Austin: Texas Fundraising Greatness Abounds

Mack, Jack & McConaughey Raises $11.5 At Highest NonProfit Fundraiser Of 2022-2023 Texas Social Season

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Tyler Schmitt of Mill Photography Studio

THE SCENE: Over the course of two days, the Austin philanthropic scene turned out in a way that will forever live in the annals of Texas fundraising lore. The 11^th annual Mack, Jack & McConaughey not only raised record funds, but it also was the largest Texas nonprofit fundraising gala in 2023 that has turned heads around the state and beyond for an event that draws philanthropists and sociables from well beyond the Austin market. The festivities kicked off with a star-studded gala at the Moody Theater at ACL Live, which set the tone for the record-setting two days.

THE VIBE: The energy was felt by attendees before even stepping inside they venue as they were greeted by the Mack, Jack & McConaughey logo inscribed on the staircase as they ascended the stairs outside the Moody Theater at ACL Live. Once inside, the Austin chic-crowd began the evening by where VIPs posed for photos on the step and repeat with a select few taking snaps with event hosts Mack and Sally Brown, Jack and Amy Ingram, & Matthew and Camilla McConaughey.

After posing for photos, the action shifted to the exterior mezzanine outside the Moody Theater at ACL Live for cocktail hour. Partygoers cozied up to the bar to grab their favorite cocktail, guests were seen mingling about as they perused a curated silent auction featuring sports and music memorabilia, as well as art pieces. Others could be seen heading to a gratitude wall to write personal messages to place on it as a commemoration of the evening.

The festivities then proceeded inside to the orchestra level of the Moody Theater at ACL Live for the main program. As guests dined on a multicourse meal, they were treated to words from Mack Brown, Jack Ingram, and Matthew McConaughey, who brought children to the stage to showcase how the funds Mack, Jack & McConaughey receives positively impacts children’s organizations around the country.

Next came a spirited live auction lead by Heath Hale, the The Cowboy Auctioneer that raised mid-seven figures. As the live auction was happening, an additional 1,500 people poured into the upper sections of The Moody Theater at ACL Live in anticipation of the grand finale of the first night–a concert by Garth Brooks. The country music legend kept the crowd on its feet as they sang along to many of his memorable songs.

The following day the fun continued where several hundred turned out for a fashion show with looks by featured designer Jonathan Simkhai and a golf tournament at Barton Creek Country Club. The two-day extravaganza concluded back where it all began on night one with a Jack and Friends concert hosted by Jack Ingram, which featured an array of singers including Rhett Akins, William Beckmann, and Lee Ann Womack, among others capping off an incredible two days of fun and fundraising.

THE NONPROFIT: The event, co-hosted by Mack and Sally Brown, Jack and Amy Ingram, and  Matthew and Camilla McConaughey, raised an astounding $11.5 million dollars for Mack, Jack and McConaughey, making it the top nonprofit fundraising in Texas for the 2022-2023 social season. Proceeds from the event will benefit five children’s charities including Cure Duchenne, Dell Children’s Foundation, HeartGift, just keep livin’ Foundation, and The Rise School Austin, the last of which was able to break ground on a building expansion that will increase school capacity by 50% due to the proceeds received from Mack, Jack & McConaughey.