For the second consecutive year, Austin FC and Q2 are teaming up to invest in local nonprofits who are dedicated to moving the needle forward in areas such as education, job skills and readiness, and health and wellness, for underrepresented communities, equipping them with the funds and resources needed to achieve their goals. Austin FC and Q2 are aligned in their mission to foster strong communities in Central Texas where everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. Through the Q-mmunity Gives grant program, Austin FC and Q2 will award three $50,000 grants to deserving nonprofit organizations dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the Central Texas community.
In 2021, the Q-mmunity Gives grant award recipients were Con Mi MADRE, Urban Roots, and Science Mill. We checked in with two of last year’s winners to learn how the grant has helped them further their mission and impact.
Q2: How is your organization doing? Biggest highlight from 2022?
Urban Roots: We’re in a very exciting growth phase, and two big highlights from 2022 represent that growth as an organization best. Since 2008 we have rented our original farm, and this year we officially purchased the land, thereby cementing Urban Roots presence within the East Austin community. And second, in partnership with Mission Capital we completed a 4-year strategic plan, which helped us hone our vision and mission and to focus our efforts as we grow.
Science Mill: We have had lots of great highlights over the course of the year! Thanks in part to Q-mmunity, we facilitated 40 weeks of camps this summer at over 17 sites across the state of Texas - our largest number of SCI (STEM Career Immersion) Camps in the history of the Science Mill, serving over 3,350 students through our Equitable Access to Future STEM Careers Programs this year. In addition to our Camps, we have seen visitors returning to the Mill, having our busiest June attendance in history this summer.
Q2: What are some of the direct impacts the grant has made on your organization?
Urban Roots: The Q-mmunity Gives grant allowed us to return to pre-pandemic youth program recruitment goals and activities for our Summer Farm Program. Youth gained professional and social development skills by managing a booth at the weekly farmers’ market, and we hosted three Community Lunches on the farm. Youth partnered with three celebrated Austin chefs to prepare recipes using the food youth were growing on the farm, to serve their feast for community guests, and, importantly, to publicly share their experience participating in the program and the impact it has had on their lives.
Science Mill: Your grant award funded our Equitable Access to Future STEM Careers program - a yearlong program for students living in low-income communities with little to no access to STEM programs. We partnered with local school districts in communities most in need of STEM programs, Georgetown ISD (42% low-income) and San Marcos ISD (74% low-income), chosen based on factors such as demographics, family income, access to STEM programs and schools’ academic ratings. As measured by impact data, our objective was to engage and excite students and build their self-confidence and skills in STEM fields and interest in future STEM careers through hands-on, team-based challenges - at no cost to the students. We accomplished that and so much more. In fact, 92% of students said they felt more confident and excited to tackle their Science and Math Classes in school this next year – thanks to Q-mmunity’s support of our program!
Q2: What’s next for your organization? What goals do you have for future growth and impact?
Urban Roots: Our goals are to refine our systems, programs, and food production on our flagship farm - to really get it humming. And to establish infrastructure and systems on our second farm site in Southeast Austin, which will allow us to expand our impact by increasing youth and volunteer opportunities there. That will in turn allow us to grow more food for those experiencing hunger or food insecurity in our community.
Science Mill: Utilizing the museum as a testbed for creating new strategies for student engagement in STEM and STEM careers, we have created a roadmap for how we, as a museum-based center for out-of-school learning, can play an important role in growing the number of underrepresented students in Texas who will be entrepreneurial and critical thinkers in a 21st century skilled workforce. Innovation and growth are two of our core tenants at the Science Mill, as we are always looking at how to further our impact. In addition to new and exciting exhibits and educational programs on the horizon, we are excited for the future expansion of our off-site SCI (STEM Career Immersion) Camps and Clubs programs across the state of Texas. While we facilitated 40 camps & clubs at 17 sites in 2022, we aim to hit 100 camps & clubs at 50 sites in 2023.
In the 2022 Q-mmunity Gives cycle, Austin FC and Q2 will award three (3) $50,000 grants to three (3) deserving organizations.
Eligibility Criteria:
Organizations must be committed to supporting and promoting equity and inclusion in the Central Texas Community.
The program/project must fall within one or more of the following impact areas: education, job skills and readiness, and health and wellness.
The program/project must be local to Central Texas.
The request must come from an organization (no funding will be made to individuals).
Requested funds must be used to implement a project. Capacity grants are not awarded by the Q-mmunity Gives grant program.
The organization must be certified as tax-exempt under Section 501© (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and not be a private foundation as defined in section 509(a) of that Code. The organization must be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Texas Franchise Tax Board and the Texas Secretary of State.
Note: Organizations who are awarded a 2022 Q2 and Austin FC Q-mmunity Gives grant will be ineligible to apply for a grant for two (2) years. Organizations who apply but are not awarded a grant may apply again next year.
The following organizations are not eligible for funding:
- Individuals
- Political, legislative, lobbying or organizations
- Religious organizations
- Sports, athletic events, or athletic programs
- Travel-related events, including student trips or tours
- Development or production of books, films, videos, or television programs
- Memorial campaigns
- Individual schools, including charter schools, pre-schools, elementary schools, middle schools or high schools (public or private)
- Organizations that do not have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code, or the equivalent
- Organizations that do not have programs or projects in the Central Texas community.
Grant applications are accepted between October 5 and October 25, and will be reviewed by the Q2 and Austin FC Q-mmunity Gives Grant Committee before a winner is announced later in the year.
