As our community begins to emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown, Impact San Antonio is turning its sights to the future. We are focusing on transition and recovery to whatever the new normal will become.
One of the greatest gifts of this ordeal has been our collaboration with other Impact organizations around the country. We have been meeting weekly online to share challenges and brainstorm ways we can be of greatest help to our communities, our nonprofits and our members.
This month, we kicked off our grant application cycle with some changes that will allow the women of Impact SA to come together to support our nonprofits as they navigate through a continually changing environment.
When our board considered where our members could make the greatest difference, we realized that our shared passions, experiences, strengths and skills could most effectively be applied during the transition and recovery phases.
We know that many agencies are having to change the way they operate, so we made our grant criteria more flexible.
Grants can now be used to support existing programs, not just expansions of existing programs or new ones. We will allow a larger percentage of the grant to be spent on operating funds. And we created new categories to fund unanticipated expenses caused by COVID-19.
For example, some agencies have shifted to electronic delivery of services, which requires investing in different technology and equipment. Others, who are continuing to serve people face-to-face, have had to purchase personal protective equipment and adapt their physical space to minimize the risks of infection.
During our grant process, Impact SA interactions are going virtual. That includes agency training on our applications process, member training for those who volunteer to review our grants and, if necessary, agency site visits, which will happen during the summer.
Each membership — new or renewed — helps move us toward our goal of raising enough to award a High Impact Grant in each of our five focus areas. We’re making progress, but we’re not there yet.
Our community needs you now like never before. The power of Impact San Antonio is in women coming together with a shared purpose to make a significant difference. So, if your circumstances allow, please join us in 2020 to ease the burden of the transition and recovery and provide key support for those in need.
Visit www.impactsanantonio.org to join or renew.
