Happy Holidays from Impact Austin | |
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! December is my absolute favorite month of the year. Not only is it my birthday month, but it’s the time when we come together as a community to celebrate this season of caring, sharing, and giving. My son, Dylan, and I get to spend quality time volunteering with local nonprofits’ food and holiday gift drives. It truly warms my heart to see him giving back to those in need.
As an Impact Austin member, take time to reflect on the collective investment and impact that we’ve made to help better the lives of our local neighbors. Whether you gave of your time, talent, treasure, or even your testimony and ties, you made a difference this year. Thank you!
Through the busyness of the season, consider these items to make your holiday even brighter and merrier:
- Make yourself a priority by finding ways to relax and enjoy the season.
- Call, text, email, or share a holiday coffee or cocktail with a fellow Impact Austin member!
- Explore ways to support our Community Partners with their year-end efforts.
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Renew your Impact Austin membership. We will continue to be impactful if you’re a part of our organization. Also, invite a friend to join you!
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Join our Philanthropy Circle with a year-end minimum gift of $250 or more.
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Volunteer as a committee co-chair or member. Check out the Hot Jobs listing!
However you decide to celebrate this season, I hope that you’re surrounded by joy, comfort, and love. Again, thank you for being a valued part of our Impact Austin family!
Sending holiday cheer to you and yours,
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Last month’s Town Hall Meeting was a standout, thanks in part to the inspiring keynote address from Sara Lomelin, Founder and CEO of Philanthropy Together. We heard the results of our member survey, had important updates from committees, and were thrilled to welcome new Community Partners. Find a copy of the program and the info-packed recap here. Thank you again to sponsors FVF Law (and Margaret von Flatern) and Polaris Executive Talent Advisors (and Claudia Barlow).
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Holiday Happy Hour + Shopping
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It’s our last event of 2023, and it’s coming up on Dec 7. We’ll meet at Vamonos Tex-Mex at 6:30 PM for happy hour and then drive up the street to the Blue Genie Art Bazaar. It’s one of Austin’s most unique shopping experiences. Don’t miss this fun gathering, and register a friend, too! | |
Welcome, New Community Partners! | |
Member vote determined the allocations for our newest Partners, two of whom had not yet been funded by Impact Austin. We’re proud to invest in these hard-working organizations. Learn more about their focus and funding on See Our Impact. | |
Health & Well-Being Partners | |
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$63,400
for
Food Recovery & Redistribution Hub
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$15,800
in
Unrestricted Funding
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$63,400
for
Literacy and Educational Equity
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$15,800
in
Unrestricted Funding
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At our 2023 Town Hall Meeting, Grants Co-chairs Karen McLinden and Michelle Rankin announced a return to a single grantmaking cycle as of 2024. "Traditionally, the Impact Austin grants cycle was scheduled once each year in the spring. In Fall 2020 we announced that we would host grant cycles twice a year, starting in Spring 2021. At the same time, we streamlined applications and processes to be less burdensome for local nonprofits. While the applications and process improvements will remain in place, operating two grants cycles a year has proven to be a heavy load for our volunteers and has led to compressed grants cycles. This decision was made based on listening to our grants’ volunteers and to our member survey feedback."
The Spring 2024 grant cycle will offer Community and Education grants as expected. Also in spring, the Grants Committee will work with the Strategic Planning Committee and Strategic Advisory Council to solicit input on the community’s greatest needs. This will help us to determine our future focus areas. Details of our grantmaking program going forward will be announced at June’s Annual Meeting, including the focus areas chosen for Spring 2025 Grants. We will not have a fall 2024 grants cycle.
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Join, Re-Join, Renew, and Invite a New Member to Build Funding for Spring Grants
All who join, rejoin, or renew with Impact Austin by year-end will build the funding available for Community and Education Grants in the spring. This is true whether your membership is paid in full or your monthly payments are initiated by December 31, 2023. Let’s keep our collective impact strong to benefit Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties!
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Philanos Offers Resources to Impact Austin Members | |
Impact Austin is a member of Philanos, the leading women's giving circle network. We are one of 80+ affiliates in 27 states, the District of Columbia, England, and Australia. As a Philanos member, all of our members can tap into to their resources: webinars; regular convenings of volunteers working with communications, tech, membership; and their affiliate forums. To access the Philanos Affiliate Portal, you must register. If you need assistance, reach out to [email protected]. | |
Philanos PowerUP! Conference Recap | |
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At the 2023 Town Hall Meeting, Demetria Caston identified key takeaways from the Philanos conference in early November. She said, “…so many other giving circles thanked us – Rebecca Powers specifically – for their beginnings and continue to seek us out for best practices.” Resounding themes highlighted:
- Strategic planning for long-term sustainability
- Fostering key community partnerships
- Focusing on succession planning
- Prioritizing philanthropy education for members and community
- Shifting grantmaking to focused community needs areas and unrestricted giving
- Retaining current membership through meaningful engagement among members
- Volunteering where needed with community partners
- Recruiting new members with a diversity lens
- Continuing the work of trust-based philanthropy and DEIB initiatives
Becky Austen shared her own recap of Conference learnings on our blog.
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Community Partner Spotlight | |
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Dec 7 Holiday Happy Hour at Vamonos and Shopping at Blue Genie; register here
Dec 31 Deadline to join, rejoin, or renew to fund Education and Community Grants
Jan 9 Nonprofit Workshop for Spring 2024 Grants; register here
Feb Discovery Day - date and location TBD
Jun 10 Annual Meeting at the Austin Public Library
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We have a team of amazing individuals working hard to keep you up to date with what is happening at Impact Austin.
Visit our blog to find event info, press releases, member profiles and so much more! Plus, don't forget to #JoinImpactAustin on your favorite social media sites!
Please "like" and "share" our posts! You'll help to promote Impact Austin to a wider audience and potential members. We would love to hear from you...what do you want to learn more about? What type of information is useful for you?
Contact us at [email protected].
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