Innovative philanthropy is the topic of the next Engage Breakfast Series, which is scheduled for Dec. 4.

The event will bring together a three-person panel to discuss fundraising in a tight economic climate and unique ways to give back to the community. Heather McKissick, CEO of Leadership Austin, which organizes the series, said Austin has many organizations and nonprofits that need support.

"Philanthropy and charitable giving, in all of its forms, is a huge engine when it comes to Austin, and, really, regional, community health," she said.

McKissick said Austin is a generous town, and the breakfast will highlight unique forms of philanthropy.

"We wanted to focus on several innovative models of philanthropy to share a new perspective on the old topic of end-of-year giving," McKissick said.

The three-person panel will include Nichole Aston, the Central Texas program officer with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; Dennis Cavner, the co-founder of Innovation +; and Laurie Loew, a broker and founder of Give Realty. The panel will be moderated by KXAN-TV reporter and morning anchor Robert Maxwell.

Loew said her company is built on a "for-benefit" business model and is another way people in the community are looking to give back. Give Realty gives 25 percent of each commission to a nonprofit of the client's choice.

"You're allowing your customers to support something they are passionate about," she said. "It helps them get more engaged, and you hope by doing this, they will continue to do [influential] things for the community."

Cavner said Innovation + is a nonprofit that identifies other nonprofits with significant growth potential and assists them through securing funding and providing support over a three- to five-year period.

"We try to find somebody doing something really innovative to change people's lives and then bring the human and financial capital necessary to dramatically expand that impact to more people," he said.

Cavner said he feels it is important to have the discussion about philanthropy because of the need in the Austin area.

"We're in a period of diminishing resources at the governmental level, the charitable organization level and at the individual level to address the social problems in our community," he said. "Yet your need is greater because of the economic situation we find ourselves."

The breakfast will be from 7:30–9 a.m. at The Long Center for the Performing Arts, Kodosky Lounge, 701 W. Riverside Drive. Tickets for the event are $25, with a discounted price available for Alumni Association members.

For more information on the event and other Engage Breakfasts, visit www.leadershipaustin.org/programs/engage.