Philanthropy SA Podcast

Mark and Dan talk about Kansas City and Texas BBQ. (momentarily) But the bulk of the conversation is importance of brain development pre-K and the challenges that early childhood care raises for families, businesses, and downstream program providers. Mark and his team work to alleviate some of these challenges by working with providers already in the space and coordinating their efforts. They also provide a unique resource for families looking for help. 

Edith was a teen parent who felt that her life was empty. She found meaning and fulfillment through her faith and helping other women who are at various places in their journey. Hear about their community and how they disciple each other and meet the challenges of today head on as they understand their true identity.   

Dan has a returning guest who as usual is multi-tasking. Jarrell is working with the South Texas Alliance for orphans helping people who are aging out of foster care, and is engaged in social enterprise work with the Rise Collective. You will even get a preview of a new song that will be released January 3rd, 2026. Jarrell has many facets and talents, but you will hear what connects them all, serving others. 

Join Dan and Erin as they discuss resources that are available to help people with cancer diagnoses, and their program to help people prevent recurrences. They also talk about the importance of an engaged board of directors and even small nonprofits can be mighty! 

Join Becca and Dan for a discussion about the opportunities and challenges for churches who are stepping into the gap to assist their congregants in the area of mental health.  This is a foundational issue for our community and one that churches have an opportunity to assist in ways some other organizations cannot. 

Kelley Frost, the president of the Rotary Club of San Antonio, joins Dan to talk about how the Rotary Club has positively impacted the city of San Antonio, and the importance of serving those both locally and internationally.

Hugh Farr from Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas joins us to dicuss the importance of youth mentorship and the impact that their organization is making in San Antonio and surrounding cities.

Chris Martin with United Way of SA and Bexar County:  Chris updates us on what has been happening with the United Way and their efforts going forward.  He highlights the great work being done by the 211 team, and talks about some of the challenges in the non-profit space and how the United Way is helping agencies deal with the changing environment.

David gives some of the rich history of the foundation, and what they are doing today.  The foundation uses the past as a “Guide Post NOT a Hitching Post” as they help organizations build capacity, and form new organizations to meet needs.  South Texas benefits enormously from this Foundation that has remained true to its purpose for over 90 years. 

Join us to hear about a great place to find out about over 11,000 organizations that help people in San Antonio.  If you know someone who needs assistance SACRD can help you find relevant help close by.  SACRD keeps San Antonio up to date on the great organizations that make San Antonio and Bexar County great places to raise a family, run a business, and love one another. 

Armen is the CEO of a very interesting non-profit organization that promotes and engages public understanding or world affairs and US foreign policy for people in South Texas.  Armen and his team bring the diaspora communities in San Antonio to the forefront and our culture is enhanced by the impact these communities have as our neighbors, co-workers, and friends.  And in the current environment, issues like immigration and trade are top of mind.  Please join Armen and feel the world get just a little bit smaller.

Rebecca White, author of The No-Stress Nonprofit Consultant joins Dan and shares her insights about the non-profit sector.  They talk about how the total compensation in the non-profit sector can actually compete with the for profit world.  Rebecca’s background as an Executive Director and a Consultant gives her insights that anyone in world of helping others would benefit from hearing.  She is a thought leader in this space, and is a huge asset to San Antonio and the greater South Texas area. 

Traumatic Brain Injury is a source of hospitalizations and sometimes even permanent disabilities among young people.  TBI SOS is a joint effort of the Universities of Oregon, Texas, and Texas A&M San Antonio to raise awareness and help schools identify injuries that may require accommodations to students.  Early Identification is critical which requires training to educators and health professionals in schools.  Cara is on the front lines of this effort and has been making an Impact throughout our area.

San Antonio has one of only four Basilicas in Texas.  Paul Garro talks about this historic cultural beauty and the importance of development on the near West Side of San Antonio.  

This is a bit different than our typical podcast. Jonathan is with Let Us Unite, which is looking back at a revival that happened in 1925 and planning an event to commemorate the 100th anniversary. Hear all about this upcoming celebration.

Hear the compelling story of Ben Brooks who is the CEO of Pay it Forward.  Ben was homeless and was looking at going back to prison when he was given an opportunity that he seized and turned his life around.  And that would be worth celebrating if that was all, but Ben now leads the organization that helped him as he and his team help people overcome some of life’s biggest challenges.  You will be inspired. 

Cory McRae has assembled a wonderful collection of arts organizations that enhance the culture of San Antonio.  Hear how that has happened, and what it's like bringing in diverse organizations into a single collective.  Please hear about the challenges and synergies that have created an organization that allows people the opportunity to engage with the arts in a number of ways. 

Please hear how the city of New Braunfels benefits from the public McKenna Foundation to enhance their community and have an Impact in this fast growing area.  Alice and her team partner with local government, businesses, and philanthropically minded citizens to address the needs of the Hill Country.  New Braunfels is a lot more than just Wurstfest.  Alice is a thought leader in this space, and it is easy to see why McKenna has an Impact around South Texas. 

Sharla Bell joins Dan to give some important updates to what is happening with Project Transformation.  They also discuss some of the information provided by The Non-Profit Council and the Greater San Antonio Chamber about the State of the Nonprofit Sector in South Texas.  

Hear from someone who works daily with non-profits why you should NOT start a new one!  (Huhh???)

Leslie has worked with a variety of agencies in the areas of governance and planning, and her insights may help you.