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It was wonderful seeing so many members at our first in-person Discovery Day since 2020! If you couldn’t attend, please check out our blog to learn of the engaging conversations from our keynote speakers and panelists. I look forward to seeing how the conversations will advance our approach to trust-based philanthropy and supporting our community partners.
As an organization, we currently have an opportunity to look at where we are today and where we are headed. Many elements are certain while others are in development. I am confident that:
- Our community is counting on all of us to continue issuing high-impact grants
- Collective giving is core to our mission and will remain our primary focus
- We value each of our members, celebrate every new member that joins our giving circle, and support all members through their philanthropic journeys
- The Board of Directors is prioritizing continuity and stability while taking a deeper look at the work we do to create operational efficiencies
- Our strategic plan is in development and will be unveiled at Impact Austin’s Annual Meeting on June 10
- Alyssa Reyna, Impact Austin’s Philanthropy Operations Manager, continues to support our organization operationally
Thank you to those who have reached out over the past month. We are in a period of listening and reflecting and want to hear from you. I’m continually energized to hear the excitement and passion from our members and others in our community!
With gratitude,
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Deanna DeHaven
Board President
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Spring Grant Cycle Underway | |
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This month, dozens of Impact Austin members are facilitating our spring grant review. Within the Community and Education GRCs are 47 member volunteers, even more GRC leaders, and volunteers assisting with grant finance review. From 72 total applications, the GRCs have pulled 11 for deep-dive review. The next step will be to identify semi-finalists for April site visits. The GRCs’ last task will be to name four nonprofit finalists to receive Impact Austin grants at our Annual Meeting. Impact Austin members will make the final choices regarding Spring Grants.
Member voting will begin on May 17. All those who initiative payments to join/renew/or re-join Impact Austin by May 14, or whose membership is in good standing by that date, will be qualified to vote on Spring Grants.
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Girls Giving Grants names two Finalists
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The 55 members of Girls Giving Grants (g3) will announce their $8,500 grant in April. Their two finalists were named on February 25 and introduced on our blog. | |
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On April 7, Application Review Committees (ARCs) will make virtual presentations to the entire g3 membership. The members have one week to vote on the recipient for their 2024 grant. Girls Giving Grants will celebrate their awardee at their April 21 meeting and again at Impact Austin’s June 10 Annual Meeting.
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g3 Benefits as Amplify Austin raises $7,425 | |
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Girls Giving Grants Co-Chair Summer McAfee wrote about Amplify Austin, “… we surpassed our fundraising goal! Together, we raised an impressive $7,425 from 40 generous donors. This remarkable achievement is more than double the funds raised during last year's Amplify Austin Day, and it speaks volumes about the strength of our community. This incredible start sets a strong foundation for Girls Giving Grants in the 2024-2025 grant cycle, and we are immensely grateful for your involvement in this fundraising effort. Your commitment to supporting G3 is truly appreciated.”
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All current members in good standing and women who join, re-join, renew, or initiate payments with Impact Austin by May 14 are qualified to vote on Spring Grants. If it’s time for you to renew, let’s get it done! If your membership has lapsed, there’s no time like now to rejoin. We miss you! If your friend or colleague is considering Impact Austin, let’s get her involved! | |
Recruitment: Membership Info Session and Connect Event | |
Events on Mar 26 and Mar 28 offer potential members friendly, casual opportunities to learn about Impact Austin. One is in South Austin, and the other is in the Domain. Members, please invite a friend or colleague to one of these! | |
The Member Connections team has put together several gatherings during April and May, including a New Member Orientation on May 23. Eventbrite registration with details are coming soon. Next week, you'll find those on the Member Connections page or Events. | |
Committee Chair and Co-Chair Openings
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We need leaders to guide three Impact Austin committees. On our Volunteer page, please read more about what these committees do. If a chair/co-chair position doesn’t work for you now, perhaps joining a committee will! Please submit the volunteer form that indicates your skills and interests. Committees most in need of leadership include:
Learning Committee Chair
Girls Giving Grants Co-Chair
Events Committee Chair
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April is National Volunteer Month
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Last April we published a blog with 7 Inspirational Practices for National Volunteer Month. Some of those are:
- Volunteer within Impact Austin to strengthen our organization so that we are a vigorous partner and advocate for our grantees. Every committee and event needs volunteers.
- Use social media and email to build support for your favorite nonprofit - and Impact Austin.
- Throw a party, literally or virtually. Host a diaper drive, collect toys, or encourage others to purchase gift cards. Many nonprofits accept these all year long.
- Learn something new while being hands-on with a favorite nonprofit.
- Let your heartstrings be tugged. Check out See Our Impact for inspiration.
Our January newsletter included volunteer opportunities with current and recent Community Partners: everything from delivering/sorting materials; toy-making preparations; one-time volunteer gigs; gathering food; event facilitation; and mentoring.
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If you missed Discovery Day, you’ll want to soak up our recap of the morning’s rich content. Thought-provoking discussion flowed from the opening Keynote Conversation through two panels. Our brilliant speakers and panelists were introduced in a February blog; thank you to all of them! Thank you to so many Impact Austin women bringing the event together: Alyssa Reyna and Demetria Caston from our staff; member-owned businesses providing sponsorship, including C2C Media, FVF Law, and Polaris Executive Talent Advisors; Ami Kane, Panel 2 moderator; Member Connections volunteers choreographing post-event lunches; and hands-on volunteers managing setup, take-down, promotion, and prizes. | |
External Opportunities to Learn | |
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Our Events page occasionally features Philanthropy Education opportunities offered by organizations with whom we affiliate. Two upcoming virtual events are focused on collective giving. The third is the Culture of Collaboration Summit, which is local and in-person.
As an affiliate of Philanos, the leading national women’s giving circle network, Impact Austin members can register to access Philanos events, research, webinars, and recordings of past webinars. Register with the Philanos Affiliate Portal to start exploring and learning!
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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! And 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?
Email us at [email protected].
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