As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, BiGAUSTIN relies on both public and private sources of financing to fund its daily operations. Our funding sources are many and diverse, but despite cutbacks, federal funding through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund remain integral to full implementation of BiG's lending, counseling, and training programs.

While we can supply the funding agencies with a compelling case for supporting BiGAUSTIN's programs (as evidenced by large grants from the SBA, CDFI, City of Austin, Hewlett Packard, and many more sources), from time to time we need your support in the form of letters, petitions, etc. showing that the community and our clients value the contribution we make to the economic vitality of Central Texas. Right now, we need your help once again to restore the SBA's portion of the annual federal budget†.

Our national partners, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, have provided an easy web-based method for contacting your Congressional representatives, including sample letters. BiGAUSTIN-and the hundreds of other programs like us around the nation- is counting on your support to help keep these programs alive, programs that are vital to the success and security of small businesses and the economy as a whole. Please contact your Representatives and Senators today.

† In each of the past several years, the President's budget request has not included funding for the SBA microloan program.With your help, we've been able to convince Congress to support small business economic development by restoring funding. Thank you for your support!