Amplify

Keeping Amplify Austin relevant as new technologies emerge and online fundraising best practices evolve is among the challenges of the growing campaign.

ment,” Flores said. “We’re providing the infrastructure, but the campaign comes alive because of the work of the nonprofits.”

For organizations such as Hospice Austin, which provides end-of-life care to any person who needs it regardless of ability to pay, Amplify has helped the nonprofit change the way it connects with the community.

“What we do is so serious so much of the time,” said Melinda Marble, Hospice Austin’s communications coordinator.

Amplify, she said, has allowed the group to reach out to donors and supporters in a fun way. Each year they have watch parties and a fundraising theme like “The Wizard of Oz,” or this year’s theme, “Dr. Seuss,” since the campaign coincides with the late author’s birthday.

Hospice Austin joined Amplify five years ago, said Robin Clemons, the nonprof- it’s director of development, because it was an enjoyable

and a less labor-intensive way to raise a lot of money. In its first year of participation, Hospice Austin raised $113,000. In 2016, it raised more than $224,000.

“We don’t turn any (patients) away,” Marble said. “We can only do that

with support.” Keeping the Amplify cam

paign relevant as new technol- ogies emerge and online fund- raising best practices evolve is among the challenges of the growing campaign.

Over the years, Flores said, Amplify has improved the website’s checkout process and adapted to the evolu- tion of hand-held devices. Although Central Texans have been donating via mobile devices since its launch five years ago, in 2016 about a third of dona- tions were made on mobile devices versus a desktop computer. And about 40

percent of donations in 2016 were made by new donors to nonprofits, Flores said.

In addition to helping further the mission of all par- ticipating groups, Amplify helps invigorate the staffers at each organization to keep pushing forward, Marble said.

At nonprofits, “there’s a lot of burnout that happens, the pay isn’t always good, and the hours are long,” Marble said. “But Amplify is like getting a big hug from the community.”