New Braunfels-based McKenna Foundation, the area’s largest nonprofit, described 2024 as a “milestone” year for the organization, surpassing $30 million in lifetime community grants, breaking attendance records at the Children’s Museum, and giving grants to local schools for the first time in its 16-year history.
McKenna CEO Alice Jewell said the foundation had a “remarkable” year supporting nonprofits, building relationships and advancing the well-being of the greater New Braunfels community, including organizations that serve Canyon Lake and unincorporated Comal County.
In a statement, McKenna said the foundation distributed $1.7 million in grants to 30 local nonprofit organizations in 2024.
Nonprofits McKenna supports outside New Braunfels City limits include:
- Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center
- Acacia Medical Mission
- The SHARE Center
- Canine Classmates
- CRRC of Canyon Lake
- H.I.S Centre
- Helping Hands Food Pantry
- Provisions Outreach
- SJRC Texas
- The Hope Center
- Project 10:27
- Comal Conservation
- Texas Ramp Project
- Spring Branch Tennis Center
Some of the biggest grants were $100,000 to NB Housing Partners and $100,000 to MHDD Center’s Crisis Care in Comal County program.
McKenna also recognized three New Braunfels ISD and three Comal ISD schools, handing out $35,000 in grants for creative videos showcasing how students choose to be kind.
The McKenna Events Center in New Braunfels hosted nearly 1,000 nonprofit events, ranging from training opportunities and coalition meetings to various fundraisers and galas.
Through these events, nonprofits raised more than $1.9 million.
The McKenna Children’s Museum welcomed nearly 126,000 visitors in 2024 and hosted 300 educational events.
“It is an honor to be able to provide our nonprofit partners not only with funding but also with a space to gather, raise funds, learn, and grow,” Jewell said. “2024 has been a record year, not only for the McKenna Foundation but also for our partners and community.”
McKenna was established in January 2008 using proceeds from the sale of McKenna Memorial Hospital to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care.
