Austin Community Foundation

Trusted local journalism doesn’t happen by accident. It’s made possible because people in our community choose to invest in it.

At our recent fundholder event with K*T Austin, we heard how community giving makes trusted reporting possible, from the news we hear during our morning routines to the stories that help us better understand Central Texas.

We also heard how donors stepped up when federal funding cuts put pressure on public media. Their support helped K*T continue serving Central Texans without slowing down, providing a powerful example of how local giving can help trusted institutions remain steady and responsive during times of change.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Last week, ACF’s Professional Advisor Council gathered for a conversation about complex assets, upcoming research, and resources for the advisor community. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with these professionals, who help clients everyday navigate important decisions around charitable giving and the values they want to carry forward.

Are you a professional advisor? ACF sends a quarterly email newsletter with helpful information, resources and updates. Visit austincf.org/professional-advisors-toolkit to sign up and learn more about how advisors can partner with ACF.

Last week, the ACF team gathered for our annual all-staff retreat—an opportunity to reflect on our progress, collaborate on what comes next, and strengthen the relationships that enable us to serve Central Texas. We are so grateful for our team, whose unique talents continue to elevate our work to the next level.

A special thank you to Austin Community College District for hosting us!

This week, ACF Women's Fund supporters got to learn firsthand about one of our 2025 grant partners: the The Ann Richards School Foundation. On top of hearing about their impact directly from staff—and from an alum on the Women's Fund Steering Committee—it was an honor to take a campus tour led by students who were passionate about their school.

Check out a few highlights from our time together, and learn more at annrichardsschool.org/foundation.

This year’s Women’s Fund Grants Committee is our largest yet, with nearly 100 community members coming together to help direct $550,000 in funding to 15 nonprofits! With a committee this big, we even outgrew our usual meeting space—thank you to Austin Community College District for hosting us as we kicked off the 2026 review process.

Alongside the Hispanic Impact Fund, our two grants committees are now diving into applications from 130 incredible Central Texas nonprofits. Swipe for highlights from the kick-off meeting, and learn more about the Women’s Fund at austincf.org/womensfund.

Behind every scholarship award is a student whose life is shaped by that support. Since 2008, Austin Community Foundation has awarded nearly $10 million in scholarships to help students pursue their educational dreams and build brighter futures for themselves. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors and community, who are passionate about investing in the next generation.

Swipe to meet some of this year’s recipients and hear firsthand what a scholarship means to them.

Last week, we welcomed our largest-ever Hispanic Impact Fund Grants Committee to launch the 2026 review process! Together, these 59 community members will help direct $550,000 in funding to 16 nonprofits strengthening Latino communities across Central Texas.

Swipe for highlights from the kick-off meeting, and learn more about the Hispanic Impact Fund at austincf.org/hispanic-impact-fund.

Austin Community Foundation is hiring! We’re seeking a Controller to join our team and support the work that makes ACF’s impact across Central Texas possible. This role will work closely with ACF's CFO to lead a strong finance team, uphold values of transparency and integrity, and help guide the Foundation’s financial strategy as we continue to grow.

Think this role could be a good fit for you or someone you know? Applications close September 10—apply today at austincf.org/careers.

Community voice is at the heart of our grantmaking for the Hispanic Impact Fund and Women's Fund. Each year, eligible community members serve on our grants committees to ensure that funding decisions reflect the priorities and perspectives of the communities we serve.

Crucial to this process are our Subcommittee Leaders—grants committee members who lead small-group review sessions for a particular impact area. This year, past grants committee members applied to serve in these roles and received dedicated training last week to help them guide their peers through the decision-making process. We're grateful to these leaders for helping shape this year's grantmaking!

At Austin Community Foundation (ACF), we believe funding decisions are strongest when they reflect the community’s experience, perspectives, and values. Each year, ACF invites volunteer reviewers to help determine how philanthropic resources can best support local students and nonprofits.

In our latest impact story, learn how volunteer reviewers help shape community impact—and what they take away from the experience: https://bit.ly/4c8q8nh

How Volunteer Reviewers Help Shape Community Impact | Austin Community Foundation ACF invites volunteer reviewers to help determine how philanthropic resources can best support local students and nonprofits.