Counting the Years of Making it Count: OneStar 2024 Annual Report

03/07/2025 |

We are pleased to announce the release of the OneStar 2022 Annual Report! This year’s publication features the theme of Moving Forward, Giving Back, which highlights the enormous progress we have made together in fostering more generous and resilient Texas communities.

In addition to showcasing OneStar’s impact and providing transparency into our operations, we prioritized telling the stories of our partners across Texas to illustrate the power of collaboration. Our 2021 Annual Report spotlights specific examples of how OneStar builds capacity for nonprofits doing amazing work in Texas and provides critical support to diverse organizations statewide.

We extend our appreciation to our extraordinary colleagues from Sewa International, Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, Volunteer Houston, Hookset Brother Combat Recovery, Texas Department for State Health Services, United Ways of Texas, and Latinitas, who agreed to have their experiences featured in these pages. This is just a small glimpse of the many valued partners we had the privilege of working with in 2021, and we thank all of you for joining our us in our mission to build stronger Texas communities.

View the 2022 Annual Report

or download as PDF

Letter from the CEO: OneStar 2022 Annual Report

2022 was truly our year of coming back together! While we continued to embrace the flexibility of meeting virtually, it was refreshing to finally reunite for face-to-face gatherings. From an award ceremony at the Texas Governor’s Mansion to conferences and a staff retreat, it was heartwarming to see and embrace our friends, partners, and teammates in person.

This was also a year of getting things done with our partners. A few highlights for me: we distributed a record amount of AmeriCorps funding to support an incredible portfolio of national service programs across Texas. We launched Texas Nonprofit Strong in partnership with United Ways of Texas to equip our sector and promote the impact nonprofits have in our communities. And we intensified our efforts to provide accessible programming and resources to rural communities by launching the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network and establishing new rural partnerships.

It was also a year of new beginnings as we moved into a new office in East Austin and opened our first satellite location in Dallas. We are proud to now be a part of the Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, joining a campus of social impact organizations seeking to be more effective through collaboration.

In 2022, we learned yet again that from tragedy comes unity. In the aftermath of the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, OneStar was honored to collaborate with local leaders to launch the Robb School Memorial Fund. Donors from around the world overwhelmed us with their outpouring of support. I was moved and deeply grateful to each of our community partners that stepped forward to help bring support to Uvalde.

One consistent theme the past year has demonstrated is what becomes possible when we work together. As I enter my fourth year leading OneStar, I am grateful for the hard work of this dedicated team to create a stable foundation for our work, even when the world is changing so much around us. I am excited to see how we continue to calibrate and build in the upcoming year. Thank you for being with us every step of the way.

Sincerely,

Chris Bugbee
President & CEO

|  

Without AmeriCorps: The Impact of Federal Budget Cuts in Texas

08/05/2024 |

The U.S. House of Representatives is proposing to eliminate AmeriCorps, the 30-year program that provides the people power that local nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations train and deploy to respond to our country’s most immediate and critical needs.

If this happens, it will have a devastating effect on Texas communities that rely on the service of more than 3,200 AmeriCorps members each year to address complex social challenges and provide support to vulnerable populations. In a state as vast and diverse as Texas, AmeriCorps offers a responsive and scalable solution that adapts to the unique needs of local communities by centering human connection and relationship.

For example, as teacher attrition rates in Texas reached a record high of 13.4% last year, AmeriCorps members provided individualized educational support to students both in and out of the classroom. Approximately 22,000 students improved in their academic performance, and an estimated 25,000 students enrolled in post-secondary education thanks to evidence-based interventions provided by AmeriCorps members. In addition, AmeriCorps members reached more than 43,000 Texans with social services that improved local health and safety, including increased access to medical care, food security, and disaster readiness. This year, Texas is piloting a dedicated Youth Mental Health Corps that will offer one-on-one and small group case management to nearly 600 students, while also providing skills development for 80 AmeriCorps members. This workforce pipeline advancing the behavioral health field is critical in Texas, where 251 of 254 counties have been federally designated as mental health professional shortage areas.

Without AmeriCorps, more than 700 nonprofits, schools, and agencies will struggle to bridge gaps and ensure a unified and coordinated approach to supporting Texans in need. In addition, at a time when Texas faces shortages in teachers, government workers, and other public service positions, cuts to AmeriCorps would eliminate a valuable career pathway for potential leaders who care about making a difference in their communities.

AmeriCorps funding also supports state service commissions like OneStar that play a vital role in ensuring that states have a voice in how millions of dollars in federal funding are used at the local level. State service commissions are attuned to the needs of our communities and can direct resources to meet local priorities. In addition to stewarding AmeriCorps grants, OneStar also plays key roles in advancing volunteerism and harnessing the power of service in Texas. This includes coordinating regional volunteer centers, recognizing excellence in volunteerism statewide, organizing disaster philanthropy efforts, and advocating for a stronger statewide nonprofit sector.

Without AmeriCorps and state service commissions, states would lose the opportunity to leverage federal resources that are responsive to state-identified needs. Without a state service commission, there would be no one to foster innovation, coordinate statewide collaboration, or advance efforts to scale service and volunteerism. Texas would end a 50-year legacy of supporting and harnessing the power of service to strengthen local communities.

Counting the Years of Making It Count | A Letter from the CEO

01/24/2024 |

2024 marks an extraordinary year for OneStar as we celebrate several significant milestones that illustrate our enduring legacy of engaging Texans to take action in local communities.

I have served with OneStar since 2006 and have witnessed the organization evolve and adapt to address our state’s most pressing social needs—from responding to the devastation of Hurricane Harvey to mobilizing for COVID-19 recovery. I cherish the opportunity to reflect on our past achievements—not to pat ourselves on the back, but rather to remember the incredible friends and collaborators who have shaped our journey and to inspire us all to reach farther and dream bigger. Woven within our history is a roadmap comprised of best practices and valuable lessons learned through lived experience. I am grateful for this time to reflect on our legacy and acknowledge the vision and resources invested by our amazing partners to reach where we are today.

In the weeks ahead, we will be counting the years of making it count. Among the milestones we are celebrating this year are:

  • 50 years of state-supported service and volunteerism. In 1974, Governor Dolph Briscoe established the Texas Center for Volunteer Action, acknowledging the importance of volunteer service in Texas communities. This set a vital precedent of the state supporting service initiatives, which continues to this day through OneStar.
  • 40 years of Governor’s Volunteer Awards. Established by Governor Mark White in the 1980s, the Governor’s Volunteer Awards shine a statewide spotlight on inspiring stories of how volunteers can transform local communities. The prestigious awards, now administered by OneStar, garner bipartisan support and have been hosted annually by every Texas governor for the last 40 years.
  • 30 years of AmeriCorps. In 1994, President Bill Clinton launched AmeriCorps as a service-driven solution to our nation’s most pressing social challenges, with more than 20,000 Americans taking the first AmeriCorps pledge at the White House and in states across the country. Today, as the state-appointed national service commission, OneStar is a champion and conduit for the power of AmeriCorps to reach Texas communities.
  • 20 years of OneStar. OneStar was established in 2004 as a united home merging diverse initiatives across Texas centered on furthering volunteerism and community service. When designating OneStar, Governor Rick Perry cited the power of volunteering to “transform our communities, our families and the lives of individual Texans, and enrich the life of the volunteer.”

But it does not end there. These accomplishments of the past are still very much with us today and build a foundation that creates exciting possibilities for the future. This year, we are also launching a forward-thinking strategic plan, which builds on our incredible legacy. As you join us in celebrating these milestones in our history, I hope you will gain a deeper appreciation for the journey ahead and be inspired to take action in the unfolding story of Texans uniting in service to foster more united, resilient, and thriving communities.

To get involved in our celebration, follow OneStar on social media and subscribe to our email updates. As we reminisce about memorable moments from decades past, I invite you to imagine how we can evolve and build on these achievements and create modern solutions for further advancing civic and community engagement in Texas. I look forward to partnering alongside you in our next chapter!

Chris BugbeeChris Bugbee
President & CEO
OneStar

Building a Foundation: OneStar 2023 Annual Report

01/16/2024 |

We are pleased to announce the release of the OneStar 2022 Annual Report! This year’s publication features the theme of Moving Forward, Giving Back, which highlights the enormous progress we have made together in fostering more generous and resilient Texas communities.

In addition to showcasing OneStar’s impact and providing transparency into our operations, we prioritized telling the stories of our partners across Texas to illustrate the power of collaboration. Our 2021 Annual Report spotlights specific examples of how OneStar builds capacity for nonprofits doing amazing work in Texas and provides critical support to diverse organizations statewide.

We extend our appreciation to our extraordinary colleagues from Sewa International, Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, Volunteer Houston, Hookset Brother Combat Recovery, Texas Department for State Health Services, United Ways of Texas, and Latinitas, who agreed to have their experiences featured in these pages. This is just a small glimpse of the many valued partners we had the privilege of working with in 2021, and we thank all of you for joining our us in our mission to build stronger Texas communities.

View the 2022 Annual Report

or download as PDF

Letter from the CEO: OneStar 2022 Annual Report

2022 was truly our year of coming back together! While we continued to embrace the flexibility of meeting virtually, it was refreshing to finally reunite for face-to-face gatherings. From an award ceremony at the Texas Governor’s Mansion to conferences and a staff retreat, it was heartwarming to see and embrace our friends, partners, and teammates in person.

This was also a year of getting things done with our partners. A few highlights for me: we distributed a record amount of AmeriCorps funding to support an incredible portfolio of national service programs across Texas. We launched Texas Nonprofit Strong in partnership with United Ways of Texas to equip our sector and promote the impact nonprofits have in our communities. And we intensified our efforts to provide accessible programming and resources to rural communities by launching the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network and establishing new rural partnerships.

It was also a year of new beginnings as we moved into a new office in East Austin and opened our first satellite location in Dallas. We are proud to now be a part of the Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, joining a campus of social impact organizations seeking to be more effective through collaboration.

In 2022, we learned yet again that from tragedy comes unity. In the aftermath of the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, OneStar was honored to collaborate with local leaders to launch the Robb School Memorial Fund. Donors from around the world overwhelmed us with their outpouring of support. I was moved and deeply grateful to each of our community partners that stepped forward to help bring support to Uvalde.

One consistent theme the past year has demonstrated is what becomes possible when we work together. As I enter my fourth year leading OneStar, I am grateful for the hard work of this dedicated team to create a stable foundation for our work, even when the world is changing so much around us. I am excited to see how we continue to calibrate and build in the upcoming year. Thank you for being with us every step of the way.

Sincerely,

Chris Bugbee
President & CEO

|  

Five Critical Questions Every Nonprofit Must Address for Disaster Preparedness

08/29/2023 |

There are tons of resources on nonprofit management from strategic planning to funder engagement. Within these resources, we often leave out an essential topic: is our nonprofit ready for a prompt response during a disaster? 

In the dynamic and unpredictable world of today, disaster resilience must be a focal point for all nonprofit leaders. Resilience is not merely a buzzword; it signifies the capacity to adapt, organize, and react with intent after an unforeseen disaster. 

Here are five questions we believe every nonprofit should ask now.  

What type of disaster is most likely to affect us?

Not every city or region is prone to the same types of disasters. Prioritize action at your organization by identifying the type of event most likely to occur in your area. For instance, the most common disasters impacting Texas communities include tornadoes, hurricanes, flash floods, earthquakes, wildfires and drought.

Next, consider the primary hazards and their impact on your work. For example, if you serve a population that is largely senior in age, consider that many already do not have access to transportation. During a disaster, the impact of these limitations in mobility may be exacerbated. Develop a plan to address this need under extraordinary circumstances. In this same vein, consider what role(s) your nonprofit is uniquely positioned to help with during a disaster. Do you have the ability to have a skeleton crew for your work and have updates pushed out regularly on social media? Discuss this with your full team and ask how the organization can show up in unique ways.

Do we know our key contacts—including our county judge, emergency manager, and other social change leaders— that play an active role in disasters?

Your nonprofit can forge strong partnerships with emergency managers in blue skies, so that we can bring the two spheres of expertise together to plan an adequate and inclusive response for the whole community, including the people you serve. Do you know your local Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and/or Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)? A COAD is a network of community organizations, businesses, nonprofits and individuals working together to plan community responses to a variety of emergency and disaster situations.

Both VOADs and COADs work to reduce the duplication of services and other inefficiencies that occur during times of disaster. Often, these groups may hold educational and networking sessions. Key areas of their work include planning, coordinating, and implementing disaster recovery resources. Forming relationships and getting to know their primary functions is very helpful before a disaster situation.

Do we need to implement a Disaster Response Plan?

The short answer is “yes,” but what type of plan will be most helpful to your organization? To get to the answer, consider what function of your nonprofit will be most deeply impacted. What services will the community turn to your organization for, and how will you meet those needs during a disaster? Will you be delivering direct service, raising funds on behalf of others, or temporarily expanding areas of an existing program to accommodate greater need? In addition to helping others, ensure that you are prepared to perform essential business functions such as payroll and critical client services.

If you foresee increased activity around giving and philanthropy, consider this: most disaster giving happens in the first six weeks when media coverage is high, but quickly drops off when the news cycle moves on. To prepare in the best way, decide whether your organization will take donations (both cash, stock, and in-kind) and how will you acknowledge the gifts. How will funds be distributed afterwards?

In the immediate aftermath of a major disaster, there will be a dearth of information while needs within your target population could be greater than ever. Thus, give yourself time now to think through the communications function. Start with these questions:

  • What is the ideal workflow to develop a crisis response narrative?
  • What is your role in interfacing with the media in preparation for a disaster? Do you have the resources internally to participate in interviews? If your organization expects press engagement, make a plan for who will support behind-the-scenes with collecting data and crafting key messages and who will be interacting directly with the media.

How do we begin to build a ‘culture of preparedness’?

Answers to the previous questions will help identify areas of organizational focus after a disaster. With this information, you can begin to plan what programmatic functions will likely be expanded after a disaster event. With this in mind, consider how to train and educate staff to complete their roles. Are there Emergency Management meetings that we should attend? Some examples may include local emergency management trainings and exercises, VOAD/COAD meetings, trainings with Texas Division of Emergency Management, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs.

Building out a culture of preparedness requires that you review your internal capacity. Identify your existing strengths within the organization. After a disaster, you may need to shift roles for some staff. Identify the individual employees and teams that are likely to take on additional work and determine capacity gaps. Where are areas where you should cross-train teams? Remember to focus on the people not just the plan and infrastructure.

How can we mobilize volunteers during a time of crisis?

In what ways can volunteers play a role in ecosystem recovery? If you have an existing pool of active volunteers, consider if there is an easy tie-in to disaster response, even for virtual participation. Volunteer interest immediately following a disaster is high, but what happens after public attention wanes? Will there be volunteer needs months after the disaster? For volunteer needs in Texas, the VolunteerTX.org site is a great resource, where you can search for opportunities by activity type and location. You can preemptively research if you have a local Volunteer Center or Volunteer Connector Organization, which often serves as the contact point for local and national volunteer organizations, connecting Individuals with local opportunities.

Do not underestimate the power of social media alerts and online information sharing. There may be certain requests for particular donation items or foods after a disaster. Invoking the help of your existing volunteer network to share these requests can be deeply effective.

Nonprofits’ greatest strengths are our community-facing work as well as our collective numbers. With more than 130,000 nonprofits in Texas, our sector influences every community, maintains close social ties with local stakeholders, and understands the latest socio-political issues. Disaster response is a topic of increasing importance in today’s world that demands our attention. Since nonprofits possess a first-hand understanding of a community’s challenges, nonprofit leaders need to reflect on how to best leverage their knowledge and resources to respond after a disaster event. 

At OneStar, we have seen how iteratively conceptualizing our role has allowed us to more effectively respond to disasters. We hope these questions ignite dialogue and reflection on the potential impact on your work should disaster strike.  

Michelle VrynMichelle Vryn
Chief Development Officer
OneStar

Moving Forward, Giving Back: OneStar 2022 Annual Report

06/20/2023 |

We are pleased to announce the release of the OneStar 2022 Annual Report! This year’s publication features the theme of Moving Forward, Giving Back, which highlights the enormous progress we have made together in fostering more generous and resilient Texas communities.

In addition to showcasing OneStar’s impact and providing transparency into our operations, we prioritized telling the stories of our partners across Texas to illustrate the power of collaboration. Our 2021 Annual Report spotlights specific examples of how OneStar builds capacity for nonprofits doing amazing work in Texas and provides critical support to diverse organizations statewide.

We extend our appreciation to our extraordinary colleagues from Sewa International, Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, Volunteer Houston, Hookset Brother Combat Recovery, Texas Department for State Health Services, United Ways of Texas, and Latinitas, who agreed to have their experiences featured in these pages. This is just a small glimpse of the many valued partners we had the privilege of working with in 2021, and we thank all of you for joining our us in our mission to build stronger Texas communities.

View the 2022 Annual Report

or download as PDF

Letter from the CEO: OneStar 2022 Annual Report

2022 was truly our year of coming back together! While we continued to embrace the flexibility of meeting virtually, it was refreshing to finally reunite for face-to-face gatherings. From an award ceremony at the Texas Governor’s Mansion to conferences and a staff retreat, it was heartwarming to see and embrace our friends, partners, and teammates in person.

This was also a year of getting things done with our partners. A few highlights for me: we distributed a record amount of AmeriCorps funding to support an incredible portfolio of national service programs across Texas. We launched Texas Nonprofit Strong in partnership with United Ways of Texas to equip our sector and promote the impact nonprofits have in our communities. And we intensified our efforts to provide accessible programming and resources to rural communities by launching the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network and establishing new rural partnerships.

It was also a year of new beginnings as we moved into a new office in East Austin and opened our first satellite location in Dallas. We are proud to now be a part of the Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, joining a campus of social impact organizations seeking to be more effective through collaboration.

In 2022, we learned yet again that from tragedy comes unity. In the aftermath of the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, OneStar was honored to collaborate with local leaders to launch the Robb School Memorial Fund. Donors from around the world overwhelmed us with their outpouring of support. I was moved and deeply grateful to each of our community partners that stepped forward to help bring support to Uvalde.

One consistent theme the past year has demonstrated is what becomes possible when we work together. As I enter my fourth year leading OneStar, I am grateful for the hard work of this dedicated team to create a stable foundation for our work, even when the world is changing so much around us. I am excited to see how we continue to calibrate and build in the upcoming year. Thank you for being with us every step of the way.

Sincerely,

Chris Bugbee
President & CEO

|  

Year in Review: 10 Highlights from 2022

12/30/2022 |

As we prepare to face the new year ahead, OneStar reflects on the partnerships built and milestones reached. We are so grateful to our fellow Texans who joined us last year in our vision of building thriving and more resilient communities! Here are 10 highlights from 2022 that made an impact on our work:

No. 1: Celebrating service at the Governor's Volunteer Awards

After two years of virtually recognizing Governor’s Volunteer Award recipients, we were thrilled to celebrate these inspiring award recipients in person during a reception at the Texas Governor’s Mansion this April. These extraordinary awardees exhibited an enduring commitment to service amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and rose to the challenge of meeting exceptional community needs in creative ways. Stay tuned for an announcement coming soon on this year’s Governor’s Volunteer Award winners!

No. 2: Empowering programs with AmeriCorps Recruitment Institute

This spring, we hosted our first-ever AmeriCorps Recruitment Institute to equip national service programs in Texas with member recruitment strategies, from attracting a diverse talent pool to building local partnerships. This interactive training provided more than 60 participants with a solid framework for recruitment planning and empowered participants to develop customized strategies to meet their unique recruitment goals.

No. 3: Supporting Uvalde community with Robb School Memorial Fund

We were incredibly moved by the outpouring of generosity for the victims and survivors of the shooting in Uvalde in May. In the aftermath of this tragedy, we launched the Robb School Memorial Fund and collected nearly $7.2 million from donors across the world who wanted to offer their compassion and support. These donations were merged with the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund, a $22.3 million philanthropic collaboration that ensured all funds raised were distributed directly to those most impacted by this devastating event.

No. 4: Gaining inspiration & insight at OneStar's staff retreat

In May, we were inspired and energized during our staff retreat in Austin – our first time in years to gather as a team to refocus and brainstorm together on our shared purpose and identity. It was a valuable opportunity to align on OneStar’s mission of strengthening Texas communities and generated lots of insights to propel our work for the year ahead. We also put our passion into action by volunteering with Austin Sunshine Camps on revitalization and outreach service projects.

No. 5: Building service leaders at Texas Volunteer Management Conference

Effective management of volunteers ensures that the time and talents of those who serve make a meaningful social impact. In June, we were thrilled to sponsor the Texas Volunteer Management Conference, which provides professional volunteer managers with insights and inspiration for their work engaging communities. In addition to providing funding and scholarships, OneStar CEO Chris Bugbee offered an inspiring opening address, and our Director of Statewide Initiatives Millicent Boykin was honored with the 2022 TVMC Legacy Award in recognition of her leadership and commitment to promoting volunteer service.

 

 

 

 

No. 6: Distributing record levels of AmeriCorps funding in Texas

In June, we announced $32.7 million in federal grants, distributed to 50 organizations to engage AmeriCorps members across the state. This funding represents the largest-ever investment in national service in Texas and is a testament to the powerful impact of our AmeriCorps members. This year, we anticipate engaging a record 3,600 AmeriCorps members to help local Texas communities thrive and build resilience.

No. 7: Convening disaster leaders with America's Service Commissions

In August, America’s Service Commissions partnered with OneStar to host their Commission Disaster Convening in Austin. During this gathering, commissions from across the nation shared ideas and offered diverse perspectives on how each state approaches disaster resource management, support roles, planning, and training. We were grateful for the opportunity to learn and network with our colleagues to ensure we are better prepared to face the next disaster or emergency. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. 8: Building support & resources for Texas rural communities

This year, we intensified our efforts to support and engage rural Texas communities in effective volunteer management. In October, we announced the launch of the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network, a cohort of 25 nonprofits operating in or serving Texas rural communities. These organizations  have received access to networking opportunities, coaching, training, and on-demand tools & resources to boost organizational growth and impact in our state’s rural regions. We also furthered our rural engagement by sponsoring and presenting at Fayette Community Foundation’s Rural Philanthropy Day, which brought together more than 160 nonprofit leaders and funders in November.

No. 9: Opening new office space in Austin & Dallas

This year, OneStar found new office space to call home. In May, our first-ever Dallas location opened at the Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, a cutting-edge campus that houses organizations committed to advancing change in the community. In November, we relocated our Austin office to a more central location east of downtown. These physical spaces expand OneStar’s geographic presence in Texas and provide a venue for fostering partnership and collaboration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. 10: Launching Texas Nonprofit Strong to promote collaboration & advocacy

In partnership with United Ways of Texas, we launched Texas Nonprofit Strong in September to equip nonprofits in our state with valuable tools and resources and to provide a strong, unified voice that can represent the overall sector. The new website at txnonprofits.org contains valuable data on the sector’s economic impact, links to recent research, directories of capacity-building partners, and a toolkit to help you promote the importance of Texas nonprofits. We also hosted our first convening of the Advocacy Network, which will help guide priorities and advocacy strategy for Texas Nonprofit Strong.

OneStar | Texas Rural Nonprofit Network

Join the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network

08/04/2022 |
Rural nonprofits across Texas are invited to become part of the 2022-2023 Texas Rural Nonprofit Network. The Network was established to foster networking, collaboration, volunteer management development, and resource sharing among nonprofits engaging volunteers to support thriving rural communities. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, August 31.
Apply

Benefits

OneStar has partnered with Resilia, a social impact technology organization, to give 25 nonprofits access to their exclusive online platform. Resilia offers technology and 1:1 coaching to support effectiveness, creativity, and workflow in nonprofits across the country. Texas Rural Nonprofit Network services will be centered on providing hands-on resources for nonprofits serving rural communities, and to strengthen their volunteer recruitment and engagement strategies.

Network members will have access to a suite of on-demand tools and resources to support organizational growth and impact, which include:

  • Curated resources that support development in storytelling, fundraising, volunteer management, compliance, and much more
  • Unlimited 1:1 consultation with nonprofit coaches on core nonprofit functions
  • Peer-to-peer learning experience that includes workshops for network development and collaboration
  • Tools to capture program outputs, outcomes, and impact narratives
  • 40+ downloadable and customizable templates spanning sample fundraiser plans, elevator pitch, bylaws, and strategic plans
  • Grants database of 60,000 grantmakers and thousands of grant awards to support diversifying funds and increasing mission impact.

Selected nonprofits can invite unlimited users from their organization to access all these services from September 2022 to July 2023.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network, organizations must complete the application no later than Wednesday, August 31, 2022, and:

  • Operate in a rural* area and/or serve a rural community
  • Be designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
  • Recruit and engage volunteers (or plan to utilize volunteers)

Primary consideration will be given to applicants presenting needs that, if solved, will significantly increase organizational capacity and/or directly impact their mission. Priority will also be given to organizations that are at least 50 miles outside of the geographic footprint of a volunteer center and have an operating budget under $500,000.

Organizations selected to participate in the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network will be notified by Monday, September 12, 2022. The program will officially launch in September 2022.

Apply

For additional information or questions, please submit all inquiries to volunteer@onestarfoundation.org or call 512-287-2007.

*OneStar uses rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes to classify program addresses as either rural or urban for analytic purposes. RUCA codes classify U.S. census tracts using measures of population density, urbanization, and daily commuting. Census tracts with an urban cluster population of less than 50,000 are considered rural (RUCA codes 4-10). Applicants can designate themselves as serving rural communities if some or all service locations are in rural areas as defined by RUCA codes or if the program can provide other compelling evidence that the program is rural in the narrative portion of the application. This self-designation will be considered in membership selection decisions. For more information about RUCA codes, please visit the USDA website.

Robb School Memorial Fund joins philanthropic partnership to distribute funds to victims of Uvalde tragedy

06/22/2022 |

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, OneStar helped support the outpouring of generosity and compassion for the Uvalde community and facilitated donations to  the Robb School Memorial Fund held locally at First State Bank of Uvalde. To date, OneStar has collected more than $4.7 million on behalf of the fund.

Based on the recommendation of a local steering committee comprised of members of the Uvalde community,  the Robb School Memorial Fund, including donations received through OneStar, will join forces with other philanthropic initiatives to partner with National Compassion Fund (NCF). The collaborative philanthropic effort will be called the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund.

NCF is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime and a leading national authority on mass-casualty crime.  The organization helps survivors navigate the process of accessing funds in a respectful, dignified, victim-centered manner and also preserves the intent of donors who want to know that their gift is going directly to those harmed.

Details on the Steering Committee, National Compassion Fund, and the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund can be found in the press release distributed by the committee.

Anyone wishing to donate to support Uvalde can continue to give through the Robb School Memorial Fund.  OneStar will coordinate with the National Compassion Fund to ensure all donations are directed to the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund for distribution.

OneStar in support of the Robb School Memorial Fund | Donate Now | Administered by First State Bank of Uvalde

Donate now to support the Uvalde community

05/26/2022 |
UPDATE: OneStar is no longer accepting donations to the Robb School Memorial Fund, in accordance with protocols developed in partnership with survivors and the local community. If you are interested in exploring other ways to support the Uvalde community, please email donate@onestarfoundation.org.

OneStar joins our fellow Texans in grief and disbelief at the horrific loss at Robb Elementary School this week. We are heartbroken at the innocent lives lost and trauma endured. Our hearts are with the students, families, faculty, volunteers, and the whole Uvalde community who have been forever impacted.

Accompanying our condolences is an opportunity to take action to support our neighbors in Uvalde. In partnership with the Uvalde CISD, First State Bank of Uvalde has created the Robb School Memorial Fund to assist the families and community affected by this tragedy. Click here to learn how your donations will be distributed to provide direct support to victims.

Here are ways you can give to support this local fund.

Donate by credit card

Visit OneStar’s Donate page and select Robb School Memorial Fund in the donation options. 100% of donations received by OneStar will be given directly to the Robb School Memorial Fund.

(Note: Due to heavy traffic on our website, you may encounter technical difficulties or slow loading times. If you are unable to submit a credit card payment, we encourage you to donate via OneStar’s PayPal Giving Fund.)

Donate by PayPal

Click here to make a donation via OneStar’s PayPal Giving Fund. 100% of donations received by OneStar will be given directly to the Robb School Memorial Fund, and PayPal covers all transaction fees.

Donate by Zelle®

Make an online donation via Zelle®, available on most banking apps. When recipient information is requested, please enter the following:
  • First Name: Robb
  • Last Name: School
  • Email: robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com

Donate by check

Make all checks payable to the Robb School Memorial Fund. Checks can be dropped off at any First State Bank branch location or mailed to PO Box 1908, Uvalde, TX 78802.

Donate by phone

For questions or to make a donation by phone to the Robb School Memorial Fund, please call (830) 356-2273.

If you would like to donate via wire transfer/ACH or give stock, please email donate@onestarfoundation.org, and we will respond promptly with transfer instructions.