Amplify Austin Day Powers Up for 24 Hours of Local Nonprofit Fundraising

Austin Amplify Austin Day Powers Up for 24 Hours of Local Nonprofit Fundraising

The biggest giving event in Central Texas is just around the corner, and over 700 local businesses are set to participate. Amplify Austin Day is returning on March 6 at 6 pm, and will run through March 7 at the same time. The annual event has raised $102.7 million for local nonprofits, businesses, and initiatives all over the Central Texas region since its inception in 2013. Amplify Austin Day organizer I Live Here I Give Here (ILHIGH) is partnering with several local businesses to help keep up the event’s ambitious fundraising track record.

Partner Organizations Supporting Amplify Austin Day

Some of the partner organizations for this year’s Amplify Austin Day include:

• Amy’s Ice Creams: Donating five percent of net proceeds from every Austin location to ILHIGH and Amplify Austin Day’s operational costs from March 6-7.
• East Austin restaurants Juniper, Uncle Nicky’s, and North Austin golf course The Dirdie Birdie: Donating 10 percent of net sales proceeds to The Safe Alliance.
• Still Austin Whiskey Co.: Donating proceeds from sales of its classic Cold Fashioned to ILHIGH from March 6-7.
• St. Elmo Brewing Co.: Donating $1 for every draft beer to Mobile Loaves & Fishes on March 7.
• Kim Ortiz Portrait Art: Donating 20 percent of net sales to the Austin Humane Society and Aye Chihuahua Rescue from March 5-7.
• JuiceLand: Committing up to $10,000 to support LGBTQIA+ nonprofits by donating 100 percent of net sales from all Central Texas stores’ sales on March 7.
• Sonic: Giving five percent of proceeds from its 15 Austin-area locations to the Austin Humane Society and The Unstoppables Project.

24-Hour Virtual Day of Giving

The 24-hour virtual day of giving will begin at 6 pm on Wednesday, March 6, and end at 6 pm on Thursday, March 7. To find more partner organizations and information about Amplify Austin Day, visit amplifyatx.org.

Austin Public Library Eliminates Non-Resident Library Card Fees

The Austin Public Library is expanding access to greater Austin-area residents living outside of the city limits by removing fees for non-resident library cards. The Austin City Council approved an ordinance on February 29 to waive the previous $120 annual fee for individuals residing outside Austin’s full-purpose jurisdiction, starting March 11.

Access for Greater Austin-area Residents

The new change allows residents in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) or limited purpose jurisdiction to have the fees waived. Adult Texans living outside this area can still obtain a “Non-Resident eCard” for $22 annually, which only allows for digital borrowing. The move aims to grant more individuals access to valuable library resources.

Accessibility and Authorizations

The ETJ includes unincorporated land up to five miles outside Austin’s city limits, encompassing residents in greater Travis County, Hays, Williamson, and Bastrop counties. The limited purpose jurisdiction enables certain areas to participate in Austin City Council and charter amendment elections, but not bond elections. The City of Austin extends ordinances and regulations regarding land development, the environment, and health to these areas.

Residents can use the city’s “Recent and Proposed Annexations since 2018” map and Jurisdictions Web Map to visualize Austin’s jurisdictions and search individual addresses. The Austin Public Library continues its commitment to providing inclusive access to its resources and services.