GEORGETOWN — The Anna+Anton Olson Legacy Foundation announced the results of its Fifth Annual Grant Cycle, awarding more than $160,000 to nonprofits across Taylor, Hutto and Georgetown.
Organizers said $93,000, or 58%, is directed to Taylor and Hutto organizations.
The Foundation received a record 32 applications requesting more than $480,000, underscoring the ongoing demand for operational and capacity-building support, according to officials.
While Anna+Anton’s annual funding level is typically $150,000, additional monies were approved this year to help offset “extraordinary operational challenges” faced by many local nonprofits.
“Shifting our grants to operational sustainability is exactly the kind of innovative philanthropy our local nonprofits have asked for,” said Larry Olson, founder of the Foundation, which is named after his Swedish immigrant grandparents who started farming near Taylor in 1916.
He added, “The remarkable increase in applications this year reflects just how critical these investments are — especially here in Taylor and Hutto.”
According to representatives, Anna+Anton invests in the people, systems and infrastructure that keep community organizations strong and effective.
“As someone who grew up in Taylor, I’m proud to see the Foundation’s continued investment in our community,” said Doug Moss, an Anna+Anton trustee. “Taylor’s nonprofits are on the front lines of service and progress. Helping them build sustainable capacity is helping the whole city move forward.”
The grant recipients from Taylor include Agape Food Pantry of Taylor, Boys & Girls Club of East Williamson County, Laundry Love of Taylor, Say Cheese, Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry, Taylor CAN and Taylor Educational Enrichment Foundation.
Hutto’s lone grant recipient was Simple Sparrow.
The funding helps offset loss of government grants, rent increases, budget shortfalls, replacing equipment, upgrading technology and coldstorage expansion.
“The response to our sustainability focus has been unmistakable,” Olson said. “The record number of applications shows how vital operational support is to the health and longevity of our nonprofit community.”
For more, visit anna-anton.org/.
