Austin News

The Nate Paul Initiative has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to assist Austin's African American communities after the Urban League's local chapter sought assistance because neither the government nor other parties were addressing the disproportionately high impact of the virus in local minority communities.

The Nate Paul Initiative’s mission is to "invest in philanthropy, impact investments and social change opportunities that create actionable solutions to level the playing field and maximize the opportunity for all," according to its website. Founded by Nate Paul, Nate Paul Initiative is committed to creating new possibilities for individuals, families and communities. The organization is headquartered in Austin.

Paul's charitable group recently donated masks, gloves and essential personal protective equipment to the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL) for distribution to Austin’s 73,390 African Americans.

"The City of Austin, specifically Austin Public Health, rewarded the AAUL through the RISE fund when they awarded back in May," explained Grant Wallace of the AAUL. "That award allowed for the AAUL to serve 865 individuals in need at an average allocation of $1337.51 per household, however over 3500-plus still are queued in our waiting list as we await more funding, individual donations, or in-kind donations such as the Nate Paul Initiative donation this past week."

In April, the Austin City Council approved Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) funding designed to assist qualified social services agencies with demonstrated experience providing community-based services and financial assistance in an amount not to exceed $15 million. 

Wallace explained that, during the pandemic, the local Urban League chapter has worked hard to help those in need. The Nate Paul Initiative donation will provide critically needed resources for that mission.

"This donation of 50,000 face masks, 100,000 gloves, 50,000 bars of organic hand soap, 50,000 antibacterial moist towels, and additional personal protective equipment and preventive supplies will allow for the AAUL to provide access to proper resources to those in the African American community who might not have had this opportunity otherwise," Wallace said. " We are currently asking Austin to volunteer with us on August 4-5, 2020 to build 10,000 PPE kits for the African American and minority communities."

He added that a great deal of thanks is due to Nate Paul's charitable organization for stepping up to help in dire times as the COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted the African American community. 

"(Nate Paul Initiative) saw the great work that the AAUL is currently doing, boots on the ground, in the community, and reached out to our development director to find ways in which they could support our Central Texas Rapid Relief and Response Program," Wallace said.