Impact Austin seeks new members

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Impact Austin, an all-female volunteer organization committed to making a difference in the community through annual grant donations, needs 20 new members by New Year's to reach its $500,000 goal.

The group was founded 5 years ago with 100 women who each donated $1,000, enabling the group to give a grant of $100,000 to an organization of its choice.

The group has grown by 100 members each year. Last year, the group was able to give five $100,000 grants through 500 members. The only two membership requirements are being female and donating $1,000. Finding members this year has been the hardest.

"There are some of us who are a little reluctant to just let go of that philanthropic dollar because we're not sure of the future," said Impact Austin Founder Rebecca Powers.

Powers said some members who gave in 2007 lost their jobs. Others moved to other cities to find jobs.

Last year, one of the $100,000 checks was granted to Goodwill's Project Reboot. It is a new program that gives at-risk young adults a paying job refurbishing computers that are donated. It is a 12-week program that equips students with a life-long skill that will help launch a future job in the computer industry.

"We have tried for years to get a program like this off the ground," said Jeff Kendall, the district manager of Goodwill Computer Works. "Without the funding from Impact Austin, it just would not be possible."

The program started in October. The Impact Austin grant covers the salaries of 2 trainers and 10 out of their 60 paid students. Once the computers that they are working on sell, the program will sustain itself. Impact Austin has gotten calls from several non-profits this year asking if it will still be able to provide $500,000 in 2009. The organization is holding out hope that over the next two days women who want to make a difference will come forward.

"We believe that those women will show up," said Powers with a smile. "It's just that we don't have their names yet."

For more information about Impact Austin, visit their Web site.