The Austin Community Foundation is the Heart of Giving in Central Texas
The Austin Community Foundation is a unique, not-for-profit connection between donors from all walks of life and the broad spectrum of efforts that improve our evolving community. The Foundation brings an efficiency of scale to these donors, allowing their charitable dollars to go as far as possible toward improving life for all Central Texans.

The Austin Communtiy Foundation is a proud partner of the I Live Here I Give Here Campaign.

Jack Jenkins Debate Opportunity Fund

The Jack Jenkins Debate Opportunity Fund was established to enable economically disadvantaged high school students to fully participate in debate. Jack felt it was unfair that involvement in debate was limited to those who could afford it. He wanted everyone who valued exploring and discussing ideas to be a part of the debate community that he loved. The fund was inspired by Jack's life and beliefs and was created in his honor to allow his love to continue in a tangible way. Read more...


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Austin and Philanthropy

Philanthropy is the story of Austin. Without it, Austin just wouldn't be the same. That spirit of philanthropy is embodied today in the Austin Community Foundation.

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The Barton Spring Salamander Conservation Fund
2008 Grant Guidelines

The Barton Springs Salamander Conservation Fund has been established at the Austin Community Foundation by the City of Austin in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The purpose of the Fund is to promote conservation and research projects that benefit the federally endangered Barton Springs salamander, Barton Springs, and the Barton Springs watershed.

View Grant Guidelines

The Will Sarosdy Swim for Life Fund 

The Will Sarosdy Swim for Life Fund was established in Will's memory to support swim programs throughout the country, including especially programs to help underprivileged youth participate in the sport of swimming.  As an athlete and a coach Will recognized that swimming can help young people develop life-long friendships, positive experiences and core values including discipline, integrity and self-respect. 

 To read more about Will's life

 

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Bright Leaf 

In 2006, the Austin Community Foundation aquired Bright Leaf from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The Austin Community Foundation is committed to upholding the will of Georgia Lucas and preserving Bright Leaf. The Austin Community Foundation will work with the Friends of Bright Leaf to fufill the vision of Georgia Lucas.  Guided hikes are offered to the public at scheduled times.

Click here to contact the Friends of Bright Leaf for more information

View the 2008 Summer Newsletter

Read about the Austin Community Foundation's new Board of Governors, our new President/CEO and much more in our newsletter. 

Volunteering in Austin, Texas

The Corporation for National and Community Service has published new research findings.  
They state the rankings for Austin as follows:

Volunteer Rate Ranking: 5th within the 50 large cities
Average Volunteer Rate: 35.3%
Volunteer Hours Ranking: 16th within the 50 large cities
Average Volunteer Hours per Resident: 41.9 hours

To read more about volunteering in Austin...
To read more about Austin's standard profile...  

The ACF receives 4-star rating from Charity Navigator

For the second consecutive year the Austin Community Foundation has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities. 

Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that our organization excels, as compared to other charities in America, in successfully managing the finances of our organization in an efficient and effective manner.  This consistency in our rating is an exceptional feat, especially given the economic challenges many charities have had to face in the last year.

View the Austin Community Foundation Charity Rating