Successful and equitable deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine is the most hopeful path to reaching herd immunity, economic recovery, educational re-engagement, and reemergence of cultural life in Central Texas.
Despite the efficacy and increased availability of COVID-19 vaccines, some communities face barriers to access, including fewer vaccination clinics located near populations most impacted by the pandemic, digital inequity, and language barriers among others. Additionally, some populations are hesitant to get vaccinated for varying reasons, such as lack of factual information, historical mistrust of the healthcare system, and politicization of the pandemic.
In an effort to address these issues, Austin Community Foundation partnered with St. David’s Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin to grant $415,000 towards improving COVID-19 vaccine confidence and equitable access among Black, Latino, Indigenous, people of color and other groups that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The 19 local organizations selected to receive grants have deep connections in the community and a plan for increasing vaccination rates for underserved, unserved, disconnected, and rural populations in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.
The following nonprofits were awarded funding:
- African American Youth Harvest Foundation
- Austin Asian Community Health Initiative
- Austin Community College’s Student Advocacy Center
- AVANCE-Austin, Inc.
- Center for Survivors of Torture
- Central Texas Allied Health Institute
- Community Resilience Trust
- Del Valle Community Coalition Non-Profit
- Eikon Church
- EIXSYSY Healthcare System, Inc
- El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission
- The Housing Authority of the City of Austin
- Latino HealthCare Forum
- Mano Amiga SM
- A New Entry, Inc.
- Samaritan Health Ministries
- Todos Juntos Learning Center
- VaxTogetherAustin
- Where We Thrive, Inc.
Learn more about the grant funding amounts and read project descriptions here.