Eric Castillo and Domingo Figueroa, both with the Alamo Colleges District’s San Antonio Peace Center and the Arts, Culture, and Community Impact team, brought our briefing on these extraordinary grant opportunities that seem to be designed for-Just-U.S.!
Quick recap
The meeting focused on the launch of the Weaver Awards program, a new social impact initiative funded by the Aspen Institute and administered by the Alamo Community Colleges District and San Antonio Peace Center. Eric Castillo and Domingo Figueroa presented details about the awards, which will provide $5,000 Community Impact awards and $2,500 Community Innovation awards to 20 local individuals or organizations in San Antonio. The awards aim to support community building and relationship-building efforts that meet four key criteria: being local, mutual, continuous, and welcoming. Applications opened on June 1st and will close July 31st, 2026, with awardees being notified in November and funds dispersed by December 18th, 2026. The program represents a four-year commitment to supporting community weaving efforts across the country, with 25 organizations selected nationwide.
Collaboration
- Eric Castillo and Domingo Figueroa: Drop the application and nomination links for the Weaver Awards in the chat for all attendees.
- All interested applicants: Submit applications for the Weaver Awards via the open water portal by July 31st, 2026, ensuring to include required recommendation/nomination and budget documentation if applicable.
- All interested nominators: Nominate candidates for the Weaver Awards, coordinating with nominees as appropriate to strengthen applications.
- Eric Castillo and Domingo Figueroa: Provide support and information to applicants regarding the application process, including guidance on fiscal sponsorship for those needing assistance with tax implications.
- Eric Castillo and Domingo Figueroa: Notify awardees in November 2026 and disburse funds by December 18, 2026.
- Awardees: Attend quarterly meetings with Alamo Colleges District and submit mid-award and post-completion summary reports as required.
- Martha Spinks and Bob Hotard: Present at next week’s “At the Intersection” meeting about their work on community weaving and collaboration.
Summary
Work Speed and Balance Discussion
The group discussed the importance of finding the right balance between speed and careful consideration in their work. Ann emphasized the need to move slowly enough to avoid missing opportunities while maintaining the necessary urgency. The meeting included an announcement about the upcoming Sacred Roundtable scheduled for next week from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., which will follow up on the previous Action Lab focused on mental health.
Storytelling and Health Initiatives
Ann announced a 90-minute roundtable session focused on how to tell stories and get traction for action plans, particularly highlighting a project by high school students on young people’s mental health and the environment. Eric shared information about an upcoming art exhibition of Flaco Jimenez at Alamo Community Colleges District from June 25th to July 31st, noting that art engagement can benefit health and well-being. Ann also reminded attendees about the Pathways to Hope event scheduled for August 28th and 29th.
Weave Awards Grant Program Presentation
Dr. Eric Castillo and Domingo Figueroa presented on the Weave Awards, a grant program through the Aspen Institute that supports community members building social connections and repairing social fabric in San Antonio. They explained that the program funds local, mutual, continuous, and welcoming community projects, with awards available for individuals, collectives, community groups, and small nonprofits with budgets under $250,000. Anyone in San Antonio can recommend candidates for the awards, with some restrictions on close relatives and financial contributors.
Weaver Awards Application Period Announced
Domingo and Dr. announced that the Weaver Awards applications opened on June 1st and will close on July 31st, 2026, with awards ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 and 20 total awards to be given. The applications will be reviewed by the San Antonio Peace Center Advisory Council, with awardees notified in November 2026, and funds will be dispersed by December 18th, 2026. The awards are categorized into Community Innovation and Community Impact categories, with requirements including residing in San Antonio, Texas, and providing a recommendation if nominated.
Weaver Awards Grant Funding Discussion
Dr. explained that the Weaver awards grant will provide four years of funding, with the first two years coming from the Aspen Institute and the remaining two years from the Alamo Community Colleges district. Bill asked about the relationship between nominations and self-applications, and Dr. clarified that while nominations can serve as recommendation letters, applications must still be submitted by the individual candidates. Dr. also addressed questions about eligibility, explaining that organizations must have budgets under $250,000, and confirmed that individual students could apply for projects even if partnering with organizations.
Weave Awards Grant Application
The meeting focused on the Weave Awards program, which provides funding to community-rooted organizations through 25 organizations across the country. Dr. explained that Alamo Community Colleges District applied for the grant as part of their mission to eliminate poverty through education and training. The application deadline is July 31, with decisions expected by the end of November 2026 and funding to be distributed by December 18th 2026. Ann announced that next week’s meeting will begin a new series focusing on organizations doing community advocacy and protest work, with Martha Spinks and Bob Hotard scheduled to present on community collaboration efforts.