New Report Details U.S. Foundation Funding in Latin America

(Press release, Nov. 18, 2014) — Major U.S. charitable foundations made grants for Latin America totaling $1.7 billion from 2010 to 2012, according to a report released by Foundation Center, Hispanics in Philanthropy and Seattle International Foundation. The report, titled “U.S. Foundation Funding: Latin America, 2010 to 2012,” also details grants made specifically for Central America. From 2010 to 2012, 138 foundations awarded 909 grants for Central America totaling $488.4 million. These grants were awarded to organizations in Central America for work in the region or other parts of the world, as well as to recipients located outside of Central America with international programs targeting Central America.

“As our report shows, U.S. philanthropy is making significant investments in Central America, even though funding for Latin America remains less than 10 percent of all international grants,” said Mauricio Vivero, CEO of Seattle International Foundation. “This report underscores the need for the U.S. government to engage with private philanthropy, and other private donors, as it seeks to prepare a new strategy and increase aid to the region."

On Friday, the presidents of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, along with Vice President Joe Biden and Inter-American Development Bank President Luis Alberto Moreno, presented a plan to enhance prosperity and prevent violence in the Northern Triangle. The plan focuses on stimulating the productive sector to create economic opportunities; building human capital; improving public safety and enhancing access to the legal system; and strengthening civil institutions. The plan will require support and guidance from the United States and other allies to ensure its successful implementation. As demonstrated by the report, leveraging existing investments by U.S. foundations would be a valuable addition to that effort.

In response to the plan, this week, civil society organizations in the United States and those that work in Central America signed an ad that will run in the major newspapers in each country. The ad outlines the “smart investments” that should be made in the region to ensure a prosperous and safe future.

“The Civil Sector has an important role to play in resolving persistent poverty, advancing human rights and addressing impunity,” said Diana Campoamor, CEO of Hispanics in Philanthropy. “Citizens of conscience, church and nonprofit leaders, with support from governments and the private sector, are a critical part of any long term solution in the region.”