While there are still many excellent informational blogs here, please visit News and Events  for up-to-date blogs, news and event information.

Many folks, not familiar with the nonprofit world, might think the staff at the Area Foundation gets to decide where the money goes. But, it is our Community Advisory Committees–a diverse group of volunteers with expertise and knowledge of the community’s needs, nonprofit management and sound business practices–who make recommendations that enable grant awards go to most deserving programs.

As with any nonprofit, the San Antonio Area Foundation couldn’t function without its volunteers. Their generous gifts of time and talent allow us to know our community in great depth, make informed decisions about our grants, and help our organization make the best decision for the most impact on our community’s needs.

Al Mendez, who has served for several years on the Community and Human Services Committee, told us, “We see many, many worthwhile services programs. The volume of requests usually forces a prioritization. I tend to weigh more factors like the seriousness of the issue being addressed-i.e., the need, the number of people affected, the likelihood that the intervention or prevention service will be effective in making the intended difference in those served or in the community, and the degree to which the Foundation’s support will contribute to fulfillment of that difference.”

Discretionary Funds Program Officer Lydia Saldaña enjoys and appreciates the participation of committee members in site visits. “They learn so much and it brings so much value to the discussion table. It really helps in the decision making to see the organization at work.”

In addition to site visits, Committee members pour over financials and often experience personal growth from participating in the review process. Dr. Melissa de la Garza, who has served on the Biomedical Research Committee for several years said, “Before attending school at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, I worked in biochemistry laboratories where I developed an interest in biomedical research,” explains de la Garza. “As a Community Advisory Committee volunteer, I can serve the community as well as keep abreast of cutting edge developments.”

So in May, when the grant awards are announced, remember the volunteers who gave their time and experience to make the hard decisions. From the staff at the Area Foundation, we say often “Thank you for your ‘heart’ work!”

…helping donors achieve our charitable goals for the greater benefit of the community

Last week, I watched the Oscar nominated documentary, Restrepo. Restrepo chronicles the ordeals of a platoon of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, considered one of the most dangerous postings in the U.S. military. As I watched it, I had no idea it would later become an incredibly meaningful frame of reference for a speech I was about to hear.

On Monday, I had the good fortune to attend the keynote dinner for the San Antonio Area Foundation’s 2011 Veteran’s Service Academy which was held on Monday at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio. The keynote speaker for the event was US Army Colonel David Sutherland who serves as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with a principle focus on Warrior and Family Support.

The conference and dinner was organized through the Area Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Support and  TRIAD fund initiative. TRIAD (Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment) is a fund that has awarded nearly $12 Million to 47 nonprofits which provide housing and financial assistance, mental health services, job training and family support to South Texas military families.

The fund was established by a major private donor. The Area Foundation has, with the help of a team of dedicated volunteers established a process to distribute and steward the funds.

Colonel Sutherland’s speech was so inspiring and really touched me in an unexpected way. Colonel Sutherland described the Warrior Ethos:

• I will always place the mission first
• I will never accept defeat
• I will never quit
• I will never leave a fallen comrade

Colonel Sutherland emphasized how difficult it is for our veterans to come back after deployment – often multiple deployments. Unfortunately, our vets are not getting the services they deserve when they return home and attempt to reintegrate. The VA and the DOD cannot handle it all – the need is simply overwhelming. The Colonel quoted some very startling statistics, including that 15.2% of veterans are unemployed and 18% are homeless. Even more alarming is the high incidence of suicide among our veterans. Shockingly, more veterans have committed suicide than have been killed in the military actions of Iraq and Afghanistan combined.

The Call to Action: We need to encourage public awareness and support community services designed specifically to help our soldiers and their families – services like these that were initiated as a result of TRIAD:

The National Center for Behavioral Health Solutions Operation Reunion: To provide preventive education classes that help adult family members of injured service personnel to recognize stress and early symptoms of mental health issues, especially in children. Sessions provide families with coping mechanisms and prepare families for reunion with injured loved ones.

Returning Heroes Home Phase II Therapeutic Gardens and Recreational Areas: To provide funds to complete Phase II of the Returning Heroes Home Project. Phase II is a combination of therapeutic gardens, physical fitness facilities and recreation areas.

To quote Colonel Sutherland, “When our military personnel are finished serving their country, let’s make sure our country is ready to serve them.”

I have great admiration for the courage our service men and women display under the most difficult circumstances. I accept your call to action Colonel Sutherland, and I ask of all my readers to stand with me, pledge to increase the public awareness and help support those programs who are touching the lives of our military personnel, veterans and their families. I want to thank the San Antonio Area Foundation for being a leader in this effort.

…helping our donors achieve their charitable goals for the greater benefit of the community

For more information, contact the San Antonio Area Foundation at 210.225.2243.

Below is a summary of 2010 investment performance from Mike Oyster, Principal, Fund Management Group:

“The San Antonio Area Foundation’s investment portfolio advanced 11.2% in 2010 benefiting from strong performance in both domestic and international stocks. This return trailed the benchmark modestly, but the portfolio is more conservatively positioned with a bias toward higher quality investments, which lagged more speculative names in 2010.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) helped the performance of pools that held them, but the advance in price has left REITs somewhat expensive. The Investment Committee is continually seeking opportunities to add value and diversify sources of risk. It is expected that future returns from stocks and bonds may lag historical averages, necessitating a global focus with an eye toward undervalued opportunities.”

View the report

View the presentation

If you are interested in donating to or establishing a fund at the San Antonio Area Foundation, please contact Sallie Peacock or phone 210.228.3760.

…helping donor achieve their charitable goals for the greater benefit of the community

Features:

• Networking, sharing best practices, information about what your colleagues in serving veterans are doing

• Training by experts in navigating the veteran and military community (from outreach to fundraising to working with federal and state agencies)

• Expanding fundraising programs

• Building Program and Organizational Partnerships with other Veterans Organizations

• Recruiting, Hiring and Managing Volunteers

• Awards reception and dinner

Confirmed Speakers:

• Col. David Sutherland, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – Warrior and Family Support at The Department of Defense

• Risa Greendlinger, M.P.A, National Center on Family Homelessness – veterans outreach and cultural Competency

• Pamela Sybert, University of North Texas, and Kathy McCleskey, consultant – volunteer recruitment and management

• Richard Schlosberg, TRIAD Fund Advisory Committee member, former President and CEO of the David and Lucille Packard Foundation – expanding fundraising programs

• Alexandra Douglas-Bartalone, Veterans Link-Up – partnerships and collaborations

• Shantel Wilkins, Community Investor, The Boeing Company – developing corporate partnerships

Register for Veterans Service Academy here.

For more information or to register, please contact Francesca Rattray at (210) 242-4711.

…helping donors achieve their charitable goals for the greater benefit of the community

A gift annuity is a contract between a donor and the Area Foundation that allows the donor to leave a charitable gift according to their wishes and receive a fixed percentage distribution every year of their life. Establishing the charitable annuity at the Area Foundation has three powerful advantages:

• A much larger rate of return than many other investments (rates vary per age of donor).

• Significant tax savings because much of the growth will not fall under the “capital gains” tax rule.

• The remainder of the annuity will go to support the charitable causes you care about most.

Ruth Lofgren, PhD,  a 93-year-old philanthropist and San Antonio’s first peace laureate, has always been a leader. Among her many accomplishments are teaching ecology and science education at City University of New York; teaching science enrichment in a Quaker school for emotionally disturbed students; and serving on the Waste Water Advisory Committee to the San Antonio City Council. In 2006, Ms. Lofgren established a Charitable Gift Annuity at the San Antonio Area Foundation.

In an audio interview with Kathleen Finck Esq., Planned Giving Director for the Area Foundation, Ms. Lofgren explained why she chose a Gift Annuity. “I think a charitable gift annuity is a very wise way to provide myself with a stable income and to support a worthy cause in the future.”  After her death, the remainder of the annuity will go into a fund at the Area Foundation in support of the Institute of Noetic Sciences IONS.

When asked why she chose San Antonio Area Foundation to administer the Gift Annuity, Ms. Lofgren affirmed, “As a resident of Texas, I needed to work through a local foundation and the San Antonio Area Foundation was ideal to administer the charitable gift annuity for IONS. I’m delighted with their competence and good will. Their projects are major contributions to the community.”

If you would like more information on Charitable Gift Annuities or other planned giving options, our expert staff can help you determine the best vehicle for your charitable giving. Email Kathleen Finck Esq. or phone 210.228.4744

…helping donors achieve their charitable goals for the greater benefit of the community

I assert the world would look very different without Foundations. Foundations have helped educate the masses through the formation of our country’s libraries; cured diseases killing millions across the world by providing for medical research and immunizations; brought jobs and higher education to disenfranchised communities; enriched lives by building major arts venues and supporting a creative culture; as well as played a major role in redistributing the wealth in our country. In addition, many of the world’s geographical and natural discoveries leading to increased global access, pharmaceuticals, and cultural anthropology were funded by Foundations.

In San Antonio, Haven for Hope, the Riverwalk Extensions, the Tobin Center for Performing Arts, and others, were realized in collaboration with, and in large part due, to Foundations. Local Foundations help build our hospitals, food pantries and colleges and universities. They make our regional higher education opportunities more affordable through internships, scholarships, and fellowships. They also bring to light critical needs ignored by government, corporations, and individuals with the massive resources to affect change.

On the other hand, Foundations can and should do more to increase their impact. We need to be more strategic in our grant making, focusing on the root causes of community needs.

Charity can fulfill an urgent need – philanthropy drives to systemic change. This is where Foundations have the ability make a lasting impact. This is the work we all care about and the conceptual philosophy behind the San Antonio Area Foundation’s Center for Philanthropy.

While workable “social entrepreneur” programs could also offer real solutions for social need, the bigger role will played out in the hearts and minds of generous people who express their care and concern through sharing and action. They were the catalysts of the Civil Rights movement as noted in Mr. Ruesga’s post. Through Foundations, these same kind of visionary leaders propel mission into action to help reduce poverty, hunger, homelessness, and other community needs today.

I hate to think of the world’s problems left untouched were it not for Foundations. This is our profession and we invite everyone to help us. Foundations and you are a part of the solution, not the problem. Never forget it.

Reggie Williams

President/CEO San Antonio Area Foundation

…helping donors achieve their charitable goals for the greater benefit of the community

His dream was realized in 2006 when he and his wife established the Brice and Teresa Moczygemba Engineering Scholarship Fund at the San Antonio Area Foundation. “Because we believe in the benefits of higher education, it is our charitable goal to provide scholarship opportunities for area students pursuing degrees in civil engineering,” explains Moczygemba. “Our goal with the scholarship is to reach out to as many interested local students as possible. The San Antonio Area Foundation helps us fulfill our dream.”

If you or someone you know is planning to study civil engineering and interested in a scholarship, the Moczgemba scholarship is now available.

For more information in establishing a scholarship fund, email Sallie Steves Peacock or phone 210.228.3760.

…helping donors achieve their charitable goals for the greater benefit of the community.

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 4,000 times in 2010. That’s about 10 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 29 new posts, not bad for the first year! There were 56 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 22mb. That’s about 1 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was November 9th with 80 views. The most popular post that day was 2010 RingSide Gala…The Aftermath.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were saafdn.org, teddyrileyblog.wordpress.com, digg.com, facebook.com, and twitter.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for san antonio area foundation, mentoring matters san antonio, nature boardwalk, let’s talk about it san antonio, and annual report message.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

2010 RingSide Gala…The Aftermath November 2010
1 comment

Mentoring Matters January 2010

Talk About It-Animal No Kill May 2010
1 comment and 1 Like on WordPress.com,

Funding Your Vision March 2010

Oppenheimer Center at Mission Road Ministries April 2010

KRTU 91.7 FM is a nonprofit, listener supported radio station bringing Jazz music to San Antonio audiences.  Broadcasting from Trinity University, KRTU is one of the only sources for specialized, cultivated Jazz programming. In addition to the great Jazz music, audiences hear context, history, and stories behind the tunes, delivered in voices from the San Antonio community.

Our best wishes for the new year to KRTU and Trinity University.

JD Swerzenski, Kory Cook, JJ Lopez, Kate Rawley Waters, Brad Fox, Ron Nirenberg