Austin Community Foundation

Quality, affordable child care is essential for families and economic growth. CEO Mike Nellis shares his perspective on the current ballot measure that directs more public resources to address the child-care crisis in Travis County. Read the full article here:

We're excited to share that JPMorganChase has supported our Housing Accelerator Loan Fund with a generous $240K grant! Launched earlier this year, this initiative aims to fast-track affordable housing development in Central Texas. Learn more via the Austin Business Journal:

Please join us in congratulating Misty Whited, Elizabeth Peña and Melissa Holden on their ACF anniversaries! Read on to hear how each of them have grown since working at the Foundation. Misty Whited / VP, Marketing & Communications / 7 years “I'm more comfortable taking risks and exploring the unknown, thanks to the support and encouragement at ACF. I appreciate having the space to learn, experiment, and grow in my role." Elizabeth Peña / Director, Community Impact / 3 years “I've learned there is more than one right way to make a difference and I have found so much joy in helping others give back to the community they love." Melissa Holden / Senior Manager, Operations & Service / 3 years "Working at ACF has taught me the importance of making space to ask questions, explore new ideas and think creatively about the process." 

We’re thrilled to welcome Laura Gomez to the ACF team! As our new Scholarship Program Manager, Laura will play a key role in overseeing the Foundation's diverse scholarship portfolio. Help us give her a warm welcome in the comments!

Every adult should have an estate plan, and now is the perfect time to start yours! Visit https://lnkd.in/g5eJfwKb to access our free resources and learn how you can build your legacy today.

Yesterday, we took a hard hat tour of Cady Lofts with Sally Gaskin, President of SGI Ventures, Inc. Set to open in March, Cady Lofts will provide 100 units with onsite services for people transitioning out of homelessness. The land for this project—located in Central Austin—was acquired with help from ACF's Housing Accelerator Loan Fund, which provides fast, flexible capital to accelerate affordable housing production. Stay tuned for more updates coming next week!

Last month, we kicked off a new workshop series for ACF fundholders called "Engaging the Next Generation in Family Philanthropy." Each of the three sessions covers a different aspect of this topic—from building a culture of giving at home, to practices for continued growth and accountability. For our introductory session, we were privileged to host a panel with Steve and Kate Saunders, ACF fundholders hailing from a family with four generations (and counting) of philanthropists. Curious how ACF can help you create a greater impact in Central Texas and beyond? Visit austincf.org/open-a-fund to learn about our offerings, or get in touch with our team at 512.472.4483.

ACF is excited to recognize Volunteer Healthcare Clinic as the 2024 recipient of the Jordan Award! For nearly 60 years, VHC has been a lifeline for Austin’s most vulnerable—providing essential, quality care through the dedication and generosity of both medical and non-medical volunteers. Learn more about VHC's extraordinary efforts at https://lnkd.in/gC387jGd.

Please help us officially welcome Jordan Bolden to ACF! As our new Investment Accounting Manager, Jordan will play a key role in supporting our Finance team, particularly across the Foundation's investment activities. Say hello in the comments!

Curious about climate philanthropy, but unsure where to begin? In collaboration with local leaders—Randall Kempner, Jenny Everett, and Ben Brimble—ACF hosted a powerful conversation on how donors can support climate efforts, featuring the launch of the Central Texas Climate Action Fund. Read our latest blog for a recap and learn how you can support local climate action at https://lnkd.in/dPWnGD-e.