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.
Things do not always go according to plan, but what matters is what you make of those experiences. Jade, an intern at EGBI, has no interest in working a 9-5 office job and does not see herself pursuing a community-centered career. She was placed at EBGI through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) but has acquired many skills and insights about herself through her time here. Jade recalls her first day at EGBI and states it was “totally unexpected.” She walked in anticipating getting an overview of her tasks, but instead got “shoved into a 2-3 hour lunch and learn.” She expected it to be boring but found it interesting and liked the dynamic atmosphere. From there, she got to work on a variety of tasks like researching small businesses, contributing to slideshows, interviewing people, and writing blogs. These assignments highlight her ability to adapt to the environment like a shapeshifter. High school is the next big thing for Jade. She will be turning sixteen in November and has three years left in high school. She hopes to work at Half Price Books because she has a passion for reading. At EGBI, Jade discovered that she is good at writing and likes to work independently. She says, “I like to sit down and just do my own thing.” This work style contrasts with her hectic schedule and group work, which she is used to as a high school student. At work, Jade gets a change in scenery that has helped her improve time management skills. Jade got to connect with Larissa, with whom she found similar passions and had interesting conversations. Jade enjoyed getting assigned tasks and being a busy bee, always having something to do.
If you are interested in volunteering or participating in an internship with EGBI, please contact us at hello@egbi.org.
Salem M. has been an intern for about 5 weeks with Economic Growth Business Incubator(EGBI). She got into the internship by applying through Summer Youth Employment Program with Travis County. Her personal interests in business is her dream. She would like to start her own boutique.
Her future plans after the internship is to start at UT Austin studying in Textiles and Apparels. Her expectation when coming to EGBI was getting to meet small business owners and get advice for her own dreams and future plans. Some new experiences she learned at EGBI was sending professional emails and writing blogs about people. The most interesting person she met at EGBI was Nina, a fellow coworker at EGBI, they bonded through a common interest.
Her favorite activity at EGBI was the Lunch & Learns that EGBI offers with the internship. Her advice to future interns at EGBI would be to ask questions and be curious.
If you are interested in volunteering or participating in an internship with EGBI, please contact us at hello@egbi.org.
Hannah H. has been an intern at Economic Growth Business Incubator(EGBI) for about 5 weeks. She applied through Summer Youth Employment Program with Travis County to get this internship. Her personal interests involve business and she might be a business owner when she grows up.
Her plans after the internship is to focus on high school and getting a real job. Some experiences she learned at EGBI are how to interview people and how to write professional blogs. Her favorite activity at EGBI was the various Lunch & Learn because she got to eat good food while learning about valuable information.
The most interesting person she met at this internship was Marianne Renalds, because it was powerful that she started her business in a place where she didn’t know English. She still persevered and learned it because she’s passionate about what she does. Something she would say to someone starting out at EGBI is that everyone here is very welcoming and to not worry because you get all the help you need.
If you are interested in volunteering or participating in an internship with EGBI, please contact us at hello@egbi.org.
Just like a show can not run smoothly without the stage crew, bookkeepers work behind the scenes so businesses can operate confidently, grow strategically, and remain financially healthy. Daniel Luna, founder of ATX Bookkeeper, provides specialized bookkeeping services to independent medical practices. Daniel explains what sets his business apart, “I am clear on my definition of winning: to be the premier bookkeeper for Direct Primary Care ( DPCs) clinics. I chose where I wanted to compete: US-based DPCs. I decided how I would succeed: by having the most proactive, frictionless, healthcare-literate firm in the space. I identified the capabilities I needed: airtight systems and excellent communication. Finally, I developed the systems I needed: industry-leading data security, client-focused onboarding pipelines, and DPC-informed operations. Before starting this business during COVID, I was a PMI-certified Project Manager, a Six Sigma, and Lean practitioner. My background leans toward systems.” Motivated by impact, Daniel shares: “When COVID hit, I realized it was time to pivot. I wanted something that leveraged my existing skill set, was remote, and would be meaningful work for both me and my clients. I started my first firm, My Best Bookkeeper. This was an industry-agnostic company. I later formed two subsidiary companies, DPC Bookkeeper and Provider Precision Bookkeeping. DPC Bookkeeper is for newer DPCs who want an affordable and straightforward bookkeeping experience. The streamlined systems provide efficiency, and that cost savings is passed on to the end-client. Provider Precision Bookkeeping is a white-glove service for larger or more complex DPCs that desire more than just clean books; they want an ultra-responsive partner, strategic guidance, and are growth-oriented.”
With support from EGBI, Daniel successfully navigated a strategic rebrand. “During the 60-day workshop, I focused on launching my rebranding efforts, shifting my practice from marketing to a broad medical generalist population to a specialized focus on Direct Primary Care (DPC). This transition aimed to better serve a specific patient demographic and streamline my practice operations. The facilitator, Nina Choi, played a vital role throughout the process by offering valuable guidance, insights, support, and coaching, which helped make the transition smoother and easier to manage.” Learning from missteps: Daniel shares the mistakes that shaped his growth. “1. First, I took any client with a pulse, thinking that saying yes was the key to growth. It turned out to be the path to burnout. Now, I qualify clients rigorously. Why DPCs? I choose to work with DPCs because their mission is to focus on the patient and doctor, removing the insurance company from the conversation. I built a business offering my best to those matching my specialization. For new DPC firms or multi-site companies with under $20 million, options that understand DPCs better than I do are limited. The rare exception for accepting a non-DPC client is a referral within my network, which is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 2. The second mistake was underpricing my expertise. I have grown, learned, developed systems, and invested capital into those systems, but I hadn’t updated my pricing to reflect the improved experience that DPCs would receive.” Words of wisdom from Daniel: “If I had any advice for other small business owners, it would be to enjoy the ride. We all know how short life is. Build the business that you’ll be proud of. Don’t put up with abusive clients. Build your business around your life, not your life around the company.”
You can contact Daniel Luna at Daniel@ATXBookkeeper.com or at 1-866-251-2345
If you would like to know about EGBI’s workshops and how the organization can help you with your business, schedule a business coaching appointment https://egbi.org/coach/ .
How did Vicente start his business? Vicente arrived in Austin, TX when he was 23 years old. He started working at a restaurant but soon realized that it wasn’t what he wanted to do. An opportunity came up to work in landscaping, and he worked for someone else for about 25 years. During that time, he learned everything he could. He had always been interested in one day opening his own landscaping company. He understood that owning a company came with a lot of responsibilities, but he already had leadership experience — back in Mexico, he had been the leader of a group. He managed and oversaw everything except the finances, which was the only area where he lacked experience. When Vicente told me how he got started, he shared that while working in the restaurant, he didn’t like being stuck between four walls. He loves being in constant contact with nature, which gives him a great sense of positivity. Through his work, he’s had the opportunity to meet people from all nationalities, and just interacting with them has helped him grow tremendously as a person. Many of his clients are older adults, and he always makes time to chat with them. How did he hear about EGBI? “My wife and I reached out to them because she already knew Larisa, and we heard they were offering classes about small businesses. At that point, we had already been operating for about three years, but we still learned a lot of valuable lessons. EGBI is amazing, and all the people there doing their part are truly the best of the best.” Where do you see your business in five years? “In five years, I see my business thriving, with two or three teams working in Austin and the surrounding areas. Most importantly, I don’t want to forget where I come from and how I started. If someone needs help starting their own business, I’ll gladly help them.” Vicente is truly passionate about his work. If you’re looking for someone who takes the time and puts everything into your landscape, Vicente is the person for the job. As Vicente says: “IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR GARDEN, HIRE VERDE JARDÍN.” If you’d like to hire Vicente, you can reach him at (512) 994-6161. If you would like help starting or growing your business, please be sure to contact us at hello@egbi.org
The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” highlights the significance of art in the business world. Hi Colour Graphics helps businesses attract their target audience with captivating visuals. They offer a variety of services, including logo and brand design, laser cutting and engraving, car wraps, and vinyl.
What inspired this vibrant business? Andres Rodrigues, the founder, describes: “We were inspired by the work of Ivel Paez, who has a degree in graphic design, and her work from Venezuela. We founded this company in 2021 and started with custom printing and design formats, which over time transformed into the services we offer today—because more than products, they are art and pieces that inspire and attract attention.”
Although a bright and lively business, there were times when things seemed dark. When asked what has been the biggest challenge he has faced as an entrepreneur and how he overcame it, Andres responds:
“I think, like many entrepreneurs, taking that leap into the unknown and away from economic stability was and has been the biggest challenge in starting a business, transforming, and becoming a business owner. The only formula I can say really works is persistence.” Just like a black hole lying at the center of a galaxy, taking a leap of faith into what seems like darkness and uncertainty can turn out to be rewarding. It can be the factor that shapes growth and helps you evolve. Andres emphasizes that the most rewarding part of working in the graphic design and the printing industry is seeing the excitement in clients when their vision becomes a reality and the results surpass their expectations. Showing support and gratitude to their community by working with non-profit foundations like Round Rock Service Center and Mama Sana Vibrant Women is fundamental to them. What advice would you give?
“Foundations are essential—meaning, getting training, trying not to do everything on your own, such as accounting and managing your business or business plan. I believe those are the most important factors.” Through experience, Andres learned not to handle everything yourself; EGBI has been a tool in his hands. “EGBI has been a great ally for our business. Their support and help through workshops, talks, and coaching have been fundamental for our company. Fortunately, we found EGBI through the Economic Development Department.”
If you would like to receive help from EGBI for your business, email hello@egbi.org .
Efren Loyola Jr. owns Native Scenery Landscapes, a landscaping business, where he oversees everything from customer service, to equipment and vehicle maintenance. Taking over the business from his dad, Efren Loyola Sr. realized his company wasn’t growing as well as other businesses were, and has been working full-time with Native Scenery Landscapes LLC since 2018.
His father didn’t set out to own a landscaping business, but began out of necessity to support his family. As he found steady work at a landscaping company, it was exactly what he needed at the time according to Jr., a “consistent paycheck and reliable hours, perfect for a young man with a wife and kids on the way.” Years later Sr. took a leap of faith and began working for himself after one of his former clients offered him a chance to maintain her property, and began building a loyal clientele through word of mouth. His job was for his kids to have more options than him, and so Jr. was able to be the first college graduate student in his family, from Texas A&M in Corpus Christi.
Working at Breckenridge Hospital in Austin for 2 years, Loyola Jr. became a travel nurse, where his assignments took him to Colorado Springs, Tucson, and then eventually back to San Antonio with his last contract. After traveling, he felt lost in his career and wasn’t sure he wanted to pursue nursing, so he moved home to regroup, and began helping his dad in the field like he did growing up.
“He used to take my brother and I to job sites, so being outside and working with my hands always felt familiar,” he said. “But now as an adult I started to see things differently.” He noticed how other companies had newer equipment, and branded trucks, and wondered how they were thriving while his father was still using tools from 20 years ago, and wanted to know how these businesses were scaling so quickly while his dad’s wasn’t.
“It became clear to me that unless we modernized and adopted new technology, better branding, and more strategic business practices, my father’s business would eventually be left behind,” Loyola Jr. said. “I didn’t plan on taking over the business, but I couldn’t ignore what I saw and felt. I felt a responsibility to build on what my dad started, not just to honor his hard work, but to give it the structure and potential it always had.“
In 2018 he made the decision to establish Native Scenery Landscapes, LLC, with an initial client base made up entirely of his fathers longtime clients, which has been growing over the past years. Loyola Jr. Never had a thought in his mind that he would go into business.
“Growing up my parents always encouraged my siblings and me to focus on school so we could get good jobs and avoid the hard physical labor they had to endure,” he said. “I’m proud to say I followed that path, did well in school, and built a great career as a registered nurse. Now, I’ve taken everything I’ve learned and shifted my focus to building a successful business.”
“One of his biggest challenges so far has been taking on too much responsibility and never delegating tasks. Over the years, I kept adding to my plate but didn’t take the time to delegate, train, or empower my team properly. This led to a culture of micromanagement where nothing moved forward unless I gave the green light,” he said. “About two years ago, I realized how unsustainable that was, not just for the business, but for me personally.”
He also notes that his entire life had revolved around the business, and despite the years of sacrifice it wasn’t paying off financially in the way he thought it would. Since then, Loyola Jr. has been focused on letting go of control and shifting responsibilities to his team, to build a team that feels capable and empowered.
“I’ve come to understand that my fear of letting go was holding the business back and eroding the life I wanted to build,” he said. “That shift in mindset has been huge for both my personal growth and the company’s.” Since recently attending EGBI events, Loyola Jr. is now at a point in his business where he can step away to attend classes in public speaking and business strategy. He has learned and worked on removing his limiting beliefs. Currently he is a part of EGBI’s 60 day to business success with Nina Choi, noting it has been the catalyst he needed to take him to the next level of business.
Miguel Velez first came across Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Fall of 2000 at 19 years old by accident in college. He needed an elective course that year and although he really wanted to do Hapkido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was the only option that fit the schedule. He begrudgingly signed up for the class. On day 1, his instructor showed clips of “ Gracie in Action 2” on an old dvd copy. When he watched the video he said, “ It displayed the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu against other martial arts and how it focused on the most important yet neglected part of fighting…that 90% of altercations end up on the ground. Every match showed the same thing, the BJJ practitioner would close the distance, clinch, take their opponent down, and then tap them out.”
Before he entered Jiu-Jitsu his assumption of how it was, was wrong and he became instantly hooked. After he had passed the course, He enrolled in the Academy and made it part of his life ever since. Miguel knew he wanted to make this passion into a business. His wife had just passed the State Bar of Texas, which soon after they got pregnant. After their daughter was born they had decided it would be best for Miguel to stay home. At the same time, his instructor needed a few more part time coaches to help build the program, so began to be a stay at home dad during the day and BJJ coach at night which he said was a pretty cool routine.
As he became more confident in his abilities, he told himself “When the time is right…I could probably do this but I have no idea where to start. His wife and him both knew Scarlett would grow up and not need him at home one day so they began discussing future plans for him to return back to work. September of 2023 is when he started the process of finding answers to make his dream a reality. Jiu-Jitsu had always been a part of his life. He would constantly joke with his wife, Aimee, saying, “I’m finally gonna use my business degree from Texas Tech.” She would remind him that he has been using it this entire time.
When he first started his business there were some challenges he had to overcome which tend to cross over with each other. One of the struggles was students. He needed to find a healthy balance between training life, work life and family life. He kept pushing himself to train with other black belts out there that can make you question why anyone would subject themselves to this.
The second challenge was coaching. To him as a coach and a leader he wanted to share his knowledge to the students to make sense to everyone in different levels of experience while keeping the students engaged.
The last challenge was being a business owner. Taking his experiences as a student and coach then asking himself, “Am I really capable of taking my passion for the last 25 years and turning it into a successful operation? Do I have the tools to understand Administration? Bookkeeping? Taxes? Marketing? Conflict Resolution?”
The imposter syndrome and self doubt would kick in. He says, “They used to show their ugly faces from time to time but not anymore. I know I can do this.” When he decided it was time to pursue this endeavor, their financial advisor gave him a list of checkpoints to reach. He said that part took a few years to get done. Afterwards, he scheduled an appt. with his local bank, Bank of America, an SMB officer and from there they were introduced to the amazing resources from the City of Austin Economic Development Department. He scheduled his live BizAid orientation and discovered CDFIs PeopleFund and organizations like Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI).
“EGBI helped provide the knowledge and confidence I needed to make this passion a reality. “I’ve taken 4 courses: Manage Your Business, Bookkeeping Series, Marketing Workshop, Minority Certification from them over the last year and I cannot stress enough how their guidance filled in the missing gaps. Their friendly and welcoming approach has been crucial in preparing us. I plan to take the 60 Days to Success course and connect with other small business owners at future Lunch and Learns. “
What Miguel wants to teach people in Jiu-Jitsu is to believe in themselves and build them up. He wants to show people there are so many awesome results from consistent BJJ training. Self discipline, self defense, flexibility, core development, self confidence, and weight loss. There’s also a social aspect to their Academy. They want to build a community. A place where families come together for a common goal. They will start with Gi Jiu-Jitsu for children, teens, and adults. He says that a big part of this training incorporates both Judo and Wrestling takedowns. When they’ve grown a large enough student base, NoGi Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Yoga programs will be implemented.
Miguel feels like balance is important when it comes to handling your business and your day to day life. So when he’ss not at the gym getting smashed or prepping for tournaments, he 100% enjoys spending time with his family and making memories. His wife, Aimee, and daughter, Scarlett, love going to the water park, watching movies, cooking, playing video games, going on trips, lazy Saturday nights on the couch together, and raising their new puppy, Cookie. Recently, Scarlett just discovered Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga on the PS5. It’s something they get to do together and now she’s a superfan of anything Star Wars. He really enjoys spending time with his family and he says, “It’s been really cool introducing my 8yr old to the lore like my dad did for me.” Lastly, something Miguel would tell people that don't know too much about Jiu-Jitsu is, “Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about hurting people. It’s about learning how not to get hurt while staying calm, thinking clearly, and using leverage over force. When trained properly, it’s one of the safest martial arts because of the tap system and constant mutual respect.”
If you would like to get in contact with miguel to learn more about his company you can call him at 512-850-7784 or you can go to his website at https://clanvelez.com/
If you would like to help start or grow your business please be sure to reach out to us at hello@egbi.org
