Responsive Grants

Offering general operating support through equity-based grantmaking to help organizations in meeting their mission.

Funding Purpose

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, and Youth Success.

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.

Responsive Grants 2023-2025

The application for Cycle 1 (Cultural Vibrancy and Youth Success) is now closed.

The application for Cycle 2 (Livable and Resilient Communities and Successful Aging) is now closed.

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.

Application Information

Eligibility

Organizations eligible for funding meet the following criteria:

  • Nonprofit work takes place in one of the following counties: Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina or Wilson.
  • Organizations exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, schools, churches or governmental bodies for a minimum of one year by the application deadline.
  • Organizations applying under a fiscal sponsor. Fiscal sponsors must have prior approval. Please contact your program officer to learn more.

Timeline

Please note some dates may change.  Subscribe to our newsletter for the most up to date information on available opportunities for grants and programs.

Cycle 1 (Cultural Vibrancy and Youth Success)

Application Period: January 18 – March 1, 2023
Outcome notification and grant disbursement: June 2023.

Cycle 2 (Livable and Resilient Communities and Successful Aging)

Application Period: April 26 – June 7, 2023
Outcome notification and grant disbursement: September 2023.

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 to scholarships; and engage communities by strengthening youth leadership and providing educational activities for parents and caretakers.

Responsive grants do not support the following:

  • Endowments
  • Capital campaigns
  • Religious purposes
  • Scholarships for colleges, universities and trade schools
  • Political activities, organizations, or lobbying efforts intended to influence legislation

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.

Additional Application Support and Technical Assistance

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 .

Virtual Office Hours:

Program officers will be available on zoom during weekly office hours to answer questions. No appointment is needed.

Cycle 2 Office Hours Are:

Meet With a Program Officer:

Program officers are available to meet with applicants through June 2, 2023 for Cycle 2. Program Officers will provide guidance on the process and answer questions about the application but will not review or edit application drafts of the application.

Organizations are encouraged to attend an information session or view the recorded information session prior to meeting with a program officer.

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:

Grant Writing Support:

Organizations with Total Organizational Budgets under $75,000 may request grant writing support through the Area Foundation. 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 Stephanie LaFroscia at slafroscia@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. 

Technical Support:

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 5:00pm on the deadline (March 1 for Cycle 1 and June 7 for Cycle 2).

FAQs for 2023-25 Responsive Grant

 
Cycle 1 (Application period January 18 – March 1, 2023)

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.

 
Cycle 2 (Application Period April 26 – June 7, 2023)

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.

  • Cycle 1 (Cultural Vibrancy and Youth Success): 11:59pm on March 1, 2023.
  • Cycle 2 (Livable and Resilient Communities): 11:59pm on June 7, 2023.
  • Cycle 1 (Cultural Vibrancy and Youth Success): June 2023.
  • Cycle 2 (Livable and Resilient Communities): September 2023.

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:

  • Information Sessions (Live):
    • A minimum of two information sessions, one in-person and one virtual, will be scheduled. Information sessions are an opportunity to learn more about the process, hear questions from fellow applicants, and speak directly with program officers and staff.
  • Information Session (recorded):
    • A recorded information session is available on our website.
  • Virtual Office Hours:
    • Program officers will be available on zoom during weekly office hours to answer questions. No appointment is needed. Cycle 1 office hours are: Wednesdays, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., January 25 – February 22, 2023. Click here to access Zoom link.
  • Meet with a program officer:
    • Program officers are available to meet with applicants in advance of the deadline. Program Officers will provide guidance on the process and answer questions about the application but will not review or edit application drafts of the application.
    • Organizations are encouraged to attend an information session or view the recorded information session prior to meeting with a program officer.
    • 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:
  • Grant writing support:
    • Organizations with Total Organizational Budgets under $75,000 may request grant writing support through the Area Foundation. Grant writing support includes review and feedback of application materials and is provided by an independent grant writing professional contracted by the Area Foundation.
    • Organizations seeking grant writing support are required to attend an information session or view the recorded information session prior to meeting with the consultant.
  • Technical Support:
    • Issues with the grant portal, attachments, or other technical questions can be directed to Catherine Garcia at cgarcia@saafdn.org.
  • Accessible Meetings:
    • 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

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:

  • Financial Summary for Fiscal Years FY21, FY22, FY23 (Click here to preview the Financial Summary form) AND
  • Audited Financial Statements
    • If Audited Financial Statements are not available, a Balance Sheet (also known as a Statement of Assets and Liabilities) and Statement of Revenues/Expenses for the most recently completed fiscal year 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.

 

Have more questions? We're here to help!

Stephanie LaFroscia
Stephanie LaFroscia
Director of Grants and Community Engagement (Cultural Vibrancy)
Andrea Figueroa
Senior Program Officer (Youth Success)
Gavin Nichols
Gavin Nichols
Senior Program Officer (Successful Aging)
Jesus Garcia-Gonzalez
Senior Program Officer (Livable and Resilient Communities)
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