Impact Austin Announces Finalists for 2026 Grants

Impact Austin is another step closer to naming 2026 grant awards.

Volunteer reviewers studied 149 applications, chose 17 for deep-dive review, performed site visits to 9 semifinalists, and have now named two finalists in each focus area. Thank you to our 149 applicants! We are impressed by your work to support Central Texans.

Congratulations to the organizations who will win Impact Austin's 2026 Grants, size to be determined by membership vote.

COMMUNITY GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

49 applications, 25 volunteer reviewers

Karen Bantuveris and Brionne Griffin, Co-Chairs.

Lisa Glenn, Advisor. Thea Ulrich-Lewis, Shadow.

Congratulations to our Community Grant Finalists:

• Casa Marianella

• The Refugee Collective

EDUCATION GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

38 applications, 21 reviewers

Amanda Farmer and Roberta Rincon, Co-Chairs.

Elaine Jensen, Advisor.

Congratulations to our Education Grant finalists:

• Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI)

• Seedling

HEALTH & WELL-BEING GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

62 applications, 30 reviewers

Christina Shepherd and Holly Whitten, Co-Chairs.

Margaret von Flatern, Advisor.

Congratulations to our Health & Well-Being Grant finalists:

• Capital Area Counseling

• Trinity Center

  
  

WHAT'S NEXT?

Member vote at our Annual Meeting will determine the recipients of Primary Grants ($80,000 each) and Secondary Grants ($20,000). Members unable to attend Annual Meeting will have an opportunity to vote electronically in advance.

We offer ongoing thanks to all the volunteers and leaders powering our 2026 grant cycle as well as our members whose donations make our grants possible. Special applause to:

Grants Co-Chairs Karen McLinden, Margaret Ballinger, Anne Helmick-Lyon (Shadow)

and Michelle Rankin, Advisor;

GRC Coordinators Jerrica Deloney Witte, Anne Helmick-Lyon, and Amanda Farmer (Shadow); GFC Coordinators Melissa Gray and Angela Hebert;

Community Partner Coordinators Katherine Mudge, Roberta Rincon, and Jen Hornish, Advisor

Grants Technology Melissa McDermott, Michelle Ahmad, Nedra Bray, Gilyn Gibbs,

Peggy Hoffman, Advisor

Nonprofit Coordinators Fay Evans Martin, Elaine Jensen, Melissa Lorber, and

Carla Denison-Bickett, Advisor