The Gazelle Foundation was honored to once again be a part of the Austin Marathon Gives program presented by the Moody Foundation. The Moody Foundation connects non-profit organizations to passionate volunteers and race participants. They also generously match all funds raised up to $10,000.
And that’s where you came in. Thanks to you – our incredible community of supporters and volunteers – twice as many people in Burundi will now have access to the life-changing power of clean water.
Qualifying for the matching grant requires three key components:
Marathon participants who fundraise in our name, like our supporter Jorge Matamoros, who ran in his first marathon ever in support of the Gazelle Foundation. He fundraised creatively online and in-person, hosting a Burger Benefit event at Hopdoddy Burger Bar, all to giving clean water to those that need it most (and putting up a scorching time in the process!).
Water stop volunteers, like the 70+ brave souls who got up at the crack of dawn on marathon Sunday to crew our water stop. The chilly temperatures couldn’t keep their spirits down as they passed out water and words of encouragement to the racers.
Generous donors to meet the match, who responded to our call and generously helped us ensure we took full advantage of this incredible opportunity.
Clean water is foundational to reversing the cycle of poverty. In Burundi, one of the poorest countries in the world, waterborne illnesses are the leading cause of death and the majority of the population live in rural, mountainous areas that are difficult to access. For the families we serve in Burundi, clean water means better health, educational and job opportunities, safer communities, and hope within reach.
In 2021, the Gazelle Foundation had the privilege of bringing clean water to nearly 5,000 people in four communities. The effects of clean water are powerful. They ripple through individuals, families, and schools. Each drop of clean water builds a stronger, more hopeful country, one community at a time.
We couldn’t have done it without you and we appreciate your efforts in helping us meet our goal. As they say in Burundi:
Murakoze! Thank You!
