More than 160 nonprofits already awarded in less than two months.

Two major gifts have maintained the viability and growth of the COVID-19 Response Fund, bringing funds donated to help San Antonians to $6.3 million.

The H. E. Butt Foundation pledged an additional $500,000, bringing their total commitment to $1 million. Additionally, The Humana Foundation joined the effort with a $300,000 gift. Additional donations from a variety of contributors have raised the fund by $1 million in just the last couple of weeks.

The fund, jointly managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, is dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations serving our most vulnerable neighbors in the San Antonio metro area.

To date, 162 nonprofits have received awards totaling more than $5 million from the fund, with an average award of $29,686. Key facts include:

  • Nonprofits focused on providing social services have received $2.6 million, while awards to nonprofits providing food, security and shelter have exceeded $2.2 million. Awards impacting business and employment are close to $250,000. These categories are part of the Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s Taskforce designations.
  • All of the 17 most distressed zip codes in San Antonio have been assisted with funds to nonprofits with trusted relationships with residents in those neighborhoods.
  • Nearly 300 applications have been reviewed and 100 additional applications are in various stages of the submission and review process.

The fund provides grants to local nonprofits addressing five key areas: the economic impact of reduced and lost work due to the broader coronavirus outbreak; the immediate needs of vulnerable populations caused by COVID-19 related closures; increased demand for medical information and support; fear and confusion about the outbreak amongst our most vulnerable residents; and resources available for families of school-aged children.

“We continue to see the tremendous generosity and caring spirit of our community,” said Marjie French, CEO of the San Antonio Area Foundation. “Words can’t express our profound gratitude for the many donors who have supported the fund during this time of immense need.”

Chris Martin, president and CEO of United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, echoed the sentiment. “As our community united to help each other, this funding continues to make a real difference to people who have been significantly impacted by the pandemic,” he said. “We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to address critical needs because of donors who are making a difference.”

“These types of grants are unusual for us as an operating foundation, but these are unusual times. We all need to dig deep and pivot to help meet the needs in this unprecedented economic reality that especially impacts people who are already experiencing challenges. We are so pleased to be partnering with two organizations that are set up to move resources quickly and wisely,” said David Rogers, President and CEO of the H. E. Butt Foundation.

“The Humana Foundation understands the far-reaching strain the pandemic has placed on many organizations working on the frontlines to provide healthcare, food and employment for those disproportionality affected by the COVID-19 health crisis, and our aim is to remove barriers and help them respond, recover and rebuild,” said Walter D. Woods, Chief Executive Officer of The Humana Foundation. “Our intention with this commitment is to not only help provide immediate crisis relief, but also serve as a catalyst in building sustainable achievement and long-term community resilience.”

The Area Foundation and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County continue to actively raise funds for the response effort to enable multiple rounds of support as the community needs and challenges evolve. Businesses and philanthropic entities wishing to contribute may contact Lisa Brunsvold, the Area Foundation’s Vice President of Development and Donor Services, at lbrunsvold@saafdn.org or 210-228-3760.

Individuals interested in making a donation of $10 or more to the Fund can do so through United Way at www.helpsatx.org or texting HELPSATX to 41444.