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San Angelo Area Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $273 million (2024)
  • Annual Giving: $5+ million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: 17 counties in San Angelo, Texas area

Contact Details

Address: 221 South Irving St., San Angelo, TX 76903
Phone: 325.947.7071
Website: www.saafound.org
Email: Available through website contact form

Overview

Established in 2002 with a $1 million grant from the San Angelo Health Foundation, the San Angelo Area Foundation is an independent community foundation serving the San Angelo area of Texas. Over its first twenty years, the foundation has received more than $286 million in donations from over 5,000 donors, created more than 445 funds, and awarded over $150 million in grants. With approximately $273 million in total assets, the foundation now distributes over $5 million annually in grants. As President & CEO Matt Lewis noted during the 2025 flood relief efforts, "We are grateful for the heartfelt support as our community continues to recover from recent floods," demonstrating the foundation's commitment to both long-term community development and emergency response. The foundation is governed by a local Board of Directors and operates as a 501(c)(3) publicly supported charitable organization.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Grants for Good Program: $10,000 - $50,000 (discretionary grants awarded through annual competitive cycle; applications submitted online by September 1st, awards announced in December)

Grants to Teachers - SASF: Varies (separate program managed for San Angelo Schools Foundation)

Disaster Relief Grants: Variable amounts (emergency grants awarded on as-needed basis, such as recent flood relief and winter weather crisis assistance)

Priority Areas

As a community foundation, the San Angelo Area Foundation does not limit its discretionary grantmaking to a particular field or area of interest. Rather, it seeks to support the entire range of human needs in the San Angelo area, including:

  • Education
  • Health
  • Arts and culture
  • Social services
  • Environment
  • Animal welfare
  • Services for elderly populations
  • Youth programs

The foundation has previously awarded grants to organizations including the Christoval Volunteer Fire Department, the City of San Angelo, the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, and the Association of Asian-American Women.

What They Don't Fund

  • Annual appeals
  • Individuals (only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or governmental units are eligible)
  • Projects outside the 17-county service area
  • Organizations that received funding within the past two years (biennial restriction)
  • Proposals previously declined within the last year (unless significant changes have been made to the request)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Matt Lewis - President & CEO

Board of Directors

James A Boyd - Chair
Patrick Shannon - Vice-Chair
Brady Johnson - Secretary/Treasurer
Camille Yale - Past Chair

Board Members:

  • Jon Bailey
  • Dr. Mary Stegar Boster
  • Jeff Bozeman, CPA
  • Sharanda El Masri
  • Lt. Gen. (ret) Ronnie Hawkins
  • Flor Leos, PhD
  • Shelley New
  • Carlos Robledo
  • Gayla Thornton, CPA
  • Dr. Drew Wallace

The foundation is governed by a local Board of Directors who make funding decisions based on "relative need and potential impact" given the foundation's limited resources.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online only through Grant Interface website (accessible via www.saafound.org/grantseekers)

Important Requirements:

  • Must complete the online grant application form
  • Unsolicited letters of inquiry, pleas, and requests submitted by email or traditional mail are not reviewed for possible funding
  • Only one grant application will be considered from an organization every two years
  • Annual appeals will not be considered

Eligibility:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as defined in Section 509(a)(1) and/or Section 170(b)(1)(a)(vi) or Section 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or affiliated with a nonprofit organization, or a governmental unit
  • Grant funds must be used within and for the benefit of residents and communities of the 17 counties of the San Angelo area (Tom Green, Crockett, Sutton, Kimble, Mason, Llano, San Saba, Menard, Schleicher, Reagan, Irion, Concho, McCulloch, Runnels, Coke, Sterling, and Glasscock)

Pre-Application Resources:

  • Preview application questions online before applying
  • Review grant policy document (strongly recommended)
  • Review list of previous grants awarded
  • Contact foundation staff at 325.947.7071 with questions

Decision Timeline

Annual Grant Cycle:

  • Application Deadline: September 1st
  • Staff Review Period: September 1st - November 15th
  • Awards Announced: No earlier than December 1st
  • Recommended Submission Timeline: Submit requests 3-4 months before funds are needed

Additional Notes:

  • Foundation staff may request additional information during the review period
  • Applicants should be prepared to respond to requests for clarification or supplementary materials
  • Notifications are typically sent via email

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, applicants should note that the foundation emphasizes it has "limited resources" and Directors make judgments based on "relative need and potential impact." The foundation reviews requests twice per year and awards grants to multiple organizations annually across diverse sectors.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have been awarded a grant cannot reapply within two years (biennial restriction). Organizations whose proposals have been declined within the last year can only reapply if there has been a significant change in the request. This policy ensures that the foundation can distribute resources across a broader range of community organizations.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented guidance and policies:

Key Success Factors:

  1. Geographic Alignment: Ensure your project directly benefits residents of the 17-county service area. The foundation is clear that "grant funds must be used within and for the benefit of residents and communities" of these specific counties.

  2. Demonstrate Relative Need and Impact: The foundation states that Directors "make judgments based on relative need and potential impact." Applications should clearly articulate both the community need being addressed and the measurable impact the grant will achieve.

  3. Thorough Online Application: Since unsolicited correspondence is not reviewed, your entire case must be made through the online application. Preview the application questions before starting and ensure you provide complete, detailed responses.

  4. Realistic Funding Request: Foundation grants typically range from $10,000 to $50,000. Applications within this range may be viewed more favorably.

  5. Mission Alignment with Community Needs: As a community foundation supporting "the entire range of human needs in the San Angelo area," successful applications demonstrate how they address genuine community needs in education, health, arts and culture, social services, environment, animal welfare, services for elderly populations, or youth programs.

  6. Compliance with Policies: Ensure you meet the two-year waiting period if previously funded, and that you're not submitting an annual appeal (explicitly not considered).

  7. Advance Planning: The foundation recommends submitting requests "at least three or four months prior to the time that funds are needed," indicating that last-minute requests may be less competitive.

  8. Review Previous Grants: The foundation encourages applicants to review their list of previous grants, which can provide insight into the types of projects and organizations they have funded.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • One shot every two years: You can only apply once every two years, making each application critical. Take time to craft a strong proposal.

  • Online application is your only chance: All unsolicited correspondence outside the online application is ignored. Your online submission must be comprehensive and compelling.

  • Demonstrate impact over need alone: The board evaluates both "relative need and potential impact," so don't just explain the problem—show how your solution will create meaningful change.

  • Geographic specificity matters: Clearly articulate how your project serves residents of the 17-county service area. Projects with broader geographic scope won't be considered.

  • Timing is strategic: Submit by September 1st with the understanding that funds won't be available until after December 1st. Plan your project timeline accordingly and submit 3-4 months before you need the funds.

  • $10,000-$50,000 sweet spot: Grant requests typically fall within this range. Consider whether your project budget aligns with their typical award size.

  • Community foundation means broad interests: Unlike specialized foundations, SAAF funds across all community needs. Focus on demonstrating community impact rather than fitting a narrow funding niche.

References

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