Austin Community Foundation Awards $1.5 Million to 53 Nonprofits in Central Texas

AUSTIN, Texas (Dec. 14, 2023) – Austin Community Foundation (ACF) announced today $1.5 million in grant funding to organizations working to improve the economic mobility of Central Texans. The Foundation’s three strategic programs—The Black Fund, Hispanic Impact Fund, and Women’s Fund—each awarded $500,000 in unrestricted, general operating support to a total of 53 local nonprofits. This is the highest amount of funding awarded from ACF’s Community Impact programs. 

“Austin Community Foundation’s strategic programs are data-driven and community-led, ensuring our efforts are not only well-informed but also deeply connected to the realities of the people we seek to serve,” said Elizabeth Peña, Director of Community Impact, Austin Community Foundation. “Through this grants process, we’re committed to equitable, transparent, and trust-based giving—building real opportunities for everyone who calls Central Texas home.”   

The Black Fund granted to 25 Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits working to support the growth, economic mobility and wellness of Black people across five impact areas: 

  • Arts, culture and preservation 
  • Education 
  • Health and wellness 
  • Power building, organizing and advocacy 
  • Wealth building 

The Hispanic Impact Fund granted to 16 Latino-led and Latino-serving nonprofits working to support the economic mobility and advancement of Hispanic Central Texans across four impact areas: 

  • Early childhood education
  • Health and wellness
  • Job skills and entrepreneurship
  • Leadership development 

The Women’s Fund granted to 15 nonprofits working to support the economic mobility of women and children in Central Texas across five impact areas: 

  • Childcare
  • Education
  • Housing
  • Unplanned pregnancy prevention
  • Women’s health

The Black Fund, Hispanic Impact Fund and Women’s Fund operate as collective giving networks led by community members who share responsibility for the vision, fundraising, and grantmaking. Approximately 175 individuals, including people with lived experience, participated in the grant selection process and thoughtfully vetted more than 255 applications.  

A priority of the 2023 grants cycle was to provide a streamlined process by offering nonprofits the ability to apply to all three funds through one single grant application. Among the nonprofits applying for funding, 30% of organizations were first-time applicants and 38% applied to multiple funds. Among the organizations selected for funding, 62% are led by individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). 

Special thanks to Google, PIMCO, Q2 Holdings, Inc., and St. David’s Foundation for generously supporting ACF’s economic mobility work.  

Learn more about the Foundation’s programs at austincf.org

Full list of 2023 grant partners:  

The Black Fund

Austin Legal Access – $40,000*
Building Promise USA – $40,000*
Delivering Unto You – $40,000
Origin Studio House – $40,000*
Round Rock Black Parents Association – $40,000* 
Alliance for African American Health in Central Texas – $25,000 
Ladders for Leaders – $25,000 
The Bakari Foundation – $25,000
The Giving Rose Foundation ATX – $25,000 
Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation – $25,000 
Black Girl Ventures – $15,000
Black Men’s Health Clinic – $15,000
Code2College – $15,000 
Little Bit of Good – $15,000 
P.E.A.C.E. Program – $15,000 
RE-CLAIM – $15,000 
Real Queens Fix Each Other’s Crowns – $15,000 
SCD Enrichment Program – $15,000
Torch Literary Arts – $15,000 
We Can Now – $15,000 
Ballet Afrique – $5,000 
Frofessionals – $5,000 
Hungry Hill Foundation – $5,000 
Huston-Tillotson University – $5,000 
Black Professional Alliance – $5,000 

Hispanic Impact Fund

Amhiga Hispana – $50,000*
AVANCE – Austin – $50,000*
Luz de Atabey Midwifery Project – $50,000*  
Todos Juntos Learning Center – $50,000* 
Austin Achieve Public Schools – $35,000*  
Economic Growth Business Incubator – $35,000* 
Explore Austin – $35,000* 
Manos de Cristo – $35,000* 
Austin Urban Technology Movement – $20,000 
Breakthrough Central Texas – $20,000 
El Buen Samaritano – $20,000 
Literacy First – $20,000 
Mariposa Family Learning Center – $20,000 
People’s Community Clinic – $20,000 
Seedling – $20,000 
Workers Defense Project – $20,000 

The Women’s Fund 

Any Baby Can of Austin – $55,000*
Empowering Women Out of Prison – $55,000* 
LifeWorks – $55,000* 
Lilith Fund – $55,000* 
Todos Juntos Learning Center – $55,000*  
Asian Family Support Services of Austin – $30,000 
AVANCE – Austin – $30,000  
Center for Survivors of Torture – $30,000  
Jeremiah Program – $30,000 
Lirios Pediatrics – $30,000 
Andy Roddick Foundation – $15,000 
Healthy Futures of Texas – $15,000 
Ladies Let’s Talk – $15,000 
People’s Community Clinic – $15,000
Saint Louise House – $15,000  

*asterisk denotes an organization receiving funding over two years 

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About Austin Community Foundation
Austin Community Foundation mobilizes ideas and resources to strengthen Central Texas. The Foundation is focused on advancing economic mobility and affordable housing, and it uses varied tools – data, convening and philanthropic dollars – to implement this strategy. In 2022, the Foundation granted nearly $53 million to the community, mostly through donor advised funds. Founded in 1977, the Foundation is the third largest charitable Foundation in Central Texas with $447 million in total assets under management. Learn more at austincf.org.

Meet EGBI Volunteer- Begoña Calderón

Begoña Calderón Lozano, originally from Cádiz, Spain, graduated in Journalism from the University of Seville just two months ago and also embarked on a course called MasterClass at the School of Reporters of Andalusia in Seville. When she’s not immersed in the world of news, she shows her passion for volleyball and fashion and even takes thrilling motorcycle rides through the Sierra de Cádiz with her father. She’s no stranger to adrenaline, having parachuted from an airplane at an astounding 4,600 meters high. Her journey to EGBI in Austin began as a result of an online volunteer search, and since then, she has been enjoying the satisfaction of helping others while expanding her professional and personal horizons. The most exciting experience for her so far has been recording a podcast, something she will surely remember forever.

Share a fun fact with us:

A fun fact about me is that I enjoy extreme sports. A year ago, I parachuted from an airplane at 4,600 meters high. I also consider myself a very adventurous person, always eager to explore new things.

How did you first get involved with EGBI?
I’ve only been in Austin for 2 months, and I found EGBI on a volunteer website. My first contact with EGBI was at an event, and I felt so comfortable that I didn’t hesitate to help them for these 2 months.

Why are you a volunteer for EGBI?
Helping people is a very satisfying feeling. It’s a way to make yourself happy because you’re helping others, and others are helping you. You grow as a person and create a unique experience. I’ve met wonderful people.

How has your collaboration with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?
I couldn’t have chosen a better volunteer opportunity with EGBI. In terms of professional growth, I’ve been doing translations and writing for the blog, which has helped me learn new vocabulary in English. I’ve had the opportunity to host the La Incubadora Podcast and conduct interviews in both Spanish and English. Personally, I’ve been able to grow as a person, face new situations, and that has made me mature in other ways.

What was the most rewarding experience you had while working as a volunteer at EGBI?
The opportunity to record the podcast has been the most fulfilling experience. I am immensely grateful to EGBI for having me and giving me this opportunity that I will never forget. I couldn’t be happier with this experience.

Why do you think others should volunteer or support EGBI?
Being a volunteer for EGBI is a way to help others. You grow as a person, and it’s beautiful to see how EGBI gets involved with you to make you feel comfortable. I thank them for everything; they are wonderful people, and in no time, they made me feel at home.