United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County No Longer Funds the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council
Thank you for wanting to learn more about this urgent matter. Below is a FAQ resource that most people find helpful.
FAQ updated October 11, 2019
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 moved to supporting agencies that most strongly align with their ‘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.
Did the Alamo Area Council turn down money from UWSA?
Any narratives of us turning down or away funds in support of our mission are incorrect. The Alamo Area Council is appreciative of the relationship we had with United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, and now we move forward to continuing our character-building programs for the benefit of all youth by reaching out to all within the community for help with our LIVE SCOUTING fundraising goals.
Did the Alamo Area Council apply in the wrong category for funding from UWSA?
No. The Alamo Area Council applied in the proper category in support of our mission of serving all youth.
What is the allocation amount 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.
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 visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/LiveScouting or click below to find a 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?
No. The Alamo Area Council is not continuing a partnership agreement with the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County for designations. The Alamo Area Council will not be listed as a UWSA partner agency for designations in any of their communications and campaign material.
We ask for your support and action in the following ways (all have options for automatic monthly payments):
- Online giving –
- Give now at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/LiveScouting (Form at bottom of page)
- Pledge to give later atwww.AlamoAreaBSA.org/LiveScouting
- Text LIVESCOUTING to 41444
- Call 210-341-8611 Ext. 118 to Set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (ACH).
- In Person at 2226 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, Texas 78213
What does this mean for the Alamo Area Council moving forward?
The Alamo Area Council is financially sound, still growing, and has a strategic plan in place to continue serving our mission to serve more youth. With donors and supporters like you, we are working to identify new sources of funding to support our one-of-a-kind, proven successful, proactive youth program serving over 18,250 boys and girls ages 5-20.
Yes, the loss of funding from UWSA is significant and does affect the Alamo Area Council. But, it will not stop us from continuing to serve more youth.
We understand that if new funding is not found, we may have to make hard decisions about cost saving measures that include reducing Scouting programs, Camp and property maintenance, and professional staff. These could impact us in the short-term. However, it is important to realize that for the long-term, there is an answer. It does require more effort by all of us, but it can be done. We need to continue reaching out to our community and reminding them of the impact Scouting has on all of us. We absolutely have the best program to prepare young people to make moral and ethical choices throughout their lives. And there is nothing more powerful than this.
Our base of support is strong and we are lucky to have you, for the past, present and future of this Council. We rely on our supporters and community leaders to invest in Scouting and they are speaking out. We need Scouting now, more than ever.
Recent Successes. As part of our long standing strategic plan, we understand the importance of sustainability in our core programs. The most effective way to ensure this for the long term is to grow the Council’s Endowment. We will utilize the investment earnings to provide a consistent funding source for our program needs.
We have several significant gifts that have kick started our effort to reach $20 million in the coming years.
- In the last 9 months alone, we have secured $2.5 million in new dollars for a total of $13.5 million in our Endowment.
- We have also received $225,000 from 3 local funders who have encouraged us to find matching dollars to keep the momentum going. Double your money!
If you would like more information on making a long-term impact on local Scouting by making a gift to the Council’s Endowment, please contact our Director of Development, Courtney Bukowski, and her team at endowment@alamoareabsa.org.
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 in the following ways (all have options for automatic monthly payments):
Mobile messaging powered by Mobilecause- Text LIVESCOUTING to 41444
- Call 210-341-8611 Ext. 118 to Set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (ACH).
- In Person at 2226 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, Texas 78213
Next, please let your community know how much you believe in this one-of-a-kind, proven successful, proactive youth program. Whether on social media, letters to the editor, or at the grocery store, please become a vocal advocate for our Scouting youth!
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 non-cash gifts) and including leaving a legacy through a gift to our Endowment, visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/WaysToGive.
Or, contact our Development team at Development@AlamoAreaBSA.orgor by phone at 210-341-8611 Ext. 140.
