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A Defining Moment: From Ordinary to Extraordinary
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Written by Allison Allen
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Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Page 2 of 2
She took a deep breath and started by running the idea by a few trusted friends who agreed that it was doable. And, strongly motivated to create a credible and lasting organization, before leaping they did a lot of research and worked out a business plan. They wanted to be able to effectively answer the inevitable question they knew would be asked: Will Impact Austin be here ten years from now?
Once the plan was in place, they set a goal of counting one hundred women as members in the first year. With thirty four members in October of 2003, Rebecca could tell that some of the people they talked to and the organizations they approached to submit grant requests were doubtful they could have one hundred women by year’s end.
She and her friends began organizing wine and breakfast get togethers for friends where they pitched the Impact Austin idea. In that way, they added members little by little until they reached their goal...and earned the lasting respect of those who had been skeptical. They then set out to reach their goal of having all five of their areas funded which happened in 2008.
Rebecca believes profoundly that because she had no doubts she could do this thing, the Universe conspired to see that it was done. We talked about it being something bigger than her alone which gave it extra energy. She is bemused by that extra ‘something’ and by what she calls all the unintended consequences that have come from her endeavor.
You see, there is no paid staff at IA to do the work of soliciting and analyzing grant applications. Each IA member can be as involved or uninvolved as she likes, but it is those who want to play an active role who actually do the work of determining which applicants will receive the sizeable grants.
The result is that IA has created informed and educated philanthropists who, for the many who choose to be hands on and active, also develop leadership skills. And, IA doesn’t just hand over the money to the winning organizations, they function as true partners to them. That means the members roll up their sleeves and help the recipients in whatever other ways are necessary to ensure they are successful in their mission.
And, IA even provides non-monetary assistance to those who don’t win the grants. Rebecca takes it as a very serious mission to match IA members willing to give their time and talent to worthwhile organizations who may not be quite ready yet for an IA grant.
This ‘transformational giving’ as she calls it, has had its effect on her as well. Rebecca expresses heartfelt gratitude for the growth of her own leadership skills. At 54, she says, “I’m still learning. I’m being challenged, refined as I learn to lead. Sales is one thing I’m good at, but that is definitely not the same as leading a board. I’ve had to learn to lead from a position of power and influence, not force, and I’ve had to get comfortable with not managing the outcomes.” That last no doubt, is part of the serendipity of the unintended consequences of it all.
She reflects on how that has affected her relationships with husband and children as well. Rebecca acknowledges the many ways her husband, a very practical man who retired shortly after she conceived her idea, stepped up to take over the household daily operations in support of her efforts. Even though he wasn’t sure about it in the beginning, he never begrudged her pursuing this passion.
What’s ahead for Impact Austin and Rebecca?
She realizes that she is more of a visionary and start up person than a maintainer. So, she has been attentive to ensuring a succession plan. She chuckles in bemusement as she says, “I just know this isn’t the last thing for me, it is preparing me for the next thing. I have never had that conviction before, I’m in a different realm than I’ve ever been.” Who does she think will succeed her? She doesn’t yet know but wonders if it might be an IA member who simply hasn’t yet appeared in that aspect.
Rebecca notes that women in other parts of the country are now in varying stages of starting similar organizations and come to IA for guidance. The transformational experience it has turned out to be for her and for IA members is clearly something she prizes. As is often the case, it seems the givers are transformed more profoundly than the recipient.
From ordinary, to extraordinary. Rebecca Powers is Founder of Impact Austin, an organization that is a progressive leader in women’s philanthropy, bringing new resources to the community and making philanthropy accessible. Through high-impact grant making, Impact Austin engages, develops and inspires women to effect positive change.
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