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Why does Impact San Antonio give the entire $100,000 to a single organization?
One of our primary goals is high-impact giving. By collectively funding a large grant, we can have a big impact
in a selected area. In addition, when a nonprofit pieces together $100,000 from, for example, 10 different $10,000
grants, the nonprofit has reporting requirements and related administrative costs from each of those grantors,
not to mention fundraising costs to find all those grants. Again, increased costs mean less money going to the ultimate needs. By giving one large grant, we can have more impact and keep costs
lower for the grant recipient.
How can Impact San Antonio give all of my $1,000 to the grantee? Are there administrative and fundraising
expenses to be covered?
Although some administrative and fundraising expenses will be incurred, Impact San Antonio is committed
both to keeping those expenses low and to finding other sources of funding to cover those expenses. Other
sources include donations from Friends of Impact San Antonio, individuals who donate $250 to the organization. In addition, we are seeking donations in-kind of items
like stationery and web site support and hosting.
Why is the required donation set at $1,000?
To make sure we have committed members and to keep the costs of fundraising low. Regarding the latter, one of
the big problems in the nonprofit sector today is the high cost of fundraising. This is caused by the competition
among all nonprofits for a finite pool of funding and the cost of dealing with the high volume, low dollar
donations on which most nonprofits count. To raise $100,000 with $100 donations would mean fundraising
from 1,000 people, and smaller donations would require finding and dealing with even more donors. This
directly raises the costs involved and ultimately means that less money goes to those in need.
Grants
How will Impact San Antonio decide who will get the grants?
Each year, grant applications are accepted in five focus areas: culture, environment, family, education, and health
& wellness. Each focus area has a committee made up of members and
chaired by an Impact San Antonio member. Through an annual proposal process, these committees accept grant applications in their particular
focus area, and review and evaluate the applications to select a deserving finalist. The due diligence process
includes research and site visits. Information on the five finalists will be delivered to each member for review, and
a member meeting will be held at which the finalists will give a short presentation. At that meeting, members
will vote for the finalist of their choice.
When will the grants be given?
The grant will be awarded in October or November of each year.
What happens if I serve as a board member of an organization applying for the Impact San Antonio grant?
Many Impact San Antonio members serve as board members of San Antonio nonprofit organizations. Those organizations are free to apply for an Impact San Antonio grant. If you wanted to serve on an Impact grant review committee, you would simply volunteer in a different Area of Focus.
Do I have to commit to a certain amount of volunteer time to join Impact San Antonio?
No volunteering is required. We hope you will at least review information that will be provided to you about
the finalists and take the time to vote either in person at the member meeting or absentee.
What if I cannot attend the meeting at which the grant recipient is selected? Can I still get information on the
finalists and cast my vote?
Yes, although we strongly encourage attendance at the meeting, absentee voting is accommodated. Prior to the
meeting, every member receives a packet containing information on each finalist in the five focus areas.
If the member cannot attend, the packet includes a ballot and
instructions on how to cast a vote before the meeting.
Membership
How long is my membership in Impact San Antonio?
Each $1,000
donation provides membership for the current grant year. Each
year, the Board will establish the deadline for that year's $1,000
contribution.
Is my donation to Impact San Antonio tax-deductible?
Impact San Antonio is a nonprofit organization exempt from federal taxes under Internal Revenue Service Code
501(c)(3). Contributions are tax-deductible.
After your membership application and contribution are received, you
will receive a letter for your tax purposes.
What is required of me if I join Impact San Antonio?
All that is required is that you be a woman and donate $1,000. We hope you will take the time to make an
informed decision when you vote for the grant recipient. In addition, you may choose to (but are not required
to) serve on a focus area committee to evaluate and select a grant recipient finalist for presentation to the
members at the scheduled meeting.
Do I have to live in San Antonio to join?
No, members can live anywhere.
I cannot give $1,000, but I can give something and I want to help. What role is there for me?
An important role! You can be a Friend of Impact San Antonio. Your
$250 donation will be used to
help cover administrative and fundraising costs so that all member donations go to the grant recipient. If we
receive more funds than are required to cover those costs, they may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors,
be added to the grant funds.
I have a male friend who would be interested in Impact San Antonio. Can a man participate?
Men can participate directly as a Friend of Impact San Antonio, or they can encourage the women in their lives
to participate as members.
I want to give more than $1,000. Can I have more than one vote?
No. Every member gets one vote even if they give more than $1,000. Any amount given over $1,000 will go first
to offset administrative and fundraising costs. However, any money designated for administrative or fundraising
costs may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, be added to the grant amount if the Board decides it is not
needed to cover such costs.
Can I pay my $1,000 over a period of months?
Yes. You may pay the $1,000 in two installments of $500 or four installments of $250. Membership becomes
effective and voting rights accrue when the entire $1,000 is received by Impact San Antonio. Please note, if you
are not able to pay the additional installments, the initial installment donated will go first to offset administrative
and fundraising costs. However, any money designated for administrative or fundraising costs may, at the
discretion of the Board of Directors, be added to the grant amount if the Board decides it is not needed to cover
such costs.
Can I contribute stock in a publicly traded company to cover my $1,000?
Yes. The shares will be sold as soon as possible after transfer to Impact San Antonio. The net proceeds must be
equal to or greater than $1,000 (which means you will need to cover all sales commissions and expenses).
Can I make an in-kind donation of services or products to cover my $1,000 donation?
Although Impact San Antonio could certainly use donations of certain services and products, such donations
cannot be used to cover the $1,000 membership contribution.
My company provides matching funds for donations to charities. Can I give $500 and have my company
match it to make my total $1,000 donation?
Yes. However, membership becomes effective and voting rights accrue when the entire $1,000 is received by
Impact San Antonio. Additionally, membership will accrue only to the individual. Companies will receive not
receive any voting or other membership rights.