Communities In Schools of San Antonio Receive Historic $7 Million Donation to Help Local Students

One-Time Gift is Part of Transformative $133.5 million Donation from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to the Communities In Schools National Network

SAN ANTONIO – Today, Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA), the local affiliate of the national organization working to ensure every student, regardless of race, zip code, or history of marginalization has what they need to succeed in school and beyond, announced it will receive an unprecedented $7 million contribution to support the increased needs of students throughout San Antonio who are overcoming obstacles to learning.

This gift is part of a transformative $133.5 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to the Communities In Schools Network and National Office. In addition to the CIS National Office, 40 affiliates of the 110 organizations in the CIS Network, were also direct recipients of the MacKenzie Scott donation.

In a time when the global pandemic has created unparalleled challenges for students and families, including experiences of social isolation, economic crisis, stress, and trauma, this investment will help CIS-SA to carry out its cause to build sustainable systems of support for the
students and families that would otherwise be left behind.

“These past few years have been challenging for everyone and our kids are working hard to overcome the negative impact that a pandemic has created in their life,” said Jessica Weaver, CEO of Communities In Schools of San Antonio. “Our staff has been up front supporting our kids
and families through it all and this investment is such an incredible lift to the work we have done in schools for the last 36 years and the work we continue to do.”

“Today is an important day for students who are underserved, under-resourced, and in need of supports to build a brighter future,” said Rey Saldaña, President and CEO of Communities In Schools National Office. “This unrestricted gift allows us to combat the inequities in public
education and reimagine the way schools operate and show up for all students. Our National goal is to bring our model inside of every one of the 70,000 Title I-eligible schools in the country; currently, we operate in 3,000 schools – so we still have a long way to go, and we will need ongoing support to get there.”

An investment in CIS to use its model and evidence base to help students overcome obstacles to learning is tremendous fuel for impact, infrastructure, and the people working inside schools. However, it does not change the reality of the continued work ahead, and the public and
private partnership that must remain true.

For three decades, CIS-SA has demonstrated measurable success in student outcomes. In the 2020-2021 school year, 100 percent of students enrolled in CIS-SA’s programs remained in school, with 98% of K-11 students being promoted to the next grade, and 90% of seniors graduating or receiving a GED.

CIS believes that transformative relationships are key to unlocking a student’s potential. Our school-based staff works inside schools in partnership with teachers and parents to help address the non-academic needs of students. CIS coordinates with schools and local service
providers to meet the needs of students and families, as well as providing critical resources, like food, housing, healthcare, counseling, access to remote technology, and more so that students (and educators) can focus on academics. By identifying the points of challenge for students in
their personal lives, CIS staff helps to empower students to move beyond the barriers they face in the school building and in the community.

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About Communities In Schools of San Antonio
Communities In Schools of San Antonio® (CIS-SA) is part of a national organization that ensures every student, regardless of race, zip code, or socioeconomic background, has what they need to realize their potential in school and beyond. Working directly inside over 160 schools across 12 districts, we connect students to caring adults and community resources that help them see, confront, and overcome the barriers that stand between them and a brighter future. Together, we build a powerful change movement made up of peers, students, and alumni committed to building an equitable path to education for future generations. For more information on CIS-SA, visit cissa.org.

Media Contact: Anamaria Suescun-Fast | anamaria@talk-strategy.com | 210. 363.2673