Turk Pipkin, Eric Johnson, Ray Benson and UT President Bill Powers present the donation check to ACF's Jeff Garvey.

A Big Month for Giving in  

Central Texas    

From one of the biggest concerts of the year to our annual fundraiser and wonderful recognition from the community, October was a busy month at the Austin Community Foundation.

 

The Fire Relief Concert on Oct. 17 was a huge success, raising more than $725,000 for ACF's Central Texas Wildfire Fund.

Thanks to organizers, Mike Hall of Texas Monthly and Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, as well as Turk Pipkin and Eric Johnson, thousands of Central Texas learned about our fund and the work we're doing to help these communities recover from the wildfires of Labor Day Weekend.

Edith Royal and Ann Butler at Celebration of Giving.

The next night, we were pleased to honor Ann Butler, Edith Royal, Sandra Martin, John C. Blazier and three of Austin's finest animal charities at our annual

Celebration of Giving on Oct. 18. Hundreds attended this festive event, including representatives from the Austin American-Statesman, which published glowing stories of our success.

Thank you to Austin Ventures, Ann Butler and all of our sponsors. We're proud to continue our role as the hub of philanthropic giving in Central Texas. 

See more photos from the 2011 Celebration of Giving.  

More than $1.2 million is now available as grants to qualifying nonprofits and other organizations working on long-term recovery efforts from the Central Texas wildfires.  

The online grants process opened on November 2. Applicants are advised to be 501(c)(3) organizations actively involved with the long-term recovery committees in their areas.  

Go to the Central Texas Wildfire Fund application online or contact MariBen Ramsey to learn more.  

ACF to Suspend New Fiscal Sponsorships    

The Four Season's Rob Hagelberg and Peggy Thompson present to ACF's MariBen Ramsey.

Ramsey and Jeff Garvey accept check from House of Torment's Monster and Darryl Sanders.

ACF recently received two new large donations from Central Texas donors, the Four Seasons and House of Torment. Thank you!

As part of the campaign, ACF also launched its first-ever text-to-give project to accept mobile donations to the CTWF. More than $11,000 donation have been made so far.  Learn more. 

Donations are still being accepted. Go to AustinCF.org to donate now. Thank you! 

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NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL 

This month, we launched our new YouTube channel. Subscribe and watch our videos from Celebration of Giving and from the Fire Relief concert in October.    

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STAFF UPDATE 

Janice Klekar, former executive assistant to MariBen Ramsey, will take on a new role at ACF as Director of Customer Service.  

In this position, Janice will be tasked with improving relations and responses to our donors and fund holders. The new position takes effect on Dec. 1.  

Kim McCrary will join us  as Executive Assistant to Jeff Garvey and MariBen Ramsey.     

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WOMEN'S FUND MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

On Oct. 20, Women's Fund member Anne Smalling hosted the fall membership drive. Learn about becoming a member and see more photos here.  

GENEROSITY MULTIPLIED

We invite you to learn more about the many opportunities for philanthropy
at all levels in Central Texas. Visit us at austincf.org.