Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the San Antonio Area Foundation opened its Legacy Scholarship program in 2022. Since then, the program has awarded $19.4 million to nearly 500 students.

One of the largest college scholarship programs in the nation, Legacy currently provides 125 high school students in Bexar and Webb counties with up to $40,000 each ($10,000 annually) for college.

Through credits earned while in high school, Che, Reagan and Itzel each graduated after just three years of college. In the process, they became part of a small group forming the first Legacy scholar graduates. A much larger number of graduates is expected next year when first Legacy scholars complete their four-year degrees.

“We are incredibly proud of these young men and women,” noted Bernice Uresti, Area Foundation Director of Legacy Scholarship & Student Success. “They have worked hard to reach this milestone, and it means so much to be part of their journey toward career and life success. We’re building a strong Legacy family, and it’s exciting to see our first scholars graduate!”

Growing up as a first-generation American from parents who immigrated from Mexico and settled in the border city of Laredo, Itzel remembered her mother telling her that her road to success would have to be paved through educational attainment.

Itzel told her mom she understood and promised her right then and there that she’d be valedictorian of her high school class. Promise made and promise kept – Itzel was the top student from around 400 in her graduating class at Laredo’s Cigarroa High School.

Thanks to her hard work, Itzel enrolled at the UT San Antonio with an associate’s degree in science, then completing her bachelor’s program majoring in marketing with a minor in nonprofit management. She also ran on the university’s track and cross-country teams.

She was determined to go to college no matter what, but having most costs covered by her Legacy scholarship provided incomparable peace of mind.

“It was such a huge help,” said Itzel, 21, whose future plans include possibly graduate school with the goal of working for or starting her own nonprofit. “And it was incredible to see the community the Area Foundation has created for us – they really, really care about our growth and success.”

Considering he wasn’t sure if he’d even go to college, Che, 21, now looks in awe of his academic achievement of graduating early (he also completed an Associate’s degree while in high school).

Originally from San Diego but then moving and growing up in San Antonio, he became interested in a military career in high school, eventually joining the ROTC program. He just completed his degree in international relations at Texas State University in San Marcos and has enlisted in the U.S. Army.

He’s not quite sure how long his army career will be, but other longer-term career options include teaching English overseas or remaining in government work, possibly with the FBI or CIA. There’s also the diplomatic route, working for the State Department at an embassy abroad.

“I’m so thankful for the all the doors that the Legacy Scholarship has opened up for me already,” Che said. “It has been an incredible support system.”

A dedicated student at O’Connor High School in San Antonio, Reagan understood early from through family conversations that home finances were tough and that she’d have to get help if she wanted to go to college.

The Legacy Scholarship program enabled her to attend Texas A&M University in College Station, where she completed a degree in agriculture leadership and development with a minor in journalism.

She plans to continue her studies at A&M, pursuing a master’s degree this fall in Legal Studies, with a focus on energy and agricultural policy. Eventually, her career goal would be to work in Austin or the nation’s capital as an agricultural policy expert. Another option would be to work in government, possibly with the federal Department of Agriculture.

None of that would’ve been a sure bet had it not been for the lift provided by her Legacy scholarship.

“This support has been amazing to witness,” Reagan, 20, shared. “The scholarship has already made a lasting impact in my life – I will carry the experience with me forever.”

The post Pioneers: Legacy Scholars Turn College Graduates appeared first on San Antonio Area Foundation.

In observation of Older Americans Month 2026, celebrated annually in May, the Area Foundation, through its Successfully Aging and Living in San Antonio (SALSA) program, has partnered with the San Antonio Community Resource Directory to create a designated online resource portal focused exclusively on older adults.

For more than a decade, SALSA has worked to support the health, well-being and connectedness of older adults in our community. This collaboration fits right in with SALSA’s work to close opportunity gaps for older adults in San Antonio.

“This is a great tool for people looking to understand what’s available and how to get connected,” said Sarah Davis, SALSA Project Associate. “In a city like San Antonio, there are strong networks of support. We want this to be a clear, central place to start.”

San Antonio has a large and rapidly growing population of older adults, and this group is often supported by a wide array of public health, government and community-based services.

“Providers already use SACRD.org as a connecting resource for their clients,” Davis said. “So, this centralized platform will only enhance their reach.”

The online portal will offer an array of resources and tools, including quick-start guides and the SALSA Caregiver Toolkit, which will make it easier for older adults, caregivers and families to access information and explore available services in our community that support the mission of aging well.

There will also be additional content that explains definitions and terminology, including information on how to access meals, find someone to install a grab bar in the bathroom, connect socially with limited mobility and arrange rides to medical appointments.

“Today, SACRD exists with a simple purpose: to help people with a need find a place that can meet that need,” said Bill Needly, SACRD Executive Director. “We serve about 650,000 visits to the site annually.”

The collaboration between SACRD and SALSA has been mutually beneficial for both organizations. Neely’s staff bring their depth of experience to the project, while SALSA contributes its resources and its extensive network of aging service providers. This connection directly benefits older adults in San Antonio.

“The San Antonio Area Foundation is an invaluable partner for SACRD,” Neely noted. “They support us materially, as well as with meeting space, networking, and visibility. Their staff and partners help spread the word about SACRD, leading to more users and more people getting help from the information we maintain.”

Interested in supporting the work of the Area Foundation advocating for older adults? Just click here to contribute to SALSA – thank you!

The post New Area Foundation Initiative Expands Resources For Older Adults appeared first on San Antonio Area Foundation.

A couple reviews their will, realizing it reflects what they own, but not fully what they value. A parent watches their child step into the world and wonders what kind of community will be waiting for them. A retiree looks back on a lifetime of work and asks what part of it will last. A donor, long committed to giving, begins to think not just about impact today, but about what endures. 

Different paths. Different stages. Same crossroads: “What will my legacy be?” 

Celebrating Leave a Legacy Month 

May is Leave a Legacy Month, a time to reflect on that question and, more importantly, to act on it. 

At the San Antonio Area Foundation, legacy gifts are a cornerstone of collective impact. They allow us to respond to urgent needs, invest in long-term solutions, and close opportunity gaps across our region. From scholarships that open doors for students, to support for aging neighbors, to investments in cultural vibrancy and resilient communities, these gifts sustain the work that strengthens San Antonio for generations. 

Yet legacy giving is often misunderstood. It can feel distant or reserved for a select few. In reality, it is one of the most accessible and powerful ways to support the causes and communities you care about. Leaving a legacy might be as easy as including a gift in your will or naming a fund you care about as part of your retirement or life insurance plans— offering a flexible way to give that can fit a wide range of goals and circumstances. 

At its core, a legacy gift is about alignment. It connects what matters most to you with lasting impact, ensuring those values continue to shape the community for years to come. 

For those who choose to formalize that intention, the Area Foundation’s Visionary Circle recognizes individuals and families who have included a legacy gift in their plans. Members share a forward-looking perspective, understanding that generosity is not just about what we give today, but what we set in motion for tomorrow.  

Visionary Legacy Shapes Our Community… 

For more than 60 years, legacy giving has been a part of our DNA. Our founder, Richard E. Goldsmith, established the Area Foundation through a legacy gift, creating a permanent resource for this community. His vision was simple and profound: to connect generosity with need in a way that would endure. 

That single act of foresight has grown into more than $900 million in grants and scholarships, supporting thousands of organizations and individuals across our region. It is a powerful reminder that legacy gifts are real, tangible acts that shape communities over time. 

…And You Have the Power to Shape Tomorrow 

Leave a Legacy Month is both an invitation and a reminder. You do not need to have all the answers. You simply need to begin the conversation. 

And that brings us back to where we started: The couple at the kitchen table. The parent imagining the future. The retiree reflecting on a life’s work. The donor thinking one step further. 

Different stories. Same question. What will your legacy be? 

 Learn More About Leaving Your Legacy 

The post Leave a Legacy Month: Everyone Has the Power to Shape Tomorrow appeared first on San Antonio Area Foundation.

Americans give hundreds of billions of dollars to charity each year, supporting roughly 1.9 million organizations nationwide. These organizations often become even more essential during periods of economic uncertainty, when demand for even basic services tends to rise just as resources can feel more constrained.

That dynamic is especially relevant as many are watching the markets closely this spring. Even the possibility of a downturn can influence financial decisions, including charitable giving. It is natural to feel more cautious. At the same time, history shows that community needs often increase during challenging economic periods — making it even more crucial to stay engaged in philanthropy.

As you think about your charitable giving this year, this may be a good moment to step back and consider not only where you give, but also how you structure your giving for long-term impact. In particular, it is important for donors and fund holders to consider expanding their portfolio of giving to include giving to the San Antonio Area Foundation itself.

This can take several forms, each of which plays a meaningful role:

Operating support

Some donors choose to support the Area Foundation’s operations across generations. This type of support helps ensure that the organization can continue serving as a trusted resource — connecting donors to causes, responding to emerging needs and stewarding charitable funds with care and expertise well into the future. It is an investment not only in today’s giving, but also in the long-term strength of the philanthropic infrastructure in our community.

Support for grant programs

Other donors focus on increasing the Area Foundation’s grantmaking resources so that more money can flow from the Area Foundation to nonprofits that are helping those in need, especially when times are tough. Contributions to unrestricted or broadly focused funds allow the Area Foundation to respond quickly and thoughtfully to the most pressing challenges facing our region. During periods of economic strain, this flexibility can be especially powerful, enabling support to reach the people and organizations that need it most – at the moment it matters most.

A hybrid approach

In many cases, donors adopt a dual strategy — continuing to support favorite organizations directly or through the Area Foundation’s grant programs while also allocating a portion of their giving to the Area Foundation itself. This approach can help balance personal philanthropic interests with broader community impact, creating a more resilient and adaptable giving strategy.

The Area Foundation’s unique role is what makes any or all of these approaches so effective. As a perpetual organization governed by a local board of directors, the Area Foundation is designed to serve the community not just today, but across generations. Our team maintains deep knowledge of local needs, works closely with nonprofit partners and is positioned to deploy resources where they can do the greatest good over time.

Especially in moments when the future feels uncertain, expanding your portfolio of giving in this way can provide an added layer of confidence. You can continue supporting the causes you care about while also strengthening the Area Foundation’s ability to continue serving as our region’s leading philanthropic partner — now and in the years ahead.

We are honored to work alongside you as you consider how your philanthropy can support both immediate needs and lasting impact for our entire community. Interested in discussing your charitable giving goals with us? Just click here and we can get the conversation started.

The post Deepening Your Impact In Times Of Need appeared first on San Antonio Area Foundation.

His innovative thinking decades ago led him to create the San Antonio Area Foundation – introducing the community foundation model of charitable giving to the region for the first time.

Goldsmith died last month at 92. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Antonia “Toni” Goldsmith, as well as their two daughters, Ruth and Joan, grandchildren Sai and Nia Barak and numerous nephews and nieces.

“He was always willing to play the long game and believed that eventually the Area Foundation would grow and become a significant resource for the San Antonio region,” Toni Goldsmith said.

Long game, indeed – it would have seemed hard to predict back then how much the organization would grow when Goldsmith started it in 1964. It was essentially what entrepreneurs today call a startup: Richard’s uncle Mannie offered a $100,000 donation over 10 years for Richard to invest back in the community in honor of Richard’s father, Nat Goldsmith, who had died a year earlier.

Now more than six decades in existence, the Area Foundation has turned into a force for philanthropy not just in San Antonio but far beyond.

Perhaps it comes as no surprise that Goldsmith chose the philanthropic path, given his father’s established altruistic legacy. Among his many accomplishments, Nat Goldsmith helped start the Community Chest of San Antonio – an organization that eventually became the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County.

One would imagine that, given how Goldsmith continued and strengthened the family’s history of giving back to his community, he would’ve made his father proud.

“It has been said, service is the rent we pay for our place on earth. I am convinced now that in paying that so-called rent, we are amply repaid for our service in happiness and pleasant memories that linger for many years,” Nat Goldsmith once said to congregants at San Antonio’s Temple Beth-El.

Legal Mind

Richard Goldsmith was born in Los Angeles, but he grew up in San Antonio. He attended Travis Elementary School and Mark Twain Middle School before graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1951.

He began college at the University of Texas at Austin but later transferred to Harvard College, where he graduated with honors with a degree in history in 1955. He then went on to complete a law degree at Harvard.

His history of service began in the military realm, serving as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force and then remaining in the U.S. Air Forces Reserves as a Captain until 1968.

He returned to San Antonio in 1960 and joined the city’s largest law firm, eventually specializing in tax law and estate planning. He put his strong spirit of volunteerism to work, joining the boards of a plethora of local nonprofits over the years, including the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, the Ella Austin Community Center, Clarity Child Guidance Center, Gemini Inc., the San Antonio Food Bank and the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

A turning point took place in 1963, when he co-founded the Halfway House of San Antonio, better known today as Crosspoint – a nonprofit focused on mental health services. It was that experience that led him the following year to put his uncle’s gift to use by following the nonprofit community foundation model – creating the Area Foundation.

“I didn’t want the money to be exhausted in various charities so I thought of creating an organization that could combine my uncle’s gift with that of others who wanted their gifts to go to charity so they could be preserved,” Goldsmith recalled in an interview in 2021. “I soon learned that was precisely the work of community foundations.”

Quiet Yet Impactful

Those that knew him recall a humble and soft-spoken yet incredibly effective dealmaker and visionary.

Clarence “Reggie” Williams was impressed from the first time he met him. It was 2000 and Williams had just retired as an executive at USAA, and he was invited to interview for the Area Foundation’s top leader position.

“My first impression of Richard was all ‘resume based’ and that was impressive. I respected his work,” Williams recalled. “I grew to have great respect for the outstanding character and integrity of a man who did the work.”

They quickly built a strong professional bond that then grew into friendship. They worked well together – even when they had to agree to disagree. It was at Williams’ recommendation that Richard move from his long-time law firm to join the Area Foundation staff as General Counsel.

It was in that role that Goldsmith connected one of his legal clients to the Area Foundation for charitable giving opportunities. That client was none other than John L. Santikos, the local cinema and real estate mogul, who decided to gift his estate to the Area Foundation.

Former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros first met Goldsmith in the 1970s as a rookie on the city council. Even back then – long before the Area Foundation would turn into a philanthropic force to the tune of $954 million invested in the community through grants and scholarships since its founding – Goldsmith was already known for his community service, Cisneros recalled.

Goldsmith served as a mentor for the then-future mayor, explaining to him the inner workings of key institutions and introducing him to senior leaders. Cisneros readily supported the Area Foundation from the moment Goldsmith first told him about it.

“Richard was rare in that he was a dreamer and a doer. He saw problems and knew they cried for solutions,” Cisneros said. “He studied, imagined and designed solutions and then he acted.”

Lasting Legacy

Richard Goldsmith’s list of accolades is lengthy: Among many distinctions, he was recognized by the Texas Bar Association, Life Science Foundation, National Conference of Christians and Jews, the San Antonio Independent School District Foundation and the Texas State Senate. Along with his wife Toni, the couple received the National Humanitarian Award from the National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

Former Area Foundation staff and board members who knew and worked with Goldsmith pointed to his unique legacy.

Tom Hill, a retired four-star U.S. Army General who served as board chair in 2021-2022, first met the Goldsmiths through their mutual interest in Children’s Association for Maximum Potential, a nonprofit that runs a summer camp for children with disabilities which Hill’s daughter attended.

“We quickly developed a deep friendship based on our mutual belief in service to the community,” Hill said. “Very few communities in our nation are blessed with a person like Richard with the vision, generosity and commitment to service of our Richard Goldsmith. San Antonio is better because he walked among us.”

Marie Smith served as Area Foundation board chair in 2015-2016 and oversaw the initiation of the Santikos gift to the organization. Yet she knew Goldsmith for more than a decade prior, as well as Toni, with whom she served on a Community Advisory Committee (volunteer CAC members select nonprofit grant recipients for the Area Foundation).

“I will always remember Richard as man of his word, of his integrity and humility,” Smith said. “The memory of his life will continue to ripple through the people who knew him, the organization he helped, the people he mentored. My life was enriched and blessed by him!”

David Henneesse preceded Smith as board chair, serving in the role in 2013-2014. By then, he had already been involved with the Area Foundation for a decade, first volunteering on the board’s Finance Committee.

“Goodness me – it’s nearly impossible to boil down in a few words as to what I’d say about Richard Goldsmith,” Hennessee said. “He was such a calm, positive force. Gracious with a loving demeanor. He was a dreamer and a builder. He was all about carrying out the wishes of our donors with trust, integrity and confidence.”

Yet Richard’s humility would never allow him to make it about himself.

When asked in 2021 about his legacy, he replied not about how he would like to be remembered personally but rather about hoping that the seed he planted six decades earlier would keep growing in perpetuity.

“My hope is that it continues to be a vibrant organization,” he mused then. “It should continue to grow and remain a major contributor. As far as I see it, there should always be a role for the San Antonio Area Foundation in our community.”

Thanks to you, Richard, our community wouldn’t have it any other way.

The post Richard E. Goldsmith: Legacy In The Making appeared first on San Antonio Area Foundation.

Last year, for the first time, the San Antonio Area Foundation partnered with a local artist to design a unique Fiesta medal to help illustrate the connection between our work and our community. This year, the Area Foundation teamed up with local artist Ernesto Cuevas, Jr. for this year’s Fiesta medal.

Cuevas, 50, was born in Harlingen, in deep South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, the child of migrant farm workers. For years, he and his family traveled the country, from Michigan to Ohio to Kentucky to Florida. They eventually settled in the Sunshine State, where Cuevas discovered his love of art.

“I got heavily involved in, in the Boys and Girls Club in Florida,” Cuevas said. “They were a big part of my academic development. I was like seven years old when they put me into an art competition … and I won.  At that point it was like this was a skill you have and a talent you have, and we want to nurture it.”

In high school, his skills and talent blossomed, earning him entrance to Dartmouth University, where he studied studio art. After graduating, he began a career as a commercial artist but discovered his love of working with kids while taking part in a community arts program.

Moving to San Antonio in 2010, he began working with local groups like the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures and Fuerza Unida. Cuevas developed a local reputation as an artist in touch with the community. This helped him connect with the Area Foundation.

“Our team [at the Area Foundation] reached out asking for recommendations on artists for this year’s Fiesta medal and I recommended Ernesto,” said Julio Lopez, Area Foundation Program Officer of Youth Success. “[Cuevas] is someone that has worked with a lot of different organizations here in town. I think his art, his way of working with people and his overall commitment to community made him the right fit for this project.”

Ultimately, it’s more than just about the medal. It is about connecting with our community and the people we serve through partnerships, closing opportunity gaps and supporting local artists.

 “Working with artists like Ernesto is important because it just gives us a little bit more of that kind of grassroots connection to things that are happening around our community … and it’s an opportunity to kind of share a little bit of the story of Fiesta,” Lopez noted.

Cuevas found the partnership with the Area Foundation to be a deep learning experience, working through various drafts after receiving feedback. He found a balance of incorporating his art style with the mission and vision of the Area Foundation and the history and culture of San Antonio.

“[My goal with this project] is showing the different areas of work that the Area Foundation exists in, and also images that represent San Antonio,” explained Cuevas. “We wanted to be really aware of making sure that the communities that [the Area Foundation] works with are represented in this design are communities that feel seen and heard and valued.”

The post Fiesta 2026: Area Foundation Medal Is All About Community appeared first on San Antonio Area Foundation.

Participants, who ranged from 11 to 94, were there for Generations Over Dinner, a guided community dinner designed to spark meaningful conversations across generations.

Hosted by SALSA (Successfully Aging and Living in San Antonio), an initiative of the San Antonio Area Foundation, the dinner reflects the program’s mission to help older adults — and other generations — stay connected, engaged and valued in the community.

Attendees filtered into the conference room wearing everything from stylish high heels to beat-up Converse sneakers. At the tables, clusters of blue and white hydrangeas sat beside glasses of sparkling cider and water, while quirky salt and pepper shakers — tiny cactuses, owls, nesting birds, Caribbean fish and miniature hamburgers — dotted the room.

But the real view wasn’t the table settings. It was the people.

Each table brought together six to eight guests who would otherwise not likely cross paths. High school students sat beside retirees, nonprofit leaders beside entry-level workers and older adults beside parents and professionals.

“What we’re doing in this room is quite powerful,” noted Jane Paccione, Managing Director of Collective Impact at the Area Foundation, who oversees the SALSA program.

“We’re getting increasingly separated by age,” she said. “Tonight isn’t about convincing anyone of anything. It’s about listening with the intent to understand.”

That work matters more now than ever, said Sarah Davis, SALSAProject Associate with who planned the event.

Across the country, social isolation has been rising for years. The U.S. Surgeon General has called loneliness a public health crisis, with studies showing more than one-third of adults over 45 report chronic loneliness and intergenerational interaction has dropped significantly in recent decades.

Events like Generations Over Dinner aim to reverse that tide – one table at a time.

At each table, trained facilitators guided groups through thoughtful prompts about life experiences, stereotypes and lessons learned across generations. Participants were asked to simply listen to one another’s stories without responding directly. When something resonated, the table acknowledged it with a small gesture — rubbing their hands together, a practice Paccione called “polishing the pearl.”

It was a quiet way of saying: “I hear you.”

And there was plenty to hear.

One participant reflected on growing up with a single mother in the 1960s, something she said wasn’t common at the time. Another spoke about a high school dance instructor who taught her to prioritize what matters most in life, because “when you empower others, you empower yourself.”

Others shared stories of grandparents who shaped their lives, lessons learned the hard way and moments of wisdom that only come with time.

The conversations also challenged stereotypes.

Anna Lisa Esquivel, a millennial who works with Catholic Charities, said people often assume millennials are too busy and too focused on goals to slow down for others.

At another table, JoAnn Tobias-Molina, a baby boomer and SALSA Coordinator, addressed a different assumption.

“People think we’re not tech-savvy,” she offered. “But that’s not true of all of us.”

For many guests, the evening’s biggest takeaway came from simply hearing one another. After a delicious dinner of chicken andpasta topped off with crème brulee, participants said the experience had left a lasting impression.

Joy Zimmerman, 11, representing Generation Alpha, said she enjoyed hearing “some really emotional” stories and felt she had stepped out of her comfort zone.

Asked what she learned, Joy put it simply: “Don’t be embarrassed. You only live once. So do whatever you want.”

Her mother, Melissa Yip, a millennial who found the event through social media, said she intentionally brought her daughter so she could connect with people beyond screens and routines.

“I thought it was important to bring my daughter to Generations Over Dinner to connect,” Yip said.

Emma Moncivais of Generation Z described the evening as “a really cool experience,” adding: “I just really appreciate everybody.”

Timothy Kessler, a member of Generation X, said one of the most meaningful parts of the night was hearing how often people from different generations felt judged by one another — and then laughing together when they realized some assumptions held a grain of truth.

“I loved hearing people’s perspectives,” he shared.

For Dolores Sturm, 94, the takeaway was even simpler.

She said she had heard about the dinner at a restaurant and came because “the togetherness sounded great.”

She summed up what she took away in one word: “Friendship.”

That kind of connection is the type of message what SALSA hopes to foster and spread across San Antonio, Davis said. Because sometimes the most meaningful way to bridge generations isn’t through a program or a policy — it’s through a conversation shared over dinner.

The post Area Foundation Program Bridges Generational Connection Gap appeared first on San Antonio Area Foundation.

The San Antonio Area Foundation is all about creating connections, serving as our region’s leading community convener through the lens of philanthropy.

One recently-launched program brings people together to break bread – hence the simple concept. The twist is that it’s all part of a well-organized and moderated activity meant to promote cross-generational learning and understanding.

The Area Foundation’s Successfully Aging and Living in San Antonio (SALSA) initiative – which brings together more than 70local nonprofits advocating for older adults – is calling for the community to join in the new effort: Generations Over Dinner.

The point is to provide a welcoming, inclusive setting involving people from various generations – from the Greatest Generation to Generation Alpha – sitting down for dinner to connect in a unique and unprecedented way.

“These gatherings give people, especially our older adults, a chance to be seen, heard and appreciated,” explained Sarah Davis, SALSA Project Associate.” In today’s world, that kind of exchange feels rare and incredibly valuable. People leave having made a real connection — and usually feeling a little more hopeful than when they arrived.”

Everyone benefits from that connection – starting with older adults, who have so much to share and inspire yet in many instances they have no one on whom to impart their wisdom.

According to the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, many Americans are living in a “loneliness epidemic” t The AARP Foundation reported that roughly 35 percent of adults 45 and older report living in chronic loneliness. Another study, from Aging & Mental Health journal, also found that intergenerational contact has dropped by 40 percent over the last 20 years.

This is where SALSA and Generations Over Dinner come into play. Conversations become the catalyst for social change, helping to break down barriers between the generations and helping to form social bonds. Small-scale events were launched last year to great success – leading to the program’s first-ever large-scale gathering planned next month.

“I retired almost three years ago, and with that, I was no longer seeing my long term ‘work friends’ on a daily basis,” explained former Area Foundation employee Sandie Palomo-Gonzalez. “I was aware that many older adults struggle with social isolation and loneliness, and I knew that I would need find ways to make new friends. For me, Generations Over Dinner events were an opportunity to meet and get to know other people. The fact that the events were multi-generational made it even more intriguing.”

The framework for the dinners involves people aged 12-90+ gathering for a two-hour conversation, guided along the way by a trained facilitator. The meals are served family-style, (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) and can be hosted anywhere from someone’s home to a community center.

“I work with older adults and am a parent to three young adults,” explained DeLisa Leopold, Executive Director of the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center  who attended the first dinner. “I see the disconnect and wanted to be part of a movement that supports the engagement between generations. I wasn’t sure how open each participant would be, particularly the younger participants – I was pleasantly surprised by how open everyone was, including myself.”

The goal for SALSA is to keep growing the program. Sharing a meal among generations harkens back to a simpler time, when families gathered and bonded at the supper table, sharing tales, experiences and wisdom. Above all, they kept families and friends close.

“To be able to sit at a table with many different generations to learn and hear their stories is inspiring,” said Jacob Maldonado, Manager of Youth Engagement at the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, who also participated in the inaugural event. “This dinner shows that not one generation is facing the same challenges, nor does age limit what you can do and also created a safe place for dialogue, revealing that we share values and common ground despite being from different generations.”

So far, SALSA has hosted a total of eight dinners across the community and 25 facilitators have been trained – including Palomo-Gonzalez, Leopold and Maldonado, who were so moved by their experiences that they wanted to get more involved.

“It will change you and your perspective on other generations,” Leopold shared. “It is an invaluable experience that we all need to recognize what others may be going through.”

The upcoming community-wide Generations Over Dinner gathering next month is expected to bring together more than 150 participants. It is free and open to the public, but once the attendance goal is reached, no more tickets will be available. However, anyone left out this time will be sent to the top of the list for the next event.

“I do not know another organization or program that brings generations together like this,” Maldonado offered. “This dinner shows that not one generation is facing the same challenges, nor does age limit what you can do … and also creating a safe place for dialogue, revealing that we share values and common ground despite being from different generations.”

The post Simply Impactful: Boosting Cross-Generational Understanding appeared first on San Antonio Area Foundation.

They know they want to have an impact, align their generosity with their values, and perhaps even involve their families — but they are often unsure where to begin.

The combination of busy lives, changing tax laws and an ever-growing number of worthy causes can make getting started feel overwhelming. The good news is that taking a few simple, thoughtful actions at the beginning of the year can bring clarity and confidence to your giving. 

Here are three first steps to inspire you:

Consider reviewing your 2025 charitable contributions with our team at the San Antonio Area Foundation.

Looking back at last year’s giving can be surprisingly helpful, especially when guided by professionals who understand both philanthropy and the local community. The Area Foundation can help you see the real-world impact of your gifts, identify patterns in your giving and highlight opportunities you may not have considered.

This review also creates a natural bridge to planning your 2026 support, whether that means refining your focus, adjusting gift amounts, or exploring new charitable vehicles. Just as important, it allows you to begin thinking strategically about future years, helping ensure that your generosity grows in a way that is both meaningful and sustainable.

Talk with your tax advisors as soon as possible about whether and how new tax laws might impact your situation. 

Charitable giving is closely connected to tax and estate planning, and early conversations can help you make informed decisions before the year gets too far along.

This is also an ideal time to revisit your estate plan and beneficiary designations. Many donors choose to include a gift to their donor-advised (DAF) or other type of fund at the Area Foundation in their wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or life insurance policies, creating a lasting legacy that reflects their values.

 Coordinating these updates with your tax advisor and the Area Foundation can ensure your charitable intentions are clearly documented, tax-efficient, and aligned with your overall financial and estate planning goals.

Set goals for your charitable involvement in 2026. 

Rather than giving reactively, goal setting allows you to be proactive and intentional about how you engage with the causes you care about.

The Area Foundation can help you explore new and emerging charities, learn more about pressing needs in the community and connect with organizations that align with your interests.

Together, you and our team can create a plan for timing gifts throughout the year, whether through recurring contributions, single large gifts early in the year to help a favorite charity leap ahead or strategic gifts of highly appreciated or complex assets. This approach not only makes giving more manageable but also helps ensure your generosity has the greatest possible impact.

As you look ahead, remember that you do not have to navigate charitable planning on your own. The Area Foundation is here to serve as your most trusted and impactful partner — whether you are just getting started, refining an existing plan, or thinking about the legacy you want to leave for future generations.

We invite you to reach out anytime to ask questions, explore ideas, or take the next step in your giving journey. We are honored to help you turn your charitable intentions into your legacy.

The post Get Started Now: Three First Steps For Your 2026 Charitable Giving appeared first on San Antonio Area Foundation.

Seymour Battle III, Senior Vice President for Communications, Public Relations & Engagement at Valero Energy Corporation, Jorge A. del Alamo III, formerly Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer and Controller at NuStar Energy and Cat Dizon, Co-Founder & Partner at Active Capital, will join the board in January.

“Strong boards bring together people who are deeply invested in their community and willing to lend their experience in service of something bigger,” said Sarah Harte, Chair of the Area Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Seymour, Jorge, and Cat each bring an insightful, dedicated approach to leadership and we’re excited to welcome them to the board.”

Battle has held various leadership roles during his 20-year career at Valero, including Vice President of Accounting Systems. His current position involves responsibility for the company’s philanthropic investments. His community involvement is also extensive – from participant and Steering Committee member of Leadership San Antonio to serving on the boards of KLRN, MetroSA Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Food Bank and Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

“I am honored to join the Area Foundation Board because of its long, proven history of uplifting our community and investing in the people who call San Antonio home,” Battle said. “At a time when our city faces complex challenges — from economic mobility to equitable access to opportunity — I believe in the Area Foundation’s ability to bring partners together, strengthen local nonprofits and create lasting impact. It is an honor to support an organization so deeply committed to building a stronger, more compassionate San Antonio for all.”

Jorge del Alamo worked for nearly two decades at NuStar before retiring, holding multiple positions in financial planning, reporting and analysis. Previously, he worked at Valero, Fuego, Inc., iLife Systems, Inc., and Ernst & Young. He is a past participant in Leadership San Antonio, serves on the board of the San Antonio Museum of Art and he’s a member of the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County’s Tocqueville Society.

“I have known about the Area Foundation for many years, including a time in which I had a small fund,” del Alamo said. “I have consistently been impressed with the impact it has on the community in supporting important nonprofit initiatives. As I’ve gotten to know some of the staff, I have become even more impressed. I am greatly honored to have been elected to serve on the board and look forward to helping the Area Foundation execute on its strategic objectives in the upcoming years.”

Prior to founding her venture capital firm in San Antonio, Cat Dizon served as Executive Director of Alamo Angels. She also worked for 11 years at Rackspace as Director of Corporate Strategy & Development. Her community involvement includes serving on the boards of Geekdom, the Mind Science Foundation and Girls Inc. of San Antonio. Dizon is a member of the Texas Women’s Forum and SA100.

“The Area Foundation is highly regarded for its substantial contributions to the local community,” Dizon said. “Their dedication to service motivates me to get more involved with their mission. There are plenty of ways to help our community, and I believe the Area Foundation will keep leading creative initiatives that promote kindness and progress in San Antonio.”

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