SAN ANTONIO – One month after issuing an open letter asking for financial support amid a major budget deficit, Mayor Jones has revealed that her call to action hasn’t yielded results.

On Monday, Mayor Gina Ortiz-Jones said she is continuing to look for ways to close the city’s projected budget gap without raising property taxes, as conversations continue around her request for private support of community programs.

As of the one-month deadline to secure funding, no nonprofits, businesses, philanthropies, or foundations have offered their support, leaving several city services, programs, and facilities under the threat of budget cuts.

“I appreciate the conversations that have started following my July 24 open letter to businesses, foundations, and philanthropies and how important programs can be supported in our community as the City deals with a $158 million deficit,” Ortiz-Jones said in a statement dated Aug. 24. “While there are no financial commitments at this time, I remain focused on exhausting all possible avenues to reduce expenses and explore revenue options, as raising property taxes on our neighbors during this affordability crisis remains my last resort.”

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The city is facing a projected $158 million budget shortfall in 2027. In response, Ortiz-Jones released a list of 15 organizations she would like businesses and philanthropists to help fund with multiyear commitments.

Some organizations on the mayor’s list are seeking larger amounts. The San Antonio Botanical Garden is listed as needing $1,080,000, while the San Antonio Education Partnership Scholarship & Outreach Program is listed as needing $2,477,814.

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It remains unclear whether the city would step in if private funding is not raised. A request was sent to the mayor’s office asking whether the city will backfill any unmet funding, but we haven’t heard back.

Ortiz-Jones asked interested groups to contact her chief of staff, Andrew Fuentes, at andrew.fuentes@sanantonio.gov by Aug. 21, 2026.

The letter listed the following outside agency contracts and City of San Antonio General Fund FY 2026 budget amounts:

Avenida Guadalupe Association, $142,000.BioMed SA, $100,000.Diez y Seis de Septiembre Commission, $40,000.DreamVoice, LLC (Produces DreamWeek), $175,000.LiftFund, $500,000.Local Initiatives Support Corporation, $250,000.San Antonio Book Festival, $150,000. The letter noted the festival also receives $97,725 in Hotel Occupancy Tax.San Antonio Botanical Garden, $1,080,000.San Antonio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, $300,000. The letter noted the commission organizes the MLK March.San Antonio Education Partnership Scholarship & Outreach Program, $2,477,814.San Antonio Parks Foundation, $125,000.SAWS, Plumbers to People and Laterals to People Programs, $750,000.Siclóvia, $80,000.Supply SA, $200,000.U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Hiring our Heroes (Program to connect veterans, military spouses, and transitioning service members to employment), $150,000.

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It also remains unclear how cuts would disrupt service to these programs, or whether any are at risk of termination due to the budget gap.