Austin is growing fast—and with it comes the challenge of keeping our culture, creativity, and communities intact. Rally Austin, a nonprofit local government corporation, was created to take on those challenges head-on. At the center of this work is Theresa Alvarez, a seasoned leader in philanthropy and community investment. In this Q&A, Theresa shares why Rally’s nonprofit model matters, how local contributions drive early wins, and why building support now is the key to attracting national foundations and endowments.
Q: Rally Austin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Why take that approach for real estate work?
Theresa Alvarez: Being a 501(c)(3) allows our organization to accept tax-deductible donations and apply for foundation grants. It signals the importance of our mission to achieve affordability for Austin. . We’re also structured as a local government corporation, which means we can partner with the City of Austin and other public agencies in Central Texas while we operate with the flexibility of a nonprofit. This hybrid approach helps us move faster on projects that serve the public and leverage public assets with philanthropic donations.
Q: How are local contributions being used right now?
Theresa Alvarez: Flexible unrestricted donations have allowed Rally to unlock very restricted public dollars .Donations from Austin businesses, foundations, and individuals allow us to cover early and initial costs to doing business, while regularly and authentically engaging with a variety of stakeholders,. One example is an initial philanthropic donation from Austin Community Foundation allowed Rally to access the City of Austin’s Iconic Venue Fund to assist Hole in the Wall with a 20-year lease.
Q: What types of projects does Rally focus on?
Theresa Alvarez: We’ve branded our work in three areas so it’s clear to supporters that they are able to support specific projects, focus areas for certain outcomes or, generally, the innovation and administration of the organization itself. We currently have three Rally focused categories of our work:
Q: Do other cities do this too?
Theresa Alvarez: Yes, of course! This might seem a little unorthodox because Austin does not have a philanthropic community that is comparable to other major or aspirational cities but investing in place-making is common. Cincinnati’s 3CDC raised corporate and philanthropic dollars to revive their downtown, Atlanta BeltLine created a nonprofit to raise millions for parks and housing, and Philadelphia’s PIDC launched a 501(c)(3) arm to attract foundation support. In Houston, the Parks Board combined public bonds with private gifts to build out bayou trails with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Rally Austin is following in these footsteps, tailored to Austin’s needs and looking for new ways of attracting new contributors.
Q: How will Rally draw in national funders?
Theresa Alvarez: National foundations want to see proof of local support and early success. That’s why local contributions matter so much. Once we show results; saving cultural spaces, supporting small businesses, creating affordable housing, we can leverage that momentum into grants from major foundations and endowments. It’s about building credibility here at home first, then scaling up. But rest assured that we have already started the effort. Rally is leveraging our relationships through our board of directors, with local associations, elected officials and well known folks in Austin to start facilitating these connections and raising awareness about who Rally is and what we are achieving!
Q: Why should Austinites support Rally now?
Theresa Alvarez: Because the future of Austin is being decided right now. If we don’t act, rising costs will push out the people and culture that make Austin unique. Every local donation, large or small, helps us secure spaces for artists, small businesses, and families. And every dollar invested locally can unlock two, three, or four more from local and national sources. By supporting Rally today, you’re ensuring Austin grows in a way that’s equitable and creative, true to its roots and values.
Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with the community?
Theresa Alvarez: Rally Austin is more than a set of projects, it’s a long-term commitment to partnering differently for community and economic development. We were created to tackle difficult challenges. Every dollar contributed secures spaces, culture, and opportunity for future generations of Austinites. I want to thank our early contributors who believed in us from the beginning and gave us the fuel to get moving. Their trust has already allowed us to save iconic places and launch important initiatives. To everyone who cares about Austin’s future, I invite you to join us. Whether through a donation, a partnership, or simply spreading the word, your support helps us build a city that remains creative, inclusive, and uniquely ours.
