In boomtown Austin, one couple’s giving evolves to meet community needs

How one Texas couple built a philanthropic strategy—and helped create a neighborhood for the formerly homeless

Laura and Rex Bohls have had front-row seats to the remarkable transformation of Austin, Texas. Just a few decades ago, the city was a quiet tangle of neighborhoods; today it’s bustling with construction cranes, condos, and constant reinvention. As real estate investors and active community members, the couple has watched the boom reshape not only the skyline but the needs of the people who call the city home.

“I’ve seen Austin grow over the years,” Rex said. “Some of the organizations we donate to are ones I grew up with, and now we can give back.”

Indeed, they do.

When they contributed appreciated stock to Fidelity Charitable, Laura and Rex began searching for a cause that felt rooted in Austin’s changing landscape. Laura had heard about Mobile Loaves & Fishes, a faith-based outreach organization known for delivering essential items to homeless people across the city. What caught Laura's attention was that several years earlier, in 2015, the organization had opened Community First! Village, a 51-acre neighborhood outside downtown Austin that provides so-called tiny homes for people transitioning out of chronic homelessness.

After touring an early phase of the community, the Bohlses decided to commit funds to its continued development.

“We saw what good they were doing and thought, ‘This is something we need more of,’” Rex said.

Building community

To the Bohls family, feeding people is essential, but helping someone find stability—a community, an address, a front porch—feels closer to a solution.

“Their gifts helped get our first property with 550 homes finished,” said Tracee Henneke, the senior director of relationships and giving at Mobile Loaves & Fishes. “They are founding members of our Community Sustainer Society, and their annual gift helps us move in about 120 people a year.”

Laura Bohls with Alan Graham, Founder & CEO of Mobile Loaves & Fishes

Each home features a porch and access to communal restroom and laundry facilities, and all the homes are oriented around community spaces. In addition to affordable permanent housing, members of the Community First! Village have access to physical and behavioral health care, food and community meals, addiction recovery support, case management, and income-earning opportunities.

Since becoming supporters, Laura and Rex visit Community First! Village several times a year. Laura’s favorite moment is the Christmas market, when residents sell their artwork and other handmade goods. One year, she bought a set of note cards and met the artist, a woman who proudly explained her craft and talked about her life in the neighborhood.

“It was fun to see her be proud of where she lives and what she does and being part of something,” Laura said.

Sustainable giving

The couple has developed a philanthropic strategy that focuses on giving back to their community. Both Texas natives, they contribute to Austin’s arts scene, support youth programs, champion conservation efforts, and help organizations serving individuals experiencing homelessness.

“We try to be aware of needs in the community,” Laura said. “If we think our dollars can make a difference, we like to help.”

For years, the Bohlses considered establishing a foundation. However, they decided that the ease and flexibility of a donor-advised fund offered a smart way to achieve their charitable giving goals. It provides them with a way to set aside money for future giving and watch it grow over time.

“It will mean we can do more, for longer,” Rex said.

A donor-advised fund is a dedicated account established for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations that a donor cares about. When cash, securities, or other assets are contributed to a donor-advised fund-sponsoring organization, such as Fidelity Charitable, the donor is generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction. Donors can then recommend both grants to charities and investment of the remaining funds to potentially grow their charitable dollars tax-free over time. Ultimately, this approach can allow even more money for charitable grants.

Through the tax benefits of donating long-term appreciated securities and investment growth, Laura and Rex have been able to unlock additional funds for granting to charity. The couple gives annually to several organizations and keeps a significant amount of their funds available for issues as they arise. They like to support projects they can see and help with local needs they can touch. However, as more nonprofits have emphasized the importance of ongoing operational support, the Bohlses have expanded their lens, becoming more comfortable with backing organizations in a sustained way as well.

This nimble approach has carried their giving far beyond the Community First! Village—opening doors for young golfers through scholarships, improving access at a local art museum park, honoring veterans through sponsored Honor Flights, and enabling rapid response for disaster relief following Texas flooding.

Taken together, their work reflects a community-driven approach to giving, focused on responding to local, immediate needs with practical solutions.