The Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio announced Friday that it has secured up to $350,000 in funding from the Inner City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ). The money provides a full year’s runway for the East Side clubhouse, allowing the nonprofit to continue offering after‑school and in‑school programs to the 68 children currently registered there.
Funding sources and community support
In addition to the TIRZ allocation, the Club received private donations from local benefactors including Harvey E. Najim, Valero, the Malú and Carlos Alvarez family, and H‑E‑B. CEO Debbie Powell, who took the helm in July, said the influx of cash comes after she inherited less than a month’s worth of operating expenses.
“When I stepped into this role, I knew our first responsibility was to the families who depend on us,” Powell said in a release. “We built a strategic, right‑sized plan centered on those families; one designed to keep our doors open, not to retreat from our community.”
What the funding means for families
The TIRZ board ratified the funding after the San Antonio City Council approved the allocation earlier in the day. Powell explained that the Club will use the money to maintain existing literacy, workforce‑readiness, and enrichment programs while tailoring delivery to the specific needs of each neighborhood.
“As we build our plan and capture the voice of the community, we may adjust the approach, but the core services—literacy, job‑training, and youth activities—will remain,” she said. The Club also plans to form a community council to ensure ongoing input from parents and local leaders.
City officials back the effort
Councilman Jalen McKee‑Rodriguez, who represents the East Side district and chairs the Inner City TIRZ board, praised the partnership. He noted the funding was intended to cover roughly six months of operating costs, giving the Club a cushion to stabilize operations.
“There’s a citywide commitment to ensuring the Boys & Girls Club can sustain and operate,” McKee‑Rodriguez said after the board meeting. “They’ve done a great job fundraising since the 15th, and I look forward to the new leadership using these resources as a seed for continued community impact.”
Other club locations
While the East Side clubhouse will stay open, the Rayburn Clubhouse on the South Side is still slated to close, with its children being placed into San Antonio ISD after‑school programs. Similarly, Harlandale ISD in‑school programming is ending, and those students will also transition to district‑run after‑school options.
Despite those closures, the Club’s overall mission remains intact. Powell emphasized that the organization’s focus is on serving families wherever they are, whether in a dedicated clubhouse or through school‑based programs.
Looking ahead
The newly secured funding gives the Boys & Girls Club a solid foundation to continue its work as a trusted community anchor. By keeping the East Side clubhouse open, the nonprofit safeguards a safe, structured environment for children after school—a critical support for working families across San Antonio.
Local leaders and donors alike see the Club’s stability as a testament to the power of faith‑based, family‑centered philanthropy working hand‑in‑hand with government resources to strengthen neighborhoods.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
