Giving Back This Holiday Season: Austin Community Foundation

Austin Community Foundation CEO Mike Nellis shares thoughts on how to support the Austin community this holiday season.

1. Tell us about the Austin Community Foundation and their history and work in the Austin community.

Austin Community Foundation (ACF) has been a trusted partner in local philanthropy since 1977, mobilizing ideas and resources to strengthen Central Texas. Over the past four decades, ACF has helped generous people turn their philanthropy into a force for good by connecting them to the region’s most pressing needs.

Our experienced team collaborates with community-minded individuals, families, and businesses to create greater impact together. ACF manages more than 1,300 charitable funds, supports donor-advised and corporate-advised philanthropy, and invests in strategic initiatives that advance economic mobility and housing affordability.

No matter how someone wants to give back, ACF offers the tools, data-driven insight, and relationships to help that generosity create meaningful, lasting change in Central Texas and beyond.

 

2. Share details on the “Season for Caring” campaign and how readers can get involved.

 Season for Caring is an annual holiday campaign led by the Austin American-Statesman in partnership with Austin Community Foundation. It highlights the inspiring stories of local families facing challenging circumstances and rallies the community to support them through donations of goods, services, and financial gifts. Established in 1999, Season for Caring has raised nearly $22 million in cash, goods, and services for Central Texas families in need.

Anyone can get involved by making a contribution to the Season for Caring Fund at ACF, donating items requested by partner nonprofits, or sharing campaign stories to raise awareness.

 

3. What are the most effective ways individuals can support local nonprofits this time of year?

 Year-end giving is a powerful opportunity to support nonprofits when demand for services is high. The most effective ways to support organizations include:

• Provide unrestricted donations; it gives nonprofits the flexibility to meet emerging needs.
• Establish recurring gifts to create reliable funding year-round.
• Volunteer your time, especially in roles that support holiday programs, basic needs, or client services.
• Amplify their work by sharing stories, events, or campaigns with your networks.

Small actions can make a meaningful difference for nonprofits working to strengthen Central Texas communities.

4. How can families or friend groups make giving a shared holiday tradition?

 Families and friends can turn giving into a meaningful tradition by gathering for informal conversations about shared values — perhaps around the dinner table — and asking: What matters most to us? What causes reflect our beliefs?

Start small: share stories of past giving or generosity, invite everyone to suggest causes, and discuss how each person might contribute — whether money, time, skills, or simply raising awareness.

As you grow more comfortable, consider formalizing the tradition: choose causes together, involve younger generations in decisions, or even set up a fund (for example, through a donor-advised fund at ACF) to support causes over time.

Finally, make it a lived tradition — volunteer together, reflect on what you learned, celebrate the impact — and over time, this shared giving becomes part of your family or friends’ identity.

 

5. What advice do you have for foundations or corporate giving programs this time of year?

The Central Texas region is a generous one, and we’re thankful that many local companies and foundations give back year-round. Thoughtful, consistent giving can help nonprofits thrive long after the holiday season ends. Our advice to local funders:

• Provide multi-year, general operating support, which gives nonprofits the stability to plan ahead.
• Communicate openly with nonprofit partners about needs, timelines, and expectations.
• Engage employees through matching gifts, volunteer days, or internal giving campaigns. This allows nonprofits to grow their network of supporters and build new relationships.
• Balance data and trust in funding decisions to ensure support reaches communities with the greatest barriers to opportunity.

6. With so many nonprofits to choose from, how can people decide where to give?

A good starting point is to reflect on the issues and values that matter most to you—whether that’s education, food insecurity, housing, or the environment. Then, look for nonprofits that demonstrate clear mission alignment, strong community relationships, transparent financials and measurable outcomes, and a track record of serving the people and places you care about.

As a data-driven organization, we like to point people to resources on our website, such as our research reports and blog. We think it’s critical for donors to understand our community’s greatest needs and invest in proven solutions that result in greater impact.

 

7. What is your message to the Austin community during this season of giving?

 Austin has always been a community that shows up for one another, and this season is a good reminder of what we can accomplish when we act together. In a time of rising needs and uncertainty, every act of generosity — no matter the size — helps strengthen the fabric of Central Texas.

At Austin Community Foundation, we’re honored to serve as your trusted partner in philanthropy. Whether you’re giving for the first time or looking to deepen your impact, we’re here to help you turn your generosity into meaningful change.

 

8. What else is the Austin Community Foundation looking to support in the new year?

 In the year ahead, we will continue advancing our strategic priorities focused on economic mobility and housing affordability. We’re excited to kick off 2026 with the Forever Austin Grant cycle, which opens in January and provides flexible funding to nonprofits addressing urgent and systemic needs in Central Texas.

ACF is also preparing for Austin in Common, our fundraising event in April that brings together donors, nonprofit partners, and community leaders to celebrate collective impact and highlight the work shaping Austin’s future.

Alongside these efforts, we’ll continue growing our strategic programs and supporting Central Texans as they pursue their philanthropic goals.