19. Cody Knowlton: Grantmaking with Purpose—Funding Health, Faith & Community

In this inspiring episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin , we spotlight Cody Knowlton, President and CEO of the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio. Since 2012, Cody has led the foundation in awarding grants to nearly 100 nonprofits annually, impacting healthcare, food security, and faith-based initiatives. With a background in higher education fundraising, Cody brings a unique perspective on both sides of philanthropy—soliciting and granting funds. He shares insights into the challenges of fundraising, the foundation’s most impactful grants, and how faith and strategy drive their mission.

Key Takeaways: ✅ Fundraising vs. Grantmaking: Cody reflects on his years in fundraising and grantmaking, explaining why soliciting gifts is often more challenging than deciding who receives funding. ✅ The Power of Strategic Giving: The foundation has awarded over $100 million in grants while growing its endowment from $150M to $270M, showing the impact of responsible financial stewardship. ✅ Transformative Grants: Learn about the foundation’s first $1M grant to UT Health’s Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s, setting a precedent for high-impact giving. ✅ Faith as a Guiding Principle: The foundation’s mission is deeply rooted in faith, ensuring their work supports not just health initiatives but also the greater good of the community.

Tune in to hear how Cody and the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio are making a lasting difference, one grant at a time.