GRCs Launch the 2026 Grant Review Process

And so it begins, the work Impact Austin does best: grantmaking to support nonprofits in Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.

Our process kicked off with a February 10 meeting for all member-reviewers that was both a meet-and-greet and a training to align on criiteria, reinforce our mission and DEIB values, and share learnings from the previous cycle. This 2026 cycle is our second which will result in all-unrestricted awards. Grants leaders who shared insights at this event included Grants Chairs Karen McLinden and Margaret Ballinger, GRC Coordinators Jerrica Deloney Witte and Anne Helmick-Lyon, and rising leaders Michelle Ahmad (Grants Technology) and Amanda Farmer (GRC Coordination). Impact Austin President Claudia Barlow led the evening with thanks to volunteers for powering our review process.

Grants Co-Chairs Margaret Ballinger and Karen McLinden

GRC Coordinators Jerrica Deloney Witte (L) and Anne Helmick-Lyon (R) with Grants Co-Chair Margaret Ballinger

Individual Grant Review Committees held their first meetings February 16, 17, and 18 to discuss evaluation criteria in depth and share best practices to record evaluations and prepare for robust discussion of each application. GRCs will convene again in March to consider all applicants and advocate for 5-6 nonprofits advancing to deep-dive review. April meetings will identify 3 semi-finalists that will advance to site visits. GRCs' last meetings will name our two finalists in each focus area, both of which will receive an Impact Austin grant. Member vote at our June 8 Annual Meeting will determine the recipients of Primary Grants ($80,000 each) and Secondary Grants ($20,000 each). Impact Austin will award a total of $300,000 in 2026.

Impact Austin received a total of 149 applications for funding among our three focus areas; Community, Education, and Health & Well-Being. Big thanks in advance to Grants leaders and volunteers involved in this process.

Community Grant Review Committee

 49 applications, 25 volunteer reviewers, 2 co-chairs and one shadow, one advisor

Education Grant Review Committee

38 applications, 21 reviewers, 2 co-chairs, one advisor, meets virtually

Health & Well-Being Grant Review Committee

62 applications, 30 reviewers, 2 co-chairs, one advisor

Thank you to our nonprofit applicants, the Grants leadership team that facilitates each grant cycle, GRC leaders, and member-reviewers. This will be a deeply satisfying process that enacts who we are!