AUSTIN, Texas – April 22, 2019 –Girls Giving Grants (g3), the youth initiative of Impact Austin, have voted to award its largest grant in its history, $8,800, to the Refuge for DMST (Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking). g3 is comprised of 88 young women in grades 8 – 12, from 22 area schools, who each donate $100 to create a meaningful grant and award it to a Central Texas nonprofit of their choice. g3 is a model of collective giving designed by Impact Austin to educate and engage young philanthropists.
Members of g3 will award their grant to the Refuge for DMST in a special event on Monday, June 10, at 10 a.m. at Austin City Hall. Impact Austin also will present its 2019 grants to four nonprofit organizations.
The g3 team reviewed 42 applications for funding, selected seven semi-finalists for closer evaluation, and conducted two site visits. “It was a difficult decision, but we are thrilled to announce that our 2019 grant will be awarded to the Refuge for DMST,” said Haley Justiz, g3’s 2018-19 president and a senior at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. “This nonprofit provides restorative care to girls who have been exploited through sex trafficking. Our $8,800 grant will help fund the SEE Program, which helps integrate the girls back into society through fun and educational field trips. We were especially impressed with the Refuge’s attention to detail and emphasis on the girls’ safety. We are so proud of the amazing work the Refuge is doing and are excited to join them in making an impact!”
Since 2006, g3 has awarded more than $80,000 to the Greater Austin community. Past recipients include Foster Angels, Center for Child Protection, People’s Community Clinic, Austin Sunshine Camps, Hospice Austin, Helping Hand Home, Casa Marianella, Austin Diaper Bank, and LifeWorks.
Enrollment for the 2019-20 class is now open through September 20 to girls in grades 8-12 . Members have raised scholarship funds, which are available to girls who cannot afford the $100 contribution on their own.
The 2018-19 class of Girls Giving Grants includes students from the following Austin-area schools including home schools: Anderson High School; Austin High School; Bowie High School; Girls School of Austin; Hill Country Middle School; Hyde Park High School; Lake Travis High School; Lamar Middle School; Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA); McCallum High School; Murchison Middle School; St. Andrew's Episcopal School; St. Dominic Savio Catholic School; St. Gabriel’s Catholic School; St. Michael's Catholic Academy; St. Stephen's Episcopal School; St. Theresa’s Catholic School; Trinity Episcopal School; Vandegrift High School; West Ridge Middle School; Westlake High School; and Westwood High School.
Girls Giving Grants is the youth extension of Impact Austin. Impact Austin is a 501(c)(3) public charity comprised of women seeking to transform lives in the Austin area through high-impact and lifelong giving. For more information, visit www.impactaustin.org/girls-giving-grants .
