By Jeff Brumley
Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio said it awarded almost $6 million in grants during 2012.
The amount — $5,839,804, to be exact – represents a 3 percent increase over last year and brings total grants given since 2005 to $36.7 million, the agency said in its news release this week.
The rise came not only in spite of a sluggish economy, but because of it, said Cody Knowlton, the foundation’s president and CEO.
“Trustees understood that most San Antonio area organizations faced a decline in donations again this year,” Knowlton said.
He said 82 agencies in an eight-county area received grants this year.
Earlier this year, the foundation awarded $1,047,284 in scholarships to students pursuing careers in health-related fields, and its mini grants committee doled out more than $173,000 in grants of $7,500 or less to grassroots health initiatives. The mini grants are included in the $6 million awarded this year.
Recipients work in a variety of fields, including clinical, educational, spiritual and scientific, Knowlton said.
What they have in common is a commitment to “improving the health of our community . . . while honoring God and our Baptist heritage,” he said.