Austin Community Foundation

What Austin Community Foundation does

Austin Community Foundation (ACF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity and place-based community foundation founded in 1977, headquartered at 4315 Guadalupe Street in Austin, Texas. The foundation stewards more than $500M in charitable assets and serves a six-county Central Texas region (Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, Williamson). ACF operates a donor-advised fund (DAF) platform as its core product, accepting complex gifts including cash, securities, real estate, business interests, and cryptocurrency (via Giving Block), and offering four investment pools (Long-term Active/Passive, Mid-term Active/Passive) with external manager retention permitted for accounts above $500K. Fund management fees are reinvested into community programs rather than distributed as profit.

The foundation operates an ecosystem of specialized programs: the Forever Austin Fund (community endowment), the Hispanic Impact Fund (founded 2017) and Women's Fund (founded 2004) as collective giving networks, FundATX (impact investments with a $3,000 minimum and two-year commitment), the Austin Futures scholarship platform (60+ scholarship funds), and the Housing Accelerator Loan Fund ($24.2M committed, 14 loans and 1,600+ affordable housing units since 2023). It distributes grants through online portals, hosts the annual Austin in Common fundraising event at ACL Live, and pursues an explicit professional advisor channel targeting attorneys, CPAs, and wealth managers.

Revenue is generated through charitable contributions, fund management fees on $500M+ AUM, and investment returns, with fees reinvested into operations. Recent strategic moves include the appointment of Anthony Hedger as CFO (June 2026), launch of the Professional Advisors Council, the Google.org AI Opportunity Accelerator grant ($1M, 2025), and co-led Kerr County flood relief (2025). The foundation's competitive position rests on deep local ecosystem relationships built over nearly 50 years, proprietary community research, and a diversified programmatic footprint spanning economic mobility, housing affordability, scholarships, and impact investing.

Name

Austin Community Foundation

Legal name

Austin Community Foundation

Website

https://austincf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Austin Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) community foundation founded in 1977 that stewards over $500M in charitable assets across six Central Texas counties, operating donor-advised funds, impact investments, scholarships, and the $24.2M Housing Accelerator Loan Fund for individual donors, professional advisors, and regional nonprofits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation and Philanthropic Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Investment Advice (6282), Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Development & Affordable Housing Funds (FSANAJAK), Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Donor advised funds
• Charitable giving solutions
• Impact investing programs
• Grantmaking services

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Contributions and Charitable Gifts: ACF accepts charitable donations from individuals, families, businesses, and foundations in the form of cash, securities, real estate, and other complex assets. Donors can contribute to general funds or designated programs.
2. Management Fees on Charitable Funds: ACF assesses fees to manage donor funds, which are reinvested into the community rather than distributed as profit, supporting the foundation's operational costs and community programs.
3. Fund Management and Investment Advisory Services: ACF offers investment management services for charitable funds through four investment pools (Long-term Active, Long-term Passive, Mid-term Active, Mid-term Passive), managed with oversight from Fiducient Advisors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Austin Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity and community foundation that accepts charitable donations, manages donor-advised funds and charitable assets (more than $500 million), and regrants funds to Central Texas nonprofits. It operates specialized giving programs (Hispanic Impact Fund, Women's Fund, Austin Futures scholarships, Forever Austin Fund), an impact investment portfolio (FundATX), and a Housing Accelerator Loan Fund that provides low-cost financing to affordable housing developers. Supporting services include four investment pools, philanthropic advising, and community research reports.

Product overview

Austin Community Foundation offers a comprehensive philanthropy platform centered on donor-advised funds (DAFs) with multiple giving vehicles and community programs. The core product is the Donor Advised Fund (DAF) platform, complemented by specialized programs including the Forever Austin Fund (endowment), Hispanic Impact Fund and Women's Fund (collective giving networks for economic mobility), FundATX (impact investments), Austin Futures (scholarships), and the Housing Accelerator Loan Fund ($24.2M affordable housing financing). Supporting services include four investment pool options, philanthropic advising, and research reports. The organization leverages integrated portals (FCSuite Fund Portal, Grant Interface) for fund management and grant processing, with cryptocurrency donations handled through Giving Block.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hispanic Impact Fund: A collective giving network supporting the economic mobility and advancement of Hispanic Central Texans, founded in 2017.
• Women's Fund
• FundATX
• Austin Futures
• Forever Austin Fund

Products and services

• Donor Advised Funds (DAF) Tax-advantaged charitable giving accounts allowing donors to contribute assets, receive immediate tax deductions (up to 60% of AGI for cash and 30% for appreciated securities), and recommend grants to nonprofits over time with flexible investment options. No excise tax and no mandatory payout rate, unlike private foundations.
• Forever Austin Fund Permanent community endowment combining legacy gifts from donors to address urgent and systemic needs in Central Texas, awarding general operating support to local nonprofits.
• Hispanic Impact Fund Community-led collective giving network supporting economic mobility and advancement of Hispanic Central Texans through grants focused on early childhood education, health and wellness, job skills and entrepreneurship, and leadership development. Founded in 2017.
• Women's Fund Collective giving network dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for women and children in Central Texas through grants addressing child care, education, housing, unintended pregnancy prevention, and women's health. Founded in 2004.
• FundATX Impact investment portfolio improving economic mobility of Central Texans through low-cost loans to nonprofit organizations and community development institutions. Minimum $3,000 investment for 2-year commitment period.
• Austin Futures Needs-based scholarship program supporting Central Texas students pursuing post-secondary education at colleges, universities, and trade schools to achieve economic mobility. Manages 60+ scholarship opportunities.
• Housing Accelerator Loan Fund $24.2 million fund providing low-cost, concessionary financing to affordable housing developers for pre-development, land acquisition, construction, and bridge financing to accelerate affordable housing production in Central Texas.
• Investment Pools Four investment pool options for fundholders: Long-term endowment (active and passive management) and Mid-term pool (active and passive management), managed with oversight from Fiducient Advisors. Option to retain external investment manager for funds over $500,000.
• Philanthropic Advising Expert consultation helping donors develop purpose-driven charitable strategies, connect with causes, optimize giving, develop family philanthropy plans, and design corporate giving programs.
• Research Reports Commissioned data reports including Advancing Latino Futures (2025), Women's Issues are Community Issues (2023), and Housing Affordability in Central Texas (2022) to understand community needs and inform foundation strategies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Distributed $2.3 million to 99 nonprofits in 2025 through Forever Austin Fund
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• City of AustincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Austin is a key funder of the Housing Accelerator Loan Fund, providing financing to accelerate affordable housing production in Central Texas.
• AMDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• Austin PBSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• CaprockminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• PNC BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• Q2minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• Silicon LabsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• St. David'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• Texas TribuneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• Trito'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• Vital FarmsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Austin in Common 2026 event supporting Central Texas community.
• Austin Habitat for HumanitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundATX partner and recipient of bridge loans for affordable homeownership developments (Goodnight Ranch, Persimmon Point).
• PeopleFundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundATX cornerstone partner since program inception, providing small business loans and entrepreneurship support.
• LiftFundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundATX partner providing access to capital for undercapitalized entrepreneurs and small business owners.
• Grameen AmericamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundATX partner addressing systemic barriers through fair financial products for communities with historic wealth inequality.
• Capital Good FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundATX partner offering ecosystem support including access to capital for undercapitalized entrepreneurs.
• Austin Housing ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundATX partner supporting affordable housing through impact investments in Central Texas.
• Foundation CommunitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundATX partner providing affordable housing and community services in Central Texas.
• SGI Ventures (Sally Gaskin)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of Cady Lofts through Housing Accelerator Loan Fund, providing permanent supportive housing for those exiting homelessness.
• Fiducient AdvisorscoreTechnology or IntegrationInvestment advisor providing market and investment pool performance insights, year-end updates, and 2026 outlook for ACF's investment strategy.
• Community Foundation of the Texas Hill CountrymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Kerr County flood relief efforts, hosting donor briefings and coordinating long-term recovery with ACF fundholders.
• Meadows Mental Health Policy InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Kerr County flood relief establishing the Family Mental Health Care Fund with $10 million commitment for trauma-informed mental health services.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Chicago Community Trust: Large, long-tenured urban community foundation operating a comparable DAF platform, donor-advised funds, endowed community funds, and collaborative giving networks serving a major U.S. metropolitan region — directly comparable in mission, product mix, and operating model to ACF.
• Cleveland Foundation: Centennial-era community foundation (founded 1914) running donor-advised funds, competitive grantmaking, and impact investments in a regional market. Strong parallels to ACF in scale, asset base, and place-based strategy.
• California Community Foundation: Los Angeles-based community foundation managing multi-billion-dollar charitable assets via DAFs, scholarships, and impact investments; directly comparable to ACF in product breadth and regional philanthropy model.
• Silicon Valley Community Foundation: One of the largest U.S. community foundations by AUM, operating DAFs and place-based grantmaking in a high-growth, tech-wealth region. Closely comparable in donor demographics (tech, professional advisors) and asset scale to ACF's Central Texas market.
• Foundation For The Carolinas: Charlotte-based community foundation offering DAFs, scholarship administration, and impact investments across the Carolinas. Highly comparable hybrid model that combines traditional DAFs with place-based grantmaking and special-purpose funds, similar to ACF's structure.
• Greater Kansas City Community Foundation: Mid-sized community foundation operating DAFs, scholarship programs, and place-based grantmaking in a regional U.S. market. Comparable asset scale and operating model to ACF.
• Community Foundation for Greater Memphis: Mid-South community foundation running DAFs, scholarships, and economic-mobility initiatives at a scale and structure comparable to ACF; useful comp for assessing grantmaking capacity and operational efficiency.

Regional players

• San Antonio Area Foundation: Long-standing Texas community foundation operating DAFs, scholarships, and place-based grantmaking in a different Texas metro. Comparable in regional structure and Texas-specific donor base, but does not overlap operationally with ACF's Central Texas territory.
• Dallas Foundation: Texas-based community foundation serving the Dallas region with a DAF, scholarships, and discretionary grantmaking. Comparable in Texas-specific philanthropy market context but operates in a distinct metro from ACF.

Broad incumbents

• Fidelity Charitable: Largest national donor-advised fund sponsor, offering low-cost DAFs as part of a broader financial services platform. Represents the competitive benchmark for ACF's DAF growth and donor retention; an incumbent with much greater scale but less local specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AustinCommFound
• Facebookfacebook.com/austincommunityfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/austin-community-foundation-for-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Austin Community Foundation