Northwest Austin–based BuildASign.com launched a new website Oct. 1 called Wearable Hope where proceeds from T-shirt sales benefit local and national nonprofits.

Wearable Hope partners with a different nonprofit each week and creates a custom T-shirt design based on the nonprofit's cause, and $10 from every T-shirt sale goes directly to the nonprofit. The first week, proceeds benefitted Austin Pets Alive!

BuildASign is a custom sign company that allows users to create their own signs online. The idea for Wearable Hope came out of BuildASign's giving program as a way to use the company's employee talent and printing expertise.

"We thought, 'What is another way we can use this talent to give back to local and national nonprofits?'" said Kendall Slagle, BuildASign's public relations manager.

Slagle said Wearable Hope is one way for people to make a charitable donation while receiving something tangible in return. The initiative targets both existing and new donors, she said, as well as drives social awareness.

BuildASign has been reaching out to nonprofits for the initiative. In October, it targeted Austin nonprofits but will start partnering with national nonprofits in November. Slagle said that whichever nonprofit generates the most T-shirt sales in October, BuildASign will match that nonprofit's donations by up to $10,000.

Donations go to Citizen Generation through Oct. 14, to Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas on Oct. 15–21, to Mobile Loaves & Fishes on Oct. 22–28 and to Ballet Austin on Oct. 29–Nov. 4.

For more information, visit www.wearablehope.com. Nonprofits interested in partnering with Wearable Hope may email [email protected].