Posted on

McKenna Foundation seeks community input for two year-end grant recipients

The McKenna Foundation plans to culminate a fantastic and productive year by awarding two year-end unrestricted grants to nonprofit partners. This year, the Foundation is once again asking the community to participate in the nomination process!

The Foundation is thrilled to invite the public to nominate a nonprofit organization serving Comal County for a chance to receive one of these generous grants. What organization has made a substantial difference in your life or the lives of others? Which nonprofit has been a stellar partner to the community? Who deserves special recognition for going above and beyond? This is your opportunity to shine light on those who have made a lasting impact.

Nominate here.

Please include a few sentences explaining why you believe your chosen organization deserves to be recognized this year.

Nominations will remain open through December 10.   

“For many years, we have asked our nonprofit partners to nominate one of their peers. However, last year we decided to involve the community, and we were overwhelmed by the response, receiving over 3,300 nominations,” said McKenna’s program officer Kristen Fain. “With such a great community response, we are excited to do it again this year and hear from even more voices!”

The recipients will be announced during the Foundation’s annual Christmas Breakfast on December 17 at the McKenna Events Center. The news will be shared on the McKenna website.

This year, the Foundation has already awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants to 39 nonprofit organizations in Comal County. Since the Foundation began its grantmaking efforts in 2009, nearly $30 million in funding has been awarded to nonprofits serving our neighbors.

Join us in celebrating the incredible work being done by our local nonprofits and help choose the year-end grant recipients!

For more information or to nominate a deserving nonprofit to receive an end-of-the-year impact grant, please visit the McKenna website. Follow McKenna on Instagram at @mckennafoundation.

Posted on

New Braunfels proclaims National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

The City of New Braunfels has declared November 17 through November 23, 2024, as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week to raise awareness of food insecurity and homelessness in our community.

On Monday, November 18, representatives from NB Housing Partners, Crisis Center of Comal County, Salvation Army, Comal Mental Health, and the New Braunfels Food Bank accepted the proclamation.

“We are honored to accept this proclamation for recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Week,” said NB Housing Partners executive director Kellie Stallings. “Last year, our First Footing Program had over 527 people ask for help, so I am happy that the city recognizes that homelessness and food insecurity affect so many in our community. No one agency or entity can solve food or housing insecurity, which continue to grow as our community grows. The City of New Braunfels, Comal County, and our non-profit agencies must work together to effectively address these social issues.”

In recent years, the annual Point in Time count, which surveys those experiencing homelessness, has revealed alarming trends. Homelessness doubled from 2020 to 2022, increased by 10% in 2023, and surged by 64% in 2024. Last year, the number of unsheltered individuals tripled compared to 2023.

According to the proclamation, “a minimum of 600 will face the devastating challenges of homelessness this year.”

Often intertwined with homelessness, the proclamation also brings awareness to hunger in our community, noting that an estimated 18,000 people experience food insecurity annually.

In 2023, the New Braunfels Food Bank alone distributed over 2.8 million pounds of food to local hungry individuals and families. Additionally, 62% of the food-insecure population in Comal County is above the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) threshold, according to Feeding America. For a family of four, this would mean earning more than $4,125 a month.

The proclamation serves as a call to action for the community to raise awareness, support programs, and advocate for policies to reduce and prevent hunger and homelessness.

“I encourage all residents, businesses, and organizations to recognize the challenges faced by those experiencing hunger and homelessness, support efforts to end food insecurity and homelessness, and create a future where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing,” the proclamation read.

If you or someone you know are experiencing homelessness or hunger, please contact one of the following local organizations that are here to support our community: NB Housing Partners, Crisis Center of Comal County, Salvation Army, Comal Mental Health, the New Braunfels Food Bank, SOS Food Bank, CRRC, Family Promise of Greater New Braunfels, and Connections Individual and Family Services.

As the holidays approach, please consider donating or volunteering your time with these vital nonprofit organizations.

Posted on

McKenna Foundation approves final grants of the year

The McKenna Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved $108,000 in grant funding during the final grantmaking session of the year.

Trustees voted to distribute this amount among nine nonprofit organizations within the McKenna Foundation’s Family Relationships Portfolio. The funding will support initiatives aimed at meeting the needs of our local senior population, children, youth, and families.

One of the organizations receiving funding is the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center (BSBAC), which was approved for $22,500. The BSBAC provides comprehensive programs designed to support older adults, promote independent living, and battle isolation. Serving rural Comal County, the BSBAC also serves approximately 87 individuals through its Meals on Wheels program, addressing seniors’ nutritional needs, health, socialization, and overall quality of life.

Trustees also approved $8,000 of funding for Project 10:27. According to the CDC, socially isolated seniors face a 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 29% higher likelihood of heart disease, and a 32% increased risk of a stroke. Project 10:27 aims to alleviate these risks by reducing loneliness and social isolation among our neighbors through programs that cater to their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

“We are immensely thankful to the McKenna Foundation for their generous support of our mission. This grant not only validates our efforts to combat loneliness among seniors but also invigorates our commitment to this cause.,” said Project 10:27 founder and executive director Shane Carter. “Their partnership is instrumental in enabling us to expand our reach and deepen our impact, ensuring that every senior we serve feels truly valued, connected, and cared for. Together, we are building a strong community where no senior has to endure isolation alone.”

1HOPE for Kids was approved for $10,000 by the McKenna Board. The organization offers foster care services, supporting children and families by recruiting and training foster parents, facilitating matches, providing education, and more. Since its inception, 1HOPE for Kids has licensed over 400 families, served more than 1,000 children, facilitated 340 adoptions, and helped over 480 children reunite with their families.

New Braunfels Angels, a nonprofit based in New Braunfels, will receive $7,500 in funding to support its Dare to Dream program. This initiative provides one-on-one mentorship to foster youth at risk of aging out of the foster care system. With a 72% rise in youth experiencing mental health issues and nearly 50% of local students identified as “at-risk,” the Dare to Dream program aims to provide foster youth with stability, mentorship, and trauma-informed care.

This third and final round of grantmaking for the year concentrated on the Foundation’s Family Relationships Portfolio, which aims at empowering all generations with the skills and support required to strengthen family bonds. Funding areas include child and youth development, parenting support, abuse and neglect prevention and recovery, and senior services.

With the final grants approved, the Foundation has distributed over $1.4 million to local nonprofit organizations in 2024 alone. In June, the Foundation allocated $575,000 in grant funding under its Basic Needs Portfolio, and in August, it distributed $564,000 to nonprofits within the Education and Health Portfolios.

Since 2009, the McKenna Foundation has granted nearly $30 million to local nonprofits. In 2025, the Foundation looks forward to continuing its legacy and investing in local nonprofit organizations to create a lasting impact on the community.

For more information please visit the McKenna Foundation website or follow us on Instagram @mckennafoundation.