Our Crowdfunding Groups
Thank you for considering a contribution to our goal to raise $15,000 for our 5th Annual FLI Leadership Retreat for Black Women and Latinas attending The University of Texas at Austin.
Who We Are
The Fearless Leadership Institute (FLI) is designed to advance Black Women and Latinas through 
academic excellence, professional development, and personal growth. Several campus programs are organized throughout the semester that focus on all aspects of personal and professional development. We hold weekly workshops to address topics ranging from financial responsibility to networking to healthy relationships. Our mission is to cultivate empowered and innovative women as they prepare to graduate from The University of Texas at Austin and move into the next stage of their lives.
The FLI Leadership Retreat
The leadership retreat is an intensive, three-day series of workshops and team building activities held off-campus that are a further expansion of on-campus FLI programming and workshops. The retreat covers topics such as overcoming past trauma, personal branding, motivation and tips for a successful career, guidance on balancing college life and preparation for the future, self-acceptance, advice on friendships and other intimate relationships, navigating life’s challenges, and more. Women are actively encouraged to address past hurts through creative drama and artistic activities, healing circles, team building exercises, and therapeutic practices. We also offer fun outdoor activities, such as volleyball games, swimming, kayaking and challenging high ropes courses.
Our Impact
Students become a support system for each other throughout the weekend and continue to do so throughout their collegiate experience. They return to campus forever grateful for the opportunity to participate in a remarkably restorative and uplifting weekend. Many students look forward to returning and bringing friends along for the journey the following year, including alumni who return to serve as retreat leaders and volunteers. The growth, love, and friendships that are cultivated at the annual retreat is the hallmark of our organization.
"This retreat was fulfilling. School and life can be draining at times, and the chance to just stop and regroup was amazing. This was a great group of ladies to share the weekend with." --2017 Retreat Participant
"The past retreat was very emotional for me and very freeing. It's a haven where you can be yourself and be loved for it." --2018 Retreat Participant
Why We Need Your Contribution
For the past 4 years this retreat has transformed lives in countless ways. It is a powerful and motivational experience that pushes women to become the best versions of themselves--professionally, academically and personally. A lack of access and opportunity due to financial constraints often prevents students from becoming exceptional scholars. In addition, we have relied on university funding to provide much of the costs of past retreats, but due to university-wide budget cuts, those funds are no longer available. Our goal is to connect with community partners like you to continue organizing this extraordinary event for the ladies of FLI.
Please contribute to our fundraiser to help us make this our largest, most impactful retreat yet!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
-The FLI Team
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*The traditional symbol for a fifth year anniversary is wood which represents growth, life, strength, and stability. These themes will be intricately woven throughout our 5th annual retreat.
This donation will help fund the cost of one student's meals during the retreat. Crepe Myrtle Tree Level Donors will have a flowering effect on the retreat and will receive a personal thank you message from The Fearless Leadership Institute.
This amount will fund a student’s registration fee for the retreat. Maple Tree Level Donors will sweetly impact a student who is not able to afford the retreat on her own. These donors will receive a personal thank you message from The Fearless Leadership Institute.
This contribution will fund a student's lodging for the retreat. Oak Tree Level Donors will help strengthen the impact the retreat has on a student. Donors at this level will receive a shout-out on all of the FLI social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as well as a personal thank you note from the Fearless Leadership Institute.
This donation will fund the retreat costs for one student, including transportation to the retreat, lodging, 6 meals, outdoor activities, and retreat swag. Pecan Tree Level Donors will serve as building blocks for the retreat. Donors at this level will receive a shout-out on all of the FLI social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as well as a personal thank you note from the Fearless Leadership Institute.
This generous contribution will fully fund the 2019 FLI Retreat t-shirts for all participants. Pine Tree Level Donors will have a refreshing effect on the retreat. Donors at this level will receive a shout-out on all of the FLI social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as well as a personal thank you note from the Fearless Leadership Institute.
This generous donation will fully fund the cost of transportation to and from the retreat for all participants. Evergreen Tree Level Donors will create a sustainable effect on the retreat. Donors at this level will be featured in the FLI newsletter and on our official website in addition to the previous levels' perks. They will also receive an invitation to our department's Annual Heman Sweatt Evening of Honors Event. (Heman Sweatt was the first African American to be admitted into UT Austin in 1950 and paved the way for the first group of African American students to enter UT in 1956.)
This tremendous donation will fund the deposit for the retreat venue and contribute to the cost of outdoor activities at the retreat including zip lining, kayaking, and a high ropes course that help to boost confidence and self-efficacy in students. Redwood Tree Level donors will have a life-giving impact on the retreat. Donors at this level will receive the previous levels' perks and have an opportunity to present at the 2019 Fearless Leadership Institute Retreat.
