Austin Community Foundation

10/14/2026

We’re thrilled to congratulate Derek Pierce on his promotion to Controller at ACF! Since joining the organization as Accounting Manager in 2021, Derek has continued to grow in his career, most recently serving as Senior Accounting Manager. He’s been an integral part of the Finance team, and we’re excited to see him build on that experience as Controller, where he will help steward the financial resources that advance ACF's mission.

Please join us in congratulating Derek on this exciting next step!

10/12/2026

We're inspired by Camille and Charlotte's generosity and big hearts. Through their support of the Cile Steward Foundation Fund at Austin Community Foundation, they're showing how a community can come together to honor a beloved friend and carry her legacy forward through acts of kindness. ❤️

Two sisters transformed an ACL Fest tradition into a fundraiser honoring a friend lost in the Camp Mystic flood. https://mrf.lu/26Tdz

10/08/2026

GRANT CYCLE UPDATE: Members of the Women's Fund Grants Committee recently came together to thoughtfully review applications and select semifinalists for our 2026 grant cycle. We're now one step closer to selecting the 15 organizations that will receive a total of $550,000 in unrestricted funding! Thank you to our volunteers who bring their time, care and expertise to the grantmaking process—and a special thank you to these leaders:

Emily Durden, Grants Committee Chair
Kaylin Tabbah, Grants Committee Chair-Elect

2026 Subcommittee Leaders
Jennifer Gregg, Childcare
Chandress Williams, Education
Melissa Bensouda, Housing
Renee Parente, Unintended Pregnancy Prevention
Elsa Dithmer, Women's Health

10/02/2026

With the November 3 election just around the corner, make sure you’re registered to vote by Monday, October 5. Start a new voter registration application or check your registration status by visiting VoteTexas.gov.

10/01/2026

If you're planning to make a charitable gift in 2026, now is the time to review important deadlines for stock transfers, grants, and other giving vehicles. Planning ahead can help ensure your gift is processed on time and qualifies for a 2026 tax deduction.

See all deadlines: https://bit.ly/4e2snt5

Plan your year-end giving with Austin Community Foundation. Learn key deadlines for charitable donations, grants, and accounts payable to ensure your gifts qualify for 2026 tax deductions.

09/28/2026

Every day, ACF fundholders support nonprofits across Central Texas by granting from their donor-advised funds. We're grateful for the range of causes they choose to support—from cancer research and youth services, to habitat restoration and Austin’s music community. Swipe to see just a few of the organizations their giving supported this summer.

Interested in learning more about how a donor-advised fund works? Visit austincf.org/DAF.

09/23/2026

Trusted local journalism doesn’t happen by accident. It’s made possible because people in our community choose to invest in it.

At our recent fundholder event with K*T Austin, we heard how community giving makes trusted reporting possible, from the news we hear during our morning routines to the stories that help us better understand Central Texas.

We also heard how donors stepped up when federal funding cuts put pressure on public media. Their support helped K*T continue serving Central Texans without slowing down, providing a powerful example of how local giving can help trusted institutions remain steady and responsive during times of change.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

09/22/2026

Last week, ACF’s Professional Advisor Council gathered for a conversation about complex assets, upcoming research, and resources for the advisor community. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with these professionals, who help clients everyday navigate important decisions around charitable giving and the values they want to carry forward.

Are you a professional advisor? ACF sends a quarterly email newsletter with helpful information, resources and updates. Visit austincf.org/professional-advisors-toolkit to sign up and learn more about how advisors can partner with ACF.

09/21/2026

Last week, the ACF team gathered for our annual all-staff retreat—an opportunity to reflect on our progress, collaborate on what comes next, and strengthen the relationships that enable us to serve Central Texas. We are so grateful for our team, whose unique talents continue to elevate our work to the next level.

A special thank you to Austin Community College District for hosting us!

09/14/2026

This week, ACF Women's Fund supporters got to learn firsthand about one of our 2025 grant partners: the The Ann Richards School Foundation. On top of hearing about their impact directly from staff—and from an alum on the Women's Fund Steering Committee—it was an honor to take a campus tour led by students who were passionate about their school.

Check out a few highlights from our time together, and learn more at annrichardsschool.org/foundation.