Lisa Rosenberger, the diocesan associate director of the Catholic Services Appeal, said the first year of the Women’s Giving Circle surpassed all expectations.

“Our goal was to award five grants and to welcome 200 members in our inaugural year,” she said. “Instead, we have 246 founding members, and we awarded nine grants.”

The diocese launched the Women’s Giving Circle in fall 2025 to create a community of like-minded Catholic women dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Catholic-aligned community organizations in Central Texas. In keeping with the ministry of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the group’s patron saint, Women’s Giving Circle members dedicate themselves to supporting those in need, especially women, children, the poor and the marginalized.

To fund grants, the group leverages pooled membership fees, which are collected annually. A grant committee selects and invites nonprofit organizations to apply for grants, and members vote on where to distribute their collective funds.

Those who commit to a $500 yearly membership fee receive a 100% voting privilege, while a $250 associate member fee gives members a 50% voting privilege. People may also sponsor a member with full voting privileges for a $500 fee.

Margaret Kappel, diocesan associate director of Development Operations, said once the organizations were approved, applications were submitted and reviewed by the grant committee.

“Over the next six months, members gathered in fellowship, discernment and celebration as they began the work of giving together,” she said.

Selected organizations were also given the opportunity to present their needs during one of the gatherings.

Giving Circle members gathered with grant recipients on June 20 to venerate St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and celebrate Mass with Bishop Daniel Garcia. At the luncheon afterward, $102,000 in grants was awarded to the following organizations:

• St. Peter Catholic Student Center (Dwell Ministry): $1,000
• Our Kids at Heart: $3,000
• St. John Paul II Life Center: $3,000
• Christi Center: $5,000
• ClearView Family Resources: $10,000
• St. Ignatius Martyr Parish (Food Pantry): $15,000
• Keep Austin Fed: $20,000
• Cathedral School of St. Mary: $20,000
• Mustard Seed Men’s Work Wheels initiative: $25,000

In addition, since membership dues during the initial year exceeded the $100,000 goal, members voted to direct $25,000 to the Catholic Foundation – Diocese of Austin to establish an endowment to provide income for future grant cycles.

For more information on the Women’s Giving Circle,

go to austindiocese.org/womens-giving-circle.

Registration will open again this fall.