AFP Greater Austin Opportunity Fund

For decades, the fundraising and philanthropic sector in Austin has not always fully reflected or included the voices, perspectives, and leadership of fundraisers and communities of color. AFP Greater Austin is committed to advancing a more equitable and inclusive philanthropic community by addressing historical barriers and creating opportunities for greater representation, access, and investment.

With these goals in mind, AFP Greater Austin launched the Opportunity Fund, an initiative designed to provide fundraising capacity-building grants to BIPOC-led (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) nonprofit organizations. The fund helps organizations strengthen their fundraising infrastructure and advance their missions through strategic investments in consultant support, professional development, and fundraising resources.

Grant funds may be used for projects such as developing an annual fundraising plan, staff training and professional development, grant writing support, feasibility studies, development audits, and other capacity-building initiatives.

The Opportunity Fund seeks to:

• Strengthen fundraising capacity and long-term sustainability for BIPOC-led organizations.
• Build trust and foster meaningful partnerships within Greater Austin’s diverse philanthropic community.
• Expand opportunities for fundraisers of color to demonstrate their expertise, leadership, and impact.
• Empower BIPOC-led organizations and fundraising professionals to achieve their full potential and increase their impact across the region.

In 2025, AFP Greater Austin successfully achieved its pilot-year fundraising goal of $50,000 for the Opportunity Fund. Building on the momentum and success of the pilot year, AFP Greater Austin will launch the second cycle of the Opportunity Fund in June 2026, expanding its investment in equitable philanthropy by selecting two organizations to receive capacity-building grants.

• Applications open: June 22, 2026
• Applications close: July 31, 2026
• Award Decisions Announced: August 31, 2026

 2026 Opportunity Fund Applications- Now Open!

In 2026, AFP Greater Austin will award two Opportunity Fund grants. Eligible organizations are invited to submit an application that will be reviewed and scored by a volunteer committee. 

Applications are due by 11:59pm on July 31, 2026. No late submissions will be accepted.

Applicants are encouraged to review the scoring rubric as they complete their application to ensure their responses address the evaluation criteria. If you have questions about the application, please contact Amelia Long at [email protected]. 

Click Here to Apply

 About the Grant

Eligibility Criteria:

To apply, organizations must:

✅ Be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Greater Austin area
✅ Be BIPOC-led, as defined below
✅ Propose a fundraising capacity building project that is realistic to complete within a 9-month period

AFP membership is not required to be selected. Funded organizations receive two membership scholarships as part of award package.

What We Mean by “BIPOC-led”:

An organization qualifies as BIPOC-led if it meets at least two of the following three criteria:

1. 50% or more of the board of directors identifies as BIPOC

2. The executive director or at least 50% of senior leadership identifies as BIPOC

3. The organization’s mission and/or programs primarily serve BIPOC communities

AFP membership is not required to be chosen. A membership scholarship would be made available as a part of the compensation package for representatives of the selected nonprofits.

What We’re Funding:

This grant invests in fundraising capacity building projects. Examples may include (but are not limited to):

• Annual fund planning/creation 

• Professional development for fundraising staff

• Grant writing support

• Feasibility studies

• Development audits

• Fundraising tools and technology

• And more

Funding is not intended to support existing operational expenses, such as current staff salaries or other recurring organizational costs.

Award Details: Total value of $11,900

• $10,000 given directly to the awarded nonprofit 
• Two AFP individual memberships for two representatives of the awarded nonprofit 
• Two tickets to the AFP Greater Austin One Day Conference on October 9, 2026

Prioritization:

While all eligible organizations are encouraged to apply, priority was given to BIPOC-led nonprofits with annual operating budgets under $500,000.

Consultant Referrals: 

The Opportunity Fund is committed not only to strengthening fundraising capacity within BIPOC-led organizations, but also to uplifting the diverse fundraising professionals and consultants who support our nonprofit community. We encourage Opportunity Fund grantees, and the broader Greater Austin nonprofit sector, to consider engaging BIPOC fundraising consultants and/or consultants with demonstrated experience serving BIPOC communities. By intentionally investing in professionals who bring cultural competency, lived experience, and an equity-centered approach, organizations can advance the values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access while building stronger, more sustainable fundraising programs.

Check out the list of consultants below! (* served as a 2025 Opportunity Fund Consultant Partner)

Want your name added to this list? Those eligible for this list must have experience working with BIPOC-led nonprofits and incorporate Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) principles in their work.

Please complete this form. If deemed eligible, your information will be added in 2-3 weeks. Questions? Email [email protected]  

Disclaimer: The Opportunity Fund Consultant Referral List is provided as a resource to assist organizations in identifying potential fundraising consultants. Inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement, certification, or guarantee by AFP Greater Austin of any consultant, their services, qualifications, or performance. Organizations are solely responsible for conducting their own due diligence and evaluating the suitability of any consultant prior to engagement. Any agreement for services is made directly between the organization and the consultant. AFP Greater Austin shall not be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, disputes, or other liabilities arising from or related to the selection, engagement, performance, actions, omissions, or services of any consultant included on the referral list. By utilizing this resource, organizations acknowledge and agree that AFP Greater Austin bears no responsibility for the outcomes of any consultant engagement and releases AFP Greater Austin, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and representatives from any related liability.

Opportunity Fund- 2025 Grantees

Success Metrics:

• Increase in AFP memberships by BIPOC led organizations. Each BIPOC led organization awarded a grant will receive 2 AFP annual memberships for their employees for the year. We hope this initiative will inspire other BIPOC organizations to join the chapter.
• Increase in development capacity of BIPOC led nonprofits: Based on the nature of the fundraising project, all awardees will report a significant increase in the development capacity after a pre and post assessment.
• Fundraisers of Color will report an increase in their consulting business: Participating consultants of color in the initiative, will report an increase in the consulting business (referrals, new contracts, etc.)

FAQ: 

How do you define "BIPOC led"?

We define BIPOC led nonprofit organizations when two of three criteria are met: 1. at least 50% of the board of directors identifies as BIPOC; 2. whose executive director or 50% of senior leadership (decision-makers) identify as BIPOC, and 3. whose mission statement and/or programs aim to predominately serve BIPOC communities.

What should applicants request support for? 

The Opportunity Fund seeks to support projects intended to build fundraising capacity in a sustainable, long-lasting way. Projects may include the creation of a strategic annual fund, training for staff, grant writing services, development/database audits, feasibility studies, and more. All proposed projects should feasibly be able to be finished within 9-months. If you are unsure what to ask support for, reach out to AFP Greater Austin Board President, Amelia Long at [email protected]. 

What type of organizations should apply?

To be eligible for funding, applicants must be a registered 501c3 nonprofit, meet at least two of the three criterias to be BIPOC led, and have request support for a project that can be completed within 9-months. Priority will be given to BIPOC-led nonprofits with an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less. 

Do applicants have to be current AFP Greater Austin members to apply? 

No, being an AFP Greater Austin member is not required. Two membership scholarships will be given to each awarded nonprofit.