We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive.
Austin Community Foundation works to close the racial and gender wealth gap while increasing opportunities for economic mobility and wealth-building, particularly for women and Black and Latino communities. We invest in long-term solutions to support the critical and evolving needs of Central Texans.
/ Data informed
Austin is often hailed as among the best places to live. Yet, research shows wages have stagnated as the costs of housing, education, and child care continue to rise, making it harder for families to be economically secure. More than half of Black and Latino households live in liquid asset poverty, meaning they are unable to cover basic expenses in the event of a financial crisis. Of families with children experiencing poverty, 52% are headed by a single woman. With this data in mind, we designed our strategies to respond to the persistent barriers and unique needs of the populations we serve.
/ Community led
We recognize data can only tell us so much. It’s also through community voice and lived experience that we gain a holistic understanding of the issues we seek to address. Our economic mobility programs operate as collective giving networks led by community members who share responsibility for the vision, fundraising and grantmaking. This model offers a wide variety of ways to invest in a shared strategy.
/ Commitment to equity
The annual grantmaking of The Black Fund, Hispanic Impact Fund, and Women’s Fund is centered in equity. We’ve incorporated elements to the grant application and decision-making processes to actively combat implicit bias and engage a more diverse group of grant partners.