These are unprecedented times in which we are realizing we are stronger together than we are separately. As we all make radical adjustments to adapt to the new realities of the public health crisis and its economic impact, we know we will continue to face uncertainties. I trust that you are finding comfort and support from family, friends, colleagues, and the community to help you navigate these challenges successfully.
I want to update you on the measures we’re taking at Impact San Antonio to adapt the way we operate, while safeguarding the health of our members, sponsors, nonprofits, and broader community.
Respecting the “stay home, work safe” orders: Given the health risks associated with COVID-19, and in accordance with city and county ordinances, Impact San Antonio has postponed all public events for the foreseeable future, including the May 4 Spring Garden Party. We will continue to monitor the situation to determine when we can hold public events safely.
Checking in with our grant recipients: Past and current Impact SA grant recipients tell us they are struggling. Some have temporarily stopped most, if not all, of their in-person services, have laid off workers, experienced extra demand for services that are not currently funded and lost key sources of revenue from services and fundraising events that had to be cancelled.
As one example, San Antonio Clubhouse, which works to help people with mental health challenges live confident, independent lives, made the difficult decision in mid-March to temporarily close. Impact San Antonio awarded the Clubhouse a High Impact Grant in 2018 for a hydroponic garden, and it had successfully launched production just before this closure. The pandemic has forced their members to isolate at home, and although they are staying in touch through phone calls and social media, this is a difficult time for their members.
Impact SA’s Current Grantees: Our Grants Liaison Team is working with those who have uncompleted grants awarded over the last two years to offer flexibility in deadlines, progress reports, and use of funds.
Impact SA 2020 Grant Cycle: We are also in discussion about ways to enhance flexibility in use of funds and reduce administrative burdens in our grant application and grant making process for 2020, based on feedback from the nonprofit community. Announcements will be forthcoming shortly.
Supporting our community during this time of unprecedented uncertainty: As individual philanthropists, there are a variety of ways you can help our community right now.
Emergency Relief Funds: Give to one of the relief funds established to help nonprofits, such as the San Antonio Area Foundation and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County’s COVID-19 Response Fund, or The Big Give Emergency Fund. These funds have been established to support the city’s nonprofit organizations that are on the front lines of serving those hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak.
Direct Nonprofit Support: Donate to charities of your choosing.
Remembering our purpose: We will continue to encourage collective giving through our membership because we know that the impact of this crisis will be felt long after it has ended. Impact SA’s primary purpose is to enable nonprofits to elevate their support to our community in significantly more impactful ways.
We are grateful to new and returning members for your 2020 membership, which will help the grant recipients with their programs and projects in 2021. At a time when we must stay in relative isolation, this is one significant way we can come together as a powerful group of women philanthropists dedicated to improving the quality of life in our communities. Together we can—and will—meet the challenges ahead.
Stay healthy, stay safe,
Jennifer Bennett
President, Impact San Antonio
