Dear Members of the Area Foundation Family,
As the season changes to summertime in our new reality, we are creating new ways of celebrating one another, such as with virtual gatherings, drive-by parades and more. One of those joyous traditions includes our collective love for the San Antonio Spurs. Our Spurs bring us together as a community like no one else!
Read on for a story about Spurs legend David Robinson, complete with a video with his son, David, Jr., as they discuss the importance of community and giving. Celebrate with us the generosity of our donor advised funds who have been answering the call to serve during this difficult time in an unprecedented way.
Legacy Personified
The Admiral is well-known and respected not just in his chosen hometown of San Antonio but also worldwide. David Robinson was a phenomenon on the court and remains a respected community leader to this day off the court. His beloved status has only grown over the years as he continues to make a difference in the lives of others.
In 2014, David Robinson established Friends of the Carver Academy/IDEA as a supporting organization within the Area Foundation. Supporting organizations operate within the legal umbrella of the Area Foundation’s nonprofit status, and receive operational support. Supporting organizations represent an opportunity to amplify the mission and work of the community foundation. Since its inception, the Carver Academy/IDEA Scholarship fund has awarded 47 scholarships and 30 students have been personally mentored in the David Robinson Fellowship program.
The overarching goal? “Let’s make life better for those coming after us,” David Robinson stated. Meanwhile, his namesake son, David Robinson, Jr., shared: “When you give, the community gives back.” This dynamic father-son duo is indeed exemplifying the tenets of legacy. To hear more from the Robinson family, we invite you to watch the video (link below).
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS – ANSWERING THE CALL TO SERVE
Nationally, donor-advised funds (DAFs) are seeing year-over-year growth in giving as a direct response to the COVID-19 crisis. Private entities like Fidelity reported 20 percent growth and Schwab reported 21 percent growth in DAF grantmaking during the first quarter of 2020. At the Area Foundation, DAF grantmaking grew 22 percent year-over-year directly in response to the crisis.
We have shared with you in past announcements that the COVID-19 Response Fund, in partnership with the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, had amassed over $6.5 million for nonprofits. Of that $6.5 million, $1.2 million was contributed from DAFs within the Area Foundation; an additional $2.6 million was granted directly from a DAF to a nonprofit.
In total, our generous fund advisors awarded nearly $3.8 million to nonprofits — with 95 percent of that funding staying right here in Bexar County.
The infographic we created (see below) tells the visual story of that giving. Far beyond a graphic or statistic are the caring hearts of the donors who answered the call to serve during this difficult time in our community. Your generosity is most definitely not lost on us nor on the dozens of nonprofits who are able to survive during the pandemic thanks to your efforts.
Stronger Together
As we close out this edition of our e-newsletter, please know how much we appreciate each and every one of our donors. Together, we are having a tremendous impact!
In the meantime, if our team of professionals can provide any assistance or answer any questions, please engage with your relationship manager, or email us at givenow@saafdn.org.
Thank you for your support as we care for each other as well as for our community through this really tough time.
With appreciation,
