Donating money is a very personal decision, and most people only do it for causes about which they feel truly passionate. For Amber and Steve Mostyn, trial lawyers at Houston-based Mostyn Law, the causes that matter most are education and women’s health. Helping candidates who support those causes get elected is an important part of how the Mostyns decide where to allocate their donations.
“We give to politicians’ efforts when we believe in the cause that they’re promoting and the goodness that cause will deliver,” Amber Mostyn said at a panel session called “Brought to You by Donors” at the Texas Tribune Festival held in Austin on Sept. 24.
Mostyn pointed out that donating to politicians can sometimes have a greater impact than giving money to charity. For example, with the state of Texas cutting $5.4 billion to education, Mostyn reminded the audience that “all of us put together cannot make up that difference.”
She continued, “You have to donate to the politicians who will support the policies that you see as a good cause and deliver the vision of the country that you want to see.”
Aimee Boone Cunningham, an Austin-based philanthropist who serves on the boards of Planned Parenthood, Emily’s List, Annie’s List and The Boone Family Foundation, agreed with Mostyn’s donation philosophy.
“To get the kind of policy outcomes that lift up women and families across the country, we have to have in place elected officials who understand the issues and who are willing to take action on these important issues,” said Cunningham, who founded Planned Parenthood Texas Votes and contributed to former state Senator Wendy Davis’ campaign for Texas governor in 2014.
Amber Mostyn noted that it’s important to her to make sure that the organizations to which she donates are going to be effective before committing money. The Mostyn’s spend a tremendous amount of time researching organizations to ensure that the money they donate goes to further the cause and make a difference.
Read more about how Steve and Amber Mostyn contribute to causes they are passionate about, including advocating for working families and consumer protections and the Salvation Army reading program.