On Thursday the Say Sí multi-disciplinary arts program became the unexpected recipient of the $100,000 IMPACT San Antonio grant.
IMPACT San Antonio presents large grants of $100,000 to selected non-profits each October and last year doubled its awards; honoring the San Antonio AIDS Foundation and the Center for Family Relations each with grants to apply toward specific projects.
The Center for Family Relations’ project was delayed so they gave the money back.
"Being an agency with such integrity, they let us know that that was the case and offered to release the $100,000 grant back to IMPACT San Antonio so that we could award it to another agency that had been a finalist in October," said IMPACT President Ann Parker.
Parker said the secret ballots from October were unsealed to find the first runner-up, and the award was kept secret until a surprise ceremony Thursday evening.
"And of course, the people at Say Sí went into shock. They were just thrilled beyond words,” Parker said.
Parker said Say Sí is using the funds to provide mentoring and visiting artists for students, and furnishings for a new addition to the facility which will break ground in two weeks.
The women of IMPACT are asked only to contribute $1,000 to become members. IMPACT San Antonio started in 2004 with its first grant of $25,000 and now offers two $100,000 grants each year; they hope to offer three awards this year.
- Say Sí is online at: www.saysi.org
