Tom Spencer Named Executive Director of I Live Here, I Give Here

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, I Live Here, I Give Here, which earlier this year generated nearly $3 million in charitable gifts for Central Texas philanthropies in 24 hours, announced Tom Spencer as the new executive director of the organization following the retirement of Patsy Martin, who founded I Live Here, I Give Here in 2007.

Spencer has served on the organization's board of directors since 2012. He will assume his new role on Sept. 3.

"I really can't think of anyone better suited for this role than Tom Spencer," Martin said. "Growing our culture of philanthropy has been a vision and a passion of mine for many years, and I know this vision is in great hands with Tom. With all our success over the years, including the inaugural Amplify Austin event, I am certainly leaving on a high note, and I can't wait to see how Tom grows the impact of I Live Here, I Give Here."

For the past five years, Spencer has been the CEO of Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT), an organization aimed at cultivating interfaith relationships and service. Prior to his work at iACT, Spencer served as a host and producer for KLRU-TV for more than 25 years.

As CEO of iACT, Spencer expanded and funded the agency's direct service programs—Hands on Housing and the iACT for Refugees School. In addition, he has implemented new programming for iACT, including a successful interfaith dialogue program called The Red Bench.

"It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead such an important and game-changing movement as I Live Here, I Give Here," Spencer said. "I completely echo Patsy's desire to create a more philanthropic environment in Central Texas and will continue to encourage area residents to give back, while providing them with unique and exciting opportunities to do so."

Spencer currently serves on the boards of directors for CAN, the Community Action Network; the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (the local FEMA board); and the Ecumenical and Interreligious Leadership Network. He is a member of the Steering Committee for the Austin/Travis County Hate Crimes Task Force, the Austin Housing Repair Coalition, and he has served on the Bond Election Advisory Task Force for the City of Austin.

For more information about I Live Here, I Give Here, or to learn about upcoming events, visit www.ilivehereigivehere.org.

About I Live Here, I Give Here® 
I Live Here, I Give Here® is a community-focused campaign to educate and inspire people to give more and more people to give. Many of our programs such as, See Jane Give, Give Back Jack, Austin Involved and Amplify Austin are designed to encourage the participants to find the issue they care most about and take action to become part of the solution. We change attitudes; we change behaviors; we change lives. www.ilivehereigivehere.org.

Media Contacts:
Levente Smith or Erin Ochoa
[email protected]
[email protected]
Elizabeth Christian & Associates Public Relations
(512) 472-9599

SOURCE I Live Here, I Give Here