How is your organization doing? Biggest highlight from 2025?
After 73 years, Marbridge continues to provide exceptional services and programming to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), thanks to donors like Austin FC and the Q-mmunity Gives Grant Program.
In 2025, The Villa, our licensed skilled nursing facility, received a “Five-Star” rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Only 11 buildings in the state—out of more than 1,300—received a rating as high as The Villa’s, and only three of those 11 received a higher rating. The Villa continues to be a pillar of exceptional care within both the skilled nursing facility community and the national IDD community.
Marbridge continues to foster relationships with a wide variety of businesses and organizations throughout the Austin area. In September 2025, approximately 75 police cadets visited campus for “Diversity and Inclusivity” training. The partnership we’ve developed with the Austin Police Department gives cadets and residents an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and interact with one another in a safe and controlled environment.
Our residents have also achieved some incredible things. Because exercise is pivotal in stimulating cognition and body awareness, we’ve started offering additional physical activities through Bloom Fitness, in addition to our regularly scheduled weekday Training & Education classes. Ten residents have already reached the 25-workout milestone—a huge accomplishment for each of them!
How has your organization grown in the past year?
Marbridge continues to explore new ways to engage our partners and enhance our residential programming. Over the past year, we’ve expanded our collaborations with ACC, UT, and Texas State University to offer programming outside of our Monday–Friday daytime Training & Education classes. Through ACC, for example, residents can participate in the STEPS program, which focuses on workplace professionalism and career planning.
Marbridge has also engaged with the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce and the Austin Chamber of Commerce, creating additional opportunities for recruitment, resident employment, volunteer engagement, donor development, and community awareness.
This year, we brought back our monthly informational sessions, Just About Marbridge (JAM), after a year-and-a-half hiatus. These sessions provide ongoing opportunities for community education and engagement while giving interested individuals a chance to learn more about Marbridge through a short presentation and tour of the community.
What are some of the direct impacts the grant has had on your organization? Please describe and give examples
Thanks to funding from the Q-mmunity Gives Grant, our residents continue to thrive.
Last year, 171 residents enrolled in and participated in Training & Education classes, which were directly funded by the grant. Residents have goals related to independent living skills, socialization, and/or self-esteem, and according to staff, an impressive 100% of residents actively worked toward these goals. In addition, more than one-third of our residents were employed, and 93% maintained their employment throughout the year. Marbridge partners with 17 businesses—including H-E-B, Goodwill, the YMCA, and others—to provide employment opportunities for our residents.
Residents also participated in a variety of activities that support their health and well-being. These included Special Olympics competitions, equestrian events, museum and library visits, outings to theme parks, and annual festivals and events on campus. Nearly 100% of residents either verbalized or demonstrated a sense of happiness and positive well-being during their most recent Individual Program Plan meeting.
Families feel that Marbridge and our staff care for their loved ones—physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. At Marbridge, we remain committed to supporting the whole health and well-being of our residents.
What advice would you give those who are considering applying for the Q-mmunity Gives grant?
Make sure to give yourself enough time to write, revise, proof, and submit the grant application. It’s always a great idea to have another set of eyes the grant—especially someone not as familiar with your organization’s work—to ensure that each question is explained fully.
What is next for your organization and what goals do you have for future growth and impact?
The Marbridge Leadership Team and Board of Trustees have finalized our 7–10-year long-term vision for the campus. This vision focuses on enhancing the employee experience (People), increasing opportunities for residents (Programs), engaging those who support us (Partnerships), and preparing for the future (Projects).
As part of the Projects portion of our vision, Marbridge is exploring ways to maximize the use of our land and expand our ability to serve more adults with IDD. Within the next couple of years, Marbridge plans to create a new Lodge in our Ranch Community and/or construct a new Training & Education/Administration building to house all classes and administrative personnel. These projects will allow us to repurpose space currently occupied by portable buildings used for offices and classrooms, creating additional opportunities to expand our programming and services.
