Waco Foundation

Programs: Waco foundation operating fund: this fund is the organization's primary competitive grantmaking fund, providing grants to nonprofits that serve mclennan county residents, along with other funds (discretionary and selected field of interest funds) that support our competitive grant program. The foundation provides support to several community-wide efforts designed to end systemic poverty and promote education and health. The grants made from our discretionary program benefit over 20 institutions and organizations, including small nonprofits which address basic human needs to large institutions working to intervene with systemic issues that lead to poverty. In addition, the operating fund gave grants to the foundation's 3 program funds - mac college money program (scholarship guarantee program for all low income graduating seniors in mclennan county), capacity building program (program to educate and train local charities in board fiduciary responsibility and sound nonprofit management) and the smartbabies early childhood initiative (improving quality of life for children ages 0-3 in the community).

mac college money program: this fund was established to provide 1st and 2nd year scholarships to students attending the 2 major colleges in mclennan county. In addition, 3rd and 4th year scholarships are also provided to previous scholarship recipients who want to continue their education at any 4-year college in or outside the mclennan county area. During the 2016 tax year, 544 mclennan county seniors were enrolled in the mac college money program and more than $2. 6 million in federal student aid grants was accessed with the assistance of the mac college money program. The director and coordinator of the program provide assistance to students in completing their annual fafsa.

capacity building program: this fund is used to provide grants and services that promote nonprofit effectiveness and efficiency, excellence in management and governance and financial sustainability. Program activities include, but are not limited to: the award of small assistance grants that can be used to access the services and expertise of a professional nonprofit consultant; facilitating executive leader peer learning and engagement opportunities; the delivery of a civic/community development oriented leadership skills development program; the delivery of nonprofit management trainings which focus on topics such as board governance, program evaluation and assessment, grantwriting and fundraising. The program also supports the identification, coordination and use of community resources by area organizations and nonprofits; the creation, maintenance and distribution of resources and information (via websites and newsletters) that provide area residents and nonprofits with information on volunteerism, leadership development and best practices in nonprofit management.