Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Why did the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County (UWSA) make this decision to no longer fund the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council (AAC)? UWSA changed their funding model to a RFP (Request for Proposal) allowing non-partner agencies to apply. As an 80-year partner agency, the Alamo Area Council complied with the new grant application process but was not among the agencies selected for funding. We no longer strategically align with how UWSA views its relationships; and, with their move toward supporting agencies that most strongly align with UWSA’s ‘Community Impact’ priorities. Is this a National United Way decision or a local one? This is a decision of the local United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County. The Alamo Area Council still submits grant applications and is awarded funding from other local United Ways that serve Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall and Kerr counties for a total of $24,250 in 2018. What is the allocation amount to the Alamo Area Council received from United Way last year (2018)? $659,748 was received from UWSA last year (Fall 2018-Spring 2019). This comprised 16% of the Alamo Area Council’s budget for 2018. Funding is split over our budget year; $330,000 for Fall 2018 and $330,000 Spring 2019. Will the Alamo Area Council receive any money from UWSA this year (UWSA funding period Fall 2019-Spring 2020)? The Alamo Area Council will only receive monies from donor designated gifts through workplace campaigns. That projected designations from donors for the 2019-2020 funding period is $106,693; $53,000 for Fall 2019 and $53,000 for Spring 2020. The Alamo Area Council will have to find additional $520,000 to equal funding in 2018. Were the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council the only organization to lose funding? No, the Alamo Area Council was not the only organization to lose funding. Some organizations received less than requested, some received more, and others received nothing. For a full list of these organizations, please see the attached PDF of UWSA’s 2020 investment recommendations. Can I still give money to the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council through my United Way workplace campaign? Yes, our agency number is #310. UWSA does take administrative fees from any donor designation. You may prefer to give directly to the Alamo Area Council by going to www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Give, where 100% of your gift goes directly to local Scouting. What does this mean for the Council? How will this affect the Scouting program, including the operating budget, scholarships and support for youth needing financial assistance? The Alamo Area Council will have to find new sources of funding to support its one-of-a-kind, proven successful, proactive youth program serving over 18,250 boys and girls ages 5-20. The Alamo Area Council offers the highest quality program available to area youth. If new funding is not found, we will be forced to cut expenses, such as: |
- Loss and/or reduction in Scouting programs, especially its ‘Scoutreach’ and ‘Project Aguila’ programs which are the Council’s outreach efforts to families in lower income communities, currently serving 5,000 youth.
- Reduction of ‘Camperships’ (Scholarships) for youth and their families who need financial support to join Scouting and attend camp.
- Property maintenance and improvements to Council Camps – Bear Creek Scout Reservation, McGimsey Scout Park, and Mays Family Scout Ranch – and two service centers.
- Further reduction of vital staff to the stability and growth of the Scouting movement.
What can I do to help?
The Alamo Area Council will do everything possible to reduce the impact on youth and family. We ask for your support and action on the following THREE items:
FIRST, please designate your gift to the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council during the next United Way campaign, agency number 310! If you do not participate in a UWSA campaign, please give to the Alamo Area Council directly:
www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Give
OR
Text GIVEADVENTURE to 41444
NEXT, please let your United Way representative know how much you believe in this one-of-a-kind, proven successful, proactive youth program.
FINALLY, please share this message with colleagues, friends and family. And, invite them to invest in Scouting, today!
For additional questions, please email us at LiveScouting@AlamoAreaBSA.org.
To hear about additional ways to give to us directly (such as noncash gifts) visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/WaysToGive.
