On Our Mind

Stepping Up to Meet Our Future at Impact Austin

A message from Interim Executive Director, Donna Benson-Chan:

Dear Impact Austin Members,

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all Impact Austin members who attended the membership meeting on February 10th to learn more about our strategic plan,“Stepping Up to Meet Our Future.” The question and answer session following the meeting produced terrific feedback. We used many of your ideas and suggestions to create the following video series to recap the highlights of the meeting and to effectively communicate the important details of our plan to ensure a vibrant future for Impact Austin.  The Annual Membership Contribution increase from $1,000 to $1,250 effective for the 2015 grant year is one of the most significant changes Impact Austin has seen to date, and we want to make sure everyone understands this and all aspects of the strategic plan.

In Support of Stepping Up to Meet Our Future 

Rebecca Powers, Founder

We Have Evolved and We Have Always Had Expenses

Lorene Phillips, President

A Look at Our Expenses – Stepping Up to Meet Our Future

Valerie Kirk, Board of Directors

On the Horizon for Membership – Stepping Up to Meet Our Future 

Jacqueline Rixen, Immediate Past President

 A recap of the highlights is as follows:

• Our organization has evolved in the last 10 years and we have reached the point where support for our day-to-day operations needs to be part of the conversation with our members. It costs around $150,000 per year to run Impact Austin.
• We are one of the largest collective giving groups in the country, and among the only ones of our size that has not already asked members to invest in operations and infrastructure.
• For the 2015 grant year, the membership contribution will increase to $1250, $1000 going to grants and $250 supporting our day-to-day operations. Increasing the annual membership contribution allows all members to invest in the future success of Impact Austin. We realize this is a big change from our past practice, and we want to assure you all aspects of this change were not made lightly or without considerable thought and deliberation. We also hope the meeting Monday night answered your questions about it.
• We will be improving recruitment of new members and ways to involve and retain members, strengthening our volunteer leadership, and offering innovative new grants to our Community Partners in the coming years.
• If you are interested in volunteering with Impact Austin, learn more by visiting the Volunteer page of our website.

As you talk to other Impact Austin members over the next few months, we hope you will lend your enthusiastic support to the plan, as well as share the word about the need for change.

The “Stepping Up to Meet Our Future” strategic plan and frequently asked questionsare also posted on the web site for your convenience.  

Thank you again for your continued support!

Donna Benson-Chan, Interim Executive Director

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