SAN ANTONIO – Nearly 400 nonprofits across South Central Texas are preparing for The Big Give, a 24-hour fundraising event supporting organizations that serve communities throughout the region.
The fundraiser begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday and ends at 6 p.m. Thursday. This year, 396 nonprofits are participating, including education advocates, family shelters and animal rescue groups.
One of those organizations is the Healy-Murphy Center in downtown San Antonio. The center helps teens earn their GED or high school diploma and provides day care and health services.
Healy-Murphy has served San Antonio since the late 1800s, with a longstanding mission of supporting minority communities. The organization serves an average of 250 students each year with a budget of less than $4 million.
This year, the center hopes to raise $20,000 through The Big Give. Last year, it raised about $15,000 toward a $25,000 goal.
The San Antonio city budget has not been finalized, but Healy-Murphy leaders are concerned potential cuts to nonprofit funding could further affect the organization’s work.
Donations made through The Big Give are unrestricted, meaning the center can use the money where it is needed most.
“If you can spare buying a burger and a combo meal, which nowadays is like $18 or even $20, it seems like, if you could spare just one combo meal a month, that would be helpful,” said Gustavo Cordova, CEO of the Healy-Murphy Center. “Believe it or not, every dollar counts.”
Two Healy-Murphy students also shared how the center helped them overcome challenges, heal from trauma and graduate after traditional school was not working for them.
Sayse Jackson graduated from Healy Murphy Center in 2023. She remembers what she was like when she walked in, “coming from a broken household and as a cancer survivor. I was carrying a lot bondage, a lot baggage.”
She’s now attending her dream school UIW and pursuing a medical degree. “When I came here, I had no idea what was awaiting for me on the other side of these doors,” she said.
Gianna Rodriguez a current student felt lost in at her former high school. “Healy Murphy has given me the opportunity to teach me lessons about myself that I didn’t even know, and it’s helped me honestly find myself, because when I came here, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I kind of gave up on myself a little bit.” She says that’s changed for her.
People interested can browse the participating nonprofits and donate through The Big Give website.
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