NEWS

June 2025

Dear Impact Austin Community,

As I write this final letter as your President, I’m filled with deep gratitude for this extraordinary community. Serving in this role has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Together, we’ve made bold strides -expanding our grantmaking, reaffirming our DEIB values, deepening our commitment to trust-based philanthropy, and creating space for more women across Central Texas to realize their philanthropic potential.

This progress comes at a time when nonprofits are under immense pressures, from rising demand to declining financial support. Our partners are doing heroic work despite these challenges, and that’s why Impact Austin’s mission is more important than ever. Our model isn’t just about funding - it’s about trust, partnership, and lasting impact.

Recently, over 50 nonprofit leaders signed a letter thanking Impact Austin for embracing unrestricted grantmaking. It was a powerful affirmation of our path and a call for more funders to lead with courage.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for what’s still to come. Many of our efforts are already beginning to show meaningful results, and I have full confidence in the continued growth and strength of our grantmaking in the years ahead.

It’s also my great pleasure to welcome Claudia Barlow as our next President. Claudia is a champion for trust-based philanthropy and she brings a focus on increasing our impact in the community. I have every confidence in her leadership, and I know that Impact Austin is in incredibly capable hands.

Though my time as President is ending, my belief in this mission and this community remain

as strong as ever. Thank you for the opportunity to serve, and for all you do to lead change in Central Texas.

With deep gratitude,

Deanna DeHaven

President, Board of Directors, FY 2024 and 2025

2025 Annual Meeting

Nine Million Reasons to Celebrate

We welcomed new Community Partners, applauded Girls Giving Grants, honored exceptional volunteers, and welcomed new leadership – all while enjoying old and new friendships in Austin Public Library’s beautiful Special Events Center. Check out our recap blog for the event’s highlights and some photos. Thanks to all who attended, a wonderfully large crowd!

Did you capture photos or video at Annual Meeting? If so, text them to us at 512-553-6083. Even better, share on your own social media. Your posts will reach a new audience for us. Write what you enjoyed about Annual Meeting or serving on a GRC – or what you value about Impact Austin in general. Tag us! Or share one of Impact Austin's posts with your own commentary.

Grantmaking

Celebrating 2025 Community Partners

Our six finalists were available to meet members ahead of Annual Meeting. Their compelling video messages were shared prior to membership vote for funding allocations, and then the votes were cast. Annual Meeting closed with the announcement of grants and applause for our new Community Partners. We're so honored to partner with you! Congratulations to:

Community Grant Partners

Black Mamas Village ATX

$80,000

Good Work Austin

$18,000

Education Grant Partners

Open Door Preschools

$80,000

Breakthrough Central Texas

$18,000

Health & Well-Being Grant Partners

Hope Clinic Austin

$80,000

Austin Sunshine Camps

$18,000

Praise from Nonprofit Leaders for Unrestricted Grants

In a surprise moment for our members, Impact Austin board member Ami Kane read a letter co-signed by 50 nonprofit leaders in Central Texas. The Open Letter of Thanks to Impact Austin Members commended our shift to unrestricted grants. Find the letter and a list of endorsers here; be sure to read the special messages shared by some of the co-signers.

g3 Introduces Saint Louise House to Impact Austin

The members of Girls Giving Grants announced their 2025 award in late April, but our Annual Meeting provided another opportunity to celebrate their $6,500 grant to Saint Louise House. Outgoing President Merdith McMahan, a five-year member of g3, shared how the grant will be used, and she also took the opportunity to thank graduating seniors, g3 officers and leaders, and their Impact Austin advisors. Meredith added, “We would also like to give a huge thank you to Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Texas for allowing us to make your office our home for the Sunday meetings. We so appreciate your generosity and support.” The 2024-2025 class of Girls Giving Grants collectively volunteered 960 hours to make their grant possible.

Membership

Volunteers Honored at Annual Meeting

The conclusion of FY 2025 gave opportunity to thank Impact Austin members putting the “power” into our member-powered organization. President Deanna DeHaven asked to stand members who had volunteered in any capacity during the year. Grants Co-Chairs Karen McLinden and Michelle Rankin highlighted Grants leadership and GRC volunteers. Deanna and incoming president Claudia Barlow together honored exceptional volunteers nominated by the membership. Our recap blog gives the detail about each honor. Applause goes to:

Jerrica Deloney Witte

Val Kirk

“Above and Beyond” Award

Karen Davenport

Volunteer of the Year

in honor of Allison Marshall

Advancement

Committee of the Year

Gloria Hughes

Most Members Recruited

Thank you, Gloria!

Alyssa Reyna

honored with a gift and Certificate of Awesomeness from Consuela. Alyssa consistently goes above and beyond the job description for us!

Member Connections: Impact Austin Book Club

While the summer will be relatively quiet, our Member Connections team has put together a book club gathering on July 21 at 6:00 PM. Members will discuss My Friends by Fredrik Backman. While space is somewhat limited, guests are invited! Check out the registration link for all the details.

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!

Community Partner Spotlight

Foster Angels of Central Texas won the $8,500 award from Girls Giving Grants in 2024. The grant funded the purchase of gift cards that children in foster care could use to pick out their own clothing. More than 60 children benefited from the grant. G3 also supported Foster Angels of Central Texas with their 2018 grant to purchase beds and bedding for foster care youth.

The Foster Angels outcomes video premiered at our June 9 Annual Meeting. Take a look!

Blog Spotlight

With the end of a fiscal year comes a flurry of blog posts – recaps, reaffirmations, new grants, new board members, and good news. Let’s spotlight our post concerning this June 4 board action: Impact Austin Reaffirms our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

“At Impact Austin, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) as core to who we are and all that we do. These principles are not aspirational - they are essential to how we live our mission and engage with the Central Texas community.” Find more on our blog.

Upcoming Events

Jul 14 – Registration opens for Girls Giving Grants 2025-2026

Jul 21 – Impact Austin Book Club - Register here.

Stay Connected

We have a team of amazing individuals working hard to keep you up to date with what is happening at Impact Austin.

Visit our blog to find event info, press releases, member profiles and so much more! And don't forget to #JoinImpactAustin on your favorite social media sites!

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Email us at contact@impactaustin.org.