Thank you from Key Ingredient!

Our fundraising total for this weekend’s sale is now $12,765.15 and counting. Thank you to all the bloggers, volunteers, professional chefs, bakers, and business owners who made it possible for us to raise nearly $13K for the Central Texas Wildfire Fund this weekend.

Volunteers at our seven bake sale sites raised over $10,000 for the Central Texas Wildfire Fund! Our gifts online and from business sponsors total nearly $12,500 and counting. Photo by Nathan Russell.

We got a huge boost in our online fundraising thanks to Key Ingredient, an Austin-based startup company that helps home cooks share and keep their recipes online. Key Ingredient matched $1,000 of our online gifts, helping us leverage donor dollars and bringing awareness to the sale. Key Ingredient also donated aprons for our volunteers to wear and several dozen reusable grocery bags, so that customers who gave big could carry a lot of treats home.

In addition to all of that, Key Ingredient has given us a Demy Digital Recipe Reader to give as a thank-you to one of the 100+ home bakers and volunteers who baked for Bastrop this weekend!

The Demy is the first digital recipe reader that holds your entire recipe collection in a sleek, compact, kitchen-safe device. In addition to easy access to all of your favorite recipes, your Demy offers a high-resolution color touchscreen, a comprehensive list of common ingredient substitutions, measurement conversions, and three digital kitchen timers. Once you bring the Demy into your kitchen, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

I selected a winner for the Demy by putting all our volunteers in a spreadsheet and using Random.org to draw a winner.  Congratulations to Kathryn Lovett, our winner! Kathryn baked vegan brownies and vegan oatmeal cookies for the Whole Foods Gateway Location of the sale, and she worked as a volunteer on Saturday. Thank you, Kathryn, for your hard work this weekend!!

Kathryn is pictured here with some of the other volunteers at the Whole Foods Gateway location of Austin Bakes. Congratulations, Kathryn on your new Demy! Photo by Kathryn Lovett.

There are a few more recap posts from the sale coming soon, plus updates to our fundraising totals as gifts from Google Austin and Keeper Collection continue to accumulate. Thank you, Austin and Key Ingredient, for a successful sale!

Thank You, Austin!!

We did it!! Today, hundreds of Austinites came together to raise over $12,500 in support of the Central Texas Wildfire Fund.

Photo by Nathan Russell Photography

We are so grateful to everyone who baked items, volunteered, hosted the sales and donated to The Austin Community Foundation. Here’s how much each of our bake sale locations raised for the victims of wildfires in Central Texas.

Whole Foods Gateway Bakes for Bastrop: $2,277.65
Round Rock Bakes for Bastrop: $1,188.00
Foreign & Domestic Bakes for Bastrop: $1,547.33
The Flying Saucer at the Triangle Bakes for Bastrop: $1,172.50
Community Renaissance Market Bakes for Bastrop: $1,335.95
Whole Foods Market Lamar Bakes for Bastrop: $1,634.56
Hotel San Jose Bakes for Bastrop: $1076.33
Online Gifts: $1,345.62 (and counting!)
Key Ingredient Matching Gift: $1000 

If you missed the sale in person and you would still like to contribute, you may do so securely online. Note: the total amount listed on our online giving portal reflects both online gifts and donations made by check at bake sales today. In the totals above, those checks are listed with the specific location at which the gift was made.

Photo by MaryMakesDinner.typepad.com

We have hundreds of happy stories, memories and photos of the bake sale to share in the coming days.  Thank you to the volunteers, media, business partners, and donors who gave so generously in support of our goal!

Austin Bakes for Bastrop, Open for Donations!

Hundreds of bakers, bloggers, volunteers and businesses across Austin need your help TODAY to raise $10,000 for those affected by wildfire in Central Texas. Stop by one of seven locations in Austin and Round Rock to make a gift to the Central Texas Wildfire Fund and pick up some sweets.

Over 100 home cooks and dozens of local bakeries will be putting out their finest treats for Austin Bakes for Bastrop TODAY. We’ll have plenty of goodies, so you can help by bringing your wallet and an appetite to any of seven bake sale locations around Austin.

Community Renaissance Market, 6800 Westgate Boulevard, 78745
The Flying Saucer at The Triangle, 815 W. 47th Street, 78751
Foreign & Domestic, 306 E. 53rd Street, 78751
Hotel San Jose, 1316 South Congress Avenue, 78704
Old Settler’s Park, 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, 78665
Whole Foods Market Gateway, 9607 Research Boulevard #300, 78759
Whole Foods Market Lamar, 525 N. Lamar Boulevard, 78703

We are also accepting gifts online through our secure online giving page.

Over 100 home bakers and two dozen small businesses are baking for Bastrop!

All items at Austin Bakes for Bastrop will be sold by donation, so donors can choose how much they’d like to give to the Central Texas Wildfire Fund in exchange for the baked goods of their choice. Just drop those bills or checks in the donation jar and take your pick of goodies to share with your family– or not. We won’t tell if you eat all the cookies before you get home!

Items at Austin Bakes for Bastrop are sold by donation. Please bring exact change if you can, and make checks out to the Austin Community Foundation.

Tips for navigating the sale:

• Bring the whole family! We are kid-friendly and parent-friendly.
• We will have individual cookies, cupcakes, cake balls, brownies, scones, and other single-serving pastries, plus packaged half-dozens and dozens, whole cakes, loaves of bread, pies, and more for sale at each location.
• Austin Bakes for Bastrop is a donation-based bake sale. That means instead of listing prices on each item, we’ll look to customers to make a valuation of their purchase and support the Central Texas Wildfire Fund accordingly.
• Bring exact change for your purchases, if possible. We’ll accept cash and checks (made out to The Austin Community Foundation, please) in person at the bake sale.
• Supporters who wish to make a gift by credit card may do so at the Austin Bakes for Bastrop FirstGiving page. Please bring your email gift receipt on paper or your phone if you’d like to pick up some items up at the bake sale as a thank-you for your gift!
• Want to help out? Our greatest need today is for cash donations and paying customers at the bake sale.
• If you’re planning to drop off some baked goods, please help us adhere to Travis and Williamson County health codes by wrapping/boxing/packaging your items and labeling them with their name and food allergy info. Remember, items will sit in the sun at the bake sale, so please bring things that don’t melt or need refrigeration.

Gluten-free and vegan items will be clearly labeled as such and available at all seven locations while they last.

Here are some of the goodies that will be available at each location!

Downtown Austin: Whole Foods Market Lamar
525 N. Lamar Boulevard, 78703

Franish Nonspeaker: Magic Bars
Blinded Bite: Gluten-free Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts
Claudette’s Creations: Shortbread cookies, Cupcakes, Chocolate Truffle Cakes, Chocolate Chip Cookie Cakes with Buttercream Icing
Kate Le Suer:  Granola
Alanna Anderson: Pecan Pie Bars
Natanya Anderson: Parmesan Crackers
Ellen R.:  Gluten-free cookies **Gluten-free Item**
Fine Arts Bakery: Halloween Cookie Bouquet, Hand Painted Cookies, Halloween Cupcakes
Lindsay K.: Cupcakes
Thunderbird Energetica: Assorted energy bars **Gluten-free Item** *Vegan Item*
The Smart Kitchen: White Chocolate Cinna-mini Crunch
The Cowgirl Treatery: Cookies, Cupcakes
Simply Sweet: Cookies, Cupcakes
MAX’s Wine Dive: Orange-cranberry Bread Pudding
Starch Gastroblog: Cookies
My Sweet Cheeks: Rice Krispie Treats, Cupcakes
Meridith D.: Nutella Cookies, Double Chocolate Cookies
Holly L. & Mimi M: No-Sugar Added Cupcakes, Regular Cupcakes, Pumpkin Cookies, Fudge, Pumpkin Break, Scones, Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chef Veggie: Gluten-free & Vegan Muffins, Cookies, Daiya Biscuits **Gluten Free Items** *Vegan Items*
Miles of Chocolate: Gluten-free Miles of Chocolate **Gluten-Free Items**
The Inglenook Co.: Vegan Sweet and Savory Hand Pies, Vegan Cayenne Brownies, Vegan Banana Mini-Cakes, Assorted Vegan Focaccias *Vegan Items*

We will be tweeting the sale using the hashtag #AustinBakes, and giving fundraising updates via our Twitter @AustinBakes.

South Austin: Hotel San Jose
1316 South Congress Avenue, 78704

Aneelee: Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Mexican Granola
Vegan Lazy Smurf: Assorted Vegan Baked Goods *Vegan Items*
Nancy M.: Cupcakes
Catherine & John Thomas: Brownies
Sue & Gregg W.: Gluten-Free Cardamom Cookies, Gluten-Free Mini-Focaccias **Gluten-free Items**
Taylor W.: Cookies, Brownies
Thunderbird Energetica: Assorted energy bars **Gluten-free Item** *Vegan Item*
The Pie Society: Selection of Crimps
Neysa King: Pear Cake, Sticky Gingerbread Cake
Kris S.: Assorted Cakes, Lemon Bars
Aimee Wenske: Vanilla Chai Cupcakes, Orange-Cranberry Scones
South Austin Foodie: Buttermilk Biscuits
Gloria R.: Lemon Kissed Cookies, Spoon Cookies, Chocolate & Pistachio Biscotti
Jennifer C.: Caramel Apple Cider Cookies, Apple Cake
Shih Loves Sweets: Cake Pops
Tracy A.: Granola, Cookies, Cupcakes
Tiny Pies: Assorted Tiny Pies
Miles of Chocolate: Gluten-free Miles of Chocolate **Gluten-Free Items**
The Saucy Tart: Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies
The Inglenook Co.: Vegan Sweet and Savory Hand Pies, Vegan Cayenne Brownies, Vegan Banana Mini-Cakes, Assorted Vegan Focaccias *Vegan Items*
Keri C.: Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gluten-free Snickerdoodles, Gluten-free Snack Bars *Vegan Items*
Ron S: Pecan Pralines
Gullett Girl Scout Troops 1160 and 976: Vegan Peanut-Butter Rice Krispie Treats, Lemon Poppyseed Cake, Chocolate Brownies *Vegan Items*
Macarons by Jane: Vanilla Macarons with Chocolate Ganache Filling
Confituras: Salted Caramel Pear Butter, Apple Hatch Chile Chutney **Gluten-Free Items**
Kristen Davenport: Vegan Pumpkin Cupcakes, Vegan Raspberry Blackout Cupcakes *Vegan Items*

Please bring exact change if you can. We'll also take a check made out to the Austin Community Foundation, or gifts via credit card online.

North Austin: Whole Foods Market Gateway
9607 Research Boulevard #300, 78759

Stetted: Spiced Pear Cakelets, Cappucino Muffins, Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies **Gluten-free Items**
Ginger’s Kitchen: Spiced Plum & Port Jam, Plum Nectarine Butter
The Kid Can Cook: Nut-Free Maple Granola with Dried Blueberries and Cherries, Mini Pound Cakes ***Nut-free Items***
Emily B.: Decorated Sugar Cookies
Jan G.: New Orleans Pecan Pralines, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Espresso Brownies
Tammy M.: Gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Apples,  Gluten-free Ding Dongs, Gluten Free Popcorn Balls **Gluten-free Items**
Fine Arts Bakery: Halloween Cookie Bouquet, Hand Painted Cookies, Halloween Cupcakes
Miles of Chocolate: Gluten-free Miles of Chocolate **Gluten-Free Items**
Thunderbird Energetica: Assorted energy bars **Gluten-free Item** *Vegan Item*
Kitschn Calamities: Pumpkin Bread, Apple Pasties
Betsy H: Mini Cakes
SugaPlump Pastries: Butterscotch Blondies, Mini Berry Loaves, Chocolate Pumpkin Loaves, Assorted Cake Balls
Emily H.: Decorated Sugar Cookies
Lauren P.: Blueberry Muffins
Sweet Pop Shop: Cookies, Cupcakes, Cake Balls
Robin B.: Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes
Kathy Lovett: Vegan Brownies, Vegan Oatmeal Cookies *Vegan Items*
Akiko K.: Chocolate Chip Pecan Pies
Julie Boolie Tran: Madeleines, Cookies
Barbara H.: Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies **Gluten-free Items**
Lisa R. & Gina H.: Nutella Cupcakes, Citrus Cupcakes with a Ruby Red Grapefruit Glaze
Scissorina: Shortbread Cookies
Wheatless Wonders: Gluten-free Brownies, Gluten-free Cupcakes, Gluten-free Coffee Cake **Gluten-free Items**
Fleur De-Lectable: Homemade Dog Biscuits
Dana H.: Egg-free Cookies, Egg-free Dessert Bars ***Egg-free Items***

100% of money collected from Austin Bakes for Bastrop will support the Central Texas Wildfire Fund.

Central Austin: Foreign & Domestic
306 E. 53rd Street, 78751

Lisa Is Cooking: Pumpkin Walnut Cake, Biscuits
Carla Crownover: Pickled Okra, Apple Pie in a Jar, Apple Butter
Hector G.: Kahlua & Mexican Chocolate Brownies
Neal K.: Spicy Bacon Cracker Jacks
Dominique K.: Rice Krispies Snacks
Katy W.: Cinnamon Shortbread
Debbie B.: Vanilla Bean Cupcakes, Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Katherine P.: Pound Cake
The Modern Gelatina: Strawberry Margarita Gelatin Molds
Miles of Chocolate: Gluten-free Miles of Chocolate **Gluten-Free Items**
Thunderbird Energetica: Assorted energy bars **Gluten-free Item** *Vegan Item*
Coco Paloma: Homemade Marshmallows
Sarah S.: Homemade Sandwich Bread
Cheryl P.: Molasses Cookies
Lindsey R.: Homemade Pop-Tarts
Pie Fixes Everything: Pumpkin Rum Mini-Pies, Chocolate Pecan Mini-Pies, Strawberry Rhubarb Mini-Pies
Contigo Austin: Cookies, Scones
Kitjer: ANZAC Cookies
The Austin Gastronomist: Chili Lime Popcorn, Chocolate Espresso Cookies
Tiny Pies: Assorted Tiny Pies
Karla L.: Fudge Brownie Cake
Jennie Chen: Banana Bread

We will have single-serving cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and cake pops, as well as whole loaves, cakes and pies.

Round Rock: Old Settler’s Park
3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, 78665

Midnite Chef: Ginger Molasses Cookies, Vegan Raspberry Bars, Olive Rosemary Bread, Cranberry Apricot Oatmeal Cookies, Brittle, Caramel Nut Popcorn, Pecan Raisin Tarts, Pfferrnussen Cookies *Vegan Items*
Rami E.: Garlic Cheddar Beer Bread
Brenda F: Baylor-themed Decorated Sugar Cookies
Christine H.: Cupcakes, Cookies, Cake Balls
Cindee S.: Cookies
Vicky R.: Cakes, Cookies, Brownies
Corey A.: Cookies, Cupcakes
Tamale Place: Empanadas, Mexican Pastries
Thunderbird Energetica: Assorted energy bars **Gluten-free Item** *Vegan Item*
Ellie Belly Cakes: Cookies, Salted Caramel Brownies, Mexican Chocolate Brownies, Pumpkin Blondies
Cookie Cowgirl: Texas Flag Cookies, Sunflower Cookies, Texas “Love” Cookie Bites, Autumn Cookies
Food Good Laundry Bad: Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies
Tisha C.: Cupcakes
Carolyn B.: Almond Brittle, Banana Nut Bread, Cookies
Confituras: Salted Caramel Pear Butter, Apple Hatch Chile Chutney **Gluten-Free Items**
Raye R.: Cookies, Brownies
Bellissimo Bakery: Cupcakes
Pie Fixes Everything: Pumpkin Rum Mini-Pies, Chocolate Pecan Mini-Pies, Strawberry Rhubarb Mini-Pies
Let’s Bakery: Mini Fudge Bundt Cakes, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Lonely Gourmet: Double Chocolate Cappuccino Cupcakes

There's no way these cookies will last long at the bake sale. If we do have extra baked goods, though, they'll be donated to local fire stations and charities after the sale closes at 2 PM.

Central Austin: The Flying Saucer at The Triangle
815 W. 47th Street, 78751

Hilah Cooking: Gingerbread Muffins, Sun-dried Tomato Scones
Laura F.: Dark Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies, Double Chocolate Cupcakes
Boxing Octopus: Cowboy Cookies, Salted Caramel Brownies
Beyond Picket Fences: Ginger Cookies, Guiness-gasm Cupcakes, Yogurt & Fig Muffins, Peach Pie
Lone Star Plate: Vegan Apple Cake *Vegan Items*
Mary Makes Dinner: Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies **Gluten-free Items**
Theresa C.: French Apple Tartlets, Spiced Peach Tartlets
Miles of Chocolate: Gluten-free Miles of Chocolate **Gluten-Free Items**
Thunderbird Energetica: Assorted energy bars **Gluten-free Item** *Vegan Item*
Alice J.: Muffins
Sarah P.: Dark Chocolate Chip Whole Wheat Oatmeal Carrot Cookies, Beet Brownies, Butternut Squash Olive Oil Muffins
AnitaKC: German Chocolate Cupcakes, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Mini Pecan Pies
Valerie V.: Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Hannah F.: Praline Cranberry Truffles
Cake and Spoon: Ginger Scones, Spiced Pear Scones
Jennifer D.: Zucchini Bread
Macarons by Jane: Vanilla Macarons with Chocolate Ganache Filling
Ginger’s Kitchen: Spiced Plum & Port Jam, Plum Nectarine Butter

Most items at Austin Bakes will be labeled with the baker's social media information. That way you can say thanks online, or get the recipes for your favorite items!

Sunset Valley: Community Renaissance Market
6800 Westgate Boulevard, 78745

Objects of Confection: Cake Balls, Cake Pops, Truffles, Cookies
Russell Murphy: Mini Quick Bread Loaves
Girl Gone Grits: Chocolate Chili Cupcakes with Chipotle Ganash, Cheese Straws
Lynn G.: Cookies, Cupcakes
Carissa G.: Pickles, Assorted Jams
Sonia S.: Pear Pies, Pecan Pies
Melodee K.: Cookies, Brownies
Curious Confections: Gingerbread Cookies, Muffins
Madelyn V.: Cookies, Cupcakes
Thunderbird Energetica: Assorted energy bars **Gluten-free Item** *Vegan Item*
Cookie Madness: Peanut Butter Cookie Granola, Assorted Cookies
Nancy A.: Whoopie Pies, Cookies
Kelly B.: Banana Nut Bread
Stephanie K.: Peanut Butter Brownies
Paula D.: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Snickerdoodle Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies
Jote: Cowboy Cookies

Thank you so much to all the Austin bakers, bloggers, tweeters, businesses, donors and eaters who are coming together today in support of Bastrop! Please join in the fun at the Austin Bakes location nearest you.

Thank you so much to all the Austin bakers, bloggers, tweeters, businesses, donors and eaters who are coming together today in support of Japan! Please join in the fun at the Austin Bakes location nearest you.

All five bake sale locations will be open from 10 AM to 2 PM today.  Proceeds from sales at all locations will go to The Austin Community Foundation Central Texas Wildfire Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We’ll also be accepting donations online at our FirstGiving page before, during and after the sale. Click here for a Google Map of all seven bake sale locations around Austin!

Bake Sale Preview #1

In less than 24 hours, Austin Bakes for Bastrop will be open for business!! We are so excited about the bake sale tomorrow, and not just for the cake. (Although Neysa’s Sticky Gingerbread Cake is pretty exciting.) It’s going to be a great day tomorrow because Austin is coming together to raise a lot of money for a worthy cause:  The Austin Community Foundation Central Texas Wildfire Fund.

Available while they last at Whole Foods Lamar.

When you shop at Austin Bakes for Bastrop, 100% of your donation will support the Central Texas Wildfire Fund’s work in Bastrop and other areas affected by wildfire. We are accepting gifts of cash, checks made out to The Austin Community Foundation, and donations online via our secure FirstGiving page.

We'll have jams and preserves at all seven locations of the bake sale.

Your gifts online are twice as nice because they’ll be matched by Key Ingredient. If you make a gift online now and want to buy some treats, just show the friendly volunteers at the bake sale the email receipt of your gift. They’ll say “thanks!” and help you choose the baked goods of your dreams as a token of our appreciation. Of course, if you wanted to make a gift online now AND write a check in person tomorrow, we won’t argue.

Thunderbird Energetica Bars and other vegan treats will be available at all seven bake sales tomorrow, while they last.

Whether you buy a Thunderbird Energetica Bar, some Confituras jams or some Gluten-Free Miles of Chocolate, your donation will be helping people in Bastrop. Those are just three of over 30 Austin businesses who also want to help Bastrop. The collective cash and in-kind contributions of our business sponsors is over $5,000!

Available at the Whole Foods Market Lamar location, thanks to Claudette's Creations.

Another small business, Claudette’s Creations, will be providing these Texas cupcakes and decorated sugar cookies for sale at the Whole Foods Lamar location. Both of these treats are labor intensive and delectable, so you’ll be inspired to buy several when you see them in person and think about how much time chef Claudette spent making them. She is also driving from San Antonio, where her business is based, to attend the sale.

We’ve got another preview post on the way tonight, and tomorrow a big list of the items available at each location will go live around 6 AM. If you’re mapping out your day tomorrow, click here for a Google Map with all seven Austin Bakes for Bastrop locations tagged. If you want to help out at the bake sale with a donation of baked goods, signs advertising the sale, or money containers like pickle jars, let us know by sending an email to AustinGastronomist at gmail dot com.

Good news and a $1,000 matching gift from Key Ingredient!

Well, Austin Bakes has hit the big time! As I’m writing this, I’m preparing to go on Fox 7 News to promote the bake sale with Kate Payne, a local author who is baking for Bastrop at our South Congress location.

That’s not the only good news: Yesterday we received press in the Austin American Statesman, and the bake sale has been covered on over a dozen local blogs and media sources. We are over 100 bakers and volunteers strong for Saturday, and counting. It doesn’t get any better than that, right?

Wrong. Today it gets a lot better, thanks to Austin’s own Key Ingredient

Starting today, Key Ingredient will match the first $1,000 in contributions on our online giving page. Together, we could raise $2,000 for the Central Texas Wildfire Fund before the bake sale even begins.

If you will not be able to attend the bake sale on Saturday, would you please consider making a gift to the Central Texas Wildfire Fund online today? Your dollars will do twice as much good in Bastrop and other parts of Central Texas devastated by wildfire.

If you don’t carry cash but want to shop at the sale, please consider making a gift online today. When you show us your gift receipt at the sale on Saturday, we’ll help you shop for the baked goods of your dreams! And your purchase will be twice as nice thanks to Key Ingredient’s matching contribution.

I’m sure you get the point: we have a tremendous opportunity to start our bake sale $2,000 ahead. Please make a gift online today so that we can take advantage of every available dollar of Key Ingredient‘s matching challenge.

One last bit of good news: Key Ingredient is an Austin-based startup company that loves home cooks. Their mission is to help home bakers and food bloggers preserve and share the recipes they love on the Internet. As a thank you to the 100+ amateur cooks who are baking for Bastrop, Key Ingredient will be giving away a Demy Digital Recipe Reader to one us on Sunday, October 2nd. We will select a winner at random from our volunteer list and announce the lucky winner here on the Austin Bakes Blog. We are still in need of bakers and volunteers at all seven sale sites. If you’re interested in joining us, please send us an email  so that we can get you signed up.

That’s all the good news I can squeeze into one post. Thank you all for your continuing support of Austin Bakes for Bastrop, and for helping us meet our fundraising goal with Key Ingredient. Together, we are going to do a lot of good this weekend!

More about the money: How and why we’re accepting money for the Central Texas Wildfire Fund

We’ve talked a lot on the blog about our seven bake sale locations, how to help with the bake sale, and which local businesses are supporting us. Now it’s time to talk about one of the most important reasons we’re having the bake sale: to raise money for The Austin Community Foundation Central Texas Wildfire Fund. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for the Central Texas Wildfire Fund at or before Saturday’s bake sales. That may seem like an audacious undertaking, but we are confident that Central Texans are up to the task!

Photo courtesy Nathan Russell Photography

Why the Austin Community Foundation?

The Austin Community Foundation has a proven track record of success in Central Texas. They have a four star rating from Charity Navigator, and have been working in Austin since 1977. The Central Texas Wildfire Fund was established earlier this month at the Austin Community Foundation to help donors assist the people and organizations affected by the fires over Labor Day weekend across Central Texas, including Bastrop, Leander, Steiner Ranch and more.

The Austin Community Foundation has a strong network of nonprofits in the region and can identify those working to help fire victims. Because of these relationships as well as ACF’s status as a charity and a foundation, ACF is well suited for collecting and distributing the donations, and helping donors track their donations for tax purposes.

The Austin Community Foundation has the infrastructure in place to accept a large gift from Austin Bakes for Bastrop and to use the funds efficiently where they’re needed most. The organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit, so gifts towards their efforts in Central Texas are tax-deductible. (More about that in a moment.) They have an extensive, transparent record of their financial information, including annual audits published online.

How to Give

Businesses and individuals supporing Austin Bakes for Bastrop can give to the Central Texas Wildfire Fund via cash, check and our online giving page. Each Austin Bakes for Bastrop location has two committed lead volunteers who will be responsible for managing individual gifts and ensuring that they are accounted for at the end of the bake sale. We have a game plan in place to track donations, report them transparently, and to make sure every penny ends up safely in The Austin Community Foundation’s hands.

Austin Bakes for Bastrop is a donation-based bake sale. That means instead of listing prices on each item, we’ll look to customers to decide the value of their purchase and support the Central Texas Wildfire Fund accordingly. We’ll accept cash and checks (made out to The Austin Community Foundation, please) at the seven bake sale locations in Austin and Round Rock. Supporters who wish to make a gift by credit card may do so at the Austin Bakes for Bastrop FirstGiving page. We’ll be able to make change and break some large bills at the bake sale next Saturday, but we are asking customers who are able to please bring exact change or a check made out to the Austin Community Foundation.

 

Here is detailed information about our handling procedures for gifts:

1. Cash: all cash collected before and during the bake sale will be combined into a money order, payable to The Austin Community Foundation Central Texas Wildfire Fund, after the bake sale on Saturday October 1st. We will give the money order, along with all checks, to the Austin Community Foundation that day. Donors who give cash will not receive a receipt for their personal gift, but they will be able to see how much cash we raised collectively when we report the amount on here our blog and on our FirstGiving online giving page. 
2. Checks: should be made to “The Austin Community Foundation” with Central TX Wildfire Fund written in the memo line. We will keep a log on our FirstGiving page of all checks that we receive. That way, donors can be sure that we have received their gift and see how their contribution has increased our total fundraising. We will give all checks to The Austin Community Foundation on Saturday, October 1st. The Austin Community Foundation will deposit the checks and mail each donor a gift receipt for tax purposes.
3. Online: gifts in any amount can be made securely online at our FirstGiving page using a credit or debit card. Donors will receive two emails confirming their gift to The Austin Community Foundation: one immediately after their information has been received, and a second email confirming that their card was successfully charged for the gift. Donors can see their contribution on the Austin Bakes for Bastrop FirstGiving page, and their support will count towards our overall goal to raise $10,000 for the Central Texas Wildfire Fund.

Austin Bakes update & blog button!

We’re adding lots of business partners to the bake sale, and this afternoon we sent out a blanket press release about Austin Bakes for Bastrop. I also just sent volunteer information to our 86th volunteer!

In spite of all this progress, we still need items to sell at all seven locations, and help spreading the word about the bake sale. If you can help or want more information, please send us an email to get involved. We’ll send you the sign-up sheet for the location of your choice, and more details about our needs and logistical plans for next Saturday.

Lots of people have asked for a blog button so that they can advertise the bake sale on their blog. It’s here! You can grab the code for the button from the sidebar at the right and stick it wherever you want. The image is sized to be a 125×125 square, the perfect size for a Facebook or Twitter profile picture.

We also have fliers for the bake sale, thanks to volunteer Lisa. Please consider printing one of these for your break room bulletin board at work. There’s a low-res version that’s small enough to email, too.

Austin Bakes for Bastrop Flyer- small file size for e-mailing & web
Austin Bakes for Bastrop Flyer- large file size for printing