Strategically Furthering Purpose and Impact

As CEO of Knapp Community Care Foundation, Yvonne “Bonnie” Gonzalez applies forward thinking to bring more funding to better the health of Rio Grande Mid Valley communities in holistic and sustainable ways.

The Knapp Community Care Foundation, a health conversion foundation created in late 2012, provides grants for services within the Rio Grande Mid Valley. As a legacy foundation, they have to invest in health-related activities. Bonnie came on as CEO in late 2013.

Under her leadership, the Knapp Community Care Foundation moved from a charitable organization mindset to one that is strategically philanthropic.

The board, all from the Mid Valley, is keen on prevention and wellness, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and related activities. Bonnie used her networking and connections to bring new philanthropic capital into the community, and she works diligently to encourage continuing education for her staff and board.

The foundation connected with large and small nonprofits, South Texas leaders, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to learn about the health problems plaguing the community.

Long-term investment is essential and the foundation’s strategic plan has centered funding on diabetes and obesity prevention projects for the last four years. Significant investments include: genomic research with the South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute; grants to the Boy and Girls Clubs, the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association and the Valley Nature Center; as well as health-related education, and hike and bike trails.

In eight years, the Knapp Community Care Foundation has committed over $31MM for prevention and wellness, direct health services, and behavioral health. Bonnie recognizes that this “can only be achieved by creating relationships with partners who strive to make holistic and sustainable change in the community.”