Women’s Fund Grant

The Women’s Fund Grant, initiated by the Austin Community Foundation in 2004, has become a significant driver of change for women and children in Central Texas. With over $4 million granted to more than 100 nonprofits, it aims to address critical issues such as housing, child care, education, unintended pregnancy prevention, and women's health. In 2024, the Fund will celebrate its 20th anniversary and continue its mission of empowering communities through strategic funding and collaboration.

While many community foundations across the country were created by several donors, Austin Community Foundation was created through the generosity of one woman. After her husband’s death in 1963, Fannie Gray Leo met with bank trustee George K. Meriwether, seeking his advice about how to provide for her family and favorite charities including the cancer center where Jack received care, as well as homes for orphans and for the elderly. Upon her death in 1975 it was discovered that Fannie Gray Leo had earmarked 5% of her estate, or $30,000, to create Austin Community Foundation (ACF). In 1977, two years later, Austin Community Foundation was established.
Today, ACF is your trusted partner in philanthropy in Central Texas.
We work together with individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders to address the greatest needs and opportunities in Central Texas. We primarily serve Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties.
We carry out this work through two signature programs, the Hispanic Impact Fund and the Women’s Fund —collective-giving networks led by community members who share responsibility for the vision, fundraising, and grantmaking.
The Women’s Fund at ACF began in 2004 as a collective giving network to tackle key issues affecting women and children, and has since grown into a powerful force for change—granting over $4 million to more than 100 nonprofits in Central Texas. From the “Power of the Purse” luncheon in 2005, to its 2016 strategic realignment, to its latest research report in 2023 and beyond, the Women’s Fund continues to evolve alongside our community with the guidance of its passionate Steering Committee. In addition to celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, the Women’s Fund awarded $500,000 to 15 organizations.
The Women’s Fund awards funding to organizations and programs providing direct services and systems-level change in the following strategy areas:
Housing: Supporting access to affordable housing for women that include a network of support and/or opportunities for long-term wealth building.Child Care: Expanding access to safe, quality, culturally competent and affordable child care that is conveniently located for families with low incomes.Education: Providing access to an ecosystem of support—academic, emotional, and financial—for women pursuing educational dreams.Unintended Pregnancy Prevention: Increasing access to consumable, unbiased pregnancy prevention resources.Women’s Health: Reducing health disparities experienced by women facing the greatest barriers to care.
In total, $550,000 in unrestricted, general operating support will be awarded to 15 different nonprofit organizations.