LiveOak Ventures announced this week that it has awarded $1 million in grants to 20 local nonprofit organizations through its LiveOakGives program.
LiveOak Ventures began the program five years ago.
According to its blog post, LiveOak’s grants to nonprofit organizations reflect its “ethos that the “rising tide should raise all boats,” not just the tech community.
The LiveOak Gives program leverages its network to support “local non-profit organizations that focus on the vulnerable populations across Texas in three categories: children, the elderly, and families/women trapped in poverty,” according to LiveOak Ventures. The nonprofit organizations selected for grants go through an application process “that looks for alignment with the firm’s values and priorities around supporting vulnerable groups and the ability for the grant to make a material difference on the magnitude of services and capabilities of the organizations.”
In addition to the monetary donations, LiveOakGives also recognizes and advocates for the organizations through its social media channels and community events. That has led to more volunteers, donations, and organizational support.
LiveOakGives selected the following nonprofit organizations for grants this year:
AGE of Central Texas is a center for older adults to socialize with their peers during the daytime.
Chariot provides transportation to adults 60 and over for medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands.
Friends of Children connects children with unique talents to a paid, professional mentor called a Friend. They hire and train Friends whose full-time jobs are to support our youth’s success from as early as age four through high school graduation.
Women’s Fund, founded in 2004, focuses on the needs of women in Central Texas by providing grants for housing, education, childcare, and women’s health.
In addition, LiveOak Ventures launched LiveOak Scholars this year to assist Texas high school seniors interested in studying business or STEM fields at a Texas university. The program will be administered through the Austin Community Foundation.
