Community Impact Advisory Councils
Advisory council members help guide funding that strengthens rural South Central Texas communities.
Community-Led Grantmaking Rooted in Lived Experience
Greater Fayette Community Foundation’s Community Impact model centers community wisdom, lived experience, and shared leadership in our grantmaking process. Community Impact Advisory Councils are local residents, caregivers, advocates, informal leaders, and community connectors who bring deep knowledge of the challenges and strengths within our region, spanning mental health barriers, workforce gaps, and rural health inequities.
Council Members serve as co-stewards of our Community Impact Funds, ensuring that funding decisions reflect real community priorities and are grounded in the lived realities of the people and places we serve. Together, Councils and GFCF staff shape investments that create meaningful, lasting change across rural South Central Texas.
Partnership with gfcf
Community Wisdom in Action: Guiding Grants, Building Trust, and Elevating Local Voices
Council Members partner with GFCF staff to review grant applications, co-design funding strategies, and strengthen community voice in our grantmaking process. This is a one-year commitment, with an option to extend to a second year, that includes monthly meetings, application review, and collaborative decision-making rooted in trust, equity, and shared leadership.
No nonprofit or grantmaking experience is required. Your wisdom and lived experience is the expertise we value.
- Review and score up to 30 applications using a strengths-based, trust-focused approach
- Apply a shared rubric that values lived experience and multiple forms of expertise
- Participate in collaborative, conversation-based decision-making
- Lift up insights about community barriers, assets, and emerging needs
- Serve as an ambassador for the fund, helping demystify the grant process
- Support and participate in community workshops and outreach efforts
- Share opportunities within your networks to expand access and awareness
- Act as a bridge between GFCF and residents, youth, rural communities, and grassroots organizations
- Attend monthly Council meetings (both virtual and in-person)
- Participate in trainings on trust-based, equitable decision-making
- Contribute to ongoing reflection and alignment within the Council
- Attend the Annual Grantee Celebration
- Bring your lived experience, honest insight, and community perspective
- Maintain confidentiality and disclose any potential conflicts of interest
- Support a culture of humility, respect, and shared ownership
- Engage in reflective practices that strengthen the overall model
- Council Members should commit to approximately 10–20 hours per month during peak review periods
- Council Members should expect to spend approximately 4–6 hours per month on average and during non peak periods
- Meetings are primarily virtual, with at least four in-person gatherings each year
- Stipends are provided in recognition of members’ time, expertise, and lived experience
Ideal candidates
Make an Impact in Rural South Central Texas
Council Members are local residents, caregivers, advocates, informal leaders, and community connectors who bring firsthand knowledge of their communities’ strengths and challenges. We prioritize the perspectives of people who are closest to community challenges and most impacted by systemic barriers, especially within rural communities.
To ensure transparency and fairness, Council Members may not apply for funding from the specific Community Impact fund or grant cycle they help review.
Lived Experience
Have lived experience within rural, working-class, underserved, or historically marginalized communities.
Local Impact
Have local knowledge or involvement in grassroots organizing, community leadership, direct services, caregiving, advocacy, or youth engagement.
Collaborative Skills
Believe in dignity, collaboration, shared leadership, and reducing barriers.
Capacity to Engage
Can contribute to discussions, meet deadlines, and attend regular meetings, both virtual and in-person events.
Committed
Are committed to strengthening community capacity and equitable grantmaking.
Growth Mindset
Nonprofit or professional experience is not required. We value your lived experience and wisdom most.
Apply Now
Express Your Interest Today
We’re building a pipeline of community leaders interested in serving on our Advisory Councils throughout the year. Submit the form below to let us know you’re interested, and we’ll reach out when the official application period opens January 6–February 2, 2026.
No nonprofit or grantmaking experience is required. Your wisdom and lived experience is the expertise we value.