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We’re celebrating Girls Giving Grants (g3) and their 20th anniversary milestone! From their first grant in 2006 to this year’s award, g3 has deployed collective giving and thoughtful grantmaking to support 20 local nonprofits and the youth they serve. We congratulate Girls Giving Grants for $138,600 in total grantmaking! Read more about their 2026 grant further down the newsletter.
And how did our youth giving circle begin?
In 2005, Lisa Lyons joined the Impact Austin board. Using our own model as a guide, she and 22 g3 members created a framework for Girls Giving Grants. A series of dedicated member chairs/co-chairs followed Lisa and contributed their own brand of inspiration, mentoring, and leadership to g3 members. Dina Mavridis ran the program for 9 years after its start-up phase. Ami Kane served next – even before she joined Impact Austin as a member! Other current and past members leading g3 include Elizabeth Doyel, Sue Breland, Jennifer Long, Sara Williamson, Karen Davenport, Summer McAfee, Rebecca Birch, and Mae Mendoza.
Many of these leaders had congratulations and comments to share from their experiences with g3. Find these on our most recent blog. Here are just a few words:
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Dina Mavridis - “I joined g3 as a young leader from Impact Austin, and now, years later, as a mom of three daughters, one who is a member and two more who are future members, I have the privilege of experiencing its impact in an even more meaningful way. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey and for the lasting difference you continue to make.”
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Sue Breland - “In moving g3 meetings into the northeast Austin Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy, and with the generosity of a local family foundation which provided $10,000 in member scholarships, g3 gained the participation of girls from that area who brought new perspectives on community needs. Coming out of the COVID years, g3 members came roaring back more resilient, compassionate, and ready to engage than ever.”
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Rebecca Birch – “The Girls Giving Grants program is an amazing opportunity for young women to learn about their communities and the value of philanthropy. It has been a tremendous honor to work alongside them in this process. Here’s to another 20 years!”
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Claire Powers (first g3 class and later an advisor) - “I cannot believe it has been 20 years! As a high school girl helping to create Girls Giving Grants, I would never have imagined it to continue to flourish in this way, 20 years later! Going from participating to advising to now seeing my friend's daughters participate, it's a full circle moment for sure!”
The celebration for Girls Giving Grants continues at our June 8 Annual Meeting. Until then, head to our blog for more congratulations and reflections from past participants.
Hugs applause from Impact Austin! We are outrageously proud of you!
| | Girls Giving Grants Announce their 2026 Community Partner | | On April 19, the 63 members of Girls Giving Grants announced their 2026 grantee: the Children’s Advocacy Center – Serving Bastrop, Lee and Fayette Counties. The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a safe, child-friendly organization where child abuse victims can receive comprehensive services, including forensic interviews, medical exams, therapeutic counseling, and victim advocacy services. Their goal is to minimize the trauma experienced by the victims they serve by providing them with a supportive environment and ensuring that all their needs are met in a coordinated and efficient manner. | | | Meagan Webb, Chief Executive Officer of CAC, commented, “It was inspiring to witness such thoughtful, engaged young women leading the Girls Giving Grants process, already making a meaningful impact in their communities. Their generosity directly ensures that every child we serve has access to high-quality medical care when it matters most.” | | Impact Austin Names 6 Finalists for 2026 Grants | Nonprofits and Impact Austin members were notified on May 8 of finalist selections as determined by Grant Review Committees (GRCs). Learn more about our 2026 Grants process here. Congratulations to: | | | |  | | | Health & Well-Being Grants | | | |
Member vote will determine specific award amounts in each focus area. Primary grants will be $80,000 each and secondary grants will be $20,000 each. All grants are unrestricted.
Voter packets with printed materials to assist in the voting process will be emailed to members on May 26. Please reach out to grants@impactaustin.org if you do not receive your voter packet. Finalists will present their stories by video to Impact Austin members at the Annual Meeting. In-person voting will immediately follow, and the awards will be announced that night. Absentee voting for members unable to attend Annual Meeting will be open May 26 - June 3, with those results incorporated with live votes.
| | Member Voting Eligibility | | Are you eligible to vote? Is it time to renew? Be sure your membership is up to date as of May 22. All who join, renew, or initiate payments by May 22 will receive voter packets. Need to check your status? Email contact@impactaustin.org before May 22. | | Annual Meeting 2026 Now Open for Registration | | It’s the party of the year where we celebrate our collective impact! This is the perfect event to introduce a friend or colleague to Impact Austin. With a central location, beautiful space, fabulous refreshments, the excitement of new grant awards, and the opportunity to meet exceptional Central Texas nonprofits, what’s not to love? In fact, here are 8 Reasons You'll Want to Be There. As details continue to develop, keep an eye on our Annual Meeting webpage, where you’ll also find registration. | |
Member Connections Events and More
| | May and June offer opportunities to learn, to volunteer, and to connect in person and virtually. Find details and registration on our Events webpage or click on the graphics below. | | Nominate Fellow Members for Volunteer Awards | | The Board of Directors is accepting nominations from members to celebrate our outstanding volunteers. Your input is requested for any (or all) of these categories: Val Kirk Above & Beyond Award; Allison Marshall Volunteer of the Year; Committee of the Year; and Core Values Member of the Year. Our nomination form includes descriptions for each category. Nominations are accepted through May 25. | | Impact Austin Merchandise is Hot! | | Wear your Impact Austin logo proudly! Working with Bonfire, Impact Austin’s shop includes many more items than you can see in our graphic. Find a rolling display of options here or go straight to the Bonfire site. Pay attention to size and fabric info for particular items. | | Committee Spotlight - Finance | | Treasurer Role Opportunity | | |
Impact Austin seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Treasurer to help steward our financial reporting and strengthen the financial backbone of our organization. This leadership-oriented, volunteer board role leads an experienced Finance Committee, partners with the Executive Committee on budgeting and financial reporting, and oversees our annual audit and 990 process. It’s an ideal opportunity for someone who loves numbers, values community impact, and wants to help shape efficient, transparent systems that support high-value philanthropy.
Interested candidates can learn more or connect with our President or current Treasurer for details. We anticipate an overlap period between Treasurers to ensure a smooth knowledge transition. The Treasurer role will start on July 1, 2027, with onboarding to the Finance Committee and role prior to that date (and ongoing support throughout the role).
| | Get Social, Stay Connected | | Impact Austin Member Hub Facebook Page | | The Membership Committee championed a Facebook group for members, and here’s how to join: From the “Search Facebook” field, type Impact Austin Member Hub. Request to join the group and answer three quick questions. Once you’ve answered those questions, your request should be approved by one of the group moderators within 48 business hours. This group is for members only – to strengthen connections, share ideas, get together socially, and stay updated. Posts may be generated by anyone in the group! | | | | |
