President’s Message: Happy Holidays to Our Cherished Members
As I wrap up my first year as President I’m looking back with both pride and optimism.
December 12, 2025
As I wrap up my first year as President I’m looking back with both pride and optimism.
During a recent conversation, member Jeannie Fraser, asked the question – In a year like this, when unused funds from a previously unfinished grant are added back into the grant pool, how does the board decide to award six $100,000 grants and four Support Grants, rather than staying with our usual five $100k High Impact Grants and simply increasing the amount of the Support Grants?
I just returned from an awe-inducing trip to South Africa and am having a difficult time getting back into my Impact world. All I want to do is sit and daydream about the breathtaking experience that was South Africa.
I hope you have all seen our recent social media posts announcing this year’s grant pool! If you missed them, we are very excited to announce our grant pool total is $613,000! This means we will be awarding SIX $100,000 High Impact Grants (HIG) and FOUR $3,250 Support Grants!
Looking at my calendar and realizing it was time to work on my June president’s message gave me a bit of a shock. June?! Already halfway through the year? In the past, June would mean my daughter was out of school, and family summer vacation was near. Now, it marks six months since I assumed my role as board president. And although time is flying by, I’ve learned so much, and I’m so grateful for all that we’ve accomplished together in the first half of the year!
Every year, our May membership deadline looms large. Will we again have a grant pool large enough to award at least one High Impact Grant in each of our five focus areas? Will we recruit enough new members? Will we retain our enviable 85% retention rate of existing members? What recruiting events will be most effective, while also being most cost-efficient? These are becoming age-old questions for Impact San Antonio.
April for me is always a whirlwind of events. It seems we usually get at least a few days of lovely weather before the oppressive heat settles in for good, so I try to get out and enjoy those rare, cooler, non-humid days. Whether it’s attending a spring wedding, enjoying Fiesta events late in the month, or something as simple as eating lunch on a patio, April always feels a bit celebratory.
Our first Impact in Action event was held on March 7th. SA Youth was awarded a High Impact Grant (HIG) in 2024 to expand their SOAR program. Attendees heard from several current and former SA Youth students who told us about the benefits of the SOAR program in enabling them to receive their high school diploma.
Impact San Antonio has been named the 2025 Outstanding Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Antonio Chapter during their annual Philanthropy Day event on February 14, 2025. Our nomination was made by Barbara Goldman, CEO of TeamABILITY, the recipient of a 2021 High Impact Grant. “Impact San Antonio’s collective giving impacts not only the missions of its grant recipients but also its members and our community,” said Goldman.
Most of us recognize February as the month of Valentine’s Day. Maybe you know it as Black History Month, or possibly you know it as American Heart Month? February is also home to Feed the Birds Day, International Book Giving Day, Random Acts of Kindness Day, and National Love Your Pet Day, among many others. I don’t know who comes up with these or how they determine which day is for what thing, but have you ever noticed they are always about giving?
Yes, I’m an optimist and since I’m new to the president role, I should tell you a little more about myself. I am a born and raised San Antonian and I absolutely LOVE my hometown. I am a graduate of Incarnate Word High School and St. Mary’s University. I briefly lived and worked in Dallas, but only because my then-boyfriend/now-husband said he wouldn’t marry me unless I lived away from home first. (He’s a smart man.)
As I reflect on the year-long celebration of our 20th anniversary – Impact San Antonio members should feel tremendous pride that our substantial grants are meeting dire community needs, offering avenues for change and hope, providing educational opportunities, and enriching the culture and beauty of the community. In recognition of our successful, collective-giving model and 20 years of transformational grant making, the San Antonio Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) will name Impact San Antonio the “Outstanding Foundation” in its 2025 Philanthropy Awards.
