Austin, Texas, March 5, 2026 - The American Red Cross Serving Central and South Texas is proud to announce a generous $1.37M challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, supporting the construction of the new Central and South Texas Regional Headquarters in East Austin. This transformational investment brings the Red Cross significantly closer to completing its nearly $12 million fundraising goal to fully fund the project.
The new headquarters, currently under construction at 2218 Pershing Drive in East Austin, will serve as a vital hub for disaster response, blood collection, volunteer coordination, and community preparedness across the region. Once completed in Spring 2027, the facility will house a state-of-the-art blood donation center, expanded disaster response operations, and dedicated spaces for training, outreach, and mission-critical services.
A Challenge Grant to Inspire Community Support
The Mabee Foundation’s challenge grant is designed to inspire additional community giving and accelerate the completion of this essential project.
“The mission and diverse, important work of the Red Cross impacts people from every segment of society, which is important to the Mabee Foundation,” said Michael Goeke, Executive Director of the Mabee Foundation. “We are excited to be a part of all that will happen in this new headquarters and look forward to partnering with those who have already donated and with future ‘challenge’ donors to help this important project become a reality.”
Call to Action: Help Us Cross the Finish Line
To unlock the Mabee Foundation’s $1.37M challenge grant and complete the new headquarters, the Red Cross must secure an additional $2.74M in committed gifts by June 30, 2026. Community members, businesses, and philanthropic partners are invited to help bring this vision to life. Your support today ensures we are ready to respond to tomorrow’s emergencies.
To make a gift or learn more about naming opportunities, please contact Nellia Jones at nellia.jones@redcross.org.
Red Cross Leadership Expresses Deep Gratitude
“We are profoundly grateful to the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation for their extraordinary commitment to strengthening both the resilience of our local community here in Central Texas and across the state,” said Javier Valdez, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Serving Central & South Texas. “This challenge grant is more than a financial contribution; it is a powerful endorsement of our mission and a catalyst that will help us build a headquarters capable of serving our communities for generations to come. We hope this inspires others to join us in crossing the finish line.
A New Era of Service for Central & South Texas
The new Regional Headquarters will bring together, under one roof:
This project represents a long-term investment in the safety, health, and resilience of the region’s 9+ million residents. To learn more about this new facility, please click here.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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