Women’s Fund Grants

The Austin Community Foundation is offering grants through its Women's Fund to advance the economic mobility of women and children in the Central Texas region, encompassing Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, and Caldwell Counties. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to address systemic barriers and provide direct services to improve the lives of these vulnerable populations. The grant program seeks to support organizations that are committed to creating lasting, positive change for women and children facing economic hardship. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are women and children with low incomes in the six-county Central Texas area. The program's impact goals are centered on increasing access to essential resources and opportunities that promote economic stability and long-term well-being. This includes fostering affordable housing solutions, expanding access to quality childcare, supporting women's educational pursuits, providing resources for unintended pregnancy prevention, and reducing health disparities, particularly for women of color. The Women's Fund has identified several key strategic areas for funding: Housing, Child Care, Education, Unintended Pregnancy Prevention, and Women's Health. Within these priorities, the foundation seeks proposals that offer both direct services and systems-level changes. This indicates a focus on both immediate relief and broader, more sustainable solutions that address the root causes of economic instability. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by investing in these critical areas, they can create an ecosystem of support that empowers women and children to overcome economic challenges and achieve greater self-sufficiency. Expected outcomes include increased access to affordable housing with support networks, expanded availability of safe and affordable childcare, improved educational attainment for women, enhanced access to unbiased pregnancy prevention resources, and a reduction in health disparities among women of color. The grant sizes range from $100,000 to $500,000 with a duration of two years, suggesting a commitment to substantial and sustained impact. Specifically, a total of $500,000 in unrestricted, general operating support will be awarded to 15 different nonprofit organizations, with individual awards for winning finalist ($55,000 total over two years), runner-up finalist ($30,000 in 2024), and semifinalist ($15,000 in 2024).