRIPPING SPRINGS
Who among you got a chance to play in the Community Croquet games put on by the Rotary Club of Dripping Springs? If you did, you had some fun, if you didn't, maybe next time? Rotary and local venue sponsors hosted croquet matches around Dripping Springs from late March to mid May, and with the help of players from the community, over 300 pounds of food and nearly $1,700 in monetary donations were raised for the Helping Hands food pantry in Dripping Springs.
"It's great when a community comes together to help those in need. Without our sponsors, we couldn't have made a difference for our Hays county residents who might need some help, " says Rotarian Philip Hoggatt.
Sponsors include Lakewood Interiors Inc., The Wesley Gallery, Creek Road Café, Bell Springs Winery, the Austin Zoo, The Barn at Bell Springs, Sol'stice Home & Garden Expressions, Sunset Canyon Pottery and Carved Stone Inc.
Will Croquet For A Cause gear up again for 2013? "Yes!" says Phil. "With some changes to make it more competitive and in a tournament format, which should increase fun and funding. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Dripping Springs I would like to thank all the sponsors, community players, and all involved."
Croquet anyone?
The Helping Hands Food Pantry
Dripping Springs Helping Hands, Inc is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization created in 1986 and operates with more than 50 volunteers to provide food distribution, financial aid and special programs to the residents of Hays County who are in need. Please visit their website www.helpinghands-drippingsprings.org for further information.
The Rotary Club of Dripping Springs
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotarians can be found in more than 160 countries totaling 1.2 million members belonging to more than 30,000 Rotary clubs. Please visit www.drippingspringsrotary.org for more information.
JUST NEXT DOOR - New Member
Just Next Door was founded in 2012 in order to create a local, social community referral system. With the internet becoming more prominent in the everyday lives of most consumers, our focus is to grab the attention of those local communities.
Through volume based marketing trends, both social and local, JND creates greater awareness for companies who otherwise get overlooked. By creating group based brand awareness, small businesses are able to compete against larger companies at the most local level.
For Chamber members, a 50% discount is available. For more information, please visit our website at www.jndaustin.com or email info@jndaustin.com.
Contacts:
Brian Halbert -- 512.970.1231 or brian@jndaustin.com
Blake Magby -- 512.461.6802 or blake@jndaustin.com
PERK UP DRIPPING SPRINGS - FUTURE MEMBER
Check out this opportunity to assist Ronda Silliman in opening up a new business in Dripping Springs in the Fall of 2012!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1390371202/perk-up-dripping-springs?ref=email
