The Texas Grant Resource Center’s Community Partner Program provides events that will uplift, educate and advance in ways that make the Central Texas nonprofit community even stronger. Nonprofit professionals and advocates will gain skills and insights to boost their social impact work.
Click here to learn more about our upcoming and past programs.
What we do:
The Texas Grants Resource Center (TGRC) at The University of Texas at Austin has created the Community Partner Networking Program, a program for non-profit professionals.
In response to a survey conducted with area nonprofit representatives, the program aims to provide valuable tools for emerging nonprofits on shoestring budgets.
“Representatives from organizations expressed an interest in more learning opportunities and events,” says Ellen Moutos-Lee, director of the TGRC and a long-time grantsmanship professional in Central Texas. “Our focus is on the emerging or smaller nonprofits and people new to the nonprofit arena.”
Offerings of the membership program include monthly meetings, targeted professional development opportunities, networking events and a closer connection to a top tier research institution.
Formerly known as the Regional Foundation Library, the TGRC will continue to provide free services to the public, such as orientations for grant-writers and access to Foundation Center databases. With the addition of the Community Partner Networking Program, the center has changed its name to better reflect its growth and commitment to serving the Central Texas community.
More about the TGRC:
Housed within the Community Engagement Center, a unit within the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, the TGRC has been serving as a bridge between the grant-seeking and grant-making communities for more than 50 years. The center contains core publications from The Foundation Center, the leading source of philanthropy information, as well as other major materials in fund development, grants and nonprofit management.
Upcoming programs:
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Stay tuned for exciting new events.
Past programs:
Funder Focus – Bank of America Charitable Foundation (Monday, Feburary 4th)
TGRC partners learned more about the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Presenter Nikki Graham, Austin Market President at Bank of America, discussed and answered questions about the Foundation’s philanthropic work, which focuses on issues of economic mobility. In 2019 there will be two Requests for Proposals. The first application opportunity will consider proposals related to workforce development & education and basic needs; the second opportunity (due in June) will focus on affordable housing, revitalization, arts, and the environment. About Bank of America Charitable Foundation: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/global-impact/charitable-foundation-funding.html#fbid=ImbfFBYWX6z
“Amplify Austin – Your Questions Answered” (Friday, January 4th)
Amplify Austin Day 2019, the coordinated online campaign supporting local nonprofits, is just around the corner – and this is a perfect opportunity to learn more and to get one-on-one attention to your questions. Christine Herlin, Manager of Nonprofit & Customer Relations for I Live Here I Give Here (ILHIGH) will be on hand to describe ILHIGH, Amplify Austin and Amplify Austin Day and to address questions such as:
- How can my organization sign up to fundraise during Amplify Austin Day?
- How can my organization boost our donations on Amplify Austin Day?
- What are some top tips for online giving campaigns?
- Can Amplify Austin help our organization fundraise year around?
“‘Words Into Dollar$’ Two-Day Grant Writing Workshop” by the Texas Grants Resource Center (November 7th & 8th, 2018)
This workshop is designed to help you find your best funders and write successful proposals. Day one features presentations on developing strategies for successful proposals and finding potential funders. Day two you will focus on approaching prospective donors and drafting a powerful cover letter with the support of our grant writing professionals. You’ll also develop an outline for an executive summary and proposal narrative, receive 30 days of free consulting from Non Profit Solutions Consultants LLC, and 24-hour free access to the Foundation Directory Online!
Austin Community Foundation: Their mission and how to apply for grants Meagan Anderson Longley, Vice President for Community Impact with Austin Community Foundation. (November 16, 2018)
The Austin Community Foundation (ACF) grant programs connects local donors with local causes. ACF has a three-pronged approach to making a local impact: inform, invite, and invest. ACF’s grant programs include: Community Grants Program, the Hispanic Impact Fund, and the Women’s Fund.
“Tax Law Changes Affecting Nonprofits and Donors” Timothy A. Clark, Managing Director UST and Wealth Strategies Advisor at U.S. Trust. Amber Carden, Senior Vice President and Private Client Advisor at U.S. Trust/Bank of America Private Wealth Management. (October 16, 2018)
Many of the changes to the federal tax code (passed at end of 2017) have taken effect this year. Representatives from U.S. Trust will answer questions such as: What influence might the changes have on charitable giving? How might nonprofits need to change end of year campaign strategies? Is the charitable thinking of advisors in line with the charitable thinking of donors?
“Facebook speaks to us! – Nonprofit Version” Veronica Peñaloza Wolfermann (September 25, 2018) New Location: Ronald McDonald House Charities Community Room, 2nd floor. 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd.
Facebook offers so many options for nonprofits: from outreach to fundraising. Veronica Peñaloza Wolfermann, Account Manager for nonprofits at Facebook will give us the inside scoop and present tips and hacks for how to raise your organization’s Facebook effectiveness. Come with questions about how to most effectively utilize this social media platform.
Funder Focus – The Moody Foundation by Bernice Torregrossa (August 23, 2018)
Here is your chance to learn more about the Moody Foundation; a Texas funder that supports the arts, education, environment, health, and social services across the state. Bernice Torregrossa, Grants Analyst and Regional Grants Director for Central Texas will describe the philanthropic work of the foundation and the grant-making process.
Funder Focus – St. David’s Foundation by Elizabeth Krause (July 10, 2018)
Here is your chance to learn more about St. David’s Foundation – a Central Texas funder that envisions making our region the healthiest community in the world through its community investments. Elizabeth Krause, ScM, Senior Program Officer will describe the philanthropic work of the foundation and the grant-making process.
Developing Donor Relationships with Family & Private Foundations by Erica V. Ekwurzel (June 8, 2018)
Ever wonder how philanthropic grants are decided upon? Are all grant processes and expectations created equal? Join this interactive session as Erica V. Ekwurzel, CFRE, gives insight on donor perspectives, tips on proposal writing, and guidance on how to build solid relationships with private grantmakers.
Manage, Leverage, And Energize Your Nonprofit Board by Tara Levy (May 30, 2018)
What if you learned that some of your key resources are underutilized? An organization’s board should be leveraged for the good of its mission. Long-time nonprofit consultant Tara Levy explores ideas and tools for engaging and managing your nonprofit’s board members.
Social Media on a Shoestring for Nonprofits by Jon Lebkowsky, Tara Morrow, and Lisa Goodgame (Apr. 17, 2018)
TGRC has assembled a panel of social media and web experts to give tips and hacks for how to raise your social media game on a budget. Jon Lebkowsky discusses web content and development, digital strategy and more. Tara Morrow describes Google analytics, Instagram, and social media strategy, and Lisa Goodgame talks about Facebook ads and social media toolkit development.
What Motivates Wealthy Donors? by Amber Carden and Matt Laufman (Mar. 27, 2018)
Amber Carden and Matt Lauftman at U.S. Trust/Bank of America join us to describe the deep demographic analysis, philanthropic trends and strategies, and behaviors among the high net worth population in the “Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy” publication to answer how an organization can best connect with wealth donors. See the survey here.
Funder Focus – The Webber Family Foundation by Marisol Foster (Feb. 12, 2018)
Learn more about The Webber Family Foundation – a local funder that focuses on the gap between proficiency and potential in lower income youth. Executive Director, Marisol Foster, describes the philanthropic work of the foundation and the grant-making process.
People Who Do This…Kill Organizations by Jack Allen (Jan. 22, 2018)
Avoid the pitfalls of organizational dysfunction with this presentation on ethics and organizational culture development that includes: 1) the cause of and cure for organizational dysfunction; 2) six measurable criteria for organizations that consistently do the right thing; 3) a personal action plan for increasing engagement at work.
Get Online! Using Google to Drive Traffic to Your Nonprofit by Robin Manas (Nov. 13, 2017)
Learn how to drive web traffic to your nonprofit’s site by using Google’s AdWords, free advertising offered to eligible nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits use these Google Ad Grants to recruit volunteers, attract donations and share organization information.
Grant Basics: Write. Apply. Repeat. by Susannah Erler (Oct. 17, 2017)
What’s the key to finding the right grant opportunities and to writing strong applications? Susannah Erler, a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), presents approaches and offers tips for taking your grant strategy to the next level.
