The Austin Community Donates $152,780 to 5 Impactful Nonprofits

Philanthropitch returned to our hometown for the 11th annual Austin event on October 3rd, marking a celebration of innovation and impact. What unfolded on the ZACH Theatre stage was a testament to the incredible power of community, gratitude, and our local nonprofits' ability to drive change through innovative models.

At the core of Philanthropitch is a commitment to amplifying those who work to make a difference. Five outstanding nonprofits took the stage: The Arc of the Capital Area, Jail to Jobs, Keep Austin Fed, Level, and Second Day. Their impassioned pitches resonated with our esteemed panel of judges—Keith Duncan, Lanham Napier, Simone Coxe, and Sonja Eliason—who, with deliberation and enthusiasm, evaluated the presentations for sustainability and innovation. We were also joined by a special guest emcee, Matt Ott, Executive Director, and Co-Founder of Sonic Guild. Matt is no stranger to the Philanthropitch process, as his own nonprofit took the stage back in 2016.

What truly ignited the night was the resounding support from our audience. In a stirring display of benevolence, individuals opened their hearts and wallets, enabling us to donate $152,780 among the five nonprofits. The spirit of giving was not confined to the stage but reverberated throughout the room. Each year, we are inspired by our community's willingness to fund the imperative work being executed by our nonprofit finalists.

During the event, we were excited to highlight past Philanthroitch finalist, Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center. In the year since they pitched, the organization has expanded its offerings, helped serve more of Austin’s homeless community, and continued to develop innovative solutions.

In addition to the generosity from our judging panel and audience, our corporate supporters were invited to present big (and we mean big) checks to the organizations of their choosing. Along with their teams, they decide where to donate their sponsorship money. A big thanks to our title sponsor, Justworks, for your support. We would also like to thank Favor, HEB, Austlen, Keystone Bank, MFI Foundation, Maxwell Locke & Ritter, Vela Wood, Sailpoint, Love Tito’s, BuildASign, The Bank of Austin, Antonelli’s Cheese, and Social Venture Partners Austin.

In the glow of the spotlight, Philanthropitch achieved a humbling milestone—surpassing $3 million in total donations to deserving nonprofits. The collective generosity of our community has propelled us to new heights, demonstrating that when we come together, the impact is boundless.

Your impact:

Night total - $152,780.00

Keep Austin Fed Total - $45,255

Second Day Total - $37,680

Jail to Jobs Total - $30,070

The Arc of Central Texas Total - $25,020

Level Total - $14,755

As we reflect on the event, our hearts are brimming with gratitude for the nonprofits that inspire us, for the judges who lend their expertise, for the audience whose generosity knows no bounds, and for our community that continues to support this event.

Philanthropitch 2023 was not merely an event. It was a celebration of impact, a manifestation of collective generosity, and a profound acknowledgment of the changemakers shaping our community. We express our deepest thanks to everyone who played a role in making Philanthropitch Austin 2023 a success!

Thank you, Austin, for being the heartbeat and home of Philanthropitch.