Using trust-based philanthropic principles to guide our grant efforts.
Our grant-making is centered on understanding our community needs, building meaningful relationships with our stakeholders, and being responsive to the feedback we receive about our grant processes. We invest in the nonprofit community using trust-based philanthropic principles to guide our grant efforts.
By partnering with the community, we aim to close the opportunity gap for the people in San Antonio who need it most. We offer general operating support to nonprofits of all sizes, to allow organizations to focus on meeting their mission and addressing the needs of individuals and communities they serve. In addition, providing multi-year support allows our nonprofit partners to achieve greater stability and greater ability to plan for future sustainability.
Our primary impact areas of Cultural Vibrancy, Livable and Resilient Communities, Successful Aging, Youth Success and Animal Services guide the bulk of our grant-making efforts. However, we offer a range of grant opportunities for organizations meeting their communities’ needs in Bexar County and the surrounding counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson.
We offer several grant opportunities throughout the year to support nonprofits in creating lasting change. Our approach is rooted in trust-based philanthropy and guided by our vision to close opportunity gaps for those who need it most. To help you navigate the process, we’ve created a comprehensive 2026 Grant Guidance document with details on eligibility, timelines, and funding priorities.
The San Antonio Area Foundation imagines a vibrant arts and culture community that increases connectivity, empowers all San Antonians, and reflects the cultural diversity of our city. This impact area aims to preserve San Antonio’s rich culture and history and enhance community connectivity through the arts by focusing on approaches that:
The San Antonio Area Foundation’s Cultural Vibrancy grant-making will support organizations and programming that ensure access to arts and cultural programming and encourage broad participation from all parts of our community; reflect the diverse cultures of the greater San Antonio area; and promote the value of arts and culture through arts education, advocacy, and the integration of arts and culture across sectors through innovative collaboration.
The San Antonio Area Foundation envisions a thriving, connected and resilient San Antonio where residents can enjoy safe, stable lives full of opportunity in every ZIP code. Utilizing a multi-faceted approach to increase our community’s livability and resilience, thereby reducing economic segregation, this impact area focuses on approaches that:
Through its Livable and Resilient Communities grant-making, the San Antonio Area Foundation will invest in organizations, programs and initiatives that boost access to affordable, safe, and stable housing, transportation, health and wellness resources, and public spaces. We will also support public-private partnerships to create sustainable opportunities and address disparities in these areas across the greater San Antonio area, as well as platforms for community/stakeholder voices and leadership.
The San Antonio Area Foundation believes in building an attractive and livable community that supports the improved health, well-being, and autonomy of older adults and values the contributions of all older adults. Knowing that aging begins well before an individual reaches their 50s and 60s, this impact area engages the community and adults of all ages through approaches that:
The San Antonio Area Foundation will focus on grant-making efforts for Successful Aging by supporting organizations and programs that address the needs of older adults and their caretakers; recognize their ongoing contributions to diverse communities across the San Antonio area; provide opportunities to engage and connect; and build awareness of and collaboration between existing resources.
The San Antonio Area Foundation supports a broad spectrum of organizations in San Antonio and the surrounding areas that support the improved educational, social-emotional success, and autonomy of young people, fostering equitable outcomes within the communities we serve. This impact area supports organizations that create opportunities for all youth to thrive in adulthood, closing opportunity gaps and supporting a cradle to career continuum.
Grant-making efforts for Youth Success will focus on supporting organizations that encourage the achievement of youth within the community throughout a student’s education (cradle to career); addressing disparities across youth educational outcomes; providing equitable access, and engaging communities by strengthening youth leadership.
Prior to 2006, San Antonio had the third highest euthanasia rate of pets per capita in the country, with 50,000 animals euthanized annually. For 10 years from 2007 – 2017, the San Antonio Area Foundation partnered with the animal welfare community including nonprofit animal shelters, spay/neuter clinics, animal rescue organizations, and involved citizens working with the City of San Antonio to help improve the lives of people and pets through the Animal No-Kill Initiative.
Over 10 years, the San Antonio Area Foundation through its Animal No-Kill Fund and Talk About It! Program helped organize and promote adoption events, pet fiestas, low cost shot clinics and:
These efforts helped increase the live release rate at the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services from 11 percent in 2006 to 90 percent in 2016 and maintain a live release rate of over 90% since then.
The San Antonio Area Foundation is not currently accepting applications for Animal Services grants. We anticipate opening this grant opportunity in 2027 and encourage organizations to plan for future funding cycles.
When available, Animal Services general operating grants will support organizations that enhance the quality of life for all animals across our community. Eligible programs include community education on responsible pet care, expanded spay/neuter and adoption services, and programs focused on rehabilitation, release, or sanctuary for animals. Please check back and follow us on social media for updates as we approach the 2027 application cycle.
