Compassion Builds

Recently, we were awarded a Challenge Grant from the Kresge Foundation – meaning that Kresge will match a portion of your donation toward our building. We have a lot of work to do in order to receive the grant, but through this program your donation can have a more powerful impact. 

You are invited to – The Match My Compassion Challenge

       

Who: Meals on Wheels and More has been awarded a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation. Because of the generosity of the Kresge Foundation matching grant program, your donation can make an even more powerful impact! 

What and When: The challenge is to raise $848,941 for the MOWAM Compassion Builds project by September 30, 2010. If Meals on Wheels and More raises this amount, the Kresge Foundation will contribute $500,000 to the cost of the facility & kitchen expansion.  To discuss making a multi-year pledge to this campaign, please contact Andrea Torres atorres@mealsonwheelsandmore.org. Naming opportunities are still available.

Why: The City of Austin Demographer predicts that the general population in Central Texas will increase by 79% between 2000 and 2020, the 65 and older segment will grow by 135%, meaning that in 2020 Central Texas will have: 214,000 persons 65 and older, 50,000 seniors with disabilities, and 36,000 older citizens living at 150% of the poverty line or less.  Meals on Wheels and More’s client base will increase exponentially in the next decade, making it imperative that we expand to boost our capacity so that we may serve the growing demand for basic needs in our community.

 is a national, private foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations by creating access and opportunity in underserved communities, improving the health of low-income people, supporting artistic expression, assisting in the revitalization of Detroit, and advancing methods for dealing with global climate change.

They have an 80-year history of supporting fundraising campaigns to build capital projects for non-profits throughout the nation. In recent years, they have expanded their grantmaking to more directly help small, mid-size and large nonprofit organizations that cater specifically to the needs of poor, disadvantaged and disenfranchised individuals, families and communities.

A special thank you to St. David’s Community Health Foundation, Travis County, The Austin American Statesman Cap 10K, and other corporate and private donors, for helping with the initial funding for the Compassion Builds expansion project.