A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ELIZABETH GRIFFIN
Dear Supporters of BiG,
As I reflect on the few months I’ve spent here at BiG, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy. Though my time with the organization has been brief, it already feels like I’ve found my place within a community that is truly special. Joining BiG as Executive Director has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I am so thankful for the warm welcome I’ve received from each and every one of you
What has been most profound for me during my time here is not what I’ve been able to contribute, but what I’ve learned Our mission to create meaningful vocational and residential opportunities for adults with special needs is not just a goal it is a transformative vision I have been deeply moved by the resilience, determination, and grace of the Citizens I get to work alongside They have taught me what it truly means to overcome challenges, to embrace the power of community, and to live each day with purpose and authenticity.
Through their stories, their accomplishments, and dynamic personalities, I’ve learned so much about the power of belonging Our Citizens are constantly breaking through barriers, defying expectations, and showing the world what is possible when we are given the tools, the opportunity, and the support to thrive
As is their courage and perseverance that inspire me every day to do my very best for them, to advocate for their needs, and to remind the world that our Citizens are image bearers of Christ.
At BiG, we are not just providing jobs or homes we are building lives and changing perceptions. Every day, we create a space where individuals with special needs are celebrated for who they are, where they can pursue their dreams and contribute to society in meaningful ways I’ve witnessed firsthand how powerful it is when someone gets their first job, moves into their own home, or simply feels seen and valued These moments remind me that the work we do here is not just important, it is life changing
This journey would not be possible without the support of so many our amazing staff, our dedicated volunteers, our families, and all of you, our generous supporters You make all of this possible, and I am profoundly grateful for your belief in BiG and our Citizens. Together, we are creating a more inclusive and interdependent world, one life at a time.
Thank you for welcoming me into the BiG family.I look forward to all that God has in store for us in the coming year.
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” AT BIG, WE ARE NOT JUST PROVIDING JOBS OR HOMES—WE ARE BUILDING LIVES AND CHANGING PERCEPTIONS.
JOIN US AT the Sunflower Room
WHAT IS THE SUNFLOWER ROOM?
Previously known as the Shop Next Door, The Sunflower Room offers a welcoming space to shop, enjoy a cup of coffee, or savor a meal. This inviting venue features a full range of Citizen-made products and serves as overflow space for the café.
Thank You Thank You
TEXAS CUSTOM SIGNS FOR THE TEXAS CUSTOM SIGNS FOR THE NEW SUNFLOWER ROOM SIGN NEW SUNFLOWER ROOM SIGN
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FINANCIAL REVIEW
PROGRAM - $3,578,869
ADMINISTRATION - $297,885
FUNDRAISING - $400,164
TOTAL - $4,276,918
504,858 $2,004,223 ES - $24,000
Saying thank you to our generous supporters does not feel like enough. Each and every gift ensures a change in the way the world views adults with disabilities. We are filled with gratitude for the contributions you made this year. Your gifts allowed us to say “yes” to more scholarships, forever homes for our Citizens at Grace Place and operational costs that keep the BiG vocational community running.
In 2025, join us as a monthly donor to help create a community where Citizens can grow, connect, and thrive. Your monthly gift provides stability and sustains meaningful work through artisan and entrepreneurial opportunities —empowering each Citizen to reach their God given potential.
With your continued support, we’re creating a community where everybody matters and belongs.
Thank you for believing in our mission.
TRANSFORM LIVES
IDENTIFIABLE NEEDS
VOLUNTEER IMPACT
Volunteers are essential to the success at BiG We are so thankful to have our weekly volunteers who are not only a part of our Vocational Program but also are a huge part of helping both our Café and Shop operate, and now at Grace Place. In addition to showing up week to week, our volunteers help with after-hour events, fundraisers, and spread the word about and mission of BiG
We want to express our deepest gratitude for the invaluable contributions of each volunteer. Their dedication and selfless efforts are the heartbeat of our mission Their passion and commitment resonate in every program, event, and initiative
Each year, we also have multiple volunteer groups from churches and organizations who come and serve together on various projects. From deep cleaning buildings to assembling furniture and building garden beds, groups work together as a team to bless BiG
Thank you for making a meaningful impact on our Citizens, staff, and each guest that walks through our door
V O L U N T E E R S thank you
A MESSAGEFROMOUR ERIN KILTZ founder...
Dear BiG Friends & Family,
“Chain, Chain, Chain,” reminds me of the 1970’s hit by Aretha Franklin, Chain of Fools However, I would rename the song in honor of our BiG Citizens, “Change, Change, Change” because of what they have proven to the world
On November 1, 2011, our Citizens were given a long-awaited opportunity and have surprised the world with their handmade products. For decades, individuals with special needs have been overlooked and underestimated. With BiG, that has CHANGED Their God-given talents have been recognized, developed, and elevated with their beautiful and delicious offerings
Our team has had the privilege for 13 years of serving alongside Citizens We call that co-laboring, collaboration, and interdependence as we learn from each other Just to give some perspective, in 2012, Georgetown Rotary awarded BiG a kiln. Since then, our Citizens have produced and sold over a million dollars in pottery over the past 12 years.
If you come to know a Citizen at BiG - I mean really know them - you quickly realize they have more to teach you than anything you will ever impart to them
One truth is the anchor to our core values--they are made in God’s image and are a beautiful reflection of our Creator Yes, our Citizens are changing the way the world views adults with disabilities! And yet in tandem, BiG has a sacred opportunity of revealing their intrinsic value through a collaborative vocational and now 127acre residential community, Grace Place
We rejoice in what God has done through Brookwood in Georgetown, BiG We also like to think BiG could stand for what our Citizens experience every day at work, Basking in Grace! “The proof is in the pudding,” as my mom used to say, through the excellence of the Citizens’ products, the joy of their
community and the true meaning they experience daily Furthermore, Citizen Lizzy says that she, alongside her co-workers at BiG, are “living their best life ever”!
We celebrate this much needed CHANGE for our BiG Citizens and want to be a conduit of spreading the “gospel of BiG” across the world! Thank you for partnering in and being a part of that change!
Erin Kiltz
FOR DECADES, INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED AND UNDERESTIMATED. WITH BIG, THAT HAS CHANGED.
Sustaining the Mission Sustaining the Mission
BiG employs over 100 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who we call Citizens, across three campuses in the Greater Austin area. Each campus thrives as a hub of creativity, producing over 18 artisan product lines sold at our award-winning Shop and Café in Georgetown, TX.
Our work program educates, trains, and empowers Citizens in a supportive, no-fail environment. The program focuses on adaptable, marketable enterprises, giving Citizens the opportunity to rotate between two different enterprises daily, Monday through Thursday Every product is handcrafted with care by BiG Citizens from raw ingredients to packaging and skuing Supervisors provide tailored job modifications, ensuring every Citizen experiences the dignity of meaningful work
To sustain the BiG mission, our Shop and Café sell unique Citizen-made products alongside curated market items, celebrating their talents and creativity Every Citizen-made product sold powers our program’s future sustainability. The following pages showcase the incredible work and artisanship of our Citizens’ enterprises from each campus: Main, LIGHT, and ATX.
What a year it has been! Here at the BiG Main Campus, we’ve seen remarkable growth and transformation. We’re no longer just making pies—our Citizens have been pouring their hearts into creating an array of delicious new offerings for the café From perfectly baked scones and muffins to savory quiches, the BiG Bakery has truly come to life
Every day, the bakery is filled with excitement as our Citizens work together to craft new seasonal flavors many of which have been dreamed up by the Citizens themselves! The joy and pride they feel in their creations are contagious, and every bite tells a story of their hard work and creativity
Now there’s more to love than just the baked goods. Every Citizen-made item includes a card introducing the individual who crafted it, connecting each purchase to the amazing people behind the scenes These personal touches allow us to celebrate the talents and dedication of the incredible men and women of BiG, one handcrafted item at a time
This year was a record breaking year with 110 pies baked in one day! We’re so proud of how far we’ve come, and we can’t wait to share even more delicious creations with you in the year ahead Keep an eye out for new treats from the BiG Bakery helping others never tasted so good!
EACH CAMPUS THRIVES AS A HUB OF CREATIVITY, PRODUCING OVER 18 ARTISAN PRODUCT LINES.
2024 MAIN CAMPUS IMPACT
TOTAL PRODUCTS SOLD TOTAL PRODUCTS SOLD
2,609 2,609
3,031 3,031
6,172 6,172
2,365 2,365
11,147 ,147
Since launching in 2018, BiG’s Fudge has become one of our most popular products. Our Citizens take pride in every step of the process hand cutting the butter, adding and ensuring the ingredients get mixed in the kettle, pouring the fudge into pans to cool, and carefully cutting and wrapping each piece by hand Every batch is crafted with joy, love, and camaraderie, making each piece of fudge truly special.
During the holiday season alone, over 3,600 pounds of fudge is poured, wrapped, and packaged in single piece, 2-piece, and 4-piece variety options
That’s over 12,000 pieces of fudge!
When the holiday months are not in session, we have a great partnership with Kalahari and their sweet shop, The Last Bite, where both fudge and pies are sold Kalahari receives over 1,500 pounds of fudge throughout the year, and it is always a joy to share the mission In the BiG Shop alone, 5,222 pieces were sold in 2024!
Our fudge has made such an impact to those far and wide, we even taught the Brookwood Community in Houston, TX how to make fudge! It was such a full circle experience to attend the Brookwood Community as a guest in the diner and have them offer Citizen-made fudge that BiG Citizens helped teach and guide
EVERY PRODUCT IS HANDCRAFTED WITH CARE BY BIG CITIZENS FROM RAW INGREDIENTS TO PACKAGING AND SKUING.
2024 LIGHT CAMPUS IMPACT
$84,355
FROM COMB TO JAR FROM COMB TO JAR
Did you know that BiG LIGHT honey goes through three different filtering processes before it reaches your jar? The first removes wax, while the second and third filter out air and any remaining wax.
Honey can come in different colors, influenced by the age of the honeycomb and the flowers the bees pollinated No matter the hue, it’s guaranteed to taste delicious!
Processing honey is no simple task Each comb is carefully de-capped (to release the honey), spun in a centrifuge, and filtered
Extracting and filtering takes 8 hours, while bottling over 30 gallons of honey spans more than a month
Over 350 bottles are handpoured, measured, cleaned, labeled, and packed by BiG LIGHT Citizens each year for our annual Honey Launch. This special event typically held in August celebrates the hard work of our LIGHT Citizens and the bees themselves, resulting in a limited, mouthwatering treat crafted with care and dedication!
SUPERVISORS PROVIDE TAILORED JOB MODIFICATIONS, ENSURING EVERY CITIZEN EXPERIENCES THE DIGNITY OF MEANINGFUL WORK.
enterprises A T X
ENTERPRISE
HIGHLIGHT: ATX’S SHOWER AND SOAP SENSATIONS
Every shower steamer, liquid soap, and solid soap at BiG is more than just a product—it’s a testament to the dedication and skill of our ATX Citizens. At the ATX campus, BiG Citizens pour their creativity and care into every step of the process.
Take our shower steamers With steady hands, BiG Citizens mix baking soda, citric acid, and scents to create one of BiG’s favorite holiday gift items. For lemon lavender, they pour the mixture into cube and hex molds, combining soft purple and yellow hues. Eucalyptus mint steamers feature a fresh blend of green and white coloring, all packaged in sleek silver tins to highlight their craftsmanship
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Our soaps are equally unique BiG liquid and foaming soaps are each hand poured by our Citizens while creating the best blend of fragrances ranging from rosemary mint to green tea cucumber Our solid soaps are carefully poured into each mold by the citizens and heat wrapped to be becoming little works of art Each product reflects perseverance and creativity making them one of The BiG Shop’s gifting sensations
Since 2011, BiG has grown from serving 8 Citizens to over 100 across three campuses, including our ATX program in the heart of Austin The ATX campus has the greatest need for volunteers join us and help these amazing individuals thrive!
GET INVOLVED
” OUR ATX PROGRAM HAS THE GREATEST NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS.
God Story
BiG Dog Treats are handmade by our Citizens using all-natural, gluten-free ingredients. Each treat is carefully cut into a unique dog-biscuit shape, baked, and packaged entirely in-house At the beginning of 2024, dog treats were made exclusively at our ATX campus Due to their popularity, BiG Main joined the treat-making fun to help meet demand, making it the only enterprise produced across two campuses. This year, The BiG Shop sold 1,208 bags of Citizen-made dog treats!
When Pastor Tim learned how much our Citizens enjoyed making dog treats and that they had the capacity to produce more if only we could sell them he began seeking a retail partner. That’s when he discovered Tomlinson’s Feed and Supplies, a familyowned business founded in 1946 with 18 locations across the Austin area We began praying for a connection with them
A few weeks later, after guest preaching at a church in Austin, Pastor Tim and his wife were invited to lunch by a couple they had never met before About 20 minutes into the conversation, he asked the couple what they did for a living To his surprise, they replied, "We are the owners of Tomlinson’s " When he regained his composure, Pastor Tim responded, "I believe we have a divine appointment."
This past spring, BiG Dog Treats made their debut at Tomlinson’s and it was love at first bite! After a successful pilot run in five stores, our Citizen-made treats are now available in all 18 locations Additionally, we’ve developed a new product dog shampoo which will be available at Tomlinson’s in 2025
We are deeply grateful for our partnership with this incredible family and business, and we look forward to many more shared successes in the future.
UPDATEGrace Place
PLACE TheGathering
FRONT VIEW BACK VIEW
The community center will be complete in 2025 and we couldn’t be more excited!
Thank you to everyone who made this possible and supported our mission. We could not be where we are without you.
PROPERTY FEATURES
10,000 SQUARE FEET
EVENT SPACE RENTAL
FUTURE HOME OF 2ND BIG BAKERY ENTERPRISE
THE BIG WORK OUT CENTER
Georgetown comes alive each year for Art From the Heart a magical evening where extraordinary, one-of-a-kind pieces created by our talented Citizens are auctioned to benefit our community.
Last year, thanks to generous supporters, we raised over $1.25 million, but the true highlight of the event is seeing the unique personalities and creativity of our Citizens shine.
Art Art from the Heart
from the Heart
