Posts

Austin Marathon Introduces The Moody Foundation as Sponsor

Since 2016, The Moody Foundation has contributed nearly $1 million to Austin Gives Miles

Austin Gives Miles, the philanthropic program of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour, introduces The Moody Foundation as its presenting sponsor. The Moody Foundation has given nearly $1 million to Austin Gives Miles since 2016. More than 25% of that total was given to 36 Central Texas nonprofits during the 2019 Austin Marathon. The 2020 Austin Gives Miles presented by The Moody Foundation is already working to increase those numbers and further the positive impact on the Central Texas community. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

The Moody Foundation logo.“The Moody Foundation is proud to partner with Austin Gives Miles for the fifth consecutive year to match funds raised for the AGM Central Texas causes,” said Ross Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation and chairman and CEO of National Western Life Group. “This initiative is near and dear to our hearts and has been for many years. We’re so excited to support a program that gives runners the opportunity to make their miles meaningful and encourages donors to give back to the Central Texas community.”

Austin Gives Miles continues to grow

Austin Gives Miles will receive a grant from The Moody Foundation for the fifth year in a row. The money raised annually through Austin Gives Miles significantly impacts a wide array of local nonprofits. Austin Gives Miles fundraised $1,187,000, recruited more than 1200 runners, and provided 1500 volunteers during the 2019 Austin Marathon. Austin Gives Miles’ six-year fundraising total is nearly $3.2 million.

“This is a thrilling addition to Austin Gives Miles because The Moody Foundation has meant so much to this program for so many years,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “The Moody Foundation’s previous contributions have had a far-reaching, positive effect on Central Texas nonprofits and this announcement will allow us to further that positive impact.”

Bettering Central Texas, one step at a time

The Moody Foundation, based in Galveston, Texas, has funded projects and programs that better communities throughout Texas. The grant that will match Austin Gives Miles donations will have a positive impact on the Central Texas organizations and their specific causes by matching their funds raised (up to $10,000 per Official Charity). One of Moody Foundation’s areas of support is community development. It directly aligns with the goal of the Austin Marathon: to better Central Texas. Austin Gives Miles is excited to expand this relationship and knows the positive effects will be far-reaching.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. The Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. The start and finish lines are a few blocks apart, within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants. The finish line backdrop is the picturesque Texas State Capitol. Austin Gives Miles presented by Moody Foundation is the perfect way for runners to get involved and give back to the Central Texas community. Registration is currently open.

Austin Marathon Donates to Camp Kesem – UT for Second Year

The Austin Marathon® is proud to present Camp Kesem – University of Texas with a donation of $3,195. Camp Kesem is receiving this donation because they won the month-long Austin Gives Miles social media contest that determined Ricky Doyle, Spectrum News Austin Sports Director, would run the marathon on behalf of their organization. Austin Gives Miles is the Official Charity Program of the Austin Marathon. The check presentation will take place on Tuesday, March 27th, at 10:30 a.m. in front of the University of Texas Tower near Mile 13 of the new Austin Marathon course.

On February 18th, Doyle was the final marathoner to begin the Austin Marathon and finished in 310th place. Race day weather was ideal and Doyle finished his debut marathon in 3:35:44, earning $1.00 for every marathoner he passed. Doyle was the fourth Charity Chaser and was outstanding in increasing awareness for the Austin Gives Miles program. In addition to earning $3,195 for Camp Kesem, Doyle also raised $3,233 through his personal fundraising page and $256 by asking others to donate one penny to their favorite Austin Gives Miles charity for every marathoner he passed. This brings Doyle’s total 2018 Austin Gives Miles financial contribution to $6,684.

“I’m so thankful High Five Events allowed me to be this year’s Austin Marathon Charity Chaser,” said Doyle. “Once I got to know the Camp Kesem leaders, it was inspiring to see what they do and their dedication and passion for the camp. When the marathon got tough in the final miles, knowing I was running for such a great cause helped me keep pushing.

Camp Kesem at University of Texas at Austin was founded in 2011. They support children affected by a parent’s cancer diagnosis in the Austin community by providing a week-long summer camp experience and year-round peer support. Camp Kesem at University of Texas at Austin is operated by 75 student volunteers and serves 150 campers aged 6-16. They also offer a CIT (Counselor In Training) program in which campers aged 16-17 can apply for and prepare to become a counselor.

On behalf of all of the charities in the Austin Gives Miles program, we applaud Ricky for his dedication, thank him for his generosity, and congratulate him on his incredible performance at the 2018 Austin Marathon,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Program Coordinator. “We are honored Ricky ran his debut marathon in conjunction with Austin Gives Miles and worked tirelessly to raise funds and spread awareness.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 28th year running in the capital of Texas on February 17, 2019. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K beginning June 1st.

Austin Gives Miles Enjoys Another Successful Fundraising Campaign

Fundraising and enhanced awareness efforts positively impact 31 Central Texas nonprofits

AUSTIN, Texas, March 21, 2018 — Austin Gives Miles, the Official Charity Program of the Austin Marathon®, raised $670,802. The 31 Central Texas nonprofit organizations accepted into the program worked tirelessly to exceed the program’s fundraising goal while increasing awareness of their organization and recruiting race day volunteers. All Blind Children of Texas, a resource for the optimal physical, mental, emotional, and social development of all blind children of Texas, was the highest fundraiser, raising $33,500.

When I approached the board of ABCTX last May, I never imagined the impact our participation in Austin Gives Miles would have,” said Cheryl Austin, Residential Teacher at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, ABCTX board member, and 1st place female in the Austin Marathon VI division (class B3). “Our team of 59 runners and walkers raised $33,500 to support educational programs for students with visual impairment statewide.”

Austin Gives Miles

Ghisallo Cycling Initiative group photo at Mile 20. (Image courtesy of Ghisallo Cycling Initiative.)

For the third year in a row, Austin Gives Miles was the beneficiary of a Moody Foundation grant that matched donations for each organization, up to $10,000. The money raised significantly impacts Central Texas and the communities the charities serve. Review the 2018 Austin Gives Miles charities and their fundraising efforts on the Austin Marathon website.

Donations topped $670,800 in yet another record-breaking year for the Austin Gives Miles program, further exemplifying the generosity and giving spirit of our community,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “From everyday runners who gave their miles, to the Moody Foundation and their gracious matching grant, our community continuously comes together to generate a positive, long-lasting impact in Central Texas.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 28th year running in the capital of Texas on February 17, 2019. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K starting on June 1st.

Moody Foundation Awards Matching Grant to Austin Gives Miles

Austin Gives Miles has raised more than $1.3 million through the Austin Marathon

High Five Events announces Austin Gives Miles, the Official Charity Program of the Austin Marathon®, has been selected for a Moody Foundation grant for the third year in a row. The grant will match dollars raised by each of the 29 Austin Gives Miles Official Charities, up to $10,000 per organization, and help Austin Gives Miles reach its $750,000 fundraising goal.

“For the third year in a row, the Moody Foundation is pleased to support Austin Gives Miles,” said Elle Moody, Moody Foundation Trustee. “We are happy to continue supporting this initiative that allows runners the opportunity to make their miles meaningful by raising funds for Central Texas causes that are near and dear their hearts.”

The Moody Foundation, based in Galveston, Texas, has funded projects and programs that better communities throughout Texas. The grant that will match Austin Gives Miles donations will have a positive impact on the Central Texas organizations and their specific causes by matching their funds raised (up to $10,000 per organization). One of the Moody Foundation’s areas of support, community development, directly aligns with the goal of the Austin Marathon: to better Central Texas. Austin Gives Miles is proud to receive this grant and knows the positive effects will be far-reaching.

“We are beyond grateful to have the continued support of the Moody Foundation for the 2018 Austin Gives Miles program,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “The matching funds received make it possible for our Official Charities to raise a great amount of money through the Austin Gives Miles platform, allowing their missions and the great work they do to permeate throughout our Central Texas communities.”

This is the fifth year that Austin Gives Miles is the Official Charity Program for the Austin Marathon. Last year, Austin Gives Miles contributed more than $637,000 to the Central Texas community through its fundraising efforts, bringing the five-year fundraising total to more than $1.3 million. In addition to the funds and awareness raised, last year’s Austin Gives Miles Official Charities recruited more than 500 runners and provided more than 1200 volunteers.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is still available for the marathon, half marathon, and 5K.