FAQ

Impact San Antonio FAQ

Why does Impact San Antonio give the entire $100,000 to a single organization?
One of our primary goals is high-impact giving. By collectively funding a large grant, we can have a big impact in a selected area. In addition, when a nonprofit pieces together $100,000 from, for example, 10 different $10,000 grants, the nonprofit has reporting requirements and related administrative costs from each of those grantors, not to mention fundraising costs to find all those grants. Again, increased costs mean less money going to the ultimate needs. By giving one large grant, we can have more impact and keep costs lower for the grant recipient.

How can Impact San Antonio give all of my $1,000 to the grantee? Are there administrative and fundraising expenses to be covered?
Although some administrative and fundraising expenses will be incurred, Impact San Antonio is committed both to keeping those expenses low (e.g. we have no paid staff) and to finding other sources of funding to cover those expenses. Other sources include donations from Friends of Impact San Antonio–individuals or companies who donate less than the $1,000 level for full membership to the organization. In addition, we are seeking donations in-kind of items like stationery and web site support and hosting.

Why is the required donation set at $1,000?
To make sure we have committed members and to keep the costs of fundraising low. One of the challenges in the non-profit sector today is the high cost of fundraising. This is caused by the competition among all non-profits for a finite pool of funding and the cost of dealing with the high volume, low dollar donations on which most non-profits count. To raise $100,000 with $100 donations would mean fundraising from 1,000 people, and smaller donations would require finding and dealing with even more donors, and ultimately means that less money goes to those in need.

Membership FAQ

Is my donation to Impact San Antonio tax deductible?
Yes. Impact San Antonio is a non-profit organization exempt from federal taxes under U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Contributions are tax deductible. Appropriate tax letters are provided to contributors.

I cannot give $1,000, but I can give something; what role is there for me?
You can play an important role for Impact San Antonio. You will be a “Friend” and your donation will be used to help cover administrative and fundraising costs so that all member donations go to the grant recipient.

Can I make an in-kind donation of services or products to cover my $1,000 donation?
No. Impact San Antonio welcomes donations of services and products, however, such donations cannot be used to cover the $1,000 membership contribution. In-kind donations qualify the donor as a “Friend” of ISA.

What are my obligations if I join?
The only requirement is to donate $1,000. You have the option to serve on one of the Grant Application Review Committees that evaluate grant applicants; serve on the Social Media Committee, the  Membership Committee, or other committees; attend, hold, host or underwrite a membership event; and attend the annual Grant Night event where members vote for the grant recipient.

How long is my membership valid?
Each $1,000 donation provides membership for the current grant year. Each year the Board will establish the deadline for the payment of the $1,000.

Do I have to live in San Antonio to join?
No. Members can live anywhere.

I have a male friend who is interested in Impact San Antonio. Can he participate?
Men can participate directly as a Friend of Impact San Antonio, or they can encourage the women in their lives to participate as members.

I want to give more than $1,000. Do I get more than one vote?
No. Every member has only one vote even if they contribute more than $1,000. Any amount given over $1,000 goes first to offset administrative costs. If more money is received than is needed to cover administrative costs, the Board of Directors has the discretionary power to add that money to the grant funds.

Can I pay my $1,000 over time?
Yes. You may pay one $1,000 payment, or two $500 payments, or four $250 payments. Your voting rights are effective when the entire $1,000 is received. You may participate on Grant Application Review Committees with only a partial payment, but it must be received before May 31. If you are unable to pay the entire $1,000 after your initial payment, you will be considered a Friend of Impact San Antonio, and that installment will go toward administrative costs.

My company matches funds for charitable donations. Can I give $500 and have my company match it to make my total $1,000 donation?
Yes. However, membership becomes effective and voting rights accrue when the entire $1,000 is received by ISA. Additionally, membership will accrue only to the individual. Companies will not receive any voting or other membership rights.

How does Impact San Antonio decide who will receive the grants?
Information on the finalists will be delivered to each member for review, and a Grant Award Night will be held at which the finalists will give a short presentation. At that meeting, members will vote for the finalist of their choice.

What happens if I serve as a board member of an organization applying for the Impact San Antonio grant? Many Impact San Antonio members serve as board members of San Antonio non-profit organizations. Those organizations are free to apply for an Impact San Antonio grant. If you wanted to serve on an Impact grant review committee, you would simply volunteer in a different grant area of focus.

What if I cannot attend the meeting at which the grant recipient is selected? Can I still get information on the finalists and cast my vote? Yes, although we strongly encourage attendance at the meeting, absentee voting is accommodated. Prior to the meeting, every member receives a packet containing information on each finalist. If the member cannot attend, the packet includes a ballot and instructions on how to cast a vote before the meeting.

Grant FAQ

Must an organization be a 501(c)(3) to apply for a grant?
An organization must have its 501(c)(3) status to apply.

Can an organization with provisional 501(c)(3) status apply?
No, your organization must have received its tax exemption from the IRS.

If another organization is serving as my fiscal agent, can I apply for a grant?
No, an organization must have received its tax exemption from the IRS.

Can nonprofits outside San Antonio apply for a grant?
Nonprofits serving Bexar, Atascosa, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, and Wilson are eligible to apply for funding.

What types of grants will Impact San Antonio fund?
Impact San Antonio will fund project grants in five Areas of Focus: Culture, Education, Environment/Recreation/Historic Preservation, Family, and Health & Wellness.

What is the amount of the project grant?
In 2012, Impact San Antonio will award at least one $100,000 project grant.

Can I submit a grant application for an existing project?
Nonprofit organizations may submit a grant application for a new project or an expansion of an existing project (to a new service area or with new program components, participants, etc.). Applications to support ongoing operating expenses will not be considered.

Does Impact San Antonio fund operational grants?
Impact San Antonio does not fund operational grants.

What types of grants will Impact San Antonio not fund?
Impact San Antonio will not fund the following activities: partisan or legislative activities, political lobbying, general operating expenses, debt reduction, endowments, individuals, bridge or interim financing, individual churches or other bodies of worship, or religious organizations where the sole or primary focus is proselytizing.

Must I use the Impact San Antonio grant application?
Applicants must use the online Impact San Antonio grant application.

Must an organization serve only women to qualify for funding from Impact San Antonio?
No, Impact San Antonio will fund any 501(c)(3) meeting its funding criteria.

Can the Impact San Antonio grant be the sole supporter of a project?
If $100,000 covers the full cost of the project, a nonprofit organization can apply to Impact San Antonio for the full amount.

Will all applicants receive a site visit?
Each review committee will consider all applications in its area of focus. One or more may be selected for a site visit by the committee.

How long will a nonprofit organization have to complete the work?
After funds are received, the nonprofit organization will have 24 months to expend the project funds.

Must an organization have a financial audit to apply for funding?
It is preferred that applying organizations have a financial audit for the last fiscal year. If one is not available, financial statements for the most recent two fiscal years must be submitted.

When will the project grant be awarded?
The project grant will be awarded at the Grant Award Night and Annual Meeting, held in late October.

When will the nonprofit organization receive the project funds?
The nonprofit organization will receive the project grant in early November.