In a year unlike any other—with its profound challenges and deep uncertainty—we are happy to announce some good news: Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has gifted $20 million dollars to United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County—the largest individual donation in our 81-year history!
Our proven ability to deliver positive, meaningful results and our strong and thoughtful plan for our future work were driving factors in the decision to award this gift, which will greatly amplify our ability to provide what’s needed, where it’s needed to more of our neighbors and neighborhoods.
Our local United Way was one of 6,500 national contenders for funding. In all, 384 organizations were vetted and selected by Scott. We are honored and proud to stand in their ranks.
Scott’s gift is unrestricted and our Board of Trustees and Executive Committee will oversee the investment of the funds to help address longstanding economic, educational and social disparities in the San Antonio community through the work of our four Impact Councils, which focus on collective impact, by bringing together groups of partners from different sectors to improve the lives of local children, youth, students, individuals and families.
“We are so grateful for this incredibly generous gift. It is unparalleled for our United Way and for its ability to create transformational change,” said Kim Lubel, chair of the nonprofit’s Board of Trustees. “We are honored, humbled, excited and ready to invest strategically to make a lasting difference in thousands of lives in our community.”
As organizational leadership at United Way addresses its plan for investment in the initiatives, projects and strategies to make the most impact, an initial commitment for Scott’s funding is slated for the expansion of its Dual Generation Partnership, which is aimed at ending generational poverty, to the city’s West Side. The donation makes it possible to scale the successful existing work on San Antonio’s East Side to help even more families fight generational poverty.
Just as this private gift is unprecedented, the San Antonio Dual Generation Initiative is an unprecedented community-wide strategy that looks at the challenges created by poverty. Combining solutions for housing, education, childcare and employment, trusted community partners help families address their most pressing needs.
United Way’s success is built on the shared strength and commitment of others for the well-being of San Antonio and Bexar County. Other local organizations are also benefitting; read in her blog post what inspired Scott to support United Way of San Antonio and others.
We are profoundly grateful for Scott’s generosity. With her gift we will be even stronger and more flexible in our ability to improve lives in our community.
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