2024 Year in Review

December 31, 2024

Coming together as a community allows us to accomplish so much more. As we reflect on 2024, we’re grateful for the milestones achieved and impact made as a collective—hosting our largest event to date, launching an innovative affordable housing fund, distributing $1.9 million in scholarships and economic mobility grantmaking alone, empowering fundholders with engaging programming, and growing our capacity to serve.

The generosity and commitment of our donors, fundholders, nonprofit partners, staff, and board members make our work to close the opportunity gap in Central Texas possible. Thank you to everyone who has gotten involved in our journey. From volunteering to donating, your support helped make this year extraordinary. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights that made 2024 unforgettable.

Austin in Common

This year, we hosted our most impactful event yet—Austin in Common! Held at ACL Live Moody Theater, 700 guests gathered for an evening of community, connection, and shaping the future we all want. Four prominent Austinites took the stage to share compelling, personal stories about navigating life, work, and family in our ever-evolving city. Guests also enjoyed lively entertainment and delicious food from local vendors, most of whom were BIPOC- and woman-owned.

More than just a fundraiser, Austin in Common celebrated Austin’s vibrant spirit while inspiring hope for an equitable future. We’re excited to announce that it will return on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at ACL Live Moody Theater! Keep reading to learn more.

Housing Affordability

This spring, ACF launched the Housing Accelerator Loan Fund, a $17.6 million fund that provides low-cost capital for predevelopment, land acquisition, construction, and bridge financing for affordable housing developers in Central Texas. Guided by a volunteer committee of housing experts, the fund has invested over $11.5 million to support approximately 1,000 new affordable housing units in the Austin area.

In September, KXAN Austin interviewed Sydney Goode, Director of Investments at ACF, to highlight the Fund’s $2 million commitment to two affordable housing developments—one in Southwest Austin and the other in North Austin. Learn more about these projects and others here.

Economic Mobility

Our signature programs—the Women’s Fund and Hispanic Impact Fund—continued to drive transformative change, distributing an incredible $1 million in unrestricted, general operating support to 31 Central Texas nonprofits. Notably, nearly half of these organizations were first-time grant recipients from ACF.

As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the application process, we partnered with a professional grant writer to offer technical writing assistance for those seeking funding. This decision aimed to level the playing field in assisting organizations that may lack in-house writing expertise, helping to foster an even more inclusive and accessible application process. Learn more about our process and meet our newest grant partners here.

Partnering with Our Donors

Our commitment to improving processes also extends to how we support fundholders in their philanthropic journeys. This year, it was our pleasure to offer a variety of opportunities for fundholders to connect, learn, and amplify their impact through engaging, educational programming. One highlight was a new three-part series, Engaging the Next Generation in Family Philanthropy, which featured interactive activities, expert-led discussions and peer learning designed to empower and inform.

We also convened a group of fundholders passionate about climate change to explore philanthropy’s role in driving sustainable solutions. This gathering marked the launch of the Central Texas Climate Action Fund, a new resource for donors looking to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Wherever your passions may lie, ACF is here to provide the knowledge, tools, and support you need to align your giving with your values.

Scholarships

Since 2008, ACF has empowered students to pursue their educational dreams. This year, we awarded $900,000 in scholarships, with 46% of recipients being first-generation college students and 94% residing in Central Texas. For a deeper look, explore our Scholarship Impact Report.

Expanding our Team

Over the course of 2024, we adjusted departmental structures and expanded our team to better serve you and the broader community. By refining our internal service model and adding roles across our Community Impact, Operations and Service, Donor Relations, and Finance teams, we’ve strengthened our ability to manage high-volume periods while continuing to deliver seamless, efficient, and high-quality service to our partners, donors, and community members. Visit our staff page to meet some new faces alongside familiar ones.

What’s to come?

We’re excited to kick off 2025 with the launch of a new Hispanic Impact Fund Status Report. The launch will feature a panel of experts highlighting recent progress and opportunities for growth within Latino social and economic advancement in Central Texas.

Finally, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the return of Austin in Common on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at ACL Live Moody Theater. It promises to be another unforgettable evening celebrating community, connection, and a bright vision for the city we call home. Expect the same fantastic venue and lively atmosphere but with new, fresh experiences. More exciting details to come, so stay tuned!

Together, we look forward to creating an even greater impact in the year ahead. Your support drives meaningful change, strengthens our community, and paves the way for a brighter, more equitable Central Texas. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. We’re eager to drive our collective work to new heights in 2025.