Santikos Charitable Foundation donates $1.1M to San Antonio Tricentennial

Grant to invest in local history, education; City of SA turns 300 in 2018

SAN ANTONIO – The John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation on Tuesday donated $1.1 million to the San Antonio Tricentennial.

The donation was announced at a news conference at Santikos Embassy 14 by San Antonio Area Foundation CEO Dennis Noll.

The foundation, a fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation, was created by entrepreneur, real estate developer and movie theater businessman John L. Santikos.

"He (Santikos) would be particularly proud today because in announcing the gift to the Tricentennial, it was a gift of history, it was a gift to the Witte Museum, which he loved," Noll said. "And it was a gift that will entertain people for years and years to come."

The grant, which is the largest gift to date for the Tricentennial, will be used to underwrite an exhibition that will be created by the Witte Museum, Centennial officials said.

The exhibition will reveal the legendary and complex history of San Antonio that will help local residents and visitors learn about the city's 300-year history.

“The Witte Museum is enthusiastic about the opportunity to partner with the Tricentennial and with the Santikos Charitable Foundation,” Witte Museum President and CEO Marise McDermott said. “The Witte Museum will take this opportunity to galvanize the community to contribute to and expand upon the culturally complex and compelling stories of San Antonio.”

The official Tricentennial commemoration will take place through 2018 as a citywide, yearlong celebration.

“The purpose of the Tricentennial is not only to commemorate our 300 years of history, but to help lay the foundation for the next 300,” Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said. “We expect that the impact of the Santikos funding will be tremendous and a true testament to our remarkable history and Mr. Santikos’ legacy.”

“History and education are integral pieces of honoring our 300 years,” Mayor Ivy Taylor said. “The Santikos Charitable Foundation has made a true investment in our city’s past and its future.”

The deadline to submit an application to become a partner is March 1.

For more information about becoming a Tricentennial partner, click here.


About the Authors:

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.