We are
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Our Mission

To empower and invest in local Nonprofits and Organizations that care and uplift those who suffer from homelessness, hunger and poverty

Our Model

Glimmer Austin is a social impact investor that partners with local nonprofit agencies and service providers in Austin.

We invest in and work with the best local leaders within innovative and effective organizations. We act as a catalyst to the changemakers that are creating the social impact. We have had much success working with early stage and start up organizations and programs – seeing the progress and impact they have made. Equally we have made some larger investments in other programs, that we are more directly and deeply involved with.

The three types of grants provided are:

Early Stage Funder, filling a vital funding gap for small organizations addressing poverty-related issues and challenges.

Growth Grants in support of those partners that have the potential to scale and have an established relationship with the foundation.

“Large-scale” Strategic Grants to organizations that have the capacity to reach and serve broader audiences.

Grants are awarded for a period of one year. Grantees are encouraged to seek additional funds from other sources in order to sustain their efforts.

Our History

A Glimmer of Hope was founded by Donna and Philip Berber in 2000 with the mission to improve lives in Ethiopia. When Philip later sold his Internet brokerage company, the couple decided to fund Glimmer’s endowment with proceeds from the sale, and investment returns are used to cover all operating overheads, as well as grants. This ensured that 100% of donor dollars would go to the field, and the people in need. Donna’s vision, coupled with Philip’s business acumen, led to Glimmer’s new model for community development. Glimmer employs a full staff of Ethiopian development experts and works with indigenous partners to address the systemic needs of the people through an integrated approach. Learn more about Glimmer’s work in Ethiopia at www.glimmer.org.

In 2003, while deeply devoted to their work in Ethiopia, the Berbers recognized the need within their own community of Austin, where nearly one in five residents live in poverty. In particular, they saw the potential of empowering innovative, grassroots nonprofits that were already taking the initiative and often using money from their own pockets to provide much-needed services to the underserved in their communities.

A Glimmer of Hope Austin was born with a commitment to support those startup groups and for the past 17 years, Glimmer|Austin has distributed over $8.8 million in grants to 210 different organizations in central Texas. In 2018, Glimmer|Austin renewed its commitment to serving the underprivileged with an even deeper desire and focus aimed at improving the lives of those impacted by the severe challenges of living in poverty.

We Believe

everyone deserves opportunities that offer hope, uplift and empower people, and elevate communities

everyone can drive social change, collectively, not through charity as usual, but through smart philanthropy that strengthens organizations and accelerates change

in each other and the greater good that happens as a result of working together, caring, sharing, and loving all of our “sisters & brothers” in need

Our Team

Donna Berber

Founder

Philip Berber

Co-Founder

Carla Power

Controller