ACF’s Donor Relations team (left to right): Shannon Stagner, IPA; Stephanie Sessa, CAP®; Arthur Brewer; and Rebekah Anthony, CAP®.
As we kick off 2026, many individuals and families may be wondering how to make their charitable giving more meaningful and effective—or even how to get started. At Austin Community Foundation (ACF), we believe the most powerful philanthropy starts with a conversation, which is why we have a dedicated team ready to provide personalized support. When life brings change, complexity, or opportunity, ACF is here to help you turn your giving into lasting local impact.
With deep local knowledge and personalized support, we help simplify charitable giving and connect generosity to real needs in our region. Here are a few key moments when partnering with ACF can make all the difference:
When You Want to Respond to Community Needs (But Don’t Know Where to Start)
When community needs arise, many donors feel called to help but aren’t always sure where their support will make the greatest difference. Community foundations play a unique role as community leaders, bringing people together to respond thoughtfully and effectively in moments of change or challenge.
At ACF, our team is deeply engaged in the community every day. From building partnerships to convening critical conversations, we are dedicated to identifying innovative, collaborative solutions to Central Texas’s most pressing issues.
Our team has its finger on the pulse of which organizations are responding on the ground and where charitable dollars can have immediate impact. By partnering with ACF, donors can give confidently—knowing their generosity is reaching the organizations that need it most, right when it matters.
Read more about how ACF fundholders responded to key moments in 2025 or sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay informed.
When It’s Time to Update Your Will
Over the course of your life, planning your will often prompts deeper reflection about your values, family, and the kind of legacy you want to leave behind. Whether you’re early in your career, raising a family, or refining plans later in life, estate and charitable planning evolve as your life changes—and each stage offers meaningful opportunities to align your generosity with what matters most to you.
Many donors want to support the community they love but aren’t sure how to build philanthropy into their plan. ACF partners with donors and advisors to design charitable giving strategies that are flexible, thoughtful, and rooted in local impact. We help ensure your generosity continues to support Central Texas for generations to come.
Download our toolkit to get started.
When You’re Planning to Sell a Business or Property
A business sale or real estate transaction can be a milestone moment and a powerful opportunity for philanthropy. Whether you’re selling a business, investment property, or other complex assets, connecting with ACF early can help your giving go further.
By contributing assets before a sale, donors may reduce or avoid capital gains taxes while increasing the amount available for charitable impact. ACF works alongside donors and advisors to structure donor-advised funds and other giving vehicles that align financial goals with long-term community impact.
Learn more about donating complex assets.
When You Want to Maximize Your Charitable Giving
There are moments throughout the year—tax season, year-end planning, or after a life change—when donors want to give more strategically. ACF makes it easier to navigate timing and tax considerations, so giving can be both simple and impactful.
With ACF as your philanthropic partner, you gain access to local expertise, flexible giving tools, and personalized guidance, helping you make the most of every charitable dollar.
Request philanthropic advising from our team.
Your Trusted Partner in Philanthropy
At ACF, we know charitable giving isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s an evolving journey shaped by life events, financial decisions, and a desire to make a difference close to home. That’s why we’re committed to working alongside you and your advisors—whenever questions and opportunities emerge.
As 2026 begins, we invite you to think of Austin Community Foundation as your first call for charitable giving. Together, we can turn moments of opportunity into meaningful impact for our community.
