For many, philanthropy goes beyond the act of giving—it’s a way to craft a legacy and foster a sense of shared purpose between family generations. The Donor Relations team at ACF has seen firsthand how families apply charitable traditions to strengthen family bonds and inspire future generations to become involved in the causes they cherish most.
Shannon Stagner, Donor Relations Officer, led our discussion with the Saunders Family.
Inspired by this insight, and in response to growing fundholder interest, ACF held its first-ever donor education series this fall to help families navigate these conversations, Engaging the Next Generation in Family Philanthropy. Designed to empower and inform, each session in the series explored a distinct aspect of family philanthropy through expert insights, interactive exercises, and peer discussions— equipping families with practical tools and inspiration for aligning their giving with shared values.
- An Introduction to Family Philanthropy: This kickoff session allowed attendees to share their personal experiences with family philanthropy before transitioning into a panel discussion with Steve and Kate Saunders, ACF fundholders since 2010.
- Translating Family Values into Lasting Impact: Through an exercise called “Picture Your Purpose”, families articulated their philanthropic vision. Meagan Anderson Longley, VP of Community Impact, guided discussion and shared insights on how to develop and implement a strategy for your family.
- Navigating Philanthropic Decisions as a Family: The third and final session addressed questions like: How will our family decide where to donate? Do we have a budget? How do we hold ourselves accountable? The ACF team also shared ways to regularly assess learnings for continued growth and incorporate trust-based practices.
Why conversations like these matter
Convening fundholders in spaces like these creates powerful opportunities to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Although every person’s situation is unique, many participants find comfort and inspiration in knowing they are not navigating their giving journey alone. By hearing what others are doing in the philanthropic space, donors discover new approaches to align their giving with their values and goals, taking and applying ideas that inspire them. You never know what might resonate with you just by being in the room!
Explore other donor education opportunities
In addition to this family-focused series, we also held several other educational events throughout the year.
- Climate Philanthropy: Find Your Path to Climate Action: This event gathered attendees from diverse sectors and organizations to mark the launch of the Central Texas Climate Action Fund, an initiative spearheaded by climate philanthropy experts Randall Kempner, Jenny Everett, and Ben Brimble.
- Planned Giving Webinar: Lynn Gaumer, Senior Gift Planning Consultant at The Stelter Company with over 25 years of experience, shared strategies for organizing estate plans. Did you know ACF provides free estate planning resources?
Rebekah Anthony, Director of Donor Relations, conversed with attendees after the event at Austin PBS.
- Agency Fundholder 101: Led by Stephanie Sessa, Senior Donor Relations Officer, this session provided valuable insights for existing nonprofit fundholders on how to maximize their funds while also onboarding new nonprofit partners. ACF offers two types of agency funds for nonprofits, each with distinct advantages—you can learn more about the benefits of each.
- Housing Affordability in Austin: Progress and Potential: In partnership with St. David’s Foundation and Austin PBS, KUT housing reporter Audrey McGlinchy—and host of the podcast Growth Machine—moderated a panel of experts to discuss progress and explore potential solutions to Austin’s housing crisis, including initiatives like our Housing Accelerator Loan Fund.
Local team, local impact
The Donor Relations team at ACF is committed to offering educational, responsive, and engaging programming designed to meet the unique needs of our fundholders. Our ultimate goal is to provide the knowledge and tools to help you make informed decisions that reflect your values and create meaningful impact. We do this by listening closely to our donors, continually seeking ways to improve our skillset, and keeping a pulse on the evolving needs of our Central Texas community. It’s our pleasure to serve as your trusted partner in philanthropy.
If you’re interested in attending a future series, have suggestions for one, or are curious about how we can support you, we’d love to hear from you! Stay connected by subscribing to our newsletter, following us on social media for updates, or emailing us to schedule time with one of our Donor Relations Officers. We’re happy to offer 1:1 philanthropic advising and group learning sessions by request.