Whether it’s supporting research on the prevention of blindness, providing medical care to the uninsured, helping to educate our children or making sure seniors don’t go hungry, dozens of organizations throughout San Antonio count on the financial support of the San Antonio Area Foundation to do their good works. In February, the Area Foundation became the first in Texas to launch a fund aimed at benefiting the Hispanic community. The SouthTexas Hispanic Fund (STHF) was unveiled before a packed audience of Area Foundation donors, city and county officials and the media at the Museo Alameda Smithsonian.
The STHF has two main goals: to involve more Hispanics in community philanthropy and to support organizations and programs that improve the quality of life of the wider Hispanic community. STHF will support four program areas: education; health and humanservices; community development; and art and culture.
“This was created to represent the core values of the Hispanic community,” said Reggie Williams, president and CEO ofthe San Antonio Area Foundation. “The South Texas Hispanic Fund’s mission is to uplift the values that the Latino community holds dear, like family, church and education – all of those things that have made this culture great.”
The STHF is championed by two San Antonio leaders with exemplary ties to the Hispanic community: Luis de la Garza, president, and CEO of Texen Power Company and retired vice president of administration at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas; and Sonya Medina, director of the AT&T Foundation.
“We know that by investing in our expanding community, we are investing in a thriving future for our families and for our children,” said de la Garza.
“For the community to thrive, members must be empowered to engage in efforts that will build a stronger community,” said Medina. “Working with the San Antonio Area Foundation, the Hispanic community is able to focus on the unique challenges we face and build bridges for effective solutions. I am especially enthusiastic about our goal of inspiring young Hispanic professionals to get involved in philanthropy, whether through financial giving, through mentoring or volunteering. It’s critically important that we give back to the community.”
Williams said the STHF will help people accomplish this goal. “Many people in our community want to participate in philanthropy, but don’t have an easy way to do it,” explained Williams. “It’s easy if you have large amounts of money, but for those who don’t, the Hispanic Fund allows collaboration with others in giving so you can provide for your interest. We’re bringing folks of like minds together so they can celebrate philanthropy in giving in their area of interest.”
For over 44 years, the San Antonio Area Foundation has successfully administered funds from individuals, agencies, corporations and others who contribute or bequeath assets for the betterment of the community. The Area Foundation carefully developed this new initiative over a 10–month period and set a fundraising goal $1 million by the end of 2008 and $5 million in five years. Helping smaller organizations with limited access to funding will be among the Hispanic Fund’s main priorities.
