Houston's a city of great giving and the CultureMap Charity Challenge aims to highlight that. CultureMap selected 12 deserving nonprofits to compete for a grand prize as they all raise awareness for worthy causes. Today: Crime Stoppers of Houston.

Founded in 1981, Crime Stoppers of Houston is the city's only non-profit dedicated to public safety and has remained committed to its mission to solve and prevent serious crime in the Greater Houston Area in partnership with citizens, media and the criminal justice system.

Through close collaboration with local law enforcement agencies and the citizens of Houston, the Crime Stoppers of Houston tip line program has paid over $10 million in cash rewards to tipsters, helped solve over 30,000 felony cases and led to the arrest of nearly 25,000 felony fugitives. The Tip Line Program continues to be a national crime prevention model and strives to empower and motivate citizens to report crimes of any kind, ranging from bullying and animal cruelty to domestic violence and crimes against children.

The organization's Fallen Hero Project protects, defends and gives back to the heroes in the community who keep the city safe and provides unprecedented protections for peace officers and fire fighters to ensure their safety as they serve the citizens of the Houston Metropolitan Area. Additionally, the group's Safe Community Program identifies and targets crime affecting the citizens of Houston and Harris County and takes profound steps to prevent crime before it occurs.

Moreover, in 2014 alone, outreach through the Safe School Program — which educates elementary, middle and high school-aged students about crime and safety — reached over 8,600 students and directly resulted in over 36 solved cases including the removal of illegal drugs and 7 weapons from our schools.

Vote now for Crime Stoppers of Houston — or one of the other worthy local nonprofits — in the CultureMap Charity Challenge.