AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Community Foundation (ACF) announced today that $2.3 million in grant funding from the Forever Austin Fund wasawarded to 99 organizations working to address a variety of issues across Central Texas.
The Forever Austin Fund is made possible by generous donors who have entrusted legacy gifts to ACF to support the issues they care about long after their lifetimes. Collectively, these endowments constitute the Forever Austin Fund. This permanent community resource enables ACF to invest in Austin’s most pressing needs and greatest opportunities, now and for generations to come.
“We are honored to carry on the legacy of our donors who chose to invest in our community forever,” said Mike Nellis, CEO, Austin Community Foundation. “The Forever Austin Fund allows us to steward this spirit of generosity, amplifying the collective impact of our donors, and supporting local nonprofits in their work to make Central Texas a better place for everyone.”
ACF staff, board members, donors, and 90 trained community reviewers thoroughly reviewed more than 530 grant proposals. Organizations were selected across three strategic focus areas—economic mobility, health and humanities, and nurturing our region. The nonprofits selected for grants represent a diverse pool of applicants encompassing a range of sizes, geographies, and populations served.
Strategic Focus Areas
Economic Mobility: $1.15 million awarded to 39 organizations working to address systemic barriers to building generational wealth, create career pathways, support housing stability, and provide programs for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Health and Humanities: $949,500 awarded to 44 organizations that are improving outcomes for health and wellness and expanding access to arts and cultural experiences.
Nurturing Our Region: $249,000 awarded to 16 organizations to protect green spaces, enhance environmental stewardship, and support the well-being of animals.
The Economic Growth Business Incubator was one of the recipient of this funding cycle. Visit Austincf.org/Forever-Austin-25 for a complete list of 2025 grant partners.
Awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, reflecting ACF’s commitment to funding emerging community partners and well-established service providers. All grants are intended to provide general operating support to help strengthen an organization’s capacity and sustainability, allowing them to fulfill their mission effectively.
Texas Mutual has selected 66 Texas nonprofits to receive over $4.5 million in grants for their dedication to helping working families get the support and health care they need. Nonprofit organizations were invited to apply for a generational learning grant between April 14 and May 16. After an extensive review process, Texas Mutual selected grant partners for their efforts in:
Improving the health and wellness of Texas employees and their families by providing access to quality care and health education
Strengthening the early childhood education system by ensuring child care providers have the resources needed to deliver access to affordable, quality education for Texas families
Providing holistic wraparound support for clients in addition to case management to ensure families have the resources they need to seize opportunities
To evaluate grant applications, Texas Mutual trained over 78 employee volunteers to review applications based on several criteria, including evaluating each of the organizations for their work in the generational learning space and alignment with Texas Mutual’s commitment to build stronger, safer, more resilient communities. Throughout their review, the community affairs team worked to ensure that funding was distributed throughout the state and supported underserved communities.
The Economic Growth Business Incubator was one of the organizations selected this grant cycle and we are tremendously grateful for believing in our vision. Stay tuned for more updates on our impact with the partnership of Texas Mutual.
Austin, TX – 2024 – Patricia Bedford, owner of Suga’s Cakery, has been honored as one of the 2024 Top 40 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs of Central Texas by the Austin Black Business Journal. This recognition highlights her entrepreneurial excellence, community impact, and leadership in supporting Black-owned businesses. A client of the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) since 2019, Bedford is a trailblazer whose journey from engineering to cake artistry is both inspiring and deeply rooted in family tradition.
From Engineer to Cake Artist – A Legacy of Sweet Success
A native Austinite, Bedford holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Baylor University and spent over a decade in engineering, specializing in testing, product development, and client support. However, after the passing of her beloved grandmother, affectionately known as “Suga”, Bedford felt compelled to continue her grandmother’s culinary legacy.
Determined to honor Suga’s memory, she began baking cakes and mastering cake artistry. Encouraged by family and friends, she launched Suga’s Cakery, a custom cake shop specializing in event catering and dietary-friendly treats. Today, her business is known for high-quality, beautifully crafted cakes that bring joy to special occasions across Central Texas.
A Leader in the Black Business Community
Beyond her success as an entrepreneur, Bedford is a dedicated advocate for Black-owned businesses in Central Texas. She serves as the Vice President of the Pflugerville Black Business Builders (PBBB), where she actively supports business education and networking opportunities.
As VP, she played a pivotal role in organizing the Inaugural PBBB Business Symposium in collaboration with the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation (PCDC). The event brought together 50+ business owners for a day of learning and networking with industry leaders, including representatives from Google, Facebook, the Secretary of State’s Office, CPAs, and intellectual property attorneys.
Bedford also serves as a liaison between PBBB and key organizations, including:
Pflugerville Community Development Corporation
Pflugerville Downtown Association
Pflugerville City Council
Her advocacy efforts have been instrumental in policy changes, including supporting a city ordinance allowing food trucks within Pflugerville city limits. She currently serves on the Downtown East Community Stakeholder Committee and has been a member of the CEDS 2.0 Steering Committee with PCDC.
Passions Beyond Business
When she’s not running her business or advocating for local entrepreneurs, Bedford enjoys cooking, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends. A former clarinetist, she aspires to learn the piano in the future.
Contact & More Information
For custom cakes, event catering, and dietary-friendly treats, visit Suga’s Cakery at: 1100 Grand Ave. Pkwy Suite 112, Pflugerville, TX (512) 262-9983 Info@sugascakery.com www.sugascakery.com
Austin, TX – 2024 – The 2024 FAVE Awards celebrate local businesses that exemplify resiliency, adaptability, and innovation, supporting their customers, employees, and the community. This year, I Am Ready Swim, founded by Miranda Collins, was honored as the FAVE Innovative Company of 2024 by the Austin Young Chamber. Miranda is a client of EGBI since 1018, and is now an ambassador of the organization.
I Am Ready Swim provides top-tier aquatic and management services for community pools and commercial facilities, prioritizing safety, high-quality service, and exceptional customer care. The company is also dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves, reinforcing its mission of promoting aquatic safety and community engagement.
About Miranda Collins & The Journey of I Am Ready Swim
Miranda Collins, formerly Miranda Melendez, discovered her passion for water safety at age 18 as a swim instructor and lifeguard. Tragedy struck during her senior year when she lost her mother, prompting her to reflect on her future and pursue work that truly fulfilled her.
Determined to create a business that aligned with her love for teaching kids water safety and preventing water accidents, she continued offering swim lessons after high school. Her big break came when she was offered the lifeguarding contract at the community pool where she had taught for years. With the support of her husband, Dajour, she took a leap of faith—investing their entire savings to launch I Am Ready Swim.
A Thriving, Minority-Owned Business Serving Central Texas
Since its inception, I Am Ready Swim has grown significantly, now employing over 100 individuals every pool season across Austin, Pflugerville, Hutto, Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Manor, and Buda. The company offers a range of aquatic services, including Lifeguarding, Swim instruction, Pool monitoring, Pool cleaning, & Janitorial services for pools and community facilities.
Miranda and her husband, Dajour, continue to lead the company with a strong commitment to safety, community service, and innovation. Under Ready Up Aquatics, Dajour oversees the pool monitors, lifeguards, and maintenance teams, ensuring top-quality service at every location.
Contact & Learn More
For more information about I Am Ready Swim and its services, visit: 🌐 www.iamreadyswim.com 📞 Call: (512) 872-1176
Austin, TX – [Date] – Saamiya Seraj and Sarah Seraj, co-founders of A Better Force, have been honored with the 2024 Emerging Business Award at the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce’s Ovation Gala. This prestigious recognition celebrates their outstanding contributions to leadership and professional development, as well as their commitment to equity and empowerment. The sisters have been clients of the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) since 2023, leveraging their expertise to create meaningful change in workplaces and communities.
A Better Force is dedicated to empowering individuals and companies through customized leadership and professional development programs. Their training is tailored to the unique needs of their clients, focusing on well-being, equity, and actionable solutions. As a women- and minority-owned business, they have a strong emphasis on supporting women, BIPOC professionals, and the immigrant community, ensuring that leadership development is inclusive and impactful.
About the Founders
Saamiya Seraj – Co-Founder & CEO
Saamiya Seraj earned her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. Following her doctorate, she spent five years in the construction industry, advocating for improved safety, quality standards, and building designs that prioritize occupants’ mental health and well-being.
Through her industry experience, Saamiya recognized a gap in leadership training that failed to address systemic inequities. She began facilitating workshops and discussions on the topic, which ultimately led to the creation of A Better Force. Her passion lies in empowering individuals—especially BIPOC professionals—and helping companies cultivate thriving, equitable workplace cultures.
Saamiya currently resides in Austin, TX, and is a recent survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a testament to her resilience and determination to create positive change.
Sarah Seraj – Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Sarah Seraj initially pursued a career in environmental engineering but transitioned into social psychology after recognizing the critical role that social and psychological factors play in problem-solving. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, focusing her research on social upheavals, cultural shifts, and racial issues.
At A Better Force, Sarah leads training sessions, consults with businesses on workplace culture, and integrates cutting-edge research in organizational psychology—particularly language-based data analysis—to develop innovative, research-backed solutions for companies.
Currently based in Austin, TX, Sarah enjoys reading and writing fiction in her free time, balancing her analytical expertise with creativity.
A Commitment to Inclusive Leadership Development
With a mission to equip organizations with transformative leadership strategies, A Better Force is redefining workplace training. By combining academic research, real-world experience, and an unwavering commitment to equity, the Seraj sisters are helping companies cultivate inclusive, thriving, and innovative work environments.
For more information about A Better Force and their services, visit www.abetterforce.com.
