For nearly 50 years, the Austin Community Foundation has been central to improving the lives of people in Central Texas through strategic philanthropy. Since its founding in 1977, ACF has helped countless individuals, businesses and nonprofits achieve their charitable goals, making it one of the most trusted partners in local philanthropy.

A community foundation, such as ACF, is a tax-exempt public charity that manages donations and grants for the benefit of a specific geographic area—in this case, Central Texas.

“We’re deeply committed to strengthening the community by focusing on long-term, sustainable change,” Director of Donor Relations Rebekah Anthony said. “By working with local donors, nonprofits and community leaders, we ensure that our efforts are aligned with the region's most urgent needs, whether that’s in housing, education or economic mobility."

Identifying community needs

One of ACF's core strengths lies in its ability to identify and respond to the region's most pressing needs. This isn't done in isolation; rather, the foundation uses a combination of research, data analysis and community feedback to shape its initiatives.

"We partner with local organizations, community groups and researchers to understand what the region is facing. We also gather qualitative insights from people with lived experiences to get a full picture of the challenges at hand,” Anthony said.

This comprehensive approach has led ACF to focus heavily on areas, such as housing affordability and economic mobility—two of the most significant issues in Central Texas.

“Housing affordability is a major challenge here, and we've taken steps to address it through initiatives like our Housing Accelerator Loan Fund—a $15 million fund to provide affordable housing developers with more resources,” Anthony said.

Partnering with donors

At the heart of ACF’s work is its role as a bridge between generous donors and community organizations. The foundation manages approximately $572 million in total assets, with $329 million being donor-advised assets.

A donor-advised fund is a financial vehicle that allows individuals, families or businesses to make a charitable donation, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend how and when those funds should be distributed to their chosen causes over time. This flexible giving option enables donors to strategically manage their charitable giving, ensuring that their contributions align with their values and priorities while maximizing their impact in the community.

As the year comes to a close, many people reflect on their giving goals, and ACF is in a prime position to help. The end of the year is often a time of generosity, with individuals and businesses seeking to give back before tax deadlines. ACF offers a variety of ways for donors to maximize their charitable impact.

"Whether it’s a local business or a family, we provide the resources, advice and support to help maximize the impact of their donations,” Anthony said. “Especially at the end of the year, we encourage donors to think strategically about how they give, taking advantage of tax-saving opportunities by contributing assets like appreciated stock, real estate, business interests or even cryptocurrency."

How to get involved

For individuals or businesses interested in contributing to ACF’s work, the foundation offers a simple, personalized process to get started. ACF begins with a conversation to understand each donor's goals and helps guide them in choosing the right giving strategy, whether that involves donating money, assets or other forms of support.

"There’s no minimum donation required to get started," Anthony said. "We offer solutions for both seasoned philanthropists and individuals who are just beginning their giving journey. Whether you're a family looking to create a scholarship fund or a small business hoping to make an impact, we're here to help."

Whether you’re looking to get started with charitable giving or are seeking ways to deepen your philanthropic engagement, ACF offers a personalized experience that can help you maximize your impact in the community.

Visit the Austin Community Foundation’s website to learn more about how you can make a meaningful impact in Central Texas. There, you’ll find additional information on their programs, resources and how you can contribute to the foundation’s efforts to address the region’s most pressing needs.

The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.