Search Through Austin Grants for Nonprofits in Texas

Honoring our communities and helping them thrive

Giving back has always been part of who we are — and it’s the driving force behind the Texas Capital Foundation. Through thoughtful investments of our time, talent and resources, we aim to inspire hope and spark meaningful transformation across the communities we serve. 

• Housing Solutions
  • Investing in community development, affordable housing and initiatives that strengthen low- to moderate-income neighborhoods within our markets.
• Education and Workforce Development
  • Empowering underserved communities across Texas through skill-building and educational opportunities. 
• Veterans and First Responders
  • Supporting those who serve — military members, veterans, first responders and their families. 

Community Impact Grants

Beyond the Honors Awards, our Community Impact Grants, in accordance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), help Texas-based nonprofit organizations working to provide direct services to low- and moderate-income communities or individuals in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

Background

Our Community Investment Program contributes to nonprofit organizations that operate within the immediate H-E-B service area. Depending on the need we may contribute in-kind product, volunteers, or monetary funding towards activities, projects, and causes that make a visible and possible difference. Our Community Investment Program primarily supports organizations focused on arts and humanities, disaster relief, diversity and inclusion, education and literacy, environmental and sustainability, health and wellness, hunger relief, military and veteran support, and general social services.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Our Vision

We envision healthy lands, waters, native plants and animals supported with vibrant, thriving ecosystems throughout our beautiful state.

We believe great things happen when organizations and funders work together for the highest good.

We are a donor-advised fund comprised of a fund director, advisory committee, and fund administrator. Established in 2017 by G.P. “Buzz” Avery, in partnership with the Austin Community Foundation, we support nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is preserving natural habitats, especially those that are critically threatened.

The Environmental Fund of Texas: Tier 1 - Grassroots Funds & Classrooms Taking Action

Tier 1 grants are intended for grassroots organizations seeking funding for smaller-scale projects or start-up costs, or for teachers/schools to create on- campus native gardens used in learning, such as pocket prairies.

Funding Priorities

Public Action for the Environment 

We support projects that engage local communities in conservation action.

Projects are undertaken in collaboration with community volunteers, teachers and students, and partnering organizations.

These on-the-ground projects focus on priority areas such as:

Water

Protecting natural water sources—including rivers, aquifers, springs, estuaries, and wetlands—as well as their supporting watersheds.

Natural Areas

Protection, restoration, and stewardship of natural areas and native habitat.

Native wildlife

Protecting and sustaining native, at-risk wildlife.

Our Vision

We envision healthy lands, waters, native plants and animals supported with vibrant, thriving ecosystems throughout our beautiful state.

We believe great things happen when organizations and funders work together for the highest good.

We are a donor-advised fund comprised of a fund director, advisory committee, and fund administrator. Established in 2017 by G.P. “Buzz” Avery, in partnership with the Austin Community Foundation, we support nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is preserving natural habitats, especially those that are critically threatened.

The Environmental Fund of Texas: Tier 2 -EFT Priority Projects

Tier 2 grants are for projects that address threats to natural environments in Texas—in our priority areas of water, natural areas, and native wildlife. This also includes projects that empower public engagement and action, and forge meaningful connections with nature. Most of the grants we fund are Tier 2 grants.Funding priorities​:

• Water:​
  • We support programs aimed at protecting natural water sources, including rivers, streams, lakes, aquifers, and springs, as well as their supporting watersheds.
    • Examples of programs include:
      • Native vegetation restoration in freshwater habitats, along riparian corridors, and in our bays and estuaries.
      • Creation of rain gardens and water conservation demonstration sites in visible areas that aim to reduce water consumption, provide habitat for wildlife and native plants, and educate the public on the value of green infrastructure.
      • Volunteer oyster gardening and reef monitoring project.
      • Landowner engagement focused on protection and sustainable management of groundwater resources.
• Natural areas:​
  • We support the protection and stewardship of ecologically-functional natural areas.
    • Examples of programs include:
      • Protection and restoration of imperiled and native ecosystems and habitats (e.g. Blackland
      • Prairie, Coastal estuaries, Post Oak Savannah).
      • Removal or reduction of invasive and/or non-native species in conjunction with replanting of native species and continued land/habitat management (e.g. brush removal, prescribed fire).
      • Outreach and technical guidance projects to promote land stewardship and restoration for the benefit of the environment and biodiversity.
      • Collaboration with local landowners and communities to develop compatible use plans and a common vision for natural and cultural landscapes.
• Native wildlife:​
  • We support programs which focus on protecting and sustaining native wildlife.
    • Examples of programs include:
      • Implementation of direct actions to help at-risk species and their habitats in Texas (e.g. habitat restoration, threat removal, communications for behavior change or actions needed).
      • Strategic engagement of local communities/audiences in the conservation of threatened and endangered species in Texas.
      • Technical guidance and resource projects for local landowners to conserve at-risk wildlife.
      • Monitoring of threatened or imperiled wildlife species for the purpose of land use planning that facilitates improved habitat quality/connectivity and that demonstrate a direct link to conservation action.
• Public Engagement:​
• We support projects that forge connections with nature and increase public action for the environment.
  • Examples of programs include:
    • Projects that engage volunteers and communities in on-the-ground action for wildlife and habitat.
    • Engaging students/community partners in the creation of pocket prairies/native gardens used in hands-on learning.
    • Field trip to a local natural area to learn about native wildlife and ecology and participate in a stewardship project (e.g. planting trees or wildlife flower seed).
    • Projects that engage local educators on local conservation issues and provide resources and training for how to incorporate in learning settings.
    • Community events that engages local families in a day of wildlife watching or citizen science and includes opportunities to learn how they can help local wildlife.

Our Vision

We envision healthy lands, waters, native plants and animals supported with vibrant, thriving ecosystems throughout our beautiful state.

We believe great things happen when organizations and funders work together for the highest good.

We are a donor-advised fund comprised of a fund director, advisory committee, and fund administrator. Established in 2017 by G.P. “Buzz” Avery, in partnership with the Austin Community Foundation, we support nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is preserving natural habitats, especially those that are critically threatened.

The Environmental Fund of Texas: Tier 3 - Collaborative Initiatives

For Tier 3 we look for organizations partnering with multiple stakeholders to accomplish something larger than an individual organization could do on its own.

Funding priorities​:

• Water: We support projects aimed at protecting natural water sources—including rivers, aquifers, springs, estuaries, and wetlands—as well as their supporting watersheds.
• Natural Areas: We support the protection, restoration, and stewardship of ecologically functional natural areas.
• Native Wildlife: We support projects that focus on protecting and sustaining native, at-risk wildlife.
• Classrooms Taking Action: We support projects that engage local classrooms, teachers, and students in conservation action. Examples of previously approved projects: Teacher/classroom-led efforts to create a school pocket prairie/native pollinator garden used in hands-on learning. Field trip to a local natural area to learn about native wildlife and ecology, and participate in a civic project (e.g., planting native wildflower seeds or native trees)

Our Vision

We envision healthy lands, waters, native plants and animals supported with vibrant, thriving ecosystems throughout our beautiful state.

We believe great things happen when organizations and funders work together for the highest good.

We are a donor-advised fund comprised of a fund director, advisory committee, and fund administrator. Established in 2017 by G.P. “Buzz” Avery, in partnership with the Austin Community Foundation, we support nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is preserving natural habitats, especially those that are critically threatened.

The Environmental Fund of Texas: Tier 4 - Multi-year Grants

Grants from Tiers 2 and 3 may extend up to 3-year commitments pending annual evaluation and reporting compliance. Please designate upon applying that your grant request is for Tier 4 funding no matter which Tier each years funding will fall within (2 or 3).

Funding priorities​:

• Water:​
  • We support programs aimed at protecting natural water sources, including rivers, streams, lakes, aquifers, and springs, as well as their supporting watersheds.
    • Examples of programs include:
      • Strategic and effective preservation of land and native habitats along key waterways
      • Removal of invasive aquatic species from freshwater systems
• Natural areas:​
  • We support the protection and stewardship of ecologically-functional natural areas.
    • Examples of programs include:
      • Protection and restoration of imperiled and native ecosystems and habitats
      • Removal or reduction of invasive, non-native species posing threats or harm to natural communities in conjunction with replanting of native species and continued management
      • Enhanced monitoring and enforcement of existing natural areas
      • Collaboration with local landowners and communities to develop compatible use plans and a common vision for natural and cultural landscapes
• Native wildlife:​
  • We support programs which focus on protecting and sustaining native wildlife.
    • Examples of programs include:
      • Implementation of direct actions to help at-risk species and their habitats in Texas (e.g.habitat restoration, threat removal, communications for behavior change or actions needed).
      • Strategic engagement of local communities/audiences in the conservation of threatened and endangered species in Texas.
      • Technical guidance and resource projects for local landowners to conserve at-risk wildlife.
      • Monitoring of threatened or imperiled wildlife species for the purpose of land use planning that facilitates improved habitat quality/connectivity and that demonstrate a direct link to conservation action.Environmental education and awareness:​
• • The Fund supports projects that raise public awareness of environmental issues, inform and engage citizens, and build a future generation of environmental activists.
  • Special attention is given to projects that provide, encourage and support interactive and hands-on experiences out in nature.
• Public Engagement
• We support projects that forge connections with nature and increase public action for the environment.
• Examples of previously approved projects: 
• Projects that engage volunteers and communities in on-the-ground action for wildlife and habitat.
• Engaging students/community partners in the creation of pocket prairies/native gardens used in hands-on learning.
• Field trip to a local natural area to learn about native wildlife and ecology and participate in a stewardship project (e.g. planting trees or wildlife flower seed).
• Projects that engage local educators on local conservation issues and provide resources and training for how to incorporate in learning settings.
• Community events that engages local families in a day of wildlife watching or citizen science and includes opportunities to learn how they can help local wildlife.

Love, Tito's

The Love, Tito’s evolution started in Austin, Texas.

Tito was new to the vodka business, still struggling to make ends meet while rewriting the Texas codebook to building the first legal distillery in the state of Texas. One day he got a phone call from a local nonprofit asking if he would donate a couple cases of vodka for a fundraising event. Tito agreed, and showed up with several cases and the thought that this would be a great opportunity for folks to taste his new vodka. “If you like it, tell 20 of your closest friends,” he said… and they did. They liked the vodka and they told their friends - not just about the vodka, but also about how Tito would donate it to support charity events, just like he’d done for them. The phone started to ring more often, and Tito’s fell into the “charity event” business.

As the company grew, Tito empowered each and every member of the team, regardless of their role, to support the causes they were passionate about in their local communities. As Tito’s Handmade Vodka continued to gain momentum across the country, involvement in philanthropy grew in tandem. The more people who joined the Tito’s family, the more hearts and hands were out in the world spreading love and goodness, with Tito’s behind them all the way.

Every time a member of the Tito’s Team reached out to extend a hand, to make a difference, to say “Thank you for inviting us to help the cause,” they signed off with “Love, Tito’s.” This salutation became a mantra, which turned into a movement. Love, Tito’s is now a force, a group of individuals giving back to causes, efforts and organizations that move them. Through Love, Tito’s, the team has supported thousands of causes – lending a hand to rebuild communities after devastation, spreading joy to those who need a little more, and protecting the environment we all share.

The goal of Love, Tito’s is simple: to turn spirits into love and goodness. Make the world a better place—in whatever way moves you; find your passion, and get involved. With the help of our nonprofit friends and family, Love, Tito’s can continue to give back in more impactful ways, and keep spreading the love more and more.

Donations

We donate product to as many charity events as we are able, all across the country. Check out our upcoming community events and help spread the love in your community.

If you have a 501(c)3 and would like to request a donation, fill out the form here. Be aware that we require at least 30 days lead time for any donation or sponsorship request.

The Texas Capital Foundation Honors Awards 

Our signature Honors Awards is a competitive annual grant award program that recognizes three exceptional nonprofit organizations. These grants support small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations leading innovative, sustainable solutions that address critical needs in our communities. 

Two grants of $50,000 are awarded to nonprofit organizations with programs that are aligned with our Honors Award categories in Housing Solutions and Education and Workforce Development. One grant delivers $100,000 in funding to a nonprofit organization with a program dedicated to serving veterans and first responders. The Texas Capital Foundation prioritizes supporting nonprofits that deliver essential services within our markets.

Education and Workforce Development Honors Award

The Education and Workforce Development Honors Award will recognize one nonprofit organization that helps individuals transform entrepreneurial aspirations into successful, sustainable businesses. This grant will support programs that provide direct small business development services, including mentorship, training, coaching and other essential resources that equip entrepreneurs to launch, grow and thrive.

The Texas Capital Foundation Honors Awards 

Our signature Honors Awards is a competitive annual grant award program that recognizes three exceptional nonprofit organizations. These grants support small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations leading innovative, sustainable solutions that address critical needs in our communities. 

Two grants of $50,000 are awarded to nonprofit organizations with programs that are aligned with our Honors Award categories in Housing Solutions and Education and Workforce Development. One grant delivers $100,000 in funding to a nonprofit organization with a program dedicated to serving veterans and first responders. The Texas Capital Foundation prioritizes supporting nonprofits that deliver essential services within our markets.

Star Honors Award

The Star Honors Award will provide a grant to one nonprofit organization dedicated to serving veterans and first responders. This grant will support direct service programs that address the unique needs of these communities by offering resources that enhance readiness, promote mental and physical well-being and improve overall quality of life. 

Community Investments

While charitable investments are tailored to local needs, Applied Materials and the Foundation provide funding focused on Girls Empowerment, Education, Civic Engagement, Arts and Culture and the Environment. We also contribute to relief and recovery efforts when natural disasters affect our communities around the world.

Focus Areas

We provide funding to organizations providing programs and services in the following focus areas:

• Education, Arts & Culture, Civic Engagement, Environment and Girls Empowerment.

We prioritize projects that address community needs in sites where Applied Materials does business and welcome opportunities to engage employees with local grant recipients.

Education 

Education inspires young minds, opens new doors and paves the way to more promising futures. We recognize that many communities and schools lack the resources and programs required to prepare their students for meaningful careers. For this reason, the majority of our education grants are directed to neighborhoods with the greatest need.

We have a special interest in funding Education grant proposals that:

• Benefit students in grades K-12
• Focus on traditional skills such as reading, writing, math, science and technology, and other subjects that prepare young people for college and career
• Address critical education needs through innovative approaches to learning
• Expand existing efforts in order to reach more students or a wider geographic area
• Actively partner with other nonprofit groups to create, implement or evaluate shared programs

Arts and Culture

Creativity sparks the imagination and drives the development of new ideas that can transform the way we live. We support efforts that bring the full spectrum of artistic expression to the greater community, from visual and performing arts to community events and workshops.

We have a special interest in funding Arts and Culture grant proposals that:

• Have broad community appeal
• Take arts and culture outside traditional settings to reach young people of diverse backgrounds, particularly in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods
• Support nonprofit organizations in bringing the arts to educational programs and organizations

Civic Engagement

When people are actively involved in improving the quality of life in their neighborhoods, they help to create more vibrant, livable communities. With our civic engagement grants, we support organizations that help people find stability in difficult times and develop strength of NGO/nonprofit sector to address community challenges.

We have a special interest in funding Civic Engagement grant proposals that:

• Meet basic needs such as access to nutritional food, clean water and affordable housing
• Support systemic, collaborative approaches to eliminating homelessness
• Stimulate innovations that improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery
• Support the infrastructure of the nonprofit sector and its leadership 

Environment

To engage employees and community members in working toward a more sustainable future, we invest in environmental education and community-based projects that demonstrate the importance and value of protecting the environment.

We have a special interest in funding Environment grant proposals that:

• Focus on environmental education for young people, especially in underserved communities
• Encourage hands on opportunities for employee volunteers and their families

Girls Empowerment

See separate grant page here

Forever Austin Fund

About this grant opportunity

The Forever Austin Fund is a permanent community resource that enables ACF to invest in Austin’s most pressing needs and greatest opportunities. The Forever Austin Fund supports the giving of a collection of field-of-interest funds, unrestricted funds, and donor advised funds at the Foundation. The ACF team manages grantmaking from these funds, thoughtfully balancing the intent of each fund with the evolving needs of Central Texas.

Funding areas

Every year, ACF will make Forever Austin Fund grants to address both urgent and systemic needs in Central Texas. The issues prioritized in Forever Austin Fund grantmaking will shift over time to reflect the evolving needs of our region and the interests of our legacy donors. In 2025, the grants will focus on the following areas:

Economic Mobility: Ensuring paths to economic mobility for Central Texans is a critical strategy in ACF’s focus on closing the opportunity gap. By partnering with and funding organizations that tackle immediate and systemic economic challenges, we aim to eliminate wealth disparities and create lasting change. Grants in this category will focus on four key areas:

Health and Humanities: The future of our region is inextricably linked to the health of our people and the growth of our creative community. Grants in this category will focus on:

Nurturing Our Region: Preserving and protecting our rich ecosystem ensures generations of Central Texans can live and thrive. Grants in this category will focus on:

Funding amounts

Through the Forever Austin Fund grant cycle, we anticipate awarding 50-75 grants between $5,000 – $50,000 each. Award amounts will be determined by application scores, donor priorities, and individual endowment budgets. Grants may be approved for full or partial funding of the requested amount, which cannot exceed 30% of the organization’s budget.

Additional information per funding area:

• Economic Mobility: 20-30 grants, up to $1,250,000
• Health and Humanities: 15-20 grants up to $550,000
• Nurturing Our Region: 10-15 grants up to $200,000

Community Grants

LCRA supports local communities in its service area with grants of up to $50,000 through the Community Grants program. Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply, as well as city and county entities and special districts. The grants are awarded twice a year for capital improvement projects. Grant projects must improve the value of a capital asset by building, renovating or purchasing equipment, and must benefit an entire community. 

The program was established in 1995 to provide funds to rural, economically challenged communities that have difficulty fundraising for their needed projects. LCRA Community Grants support economic diversification in local communities; contribute to the health, safety and development of a community; or improve the quality or quantity of services essential for the development of viable communities and economic growth.

Grant application requirements

LCRA awards up to $50,000 for capital improvement projects that benefit an entire community. To celebrate the program’s 30th anniversary, LCRA also will award an additional grant of up to $100,000 in each of the July 2025 and January 2026 grant cycles.

Applicants requesting more than $5,000 in grant funding must supply matching funds of at least 20% of the total project cost. Proposals must include plans, detailed budget, financials, vendor quotes or estimates, and IRS determination documentation.

See more FAQs.

Who We Are

Impact Austin is an Austin-based women’s collective giving organization, funding Central Texas nonprofits that provide services in Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.

Focus Areas

Impact Austin will award grants in the following categories:

• Community
• Education
• Equity
• Health & Well-Being

Abbey Mural Prize

Created in 1932 through an endowed bequest in honor of illustrator and muralist Edwin Austin Abbey NA, the Abbey Mural Prize awards grants to support the creation and restoration of public murals in the United States. Since 1940, the National Academy of Design has awarded funds to hundreds of individuals or organizations who are building on a tradition of public murals as instruments of social activism, neighborhood revitalization, and community engagement.

Selection Criteria

• Conceptual strength or compelling justification of impact as outlined in the proposal.
• Applicants' and/or Project Leads’ demonstrated ability to execute a high-quality end result.
• Feasibility of the project scope within the budget outlined in the application and appropriate use of Abbey Mural Prize funds.
• Connection or relationship to the community that will be impacted by the project.
• Projects must have an intended start date before June 30, 2026.

Funding

• Grants typically range from $10,000 to $40,000 USD in minimally restricted support for the production and installation of mural(s) on and within public buildings and on buildings owned by charitable institutions.
• The jury reserves the right to award grantees full or partial funding in any amount.
• Up to the $125,000 total awarded annually.

Pew Biomedical Scholars 

The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the assistant professor level.

Based on their performance during their education and training, candidates should demonstrate outstanding promise as contributors in science relevant to human health. Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research. Candidates whose work is based on biomedical principles but who bring in concepts and theories from more diverse fields are encouraged to apply.

Ideas with the potential to produce an unusually high impact are encouraged. Selection of the successful candidates will be based on a detailed description of the work that the applicant proposes to undertake, evaluations of the candidate’s performance, and notable past accomplishments, including honors, awards, and publications. In evaluating the candidates, the National Advisory Committee gives considerable weight to both the project proposal and the researcher, including evidence that the candidate is a successful independent investigator and has the skill set needed to carry out their high-impact proposal.

Funding from the NIH, other government sources, and project grants from nonprofit associations do not pose a conflict with the Pew scholars program.

Funding

The current grant level is $300,000.

An award of $75,000 per year for four years will be provided to the sponsoring institution for use by the scholar, subject to annual review of the scholar’s progress. Grant agreements will be issued in August of the award year. The awarded funds may be used at the discretion of the Pew scholar, for personnel, equipment, supplies, or travel directly related to the scholar's research and as to best advance his or her research and career.

• The amount of the award that may be used for the principal investigator’s salary is limited to $12,500 per year (including benefits) or $50,000 over the duration of the grant. There are no limits on student or postdoctoral salaries.
• Not more than 8 percent ($24,000) of the total award value may be allocated for facilities and administration (F&A) charges or indirect costs (IDCs).
• Should the funds not be immediately required, they may be accumulated and carried over through the grant period and, with written approval of the program office, the grant may receive a no-cost extension for one additional year (without additional funds).
• Subawards are allowed.

During the four-year grant term, program participants are required to attend an annual meeting held in March or April. All eligible expenses for attendees’ travel, lodging, and meals are paid by Pew. The meeting provides Pew scholars with an opportunity to present their research and for scientific collaboration and exchange with other scholars and members of the National Advisory Committee.

Trees for Texans

Texan by Nature is proud to partner with H-E-B to catalyze a statewide tree-planting program. Trees for Texans enriches the places we call home by planting trees that create healthier environments for schools, communities, and our future.

Our communities will Thrive

Trees help communities thrive by offering shade, reducing the urban heat island effect, and cooling urban areas. Trees also enhance our communities, providing educational opportunities and mental health benefits that enrich the quality of life of our communities.

Our environment will Thank Us

Trees play a crucial role in keeping our environment healthy. Trees help absorb carbon dioxide providing cleaner air. Trees help filter water, providing clean drinking water for communities. Trees and forests provide crucial habitats that help healthy populations of wildlife thrive.

Our Texas, Our Future

H-E-B Trees for Texans is a long-term investment in the future of all Texans. As trees grow and mature over time, their benefits extend through generations creating a legacy of sustainability and stewardship for future generations to enjoy.

For Communities Grant

We’re connecting communities to nature with opportunities for hands-on conservation. H-E-B supports communities by partnering with local non-profits to plant trees, engage volunteers, and celebrate the places we call home.

We invite non-profits, municipalities, and civic organizations to apply for a $5,000 grant for projects that increase tree canopy, reduce the heat island effect, increase available greenspace, and beautify public spaces in Texas. This application is open annually, and there are no restrictions regarding number of applications. Organizations are eligible to apply each cycle.

Funding is awarded annually for plantings occurring during the upcoming tree planting season.

While many community foundations across the country were created by several donors, Austin Community Foundation was created through the generosity of one woman. After her husband’s death in 1963, Fannie Gray Leo met with bank trustee George K. Meriwether, seeking his advice about how to provide for her family and favorite charities including the cancer center where Jack received care, as well as homes for orphans and for the elderly. Upon her death in 1975 it was discovered that Fannie Gray Leo had earmarked 5% of her estate, or $30,000, to create Austin Community Foundation (ACF). In 1977, two years later, Austin Community Foundation was established.

Today, ACF is your trusted partner in philanthropy in Central Texas. Our experienced team collaborates with community-minded individuals, families, and businesses to create greater impact, together. No matter how you want to give back, we help you turn your generosity into a force for good. As our mission, Austin Community Foundation mobilizes ideas and resources to strengthen Central Texas. Our work and leadership are focused on closing the opportunity gap through advancing economic mobility and housing affordability.

We work together with individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders to address the greatest needs and opportunities in Central Texas. We primarily serve Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties.

Austin Community Foundation invests in the economic mobility of Central Texans so our region can be a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We carry out this work through two signature programs, the Hispanic Impact Fund and the Women’s Fund —collective-giving networks led by community members who share responsibility for the vision, fundraising, and grantmaking.

Women’s Fund Grant

The Women’s Fund at ACF began in 2004 as a collective giving network to tackle key issues affecting women and children, and has since grown into a powerful force for change—granting over $4 million to more than 100 nonprofits in Central Texas. From the “Power of the Purse” luncheon in 2005, to its 2016 strategic realignment, to its latest research report in 2023 and beyond, the Women’s Fund continues to evolve alongside our community with the guidance of its passionate Steering Committee. In addition to celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, the Women’s Fund awarded $500,000 to 15 organizations. 

The Women’s Fund awards funding to organizations and programs providing direct services and systems-level change in the following strategy areas:

• Housing: Supporting access to affordable housing for women that include a network of support and/or opportunities for long-term wealth building.
• Child Care: Expanding access to safe, quality, culturally competent and affordable child care that is conveniently located for families with low incomes.
• Education: Providing access to an ecosystem of support—academic, emotional, and financial—for women pursuing educational dreams.
• Unintended Pregnancy Prevention: Increasing access to consumable, unbiased pregnancy prevention resources.
• Women’s Health: Reducing health disparities experienced by women facing the greatest barriers to care.

In total, $550,000 in unrestricted, general operating support will be awarded to 15 different nonprofit organizations.

Background

While many community foundations across the country were created by several donors, Austin Community Foundation was created through the generosity of one woman. After her husband’s death in 1963, Fannie Gray Leo met with bank trustee George K. Meriwether, seeking his advice about how to provide for her family and favorite charities including the cancer center where Jack received care, as well as homes for orphans and for the elderly. Upon her death in 1975 it was discovered that Fannie Gray Leo had earmarked 5% of her estate, or $30,000, to create Austin Community Foundation (ACF). In 1977, two years later, Austin Community Foundation was established.

We work together with individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders to address the greatest needs and opportunities in Central Texas. We primarily serve Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties.

Austin Community Foundation invests in the economic mobility of Central Texans so our region can be a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We carry out this work through two signature programs, the Hispanic Impact Fund and the Women’s Fund —collective-giving networks led by community members who share responsibility for the vision, fundraising, and grantmaking.

The Jordan Award

Nonprofit organizations often count on volunteers to help efficiently deliver on their mission. The Jordan Award recognizes a Central Texas nonprofit that effectively leverages the time and talents of volunteers to effect positive change in our community.

About Dr. Wylie Jordan

Dr. Wylie Jordan became part of the Foundation’s community of givers when it was founded in 1977. In fact, he was a board member for Recording for the Blind—one of the first organizations to receive a grant from ACF. Over the years, he became increasingly impressed with volunteers on the boards at Austin Community Foundation and other nonprofits in the community, and began to think about how volunteerism should be recognized.

In honor of Dr. Wylie Jordan’s legacy and passing, ACF will close out the Jordan Award in 2025 by awarding two grants, each $11,500 in value, focusing on exceptional volunteer programs.

Theodore P. Davis Charitable Trust

For the support of charitable purposes within the Austin Metropolitan Area. 

Program Areas

• Animal Welfare,
• Arts and Culture,
• Civic Activities,
• Community Development,
• Education,
• Environment,
• Health and Medical Research,
• Human and Social Services,
• Religious

The Junior League of Austin is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

We strive to make a difference in the community by partnering with more than 30 nonprofit agencies and programs and giving financial support and more than 160,000 volunteer hours in our community. Through collaboration with agencies like you, we are able to help strengthen the Central Texas community. We appreciate your work within the community and hope that our volunteers and funds can help with your efforts.

Who We Are

Impact Austin is an Austin-based women’s collective giving organization, funding Central Texas nonprofits that provide services in Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.

Girls Giving Grants

Girls Giving Grants, the youth enterprise of Impact Austin, is changing the face of giving. We are a grantmaking cooperative, funded and operated by young women in grades 8 - 12. Our mission is to know and to serve our community. We want our funds to make a visible difference in our community. We award grants to charitable programs or projects that benefit youth within Travis, Hays, Bastrop and/or Williamson counties. Through their programs, the organizations must strengthen, improve, enhance, and positively impact the lives of children and youth in the greater Austin area. All grants are unrestricted which means they may be used for programs or for general operations of the grant winner. The members of Girls Giving Grants choose the recipient of the grant.

The Nolan Ryan Foundation works year-round to raise funds for its scholarship program. The program was recently elevated by establishing a scholarship endowment fund that awards scholarships of up to $40,000, renewable for up to four years. Currently, the Foundation partners with the Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation to provide scholarships to deserving local students.

The Nolan Ryan Foundation also awards the Willie Wells Memorial Scholarship every spring. Hall of Famer Willie Wells played for the Austin Black Senators, a Texas Negro League baseball team. In 2021, the Round Rock Express partnered with the Nolan Ryan Foundation to establish a scholarship in Wells' memory at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin.

50/50 Raffle Community Grant

The Round Rock Express and Nolan Ryan Foundation have joined forces to host a 50/50 Raffle at every home game. At the end of the year, the Nolan Ryan Foundation donates to several local nonprofit organizations in Central Texas through the 50/50 Raffle Community Grant Program.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Engineering - New Program

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2026-2027 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2027-2028 academic year (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Engineering - Program Expansion

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Engineering program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Engineering course not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Engineering courses previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Engineering courses for the 2026-2027 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting. 

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Gateway - Program Expansion

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Gateway program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Gateway unit not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Gateway unit previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in a PLTW Gateway unit for the 2026-2027 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Launch - New Program

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Launch module in the 2026-2027 academic year and must offer one additional module for the 2027-2027 academic year (two different modules in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Launch modules of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Launch - Program Expansion

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantees must use these grant funds to expand their program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Launch module not previously offered, and/or offering existing PLTW Launch modules to more students, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Launch Classroom Teacher Training or PLTW Launch Lead Teacher Training for the 2026-2027 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting.