Susan Gregurek, director of the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center, along with three other presenters, opened the Central Texas Community Foundation’s eighth annual Legacy Luncheon by sharing testimonials about how community giving has helped with each nonprofit's goals.
In her remarks, Ms. Gregurek recounted her experience at Philanthropy Hour, an event that allows organizations to be noticed by other funding entities. She was able to present the various programs the library offers, including ESL classes, veterans resources and mental health support groups.
After that eight-minute presentation, she said a tour was scheduled with a philanthropist in the audience.
“I just found out that we are getting a $10,000 grant,” Ms. Gregurek announced to the crowd. “The impact that we are making is being seen. There are nights when I just can’t sleep from worrying about how we will continue to provide for Jarrell. This grant provides the most unbelievable support. This is transformational support.”
Held at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock on September 16, the Legacy Luncheon hosted 73 nonprofits and also consisted of three awards and announcements from the Central Texas Community Foundation.
LaKissa Bright with Ladders for Leaders received the Elizabeth Brenenstuhl Unsung Hero Award, Amplify Credit Union won the Nancy Rabb Legacy Award and The Black Fund of Central Texas was honored with the Impact Award.
CTXCF shared some milestones from the past year.
Last year, around $8 million worth of ideas, hopes and dreams flowed out of CTXCF grants. As of May of this year, $10 million was given to help people in the July 2025 Central Texas floods. Of that, $8 million was given to more than 260 families in Travis and Williamson counties.
The Center for Nonprofit Success, a joint initiative between the Georgetown Health Foundation and the CTXCF, officially launched on June 30. Recently, the center hired its first executive director, Melinda Brasher, who used to work for Georgetown ISD as its communications director.
“Please stay tuned,” said Any Davis, vice president of education and capacity for GHF, “We are already working on Version 2.0 [of The Center for Nonprofit Success] and we never want to stop improving the experience and adding value to the nonprofit sector.”
CTXCF Executive Director Amy Merida encouraged audience members to think about the story they are writing with philanthropy.
“The greatest threat to meaningful impact is the lie that what you have to offer is just too small,” she said in her speech. “You matter and what you have to give matters.”