Austin Community Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Austin Community Foundation supports Central Texas communities in the areas of arts and culture, animals, community engagement, education, environment and public space, health and wellness, human services and basic needs, and recreation.
IP TAKE: This is one of the larger community foundations in Texas, and it looks beyond the city of Austin. Grantmaking categories are broad, so all regional groups should be familiar with ACF.
PROFILE: Established in 1977, the Austin Community Foundation (ACF) is based in Austin, Texas. It seeks to “bring together philanthropists, dollars and ideas to build a better Austin today and tomorrow.” This community funder awards over $20 million each year, mostly through its donor-advised funds. It has well over a thousand funds under management. Areas of interest are arts and culture, animals, community engagement, education, environment and public space, health and wellness, human services and basic needs, and recreation.
Grants for Arts and Culture, Wildlife and Animal Welfare, Environment, K-12 Education, and Community Development
ACF has a community grant program that accepts online applications for these eight focus areas. ACF also runs the Hispanic Impact Fund to address needs of the Latino community and promote economic security and advancement. Meanwhile, the ACF women’s fund supports educational programs and leadership development for women. The foundation does not typically provide general operation support, only program and project support. However, ACF is open to both new and well-established nonprofits. The foundation awards scholarships as well. Other ACF efforts include helping nonprofits establish endowment, investment, and designated funds. A list of the local groups that have set up local ACF funds in a variety of service areas is posted on the website.
This funder supports five counties in Central Texas: Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson. However, it may consider requests from outside this area if the project improves the lives of people in its regions of interest.
Important Grant Details
ACF grants are often a few thousand dollars up to a couple hundred thousand dollars. Learn about the foundation’s impact here.
ACF accepts unsolicited funding requests from nonprofits all throughout the year. The only way to apply for grants is through ACF’s online application for community grants, as it does not accept requests for donor-advised funds. Direct general questions to the staff at info@austincf.org or 512-472-4483.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
