AMA FAQ
HOW CAN YOU DONATE MONEY/GOODS TO AMA?
AMA does not currently have a donation hub. If you are an organization that wishes to make a donation please reach out to us via email at austinmutualaid@gmail.com
HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER WITH AMA?
We are currently seeking support in developing our volunteer program. Please complete the volunteer questionnaire on our Get Involved page.
IS AUSTIN MUTUAL AID ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS?
AMA is NOT currently accepting proposals for grants as our funding has been reallocated. If you are interested in seeing how these funds are supporting the work of community organizations, please check out our financial report: here.
HOW CAN I GIVE AUSTIN MUTUAL AID FEEDBACK?
AMA is still very much learning how to do this work and is always grateful for the feedback we have received from the community feedback form. That form is here.
AUSTIN MUTUAL AID HAS RAISED SIGNIFICANT FUNDS. WHO IS IN CHARGE OF MANAGING THE AMA ACCOUNTS?
Since April 2021, all AMA funds have been managed with a third-party bookkeeper who manages all accounting and will be reporting/accountable to a CPA in order to ensure all accounts are managed in accordance with accounting standards and tax laws.
Prior to that, as a stop-gap solution, we had a volunteer with experience in the field managing the bookkeeping function. Their role was always meant to be temporary as a stop-gap until an appropriate resource could be assigned. Since April, that volunteer’s involvement has been supporting the transition to the new bookkeeper who fully took over all financial responsibilities June 1st, 2021.
AMA RAISED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUNDS IN THE WINTER FREEZE OF 2021. WHAT HAS AUSTIN MUTUAL AID DONE WITH THE FUNDS RAISED?
We have allocated those funds back into the community. For more details, please check out our End of Year Report here
WHY DID AMA CHOOSE TO DISTRIBUTE THE FUNDS IN SUCH A WAY, AND HOW DID AMA DISTRIBUTE SAID FUNDS?
As these funds were raised by and for the community, it was not AMA’s decision to make; it belongs to the community. AMA engaged with the community, starting with the organizations that were integral to the delivery of services during the storm to get community buy-in as to how the funds should be divided between organizations that are supporting the core mission.
AMA conducted a series of community meetings and are initiated programs for continued funds distribution. This will include direct aid for those currently struggling with houselessness & financial crisis as well as grants to existing, established orgs with trusted relationships in the community to continue their work offering assistance to those they serve.
I see that in Spring of 2021, Austin Mutual Aid social channels sent multiple messages that dishonored Black and Trans People. What happened?
We at Austin Mutual Aid would like to acknowledge and apologize for mistakes made toward the Black and Trans community of Austin and Central Texas.
This is our full statement of Apology.
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF AMA?
We are establishing Austin Mutual Aid as a 501c3 Non-profit. We will continue to support our community in building relationships of support & mutual aid via our Facebook page link here as well as continuing to develop our outreach project, education and advocacy.