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connected with folks who are already thriving in the nonprofit space. That amplification of all the efforts a small business like ours can muster, when multiplied with purpose and direction, is key to really making a measurable difference." The Michies see GFCF's Round Top Restaurant Weeks program as an example of something deeply characteristic of Greater Round Top: an eagerness to pitch in to make the community a better place for everyone. Round Top Restaurant Weeks is held for a full month each August. Participating restaurants feature INSIDE VIEW ROUND TOP SPONSORED PARTNER of Greater Round Top F or Brooke and Paul Michie, owners of Round Top Brewery, becoming part of the Round Top community was as much about finding a place of connection as it was building a business. After moving permanently to Round Top with their young family in 2019, the Michies renovated a small home on their property. Once immersed in Round Top's countryside and its creative energy, abundance of art, design and culinary talent, the Michies realized they had found a place where their own interests and values could take root in a new way. That same sense of connection shapes the way Brooke and Paul think about giving back. Owning a small business and working alongside local nonprofits has changed their perspective on philanthropy. They began noticing what Brooke describes as "a beautiful quiet minority of people who endlessly give," whether by volunteering, feeding work crews, serving on boards, donating gift cards, or providing supplies for events. "Lots of folks here are just built that way," she says. "If we truly can give, we always will." Participating in GFCF education opportunities gave the Michies a better understanding of how contributed resources are used, as well as a greater appreciation of how smaller acts of giving can become part of something larger. "We think all these smaller pushes add up," Brooke says, "But the impact becomes much greater when The Heart Susannah Mikulin, CEO of the Greater Fayette Community Foundation, Talks with Local Philanthropists on Giving, Community, and Legacy. In the Greater Round Top area, where art, culture, and history blend seamlessly, philanthropy is at the heart of community life. This interview series with Susannah Mikulin, CEO of Greater Fayette Community Foundation, highlights the generous individuals and businesses fostering a culture of giving in Greater Round Top and making a lasting impact by supporting the nonprofit sector in this rural region. special prix fixe menus, signature menu items, specialty cocktails, and other unique dining experiences throughout the month. A portion of proceeds from these featured offerings benefit GFCF's Community Impact Funds, which invest in grassroots organizations advancing mental health, workforce development, education, rural health, and community wellbeing across rural South Central Texas. "Round Top is a participatory and interested community," Brooke says. "The people are keen to help out in so many ways for so many causes." As the Round Top Restaurant Weeks program grows, the Michies believe it can become an important source of both exposure and fundraising while demonstrating what can happen when businesses, nonprofits, and residents work together. Beyond their own involvement in the program, they are also happy to encourage friends and peers in the restaurant community to join in. "Anytime you can include many layers of participation from a variety of groups, that makes the experience richer for everyone," Brooke says. Looking ahead, she and Paul hope Round Top's culture of support, participation and outreach remains strong as the community grows, showing those in need that people really do care. To learn more about Round Top Restaurant Weeks, or how GFCF supports community- minded leaders like the Michies, visit www. greaterfayette.com. Paul & Brooke Michie JACK THOMPSON 66