Access to a facility is the key to any successful ministry. Travis Park UMC has addressed inaccessible spaces in our beautiful historic building for years. Within the last three years we realized the Otis Elevator, about 67 years old, was “retiring”, but replacement costs were close to $400,000. The Grant Team had formed before the need was evident. The purpose was to search out funding organizations to enhance the Travis Park Church ministries and campus through grant funds.
The beautiful news is we received $250,000 from Methodist Healthcare Ministries last week to round out the funds we need to replace the elevator!!!! In the Fall of 2024 we received $125,000 from the San Antonio Area Foundation, specifically the John Santikos Foundation for elevator replacement costs. The elevator vendor is ready to begin the work very soon. This means that ALL floors will be available for ALL people who enter our building!
Additionally, we have received the following grants in 2024-25:
$18,000 from the City of San Antonio Community Action Fund Neighborhood and Community/Business Grant Program to ensure “citizens” like Travis Park United Methodist Church can operate their physical plant in the most sustainable manner. The funds were used to defer the costs of the Basement HVAC replacement.
$10,000 from the Conservation Society of San Antonio through its Community Building Grant Program for the exterior restoration or rehabilitation of residential or commercial historic structures in the San Antonio area that are at least 50 years old.
$150,000 for the Non-Profit Security Grant through the Office of the Texas Governor and funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”). The funds were used to secure the Church Building by: the installation and monitoring of security equipment, video monitoring, lighting and access for authorized individuals replacing doors and locks; paying for Security Guard services; employment of a Security Consultant on one time basis to assess vulnerable areas within the Church and provide solutions for areas not addressed by Physical Security Enhancement Equipment.
Just recently we received notice that we will receive $200,000 for the Supplemental Non-Profit Security Grant through the Office of the Texas Governor and funded by FEMA. We will be able to secure the nursery, the children’s wing and pay for security guards.
A few of the grants fund by reimbursement, meaning we pay for the work and then receive payment.
If you see any of the listed Grant Team members, please thank them for serving: Paula Stallcup, Leanne Lindsey, Pastor Cynthia Engstrom, Rev. Bob Clark, Phil Watkins, Elise Powers, Larry Fay, Kevin Moriarity, Sally Cook, David Stone, Linda Gill and me, Beth Smith. If you have the gifts of searching for grants, gathering data, completing the grant application by telling the Travis Park Church story and thanking God whether the grant is provided or not, please let me know and you may join our team.
To God be the glory for providing funding that allows us to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in the heart of San Antonio.
Serving with thankfulness,
Beth Smith