What is Carlos Santana's Milagro Foundation and why was it started?
Milagro (“Miracle”) is a charitable foundation that supports under-resourced children and youth in the areas of arts, education and health. The Milagro Foundation was started in 1998 by Carlos Santana and his family to benefit children around the world. The Santanas realized they needed a foundation, a small staff and a Board of Directors to manage the number of personal requests for help they received on a daily basis.

Is there a connection between Santana concerts and the Milagro Foundation?
Yes. Fifty cents (50¢) of your concert ticket is donated to Carlos’ Milagro Foundation which is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children. Should you prefer not to donate, please visit our website milagrofoundation.org/refund.aspx to obtain a refund of your 50¢ donation.

How does Milagro fulfill its mission of helping young people?
The foundation makes grants to organizations that work with children and youth, especially those at risk and disadvantaged due to such factors as poor health, illiteracy, or insufficient educational and cultural opportunities.

What are the priorities in Milagro's grant making?
Milagro focuses upon three areas: (A) helping children and youth live healthy lives through education and prevention of disease; (B) helping live literate lives through learning; and (3) helping live culturally enriched lives through arts education.

Priority is given to programs that can prove to make a lasting impact on children (those that work with the children for two or more years) and programs or projects that show collaboration between and among more than one agency. 

Our educational mission is to support San Francisco Bay area agencies that encourage college access and aspirations among underserved children to close the achievement gap and break the cycle of poverty. Our health focus is on disease eradication and mental health in the San Francisco Bay area, nationally and internationally. We will also focus on additional projects that are important and personally meaningful to Carlos Santana.

In what communities does Milagro support work with young people?
The Milagro Foundation supports children and youth in the San Francisco Bay area, the United States and countries around the world touched by the music of Santana. Currently the focus will be in the San Francisco Bay area, Las Vegas where Carlos Santana has a residency at the House of Blues, as well as international global health.  

Does the Milagro Foundation accept grant applications?
No. In 2006 after 8 years of the foundation's work, it was decided to no longer accept unsolicited grant applications.

Why has the Milagro Foundation stopped accepting grant applications?
The Executive Director received over 3000 grant requests that met our mission each year, 99% of which had to be rejected due to funding restrictions. Focusing staff time on being proactive, rather than reactive will allow us to concentrate our time and resources on our mission to serve children.

How will Milagro find new grant recipients?
Since 1998, Milagro has funded hundreds of organizations around the world, some of which we will continue to fund after more thorough research and investigation on the long term impact the agency's projects have on children's well being and growth. New projects will be discovered through research by Board members and staff, following and upholding the mission of The Milagro Foundation.

What are the sources of Milagro's funds?
The Milagro Foundation is a public foundation. Funds are generated by concert ticket donations, revenues from Santana licensees, and generous individual and corporate donors. 

How can one contribute to the charitable work of Milagro?
Milagro is a public charity and must continue to demonstrate public support in order to carry on its philanthropic efforts. Therefore contributions are welcome and may be sent via our website, by phone or directly to the foundation office. These donations will be acknowledged in writing. Please do not send cash. Tax deductions may be made to the extent permitted by law.

Who is eligible to apply to The Milagro Foundation?
Since 1998, Milagro has been making grants in the United States to grass roots federal tax-exempt 501©(3) nonprofit organizations as well as non-profit foundations outside of the U.S. 

How does a nonprofit organization apply to Milagro?
As of November 2006, Milagro is no longer accepting unsolicited grant applications.

Is there a requirement for evaluation of the grant?
Typically a one-year project will require a written report at the end of the grant or in connection with a final installment payment. Photographs and/or video/cd are also required at the end of the grant project. Milagro also reserves the right to conduct its own evaluation of any project supported by foundation funds.

How often does the Milagro Board of Directors meet?
The Milagro Board of Directors usually meets in the fall and spring.

Does Milagro permit presentations to the board of directors?
No. The only available contact is through submitted materials if an applicant is requested by the foundation. If selected applicants have questions they may contact staff at the Foundation office.

If you have been funded for one year, what do you need to send for your final report?
1. A final report questionnaire will be sent to you which consists of nine questions that will measure the long term impact of your project.
2. A copy of your actual expenses versus budgeted expenses for the most recently closed fiscal year.
3. We want you to know that we appreciate receiving photos of our grantees for possible use on our website and social media. If you have one to three photos that you would like to include, please do so with a brief letter signed by your executive director indicating that we have permission to use these photos on our site. We understand that there can be issues of confidentiality associated with your clientele; submission of photos is completely optional.

Photos can be sent via email (in TIFF or JPEG format) to info@milagrofoundation.org or mailed.

As we continue to select our grantees for the future, we use the work of our prior grantees as a measuring stick for excellence and dedication.

Does Milagro handle requests to Carlos Santana or the Santana organization for appearances, fund-raisers, merchandise, etc.?
No. The Milagro Foundation is a public charity, not a music organization. Any calls, questions, ticket orders, merchandise orders or other communications should be directed to Santana Management at santana.com.

How do I contact the Milagro Foundation?
To contact us, you may either send an email to info@milagrofoundation.org, call us at 415-460-9939 or write to us at 5 Mitchell Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94903.

What is included in the work at the Foundation?
Today, staff manages all grant requests and benefits for Milagro that involve Carlos Santana as well as working with Santana management on licensing agreements that support Milagro. Staff consists of an Executive Director and an Associate Director.