Offering general operating support through equity-based grantmaking to help organizations in meeting their mission.
The Responsive Grants process is designed to leverage community leadership, convening power, and capacity building efforts to advance equity in San Antonio. By providing general operating awards, we take an asset-based approach to allow organizations to focus on mission and address the needs of individuals and communities they serve.
In speaking with many of our nonprofit partners, we heard that the shift to multi-year grants and our deepening commitment to putting trust-based philanthropy into practice has provided an element of stability during a time when so much is in flux. For many, this translated into a greater ability to plan for the coming year and in turn, greater stability in the programs and services this provides for our communities.
By partnering with the community, the Responsive Grants process aims to close the opportunity gap for the people in San Antonio who need it most. Our primary five impact areas include: Cultural Vibrancy, Livable and Resilient Communities, Successful Aging, Youth Success and Animal Services.
We recognize that our shift to multi-year funding is challenging for organizations who are not recent grant recipients and would benefit from an opportunity to apply for funding through a competitive grant process. We continue to work with our staff, board, and non-profit partners to identify and invest in programs that support your work outside of the Responsive grants, including capacity-building for nonprofits, peer learning and strategic partnerships.
Information about our Responsive Grants process can be found below, including the timeline for the 2023-2025 Responsive Grant Cycle. For information about our other grants, including Animal Services and Biomedical Research Grants, please visit our Grants page.
To stay updated on application deadlines and requirements, sign up for our newsletter. As always, if you have questions, please contact your program officer. Our program officers’ contact information is included at the bottom of this page.
Organizations eligible for funding meet the following criteria:
Please note some dates may change. Subscribe to our newsletter for the most up to date information on available opportunities for grants and programs.
Application Period: January 18 – March 1, 2023
Outcome notification and grant disbursement: June 2023.
Application Period: April 26 – June 7, 2023
Outcome notification and grant disbursement: September 2023.
Application Period: April 29 – June 9, 2024
Outcome notification and grant disbursement: September 2024.
Responsive grants are three-year, general operating support grants awarded to organizations whose services align with the vision of at least one of our four primary impact areas. Priority is given to organizations serving under-represented and under-served communities.
Cultural Vibrancy
Supports 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 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.
Livable and Resilient Communities
Supports organizations, programs and initiatives that further access to affordable, safe, and stable housing; transportation; wellness resources and public spaces; public-private partnerships to create sustainable opportunities and address disparities in these areas across the San Antonio area; and platforms for community/stakeholder voice and leadership.
Successful Aging
Supports organizations and programs that address the needs of older adults and their caregivers; recognize their ongoing contributions to diverse communities across the San Antonio area; provide opportunities for older adults to engage and connect; and build awareness of and collaboration between existing resources.
Youth Success
Supports organizations and programs that encourage the achievement of all youth within the community throughout a student’s education (cradle to career); address disparities across youth educational outcomes; provide equitable access, and engage communities by strengthening youth leadership and providing educational activities for parents and caretakers.
Animal Services
Supports organizations and programs that enhance the quality of life for all animals, educate the community regarding responsible pet care, and enhance spay/neuter and adoption services.
Information Sessions
Information sessions are planned for the 2024 Animal Services Responsive grant process. Please visit our Grants page to find more information about the 2024 Animal Services Responsive grant process
Virtual Office Hours:
Program officers will be available on zoom during weekly office hours to answer questions. No appointment is needed.
2024 Animal Services Responsive Grant Office Hours Are:
Responsive grants do not support the following:
All grant seekers must create an account to access the online application. Please click here to create an account in our Grants Center. You will receive an email confirming you have created an account.
Applications must be submitted via our online Grants Center.
No information sessions are planned at this time for Cultural Vibrancy, Livable and Resilient Communities, Successful Aging, or Youth Success impact areas.
Information sessions are planned for the 2024 Animal Services Responsive Grant process. Please visit our Grants page to find more information about the 2024 Animal Services Responsive grant process.
The San Antonio Area Foundation offers several ways to access support during the application process in addition to Information Sessions described above.
The San Antonio Area Foundation strives to host inclusive and accessible meetings and events that enable all individuals to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Gavin Nichols at gnichols@saafdn.org or 210.242.470 .
Although there is not a grant process underway for Cultural Vibrancy, Livable and Resilient Communities, Successful Aging, and Youth Success, Program officers are available to meet with nonprofit partners. Program Officers will provide guidance on our processes and answer questions about what the San Antonio Area Foundation has to offer and how we might be able to work together.
To schedule a meeting with a program officer, contact the lead program officer for your Impact Area. If you are unsure which Impact Area is appropriate for your organization, contact any of the program officers listed below:
Organizations with Total Organizational Budgets under $75,000 may request grant writing support through the Area Foundation for our current grant processes. Grant writing support includes review and feedback of application materials and is provided by an independent grant writing professional contracted by the Area Foundation. To learn more and request an appointment, email Jesus Garcia-Gonzalez at jggonzalez@saafdn.org.
Organizations seeking grant writing support are required to attend an information session or view the recorded information session prior to meeting with the consultant.
Issues with the grant portal, attachments, or other technical questions can be directed to Catherine Garcia at cgarcia@saafdn.org.
Please note, technical support is not available after 4:00pm on the Friday before the deadline of a grant process (that will be June 7 for 2024 Animal Services Responsive grant process).
Cultural Vibrancy
Supports 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 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.
Youth Success
Supports organizations and programs that encourage the achievement of all youth within the community throughout a student’s education (cradle to career; address disparities across youth educational outcomes; provide equitable access to scholarships; and engage communities by strengthening youth leadership and providing educational activities for parents and caretakers.
Livable and Resilient Communities
Supports organizations, programs and initiatives that further access to affordable, safe, and stable housing; transportation; wellness resources and public spaces; public-private partnerships to create sustainable opportunities and address disparities in these areas across the San Antonio area; and platforms for community/stakeholder voice and leadership.
Successful Aging
Supports organizations and programs that address the needs of older adults and their caregivers; recognize their ongoing contributions to diverse communities across the San Antonio area; provide opportunities for older adults to engage and connect; and build awareness of and collaboration between existing resources.
Animal Services
Programs that enhance the quality of life for all animals, educate the community regarding responsible pet care, and enhance spay/neuter and adoption services.
General operating support, also known as an unrestricted grant, can be used to cover any of a non-profit’s expenses, with a few exceptions (see “What we do not fund”). The grant funds are not restricted to a specific program, project or event. The Area Foundation believes that non-profits know best how to allocate grant funds to support their mission and impact, and general operating support provides flexibility to respond to evolving needs of the organization.
The funds can be used to support a specific project or event, but the application must describe the overall mission, programming and impact of the organization. The application should not be limited to a specific project or event.
Multi-year funding is a commitment to provide grant funds over two or more years. In the case of the Responsive Grant, non-profits are awarded a 3-year grant contingent on availability of funds and fulfillment of grant requirements, including annual reports.
Non-profits awarded grants through the Responsive process are required to submit annual reports through the online grant portal.
Additionally, program officers will schedule time to meet with non-profits on an annual basis to learn more about the work and impact of non-profits. This is an opportunity for non-profits to share updates, successes and challenges, and to connect with resources at the Area Foundation.
Grants are awarded based on Total Organizational Budget.
Grants are made at the full award amount based on Total Organizational Budget. Partial grants are not awarded.
The Area Foundation offers several ways to get support in the application process, including:
Organizations with at least one year of documented programming or service in the community may apply under a fiscal sponsor. Prior approval of the fiscal sponsor is required.
Contact Jesus Garcia-Gonzalez at jggonzalez@saafdn.org to learn more.
The following documents are required:
The Board and staff of the San Antonio Area Foundation serve as stewards of our donors’ funds and, therefore, must have confidence that the investments we make in organizations are sound. The Financial Statements and Financial Summary (part of the application form) are reviewed to determine the financial stability of each organization.
If your organization does not have Audited Financial Statements, submit a Balance Sheet and Statement of Revenues/Expenses for the most recent fiscal year. Both statements are required. (Do not submit IRS Form 990.)
If an organization does not have three (3) years of budget information, provide all available financial history. In other words, complete the Financial Summary for the year(s) the organization has been in operation.
No, organizations may only submit one application in the Responsive Process and may not submit applications in more than one Impact Area, including Animal Services. Organizations must choose a single Impact Area.
No, organizations may only submit one application in the Responsive Process and may not apply in Cycle 2 if they submitted an application in Cycle 1, even if they were not awarded a grant in Cycle 1.
Yes. Applying for or receiving a grant from one of our programs does not exclude you from applying for other grants outside of the Responsive Process.
