Donations on the rise in Central Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin ranked 48th in the country two years ago for giving to nonprofits, but that's changed thanks to an organization stepping up to make a difference called " I Live Here, I Give Here."

It's helped nonprofits like Wonders and Worries, which helps kids who have a parent diagnosed with a terminal illness.

"Often parents think, 'What do I say to my child when I'm diagnosed with cancer?'" said Meredith Cooper, co-founder of Wonders and Worries.

The nonprofit provides kids with coping strategies to understand how to deal with a sick parent. Started in 2001, the organization helps about 500 families a year, and the need keeps growing.

"All of our services are completely free of charge for all of our families, so we are completely reliant on community giving," said Cooper.

And that giving has gone up thanks to the help of I Live Here I Give Here. The organization's mission is to teach the public about the needs of nonprofits to promote more donations.

"While we give our time and our expertise, that's not enough to keep these nonprofits running," said Patsy Woods Martin, founder of I Live Here, I Give Here.

The needs of 355 nonprofits are currently being promoted, and it turns out it's working.

"In our own polling, 80 percent of Central Texans tell us they plan to either keep their giving stable or increase it this year, which is huge considering the state of the economy," said Woods Martin.

In addition, nonprofits always need community support.

"Every donation makes a huge difference," said Cooper.