In
February 2008, the Polk Bros. Foundation awarded a two-year $100,000 grant to
the Funders’ Collaborative for Strong Latino Communities, an initiative
launched by Hispanics in Philanthropy, a national organization that promotes
partnerships between organized philanthropy and Latino communities. Through the
initiative, local donations are pooled with national funds and re-granted to
support capacity-building efforts of Latino-governed organizations with
operating budgets of less than $2 million. The
goal is to enable these nonprofits to help Latinos become better integrated and
more active in society.
Evette
Cardona of the Foundation’s staff sits on the Chicago chapter’s planning
committee. Between 2003 and 2007, local funders contributed $570,000 to the
chapter, which was matched dollar-for-dollar with national funds. Through
four rounds of funding, 58 grants were awarded to 37 local Latino
organizations working in education, arts, health, social services and serving
newly-arrived immigrant families, day laborers, gay men and lesbians, Chicago
public schools and hometown associations. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000
to $50,000 over one or two years. In addition the Chicago chapter has convened
grantees for training sessions on topics including working with consultants,
marketing, communications, fundraising and board development.
The Latino population in metropolitan Chicago has grown to 1.1 million, 15% of the area's total population. As a result, the Latino nonprofit sector has a key role in ensuring that culturally-competent health and social services are provided to combat the isolation and impoverished conditions that affect recent immigrants and some second and third generation Latino families. Small, under-funded Latino nonprofits that respond to these needs often lack sufficient fiscal management and fundraising knowledge to develop long-range sustainability. The Funders’ Collaborative is designed to complement, not compete with, funders' support for Latino nonprofits. It has become a critical source of capacity-building funds and training.
Related Link:
http://www.hiponline.org/home/Funders+Collaborative