BPP Member News (2/7)

Arizona Community Foundation awarded $37M in grants. The Arizona Community Foundation and its donors have announced grant and scholarship distributions for the first quarter of its fiscal year. Between April 1 and June 30, 2025, a total of $36,874,565 was awarded from funds of the Arizona Community Foundation and its six statewide regional offices in Sedona, Cochise County, Flagstaff, the Gila Valley, Yavapai County and Yuma. This year’s grant and scholarship distributions significantly surpass the previous year’s first quarter, adding $11 million in impact. ACF and its donors distributed more than $36.8 million across 1,672 grants. Both foundation-directed and donor-advised grants and scholarships were awarded in five... (read more)

Border Security. By Morgan Smith. So Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, as directed by President Trump, has ordered that the border wall be painted black. First, it seems like a gratuitous act of cruelty, using the heated metal as an additional means of controlling the wall and, second, it is an unnecessary expense in a situation that is already well under control. We have a huge and increasingly dangerous national budget deficit and it’s time to stop throwing money at problems that have already been solved. Here is an article I wrote about the wall between Sunland Park, New Mexico and Anapra, Mexico and the expensive enhancements that have been made. It’s 5:30 AM and still dark as we gather at the Sunland Park, New Mexico police station parking lot – Border Patrol (BP) agents, soldiers... (read more)

Piñon Awards honor four Northern New Mexico nonprofits. The Santa Fe Community Foundation has announced the four Northern New Mexico nonprofits that will be honored with this year’s Piñon Awards. The awards, which include an unrestricted $5,000 grant, will be presented Oct. 7 to Free Flow New Mexico, the Friendship Club of Santa Fe, Sunrise Clinics and Amigos Bravos. The organizations were selected from a record-breaking pool of over 130 letters of support for nonprofits in Mora, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and San Miguel counties, according to a... (read more)

Ford Foundation promotes Ximena Andión Ibañez to Regional Director for Mexico and Central America. The Ford Foundation today announced the appointment of Ximena Andión Ibañez as the next regional director of its Mexico and Central America office. She succeeds Helena Hofbauer Balmori, who will dedicate her time fully to her role as director of the Civic Engagement and Government International program, which she helped launch and has led with vision and impact for the last six years. “Ximena brings a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of the region, and proven commitment to social justice,” said Martín Abregú, vice president for international programs at the Ford Foundation. “Her leadership will... (read more)

Nonprofit pilot program brings teachers from Mexico to fill Oklahoma teacher shortage. Three teachers from Puebla, Mexico, are teaching at Santa Fe South Schools for the 2025-2026 school year as part of Fuel OKC’s Oklahoma Teacher Pathway program, which addresses teacher vacancies. A new teacher pipeline program is utilizing international connections to bring some relief to Oklahoma’s teacher shortage crisis. Fuel OKC, an Oklahoma City-based education non-profit, recruited three educators from Mexico to teach at Santa Fe South Schools over the 2025-26 school year. “We know that the most important factor of whether a kid gets a... (read more)

Nominations Open for Heart of Yuma 2025 Spirit of Service Award. Yuma County residents are being asked to help shine a spotlight on the people who make a difference in our community. Nominations are now open for the Heart of Yuma 2025 Spirit of Service Award, which honors individuals who give their time, talents, and heart to improve the lives of others. The Spirit of Service Award is unique—it is the only Heart of Yuma recognition open to public nominations. Community members are encouraged to nominate a local hero whose volunteerism and dedication have had a lasting impact in Yuma County. Winners will be celebrated at the Heart of Yuma 2025 Luncheon, where the community comes together to honor outstanding service and leadership. Nominations can be submitted online through the Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma.

Opinion: U.S.-Mexico sewage deal demonstrates shared responsibility. By Alicia G Kerber Palma. For those who ask if the U.S.-Mexico sewage deal is too good to be true, it is true — and it is more than a to-do list of technical improvements. It is a statement of shared responsibility between two nations that recognizes the urgency of guaranteeing a healthy environment for communities on both sides of the border. The Memorandum of Understanding signed on July 24 by Mexico’s secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, and the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, is historic — not only because it is the first... (read more)

U.S.-México 10K race returns for 10th anniversary in November. The El Paso Community Foundation announced the return of Run Internacional – The U.S.–México 10K, scheduled for Saturday, November 15. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the race, which celebrates binational unity, cross-border collaboration, and community well-being. First held in 2015, the U.S.–México 10K was created to unite two cities and two nations through sport. Over the years, it has become a cherished regional tradition, attracting thousands of participants from the borderland and beyond. Registration opens on August 15, with 2,500 runners expected to participate. The race route begins in El Paso, crosses the Stanton / Av. Lerdo Bridge into Ciudad Juárez, and concludes at the... (read more)

Imperial Valley College and UABC sign cross-border education agreement. Imperial Valley College has signed a -year agreement with Universidad Autónoma de Baja California to strengthen cross-border collaboration in education. The partnership will connect students, faculty, and academic programs between the two schools. The first phase will focus on agriculture, allowing students to earn credit from their home institution while working on binational projects. “Here in the Valley we operate as one region, minus the border, we share a local economy, talent, resources” said IVC Superintendent and President Dr. Lennor M. Johnson. Faculty from both institutions will also... (read more)

The Fight for Mexican Los Angeles. The city’s Mexican consul is trying to protect local immigrants, but there are limits to what he can accomplish. On Monday, July 7th, Carlos González Gutiérrez, the consul-general of Mexico in Los Angeles, was about to start his weekly audiencia pública when he heard a helicopter flying overhead. He began as usual, greeting some twenty or twenty-five community members, who had shown up on the third and busiest floor of the consulate to share their concerns and ask questions. These days, they almost all want to discuss immigration raids in the city and what the consulate can do to protect Mexican citizens. As the gathering went on, González Gutiérrez heard, on top of the helicopter, loud voices and a general commotion outside. He kept talking, standing in front of a... (read more)

Beckham: Rivers know no borders: Why the Rio Grande deserves urgent attention. A guest column from the managing director of North American Development Bank. By John J. Beckham. Last month was National Rivers Month in the U.S. I find this annual celebration, shared by over 60 countries, to be a powerful reminder of the vital role rivers play in our lives. But along the U.S.-Mexico border, where rivers are not just natural features, but lifelines, more than a month is needed to remind our inhabitants of the dire attention our rivers need year-round. Nowhere is this more evident than with the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo, a river that sustains millions and defines a region. The Rio Grande is more than a border; it’s a basin that begins in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and is... (read more)

Mexican consulate in San Diego to offer free legal services to LGBTQ+ migrants. The Mexican consulate in San Diego on Friday announced a new program offering free legal services to LGBTQ+ Mexicans in cases of discrimination and violence. The Special Defense Program for Inclusion, known by its Spanish acronym DETI, is part of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's efforts to protect Mexican nationals living abroad, particularly those who are part of vulnerable minority groups, said Alicia Kerber-Palma, consul general of Mexico in San Diego. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have increasingly shown up in courthouses in search of people in the country illegally. That's one reason why immigrants... (read more)

San Diego Chamber, Consulate of Mexico sign agreement to bolster trade. The San Diego Chamber and Mexican Consulate signed a deal Wednesday to bolster economic ties through trade missions and initiatives. The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate of Mexico in San Diego signed an agreement Wednesday to strengthen economic ties through various trade missions and binational initiatives. The memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday "establishes a strategic framework to advance trade, promote investment, and foster business development throughout the Cali-Baja region," a statement from the chamber reads. "Considering that Mexico is one of San Diego's main trading partners, with bilateral commerce averaging... (read more)

How job losses across the border can affect the US. UTEP’s Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness analyzed data that showed thousands of job losses at Mexican maquiladoras. Trade and manufacturing is vital to the U.S. and Texas economies. The trade route in the Juárez/El Paso area is one of the busiest in the country. But with the current U.S. political climate and international relations, job losses in Juárez manufacturing are rising. That’s according to a published report on the economics of the area by the University of Texas-El Paso. Mayra Maldonado, executive director of UTEP ’s Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, joined Texas Standard to talk about the twin manufacturing plants that are split across the border, the instability of the U.S. market, and tariffs. So these job losses are primarily at… (read more)

Consulates ramp up legal help for undocumented migrants in the US. Foreign minister urges Mexicans targeted by ICE ‘remain silent,’ offers referrals to lawyers, says those leaving US won’t be taxed on belongings. Mexico for months has been preparing for U.S. President Donald Trump’s promised mass deportations of undocumented migrants. Their government has put up massive tents in major cities bordering the United States with cots, meal services and vouchers for discounted bus tickets to Mexican deportees’ communities of origin. Now that migrant encounters at the border have fallen to record lows under Trump and immigration agencies focus on arresting residents who lack... (read more)

State provides $14M for affordable housing projects. A 136-unit apartment complex for low-income seniors and formerly homeless veterans is one of 10 affordable housing projects in the county that has been awarded state funding to help expedite construction. “California is facing an affordability crisis that touches every community across our state,” said Jim Howell, San Diego Foundation’s chief financial officer. “In San Diego, we’re seeing our teachers, nurses, firefighters and essential workers – the very people who ensure our neighborhoods remain safe and vibrant – face enormous challenges in finding affordable housing. The REAP 2.0 funding allows us to accelerate innovative housing solutions to address... (read more)

Alone in court: The U.S. government’s crackdown on unaccompanied migrant kids. This story was co-published with Puente News Collaborative in partnership with palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY). Puente News Collaborative is a bilingual nonprofit newsroom, convener, and funder dedicated to high-quality, fact-based news and information from the U.S.-Mexico border. Immigrant children who crossed the border without a parent or guardian are increasingly in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. That has meant children facing immigration judges without lawyers, and stricter screening processes for releases from shelter custody that have prolonged stays to more than... (read more)

Border factories laying off thousands. Plants streamline operations due to automation, fear of Trump tariffs. Economists at the University of Texas at El Paso report that El Paso and Las Cruces, New Mexico generated 7,200 new jobs during the first four months of 2025 thanks to a strong services industry. But across the border in Juarez, Mexico, maquiladoras laid off thousands, contributing to a 10,600-job loss during that period, according to the latest Paso del Norte Economic Indicator Review published by UTEP’s Hunt Institute for Global Development. It is the 19th consecutive month that Juarez – where U.S. run manufacturing plants employ 261,000 and fuel economic activity in El Paso trucking, warehousing and... (read more)

Asylum Claims. By Morgan Smith. So a federal judge in Washington, DC has struck down the Trump decree halting asylum claims on the southern border. Weren’t asylum claims already halted? Isn’t that why so many migrant shelters have closed? Since 2021, we have been delivering food and clothing to the Respettrans migrant shelter in Ciudad Juárez, one of the few shelters still open. In the process, Recently, we have gotten to know the three women who are in charge there now, Ana Correa, the mother and Emily, her daughter from Michoacán, Mexico and Mariselda from Guatemala. They usually go with us to the Gonzalez grocery store a few blocks away where we can buy much needed food – fresh chicken, rice, cooking oil... (read more)

CBX becomes 1st land border crossing with enhanced face recognition for travelers. The Cross Border Xpress, or CBX, has become the first land border crossing to implement passenger biometric technology and is only one of 12 airport facilities in North America to have it. CBX is a terminal that connects Southern California to the Tijuana International Airport via a pedestrian bridge that straddles the border. It’s been in operation for nearly 10 years processing close to 30 million users since it began operations. As of last week, passengers returning from the... (read more)

Study: California lags behind nation in education, economic well-being of kids. Despite progress in child well-being, students across the country are faring worse in education since the pandemic, according to new data published in the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book. Published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the KIDS COUNT Data Book compares child well-being over the years since the Covid-19 pandemic. The study measured several indicators across four categories — child health, economic well-being, education, and family and community — none of which have yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Since 2019, education has seen the biggest decline. According to the study, preschool participation lags behind pre-pandemic levels, reading and math scores dropped further and chronic absenteeism worsened across the country. In California, three out of four education indicators lag behind the country and have worsened since... (read more)

NADBank to allocate US$400 million to finance water projects in the US-Mexico border region. During the first semiannual meeting of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) in 2025, the Governments of the United States and Mexico. through the Board of Directors. agreed to invest up to US$400 million in priority water conservation and diversification infrastructure in response to prolonged drought conditions throughout the U.S.-Mexico border region. NADBank will welcome input from the public on the Water Resilience Fund (WRF) during a 30-day public comment period, after which the Board will consider its final approval. Through the WRF, NADBank will allocate up to US$100 million in... (read more)

Chief Development Officer Kimberly Kur announces retirement. After 25 years of extraordinary service, Kimberly Kur, Chief Development Officer, has announced her decision to retire from her role on December 31, 2025. Kimberly’s tenure at Arizona Community Foundation has been truly transformational. Her visionary leadership, steadfast commitment to our mission, and gift for cultivating deep, lasting relationships have helped shape the trajectory of ACF and strengthen our impact across Arizona. Kimberly joined ACF in July 2000 as Vice President for Professional Services, at a time when ACF’s total assets under management were approximately $300 million. Her leadership in fund development has been a driving force behind ACF’s remarkable growth to $1.49 billion in... (read more)

Partners or adversaries? By Morgan Smith. “Sir, do you mind if we conduct a search?” the US Custom and Border Protection agent asked me as he and four other agents surrounded my car. “I’m thrilled,” I answered. “I’ve made hundreds of border crossings and this is the first time there has been a check for weapons.” It was Easter Sunday and we were at the Sasabe Port of Entry south of Tucson. I was planning to cross the border, take a few photos in tiny Sasabe which had been the scene of a deadly cartel war a few years ago, and then return to Green Valley where I was staying with my wife. I told the officers how much I appreciated this change of policy as they went through my car, even pulling out the spare tire and looking underneath. However, in subsequent crossings in the... (read more)

Announcing the San Diego Resilient Response Fund. In times of rapid change, nonprofits need support they can count on. The San Diego Resilient Response Fund was created to provide timely, flexible funding for organizations navigating the impacts of shifting federal policies and funding. This fund is a collective effort by local funders to meet the moment with practical support by helping nonprofits stay responsive, resilient, and connected to the communities they serve. About the fund: The San Diego Resilient Response Fund offers short-term, timely support to nonprofit and community organizations facing challenges caused by changes in... (read more)

Farmworkers needed on visa program but they fear they’re in danger because of federal policies and politics. H-2A guest workers are guaranteed premium wages and free housing, but that could change. This story was co-published with Puente News Collaborative in partnership with palabra and the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University at the City of New York (CUNY). Puente News Collaborative is a bilingual nonprofit newsroom, convener and funder dedicated to high-quality, fact-based news and information from the U.S.-Mexico border. Last spring, Carmelo Mendez was pruning peach trees in Colorado on an H-2A visa, missing his children and wife back home, but excited about how his $17.70 hourly wage would... (read more)

San Diego Foundation hits $1.8 billion grant milestone for 50th anniversary. San Diego Foundation has granted over $1.8 billion to nonprofits since 1975, marking a milestone in its half-century community service legacy. The San Diego Foundation has announced that it has granted more than $1.8 billion to nonprofits since its founding in 1975, marking a significant milestone in its 50-year history of community service. The announcement was made during a press conference Wednesday at the Copley-Price Family YMCA, with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe and U.S. Rep. Scott Peters in attendance. "For 50 years, San Diego Foundation has... (read more)

Prebys Foundation Announces $7 Million in Emergency Support for Biomedical Research. As federal funding for medical and life sciences research faces deep and destabilizing cuts, Prebys Foundation is stepping in with a rapid response package totaling $7 million to defend San Diego’s biomedical research sector -- one of the world’s leading innovation hubs. Federal grants have historically provided nearly half of all medical research funding in the United States. This support has enabled transformative advances in drug discovery, fueled job growth, and secured America’s position as a global leader in the life sciences. In San Diego, the impact has been profound, home to internationally renowned research institutes, universities, and biotech startups that together make up a biomedical... (read more)

Cross-border partnership powers $26.9 million wastewater overhaul in Ciudad Juárez. NADBank and the local water utility, JMAS celebrate the completion of the first phase of wastewater system upgrades in Ciudad Juárez. The event was presided over by the Chihuahua Governor, Maria Eugenia Campos, along with Mario Mata, General Manager of Junta Central de Agua y Saneamiento de Chihuahua, John Beckham, NADBank managing director, and Sergio Nevárez, General Manager of JMAS Juárez. With a total investment of US$26.9 million, the full project is being financed through a combination of sources: a US$11.5 million grant provided through NADBank's Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF)—funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by the Bank—, a US$4.5 million... (read more)

Tripper Goodman honored by Rotary Club for decades of community service. A longtime El Pasoan is being honored for decades of community service. Leonard "Tripper" Goodman III, received the distinguished service award from the Rotary Club of El Paso. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the betterment of the community. Tripper is a financial advisor who also serves on several local boards, including the Paso Del Norte Community Foundation. "Tripper exemplifies that commitment to service," Mark Matthys with the Rotary Club of El Paso said. "He has just been unwavering in his support for quality of life initiatives, working on the boards of many nonprofit organizations and... (read more)

Border Report Live: Sister Norma Pimentel. The number of migrants arrested that the border has slowed to a trickle since President Donald Trump took office, and the shelters and nonprofits that help them are now mostly empty. One such center is the Humanitarian Respite Center in downtown McAllen, Texas. During the previous administration, the center took in hundreds of people who were released daily by the Department of Homeland Security. The center provides weary migrants with a meal, a shower, and place to rest as well as a change of clothes and some toiletries before they continue on their journey. But the... (read more)

Arizona Community Foundation and FESAC invest in the Border. ACF is proud to be featured in the latest Bridging the Border Bulletin from Fundación del Empresariado Sonorense, A.C. FESAC for our partnership and investment in the Arizona Sonora Frontera Fund. Spearheaded in part by ACF’s own Adam Lopez Falk, this fund supports sustainable, community-led solutions on both sides of the US–Mexico border. In Ambos Nogales, our co-investment is helping drive real impact supporting programs that tackle food security, public health, and environmental resilience. One powerful example: At Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones (CMTN) the largest family asylum-seeker shelter on the border, FESAC led a campaign to... (read more)

The Future of Migrant Shelters. By Morgan Smith. It seems like just yesterday when my son and I together with Dr. Eva Moya, a professor at UTEP bought a Magic Chef freezer at Home Depot in El Paso, wrestled it into my car and transported it to the migrant shelter, Respettrans in Juárez. That was actually August 2021. Little did we know that this dilapidated looking building just across the international bridge would at times hold as many as 370 migrants, all waiting patiently for their asylum applications. Or that the migrants themselves would run this shelter, given the fact that the founder and leader, Grecia Herrera is a nurse and had to work a day job to survive. Little did we know also that an enormous network of support would develop, led by Dr. Moya in El Paso and a non-profit in Placitas founded by Jack and Cheryl Ferrell and supported by donors from all over New Mexico, including many in... (read more)

Fear and surveillance in the US-Mexico borderlands: ‘There’s a lot more open hate’. Osvaldo Ruiz and a friend were hiking through an isolated stretch of mountains, just a few miles from the sprawling US-Mexico border wall that fringes San Diego, when the federal agent stopped them in their tracks. It was late March, mid-morning, and Ruiz, who works for a local non-profit called Border Angels, was busy. That day he was scouting a new route where his group could leave life-saving water and food for the sporadic waves of migrants who still cross through these desolate borderlands. Ruiz and his friend, a fellow Border Angels member, already knew they were being watched. A helicopter had... (read more)

John Beckham, Managing Director of NADBank, Named One of the South Texas Power Players 2025. The San Antonio Business Journal has recognized John Beckham, Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank), as one of the South Texas Power Players 2025, an honor that celebrates influential leaders shaping the region’s future. This well-deserved recognition highlights Beckham’s outstanding leadership in advancing sustainable infrastructure, green financing, and economic development along the U.S.-Mexico border. Under his guidance, NADBank has strengthened its role as a key player in fostering binational collaboration and investing in projects that improve quality of life in border communities. With this honor, Beckham joins a distinguished group of leaders driving meaningful change throughout South Texas and beyond.

BPP congratulates Andrea Guerrero, Alliance San Diego, for Premio Ohtli. This year the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego awarded the Premio Ohtli to Andrea Guerrero, Executive Director of Alliance San Diego. The award was presented during the 5 de Mayo celebration held in San Diego and the award was presented by Ambassador Alicia Kerber, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego. The award was presented in recognition of Andrea’s distinguished service to the Mexican community across San Diego County. The Premio Ohtli is giving by the Institute for Mexicans Living Abroad and recognizes individuals that create pathways for Mexicans and the Mexican community. This is an extraordinary recognition of Andrea’s tireless advocacy for human rights in our community, says BPP Director Andy Carey. Congratulations Andrea and the entire team of Alliance San Diego, for your work in our community.

Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc announces unique & generous donation by Tru Earth®. On Tuesday, April 22nd, Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc announced that they had received a generous donation from Tru Earth®, a Canadian Certified B-Corporation focused on eco-friendly household cleaning products. The donation of 57,600 “eco-strips” are valued at more than $20,000 and each strip provides enough condensed detergent to clean a large load of laundry! Chiricahua will make these products available to staff, patients and community partners on Earth Day 2025 as they “spread the wealth to reduce the dirt” over the next month. The relationship between Tru Earth and Chiricahua stems from a chance encounter at the... (read more)

Tijuana shelter director continues to adapt to changing border policies in quest to help migrants. As the oldest migrant shelter in Tijuana prepares to celebrate its 38-year anniversary this week, its director is scrambling to budget for its continued operation. Casa del Migrante, an unassuming green and tan building perched on a hillside in the city’s Colonia Postal, has supported people on the move since 1987. This year, according to its director, the Rev. Patrick Murphy, 40% of its budget would’ve come from grants funded through money from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Earlier this year, the Trump administration slashed that funding. Murphy, 73, known affectionately to many as “Father Pat,” said he’s having to... (read more)

Fiscal Year wraps with ACF record high of $136 million in grants, scholarships. The Arizona Community Foundation and its donors and partners are pleased to announce grant, scholarship, and loan distributions for its fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. A total of $135,986,235 was awarded from funds of the Arizona Community Foundation and its six statewide regional offices in Cochise, Flagstaff, the Gila Valley, Sedona, Yavapai County, and Yuma and is the largest yearly award amount in the foundation’s 48-year history. Excluding impact loans, ACF and its donors distributed more than $106.6 million across 7,619 grants. Both discretionary and advised grants and... (read more)

Marathon Petroleum Corporation awards $100,000 grant to Borderplex Connect. The El Paso Community Foundation (EPCF) is thrilled to announce that Marathon has awarded a $100,000 grant to Borderplex Connect in an effort close the digital divide in the community. Borderplex Connect is a supporting organization of the El Paso Community Foundation, and supports a regional coalition of public, private, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to promoting digital inclusion in the Borderplex region. Through outreach, action and advocacy, Borderplex Connect currently serves El Paso (TX) and Doña Ana (NM) counties. “Our partnership with Borderplex Connect, and this supporting investment for Project Overcome, reinforce our commitment to bringing broadband access to those who do not have... (read more)

Proyecto Mariposa takes flight: CVT goes mobile to support asylum seekers. The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) is proud to introduce our new mobile model for Proyecto Mariposa, a Southern Arizona-based initiative supporting newly arrived individuals and families seeking asylum in the United States. In response to shifting conditions on the ground, Proyecto Mariposa has adapted—bringing trauma-informed mental health and case management services directly to people in transit at trusted institutions—including legal agencies, local churches, NGOs, and consulates in Southern Arizona. CVT, which has provided expert mental health care to survivors of torture and trauma for 40 years, launched Proyecto Mariposa in 2020 to support people who have survived violence, including torture, and are now navigating the U.S. asylum system. Many face deep psychological distress from their journeys and detention experiences, compounded by the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

Laredo Area Community Foundation celebrates 20 years of impact! The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership proudly congratulates the Laredo Area Community Foundation (LACF) on its 20th anniversary—two decades of visionary leadership and commitment to strengthening the South Texas border region. Since its founding, LACF has distributed millions of dollars in grants to support education, health, arts and culture, the environment, and social services, The Foundation has played a critical role in amplifying local voices, investing in grassroots solutions, and fostering long-term partnerships that bridge communities across the border. We celebrate LACF’s extraordinary contributions and look forward to the continued growth of its mission-driven impact. ¡Felicidades, LACF! Here's to the next 20 years of community, collaboration, and transformation.

Building capacity and solidarity: Our first wilderness first responder training. We are proud to share that, for the first time in our organization’s history, Border Angels participated in an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training—an essential step toward increasing the safety and preparedness of our team in the field. This training was made possible thanks to the success of our 2024 Giving Tuesday campaign, which raised $13,000 to fund this critical initiative. This month, 29 volunteers from six border aid organizations—including seven Border Angels volunteers—completed the WFR course through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), facilitated by the expert team at... (read more)

El Pasoan returns home to film narratives on U.S.-Mexico border. An El Paso filmmaker is returning home in hopes of “reframing narratives surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border.” The El Paso Community Foundation is welcoming Valeria Contreras back home as the new artist for the Border Art Residency (BAR) for the spring and summer seasons. The BAR is an El Paso Community Foundation project that “enables artists to pursue their craft without the worry of immediate sales or an outside job to pay for housing expenses,” according to a news release by the foundation. The residency provides artists like Contreras a six-month retreat for creative work with a fully furnished living space and work studio in El Paso’s historic... (read more)

Sames Scholars graduation celebrates student success. The accomplishments of graduating students were celebrated during a special ceremony at Texas A&M International University on Wednesday evening, April 23. The Sames Scholars program made their college journey possible, and this celebration highlighted the program’s commitment to helping first-generation and high-risk students achieve their academic potential. According to the Co-founder of the Sames Scholars program, Elizabeth Sames, “It’s about support, because these children, all of them, are the first generation of their family to attend college. We offer a lot of support all the way through high school with... (read more)

Sarah Lyman & Roque Barros on trust, power, and a $7.5M investment. Last week marked a pivotal moment for philanthropy in Imperial Valley as Alliance Healthcare Foundation (AHF) committed $7.5 million to Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation (IVWF) — a shift that transfers roughly 10% of AHF’s endowment into community-led decision-making. To dive deeper into this significant decision, Maria Peinado sat down with AHF Executive Director Sarah Lyman and IVWF Executive Director Roque Barros for a Q&A about the vision, challenges, and impact of this investment. MARIA: Transferring ten percent of your endowment is a very different approach to traditional philanthropic giving. Sarah, why did you feel now was the right time to take this step? SARAH: We’ve always known that the need in Imperial Valley far exceeded the... (read more)

El Paso in focus. As filmmakers and audiences converge on El Paso each year, they’re not just celebrating cinema; they’re embracing the power of storytelling to transcend borders and unite communities. Since its inception in 2018, the El Paso Film Festival has become a cultural cornerstone for the U.S.-Mexico border region, reflecting its vibrant, multifaceted identity. The El Paso Film Festival serves as more than just a celebration of cinema – it’s a vital platform for amplifying the voices of filmmakers whose stories are shaped by the rich cultural heritage and unique challenges of this borderland we call “home.” The El Paso Film Festival continues to shine, earning a spot on MovieMaker Magazine’s coveted list of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.” Founded by filmmaker and... (read more)

Change Makers: Borderland Women in Health. Proceeds support El Paso Matters and Progress321, proud supporting organizations of the El Paso Community Foundation. Twenty women in health, including Paso del Norte Health Foundation CEO Tracy Yellen and past board member Sharon Butterworth, were recognized at the event organized to celebrate the contributions, achievements, talents, and innovations of women shaping the future of the health industry. #healthleadership #womenleaders El Paso Matters Progress321. The 2025 Change Makers event celebrated women in health across the Borderland, offering an exciting and significant occasion dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions, achievements, talents, and innovations of women shaping the future of the health industry. From groundbreaking research to compassionate patient care… (read more)

Paula Cordeiro, a 2025 Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of San Diego County Women of Dedication Honoree. The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary hosted a luncheon to announce the 2025 Women of Dedication. The honorees include Kim Folsom, Colleen Peterson, Paula Cordeiro, Fabienne Hanks, Susan Polizzotto, Susan Davey, Valerie Attisha, Kristie Bruce Lane, Linda Spuck, Julie Dubick, Deanna Mackey and Janean Stripe. The honorees represent San Diego County’s wonderful community, each one of them with decades of public service and personal, often poignant, reasons for volunteering with many different... (read more)

U.S. Consul General in Tijuana visits USD to discuss binational initiatives. U.S. Consul General in Tijuana Christopher Teal visited campus on Monday to engage with students, faculty, staff and members of various campus centers and institutes in a broad discussion about the future of binational programs and initiatives. The visit highlighted the growing relationship between the United States and Mexico, focusing on key areas such as education and cross-border collaboration. Teal began his visit by meeting with the team from The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, part of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES). The team shared details about their programs that promote innovation across the border, including the Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge. The global initiative encourages teams of students from around the world to... (read more)

Less stuff, more joy: The art of simplifying your life. Our co-founder, Deborah Szekely, almost 103 years young, has said, “A simpler life can be the cure for almost anything.” Simplifying, minimalizing, and decluttering are all hot topics these days. Everywhere I look, there seems to be an article, a documentary, or a podcast addressing these topics. There are even reality shows on hoarding. When most of us think of clutter, we think of physical things and possessions. While this is true, Deborah talked about simplifying what we want to spend our energy and brain power focusing on. She has said that one of the reasons she believes she has been blessed with such a long life is that she has learned to let go of things out of her control. Focus on... (read more)

Welcoming new members to our Leadership Council. The Johnson Center is delighted to welcome three stand-out leaders in philanthropy and higher education to our Leadership Council: Victoria Vrana, President and CEO of Global Giving, Eric Pearson, President and CEO of the El Paso Community Foundation, and Jennifer Drake, Ph.D., Acting Provost and Executive Vice President for the Division of Academic Affairs at Grand Valley State University. The Johnson Center's Leadership Council is an advisory group of leading thinkers and doers from across the country. These distinguished individuals support us in ensuring our research and learning practice is both highly relevant to the needs of communities and philanthropic professionals and purposefully leveraged to do the most good. We are especially honored to share this announcement because… (read more)

The world comes to Comic-Con Museum: New exhibits announced at WonderCon. At a WonderCon panel, the Comic-Con Museum previewed two upcoming exhibits, one highlighting the artistic world behind the Mexican pro-wrestling form, lucha libre, and the other celebrating 20 years of Japanese-inspired art and collectibles with tokidoki. The upcoming exhibits are: “Sangre, Sudor, Myth: The Art, Culture, and Heritage of Mexican Lucha Libre” – opening May 22; the showcase for the masked legends of Mexican culture marks the third binational exhibit the museum will open in collaboration with the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego. The immersive exhibit will... (read more)

The Cabalgata Binacional Villista. By Morgan Smith. The plan was to cross the border at Palomas, Mexico, drive south and then intercept riders who were coming north to Palomas for the night. Given the turmoil between our two countries, I wanted to see how these Mexican horsemen and horsewomen would react to an American attempting to interview and photograph them. This was the Cabalgata Binaciónal Villista or Binational Villa Cavalcade, an event I first attended in 2014 and one that may be in danger of extinction. It takes place every year on the Saturday closest to March 9, the day in... (read more)

Celebrating 30 years of transforming health in the Paso del Norte Region. For three decades, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the residents of our binational, tri-state region. Guided by the vision of our founding Board of Directors, we have empowered individuals and communities with the knowledge, resources, and environments they need to live happy, healthy, and productive lives. Established in 1995 with $130 million from the sale of Providence Memorial Hospital to Tenet Healthcare Corporation, the Foundation has grown into a driving force for positive change. Successive Boards of Directors have remained committed to... (read more)

US Consul General Christopher Teal celebrates Ensenada Carnival 2025, promoting binational collaboration. Christopher Teal met with Mayor Claudia Agatón of Ensenada and highlighted the importance of strengthening binational ties. US Consul General in Tijuana, Christopher Teal, attended the Ensenada Carnival last weekend. During his visit, he met with Mayor Claudia Agatón of Ensenada and highlighted the importance of strengthening local ties and working together. US Consul General in Tijuana, Christopher Teal, attended the Ensenada Carnival last weekend. During his visit, he met with Mayor Claudia Agatón of Ensenada and highlighted the importance of strengthening local ties and working together.
The US official emphasized the importance of continuing to prioritize the safety of locals and American tourists who enjoy the beautiful destinations and... (read more)

This Mexican health spa helped shape modern wellness travel. Founded in 1940, Rancho La Puerta pioneered the concepts that define today’s wellness tourism, from farm-to-table dining to mindful movement. Before sunrise, I shuffled into a gazebo, clutching a weak cup of coffee and a portioned banana chunk, joining 15 other guests bundled up against the desert chill. After briefly learning about the 5-mile trail ahead of us, the other hikers suddenly bolted forward in a mad rush for the mountain. Welcome to Rancho La Puerta, where the day begins with gusto at dawn. At this Tecate, Mexico, wellness resort, guests are encouraged, if not explicitly instructed, to join daily early-morning hikes during their week-long stay. As avid hikers (my husband Scott and I had recently completed the 10-day Tour du Mont Blanc in the Alps), we expected a... (read more)

International Women’s Day. By Morgan Smith. I knew Lupe and her husband, Beto when they worked for Pastor Galván at the mental asylum, Vision in Action in Juárez but then they had a falling out with him and disappeared only to reappear running another facility called Punto Zero about eight miles away. We first visited in March 2018 and the conditions were grim. Things got worse with the death of Beto yet Lupe has persevered. Missions Ministries, a powerful non-profit from Colorado that has a headquarters nearby in Juárez has built a bathing and shower facility plus a dining area for Lupe and the Morenos, a father-son team are constructing a website to enable Lupe to raise money. This solid, persistent woman will survive, and she has about 35... (read more)

Molina Healthcare of California to host grand opening of one stop help center for Chula Vista community. Molina Healthcare of California will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening of its new One Stop Help Center in Chula Vista. Molina’s One Stop Help Center is the third community support location to debut in Southern California over the past year. The One Stop Help Center, in partnership with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, Goodwill Industries, La Maestra, Visión Y Compromiso, and Employee Rights Center, offers services including: Health care enrollment support and provider resources for Medi-Cal, Covered California, Medicare, and... (read more)

El Paso Inc. honors El Pasoans of the Year, Community Spirit Award honorees. Through standing ovations and words of wisdom, 500 El Pasoans came together to honor individuals whose work has pushed the city forward. El Paso Inc. celebrated its El Pasoan of the Year and Community Spirit luncheon on Tuesday in Downtown, honoring Josh Hunt, Stephanie Otero and Eric Pearson – the team behind La Nube – and Wayne Thornton. “Now is the time to stand together and be more than just wonderful Americans. Be more than proud Texans. Be great El Pasoans, and look to your fellow El Pasoans and help them through what may be one of the most trying times in our history,” said Eric Pearson, president of the El Paso Community Foundation. Hunt is... (read more)

Bird flu causes CBP egg scramble at the US-Mexico border. Leer en español. Many families have been having a tough time finding affordable eggs at the grocery store. Now, federal officials say they're intercepting a growing number of eggs at the border. An egg shortage in the U.S. is being blamed for the number of eggs from Mexico being confiscated at the border. Avian Influenza, or bird flu, has caused the price of a dozen eggs to skyrocket — if you can find them on retail shelves at all. Two years ago, bird flu caused an egg shortage in the U.S., but there was no shortage at the U.S.-Mexico border. NBC San Diego cameras captured a room full of confiscated eggs from transnational travelers. But egg prices and scarcity are even greater with this most recent outbreak. “It’s probably the worst it’s been in terms of the bird flu,” Joaquin Luken, executive director of the Smart Border Coalition, told... (read more)

Nonprofit Conference: Reimagine! The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is pleased to announce the fifth annual Nonprofit Conference: Reimagine! Recognizing the need to build capacity of nonprofit organizations in the region, the conference provides access to high-level thought leadership and skill-building. The conference is designed for nonprofit executive leadership, staff, and board members, to come together to think, develop, network, and grow. The conference will take place on May 7th and features diverse programming by sought-after nonprofit professionals, philanthropists, corporate leaders and partners. Don't miss this thoughtfully-curated professional development opportunity!

The Trump tariffs. By Morgan Smith. Ever the optimist, I was stunned to see President Trump follow through with his promised tariffs on Mexican products. This is a disastrous and unnecessary move that will have serious long-term consequences for both countries. First, Trump’s major issue has been the alleged lack of control over the Mexican border. Winning the PR battle over the Biden administration helped him win the election but the reality was that by late 2024 Biden had largely curtailed the flow of illegal migrants via his deal with Mexico’s previous president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador(AMLO) to largely shut down Mexico’s southern border; his tightening of the right to asylum; his arrest of a number of... (read more)

One month later, Trump’s threats remain unfulfilled as Mexican shelters sit empty along border. The scenes in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico and in other border cities — from Tijuana to Reynosa —underscore the setbacks thus far of the president’s promise to launch the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. This story was co-published with Puente News Collaborative, a bilingual nonprofit newsroom, convener and funder dedicated to high-quality, fact-based news and information from the U.S.-Mexico border. Mega shelters for deportees set up by the Mexican government along the border sit mostly empty, one month after President Donald Trump threatened “mass deportations” on day 1 of his administration. The scenes in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and in other border cities — from... (read more)

San Diego Foundation announces $335+ million granted for education, children & families, environment through Fifty & Forward Campaign. To date, the campaign is making transformational advances for San Diegans through philanthropy, including a $1 million endowment for Monarch School to support students experiencing homelessness. “If it wasn’t for Monarch staff and community, I’m not sure where I would be at,” said Monarch School alumnus, Jorge Trevino, class of 2020. “They brought a safe place for students of all ages to hang out and learn. The bonds I made with friends and staff from there can’t be replicated. I will always thank Monarch for being part of my life, and I’m proud to have graduated from there.” Monarch School is among... (read more)

Pope Francis encourages South Texas nun to help the unfortunate. Sister Norma Pimentel says she is heartened by a recent letter from Pope Francis condemning mass deportations. Fresh off her trip to the Vatican, Sister Norma Pimentel says she is heartened by a recent letter from Pope Francis condemning the deportation of immigrants. In his letter to U.S. bishops, the pope called the mass deportations a “major crisis that is taking place in the United States.” President Donald Trump has promised his administration will deport millions of immigrants who he says have no right to remain in the country. “The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a... (read more)

IBWC says there's great progress in pollution crisis along US-Mexico border. Mexico's wastewater treatment plant should come back online in March. Progress. You don’t hear that word often when discussing the pollution crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border. However, that’s what Dr. Maria-Elena Giner talked about Thursday ahead of a citizens forum to discuss repairs at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. “We did get our money,” the commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) said. Giner said Congress was able to secure all the money needed to repair the treatment plant in San Ysidro, which is responsible for... (read more)

Regional Center for Border Health breaks ground for new hospital in San Luis, Arizona. A local non-profit health agency breaks ground on the construction of the first rural community hospital in south Yuma County. The Regional Center for Border Health's (RCBH) new hospital in San Luis, Arizona has a price tag of $75 million. Its president says this is a much awaited project. "Way overdue for the families. This is continued to be an expansion in phases that we have done to meet the needs of the community, the families and children of this region," said Amanda Aguirre, Regional Center for Border Health President. Supervisor Tony Reyes of Yuma County adds, "This is one more example of how big San Luis is getting, the south county is... (read more)

A Glimmer of Hope. By Morgan Smith. A man races his bicycle along the narrow highway from Ciudad Juárez to tiny Palomas, among the huge trucks. I give him water, a ginger ale which he gulps down, a bag of almonds but don’t tell him he still has fifty miles to go. His name is Carlos, he’s from Venezuela and he thinks it will be easier to cross at Palomas. At the Tierra del Oro shelter in El Modelo south of Palomas, a family from Michoacán, Mexico has been waiting a year for an asylum appointment. Leonel and his family are from Guanajuato, Mexico and have been in the Punto Beta shelter in Palomas for two months waiting for their asylum interview. They fled Guanajuato because of the violence there. Now they will have to return to it? Two young men, one from Guatemala and the other from... (read more)

UTEP’s Arturo Barrio Named 2025 Presidential Leadership Scholar. Barrio joins network of leaders who will learn from the experiences of four former US presidents. Arturo Barrio, assistant vice president for international relations at The University of Texas at El Paso, has been named one of 57 scholars in the 10th annual class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program. Over the past decade, PLS has brought together more than 500 diverse, established leaders to collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson. The class was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars were chosen based on their leadership growth potential and the strength of their personal leadership projects aimed at addressing a critical... (read more)

Smith: Shelters on the Border. A guest column from Morgan Smith, a writer who visits the border at least monthly to document conditions there and to assist a variety of humanitarian organizations. It’s early afternoon on Thursday, January 23 and my wife and I are at the Respettrans migrant shelter in Ciudad Juárez just across the international bridge from El Paso. Following instructions from Grecia Herrera, the founder and director, we take two young men – one from the state of Michoácan and the other from Guatemala – to the nearby Gonzalez grocery store and load our car with chicken, eggs, beans and rice for the shelter. We’ve been doing this since 2021 and are a small part of a supply chain for Respettrans that begins in Placitas, New Mexico and is essential to the survival of this... (read more)

Arizona Community Foundation seeking philanthropic nominations. The Arizona Community Foundation would like your help in recognizing the outstanding individuals and nonprofit organizations in Sedona and the Verde Valley. Community members are invited to submit a nomination in the following categories: Philanthropist of the Year, Nonprofit Organization of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Business Benefactor of the Year, and Community Collaborator of the Year. The nomination process is simple. Visit azfoundation.org/sedona to submit a nomination online and to find out more about the award categories. Nominations must be submitted before... (read more)

AZ Big 100: 50 Arizona business leaders to watch in 2025. Knowing the business leaders to watch in 2025 is essential for understanding emerging trends, innovation, and market direction. These leaders drive industry transformation, inspire collaboration, and shape the future economy. Staying informed about their vision and strategies offers insights, opportunities, and inspiration for businesses and professionals aiming to stay competitive. Each year, the Az Business magazine editorial board selects the AZ Big 100, the 100 individuals and businesses that will impact Arizona’s economy in the upcoming year. Included as part of Az Business magazine’s AZ Big 100 for 2025, here are 50 Arizona business leaders to watch in 2025: Anna María Chávez. President and CEO / Arizona Community Foundation. Chávez brings over 25 years of experience in education, government, technology and nonprofit organizational leadership and management to her role. Born and raised in Eloy to Mexican-American parents, she learned at an early age the importance of... (read more)

Alliance San Diego's open letter to the community. As the new President transitions into power, fear and anxiety are high. The incoming President has issued a slew of fear-mongering executive orders on day one, including ones that attempt to drive out immigrants and shut down the border. As people who live in the border region, we understand what these actions mean for our families and communities — threats to our ability to go to school, go to work, come home to our families, and visit neighbors in Tijuana. We also understand that these threats have always been present with an inhumane enforcement regime that never truly went away. We as Alliance San Diego will face this moment not... (read more)

Alejandro Olivo Villa begins his term as Deputy Managing Director of the NADBank. Leer en español. Alejandro Olivo Villa assumed the position of Deputy Managing Director of the North American Development Bank effective January 1, 2025. His appointment by the Government of Mexico was ratified by the Bank’s full Board of Directors during its meeting this past November. Mr. Olivo Villa has nearly 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors in the areas of finance, public policy, sustainable investment and global capital markets. Prior to his appointment, he was a senior advisor to the transition team of the Mexican Ministry of Finance and Public Credit. In the past four years he held various management positions at Moody's Investors Service offices in Mexico, the United States and France. He has a bachelor's degree in economics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and a master's degree in... (read more)

A Haven in the desert. By Morgan Smith. It was fourteen years ago when a friend from El Paso suggested I read the book, Murder City, Ciudad Juárez and the Global Economy’s New Killing Fields by the late Charles Bowden. The key section was about a mental asylum called Visión en Acción located in the desert on the west edge of Juárez and founded by an ex-addict and friend of Bowden’s named José Antonio Galván. By chance, Bowden came to Santa Fe to give a lecture. We met and he sent an introduction to Galván. Then on February 24, 2011, Galván picked me up in El Paso in a little red car and we crossed the border and drove to the asylum. He’s a big man, was dressed in black and had a US Special Forces pin in his lapel in honor of his son, José who... (read more)

On US-Mexico border, Catholic leaders prepare for return of Trump anti-migrant regime. The children had already gathered on stage for the praise dance finale of a local community organizing network event when Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller took the microphone and put his arm around Sheila, an immigrant who had told the archbishop she was living in fear of Donald Trump’s second administration. Speaking Spanish, García-Siller asked the crowd of hundreds of Catholics and other people of faith, "What do you want to offer her?" "Justice," someone shouted. "Equality," someone else responded. "We’re with you, Sheila." With President-elect Trump vowing to deport millions of immigrants over the next four years, many communities along the U.S.-Mexico border are preparing to protect residents from... (read more)

Border agency seeks solutions with Mexico on water, sewage problems. On the U.S.-Mexico border, the International Boundary and Water Commission has the unglamorous job of stopping sewage flows and negotiating water disputes. Commissioner Maria Elena Giner has earned allies in long-standing border conflicts, a job that won’t get any easier under Trump. From one end of the U.S.-Mexico border to the other, water and wastewater infrastructure are perennial problems. In the Rio Grande Valley, farmers are running out of time to get more water from Mexico for their crops. In Imperial Beach, California, residents are fed up with raw sewage flowing over the border from Tijuana. The Colorado River states and Mexico are haggling over limited water. In the final weeks of Joe Biden’s presidency, the administration’s record on... (read more)

Healthy Border 2030 unveiled: A bold plan to tackle health challenges along the U.S.-Mexico Border. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has introduced a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming health outcomes along the U.S.-Mexico border. Titled Healthy Border 2030, the framework identifies critical health challenges confronting border communities and offers robust, targeted solutions to tackle them head-on. Covering a region that encompasses 1,954 miles of international boundary and stretches 62.5 miles north and south of the border, Healthy Border 2030 focuses exclusively on the U.S. side, though it heavily underscores the need for binational cooperation. By combining sharp analysis, high-level recommendations, and a... (read more)

Fundación del Empresariado Sonorense celebrates its 25th anniversary. During the event, Socially Responsible Company distinctions were awarded to 80 businesses in the state. As the only community foundation in Sonora, Fundación del Empresariado Sonorense (FESAC) has distributed more than 300 million pesos over the years to support nonprofit organizations in various cities across the state. The Fundación del Empresariado Sonorense celebrated its 25th anniversary in an emotional ceremony that highlighted its achievements, honored the 2024 Socially Responsible Companies, and reaffirmed commitments to continue working for those most in need. Luis Torres Muñoz, Board Chair of the Nogales chapter and state Boad Chair of FESAC, emphasized that their efforts have focused on building partnerships between the private sector and civil society, as well as strengthening... (read more)

2024 International Tribute Awards. Salvador Lopez, Chief Environmental Officer (CEVO) of NADBank to be recognized as International Leader of the Year. The annual International Tribute Awards is the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s signature event honoring outstanding individuals and organizations who have substantially contributed to our region’s international relations and global competitiveness. Attendees will be able to network with business leaders from across the Cali-Baja region. Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. – Networking | 6:00 p.m – Awards Program | 6:30 p.m – Networking resumes. Location: Mingei International Museum | Balboa Park, Plaza de Panama, 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation shares news about its work in Agua Prieta, Mexico. Two volunteer teams built two homes in just two-and-a-half days. Rancho Feliz is committed to changing families' economic outlook by providing safe, affordable housing through our successful volunteer program. A stable home is the foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, offering families the security they need to focus on growth and opportunity. Additionally, Alejandro Perez, Osvaldo Alvarez Leyva & crew are well on their way to finishing the construction of 3 remaining La Hacienda Feliz private Casitas in time for this Spring's volunteer rush. Cruz Camacho Carlos & his bovederos came in from Queretaro to… (read more)

El Paso County receives over $10M to support Paso del Norte Trail. El Paso County recently received $10.1 million to support a 2-mile trail segment of the Paso del Norte Trail in the Lower Valley, completing 7.3 miles of the trail from Fabens to Tornillo, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation announced in a news release. The County received the money from the Transportation Alternatives program, administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Phases 1 and 2 of this trail project, one in Fabens and one in Tornillo, are currently being designed, according to the news release. Construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2026, and the segment connecting the two trails is expected to... (read more)

Shiley STEM Initiative: A transformational gift to USD. Darlene Marcos Shiley has pledged the largest-ever gift to the University of San Diego, and among the largest gifts to any Catholic university in the nation. The transformational gift of $75 million is an investment in USD’s people, programs and facilities. As part of the gift, USD will establish the Shiley STEM Initiative, a comprehensive program that will enhance the university’s existing STEM programs and place it among the top programs nationally for STEM research and education. The gift will also support signature USD programs that have been past beneficiaries of Donald and Darlene Shiley’s generosity.

A home for dreaming in Ciudad Juárez. By the El Paso Community Foundation. In an act of defiance against capitalist forces, artists, activists, and culture workers are reclaiming their right to the city at the Edificio de los Sueños, which is being renovated with Mellon support. Carolina Rosas Heimpel, who co-directs work at the Edificio de los Sueños, speaks of a time when the border city of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico felt different. The city’s Plaza Cervantina—a downtown pedestrian passage lined with commercial establishments made of adobe and brick—was bustling. Workshops, cafes, and art galleries flourished so readily, according to Rosas Heimpel, that people can't help but look back and “remember this time with nostalgia.” That was Juárez more than 40 years ago—before a cocktail of globalization and migration left the city transformed. Between the 1980s and the turn of the century, the population of Juárez nearly doubled, a phenomenon that can be attributed to... (read more)

San Diego Foundation 2024 Annual Report Highlights. Donors and partners like you made 2024 another remarkable year for SDF and San Diego. Dive deeper into the data in the Fifty & Forward Launch and Impact Report, which includes the San Diego Foundation 2024 Annual Report. During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, in partnership with donors, foundations, municipal partners and corporations, San Diego Foundation (SDF) granted $114.5 million through 8,509 grants to 2,313 nonprofits. Of that total, 82% of giving ($94 million) directly benefitted San Diego County nonprofits. With nearly $400 million in grantmaking since July 2021, you and SDF are making progress towards more just, equitable and resilient communities that provide access to opportunity for all San Diegans.

$34.1 million distributed in the second quarter. The Arizona Community Foundation and its donors are pleased to announce grant and scholarship distributions for the second quarter of its fiscal year. Between July 1 and September 30, 2024, a total of $34,147,692 was awarded from funds of ACF and its six statewide regional offices in Cochise, Flagstaff, the Gila Valley, Sedona, Yavapai County, and Yuma. The $34.1 million in both discretionary and advised grants and scholarships were awarded in five strategic priority areas: Health Innovations, Community Improvement & Development, Environment & Sustainability, Arts & Culture, and Quality Education. Health Innovations: A total of $7.2 million was awarded to 512 organizations and programs in the areas of health, health care, medical... (read more)

Cornyn: US-Mexico border region is reaping the rewards of NADBank’s investment in key infrastructure projects. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has applauded the North American Development Bank’s decision to reestablish its Water Infrastructure Fund. He said it is a critical program for municipal and agricultural communities. As the North American Development Bank celebrates its 30th anniversary, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has praised the binational institution for its work along the U.S.-Mexico Border. In a letter dated Nov. 14, 2024, that was sent to NADBank’s leadership, Cornyn said he was honored to work to include the bank’s capital increase in the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement. “I am glad that the border region is reaping the rewards of that funding for much-needed infrastructure,” Cornyn wrote. NADBank’s board of directors… (read more)

Head of renowned migrant center wants to work with new administration. Inside the once-thriving Humanitarian Respite Center in this South Texas border town, the chairs were empty Wednesday and if the staff receives 50 migrants in a day, it’s considered a lot. A couple of years ago, there were over 1,500 asylum-seekers per day crammed into this former nightclub that Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has transformed to offer food, toiletries and loving care to migrants after they are legally released by the Department of Homeland Security. Sister Norma Pimentel, the outspoken Catholic nun who runs Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, says the Biden administration has largely put a stop to migrants illegally crossing in between ports of entry. And if they do “they... (read more)

A lawman’s change of heart. By Alfredo Corchado, Puente News Collaborative. Iconic Texas Sheriff Arvin West was a leading voice against migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. He pushed strict measures favored by former President Donald Trump. But West says his perspective is aligned with what he sees as the reality of the border, his weariness of divisive politics, and the wishes of neighbors who’ve voted him into office. Arvin West is the iconic borderland sheriff in far-west Texas’ deeply rural Hudspeth County. His distinctive drawl and no-nonsense policing have made him a darling of conservative politicians and fellow sheriffs nationwide, who are convinced that migrants... (read more)

Tijuana-San Diego as a creative beacon: Exploring the World Design Capital's growing influence. Global conferences, events, and exhibitions have profoundly influenced the evolution of architecture and design, serving as catalysts for innovation, new ideas, and pivotal debates. Some gatherings, like the historic Congrès International d'Architecture Moderne, have impacted the field. In contrast, others, such as the Venice Biennale and the World Design Capital (WDC), continue shaping the architectural landscape through periodic editions. Initiated in Turin, Italy, the WDC celebrates a different city every two years as a hub of design reflection and creativity. In the latest edition, the binational region of Tijuana-San Diego made history as the first cross-border WDC, emerging as a creative epicenter with a rich, innovative program that warrants... (read more)

An immigration plan. By Morgan Smith. The elections are five days away as I write this and who knows who will become our next President. Immigration has been a major issue, one where rhetoric has won out over reality and where migrants have been unfairly demonized for political gain. In the hope that after the election there will be room for common sense solutions, here is a plan that might clarify the complicated issues. First, in an effort to simplify these issues, I’ve divided migrants into two general groups – those who are currently in the US and those who want to come here. 1. Those who are in the US. a. Roughly 12 million migrants are here illegally, most of whom came legally but then overstayed their visas. The vast majority have families, homes, jobs or... (read more)

The Mellon initiative that’s supporting artists and cultural leaders who are imagining “unbordered” ways of being. Program Associate Casandra Hernandez Faham reflects on the rationale for Mellon’s newest initiative that supports arts and culture work in the borderlands region of the US and Mexico. In October 2024, Mellon announced the Frontera Culture Fund, a $25 million initiative that will amplify the voices of artists and cultural leaders who continue to shape the borderlands as a place of beauty, radical imagination, and collective action. Program Associate Casandra Hernandez Faham details the new fund, outlining how an “unbordered” approach to arts and culture funding can sustain greater creative expression and facilitate stronger transborder cultural networks. What is your personal connection to the US-Mexico borderlands? I come from generations of people who made their lives in the rural borderlands of… (read more)

Fulton Family Foundation donates $500,000 to boost Southern New Mexico economy. Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino announced the Stanley E. Fulton Family Foundation is donating an additional $500,000 to the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico in support of the Fulton Family Foundation Economic Development Retention and Revitalization grant. A check was presented during a press conference Thursday morning. The check was an addition to the $500,000 check donated in 2022. The Stanley E. Fulton Family Foundation was endowed by the late Stanley E. Fulton, long-time owner of Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. “They have always believed in giving back. This is one of many charitable donations that they been engaging throughout heir lives. They also believe in doing well with people around them. They really like this donation going to the small entrepreneurs around... (read more)

Taylor: Strengthening nonprofits through capacity building. I had the absolute privilege of attending Philanthropy Southwest’s 76th annual conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this past week with 550 other professionals. The conference, themed ‘Unity in Action,’ is held each year to foster collaboration in the Southwestern philanthropic sector, providing a unique platform for meaningful connections and shared purpose. This year, I was delighted to discover multiple breakout sessions dedicated to capacity building, with a strong focus on the role funders play in supporting this critical area. Without the resources for professional development and leadership growth, nonprofits cannot fully maximize the investments made by foundations. When nonprofits aren’t operating at their full capacity, the... (read more)

Recap: 2024 Piñon Awards. We are extremely grateful to everyone who joined us in celebration at our 38th Annual Piñon Awards Ceremony last week. It was inspiring to gather as a community to honor, learn more about, and express appreciation for the people and organizations that do so much good across northern New Mexico. In case you missed it, we invite you to watch videos about the work and leadership of our 2024 nonprofit awardees — Bienvenidos Outreach, Lightning Boy Foundation, The Memory Care Alliance, and New Mexico Legal Aid — and browse a... (read more)

10 takeaways from the San Diego Fundraising Conference. The theme of this year's conference was Navigating the Future of Philanthropy. What happens when nearly 800 passionate nonprofit professionals come together to tackle the future of philanthropy? New ideas and strategies to transform communities are born. The 2024 San Diego Fundraising Conference was nothing short of inspiring. Voices from across the nonprofit world exploring both the challenges and opportunities ahead, staying true to this year’s theme: Navigating the Future of Philanthropy. With advice from a diverse range of fundraising experts, there was no shortage of lessons to learn. Let’s dive into 10 of our favorites. 1. Return to... (read more)

Season 2, episode 3 of the Plaza Classic Podcast is now streaming. Join hosts Lisa Elliott and Stephanie Valle KVIA ABC-7 as they talk to El Paso Community Foundation President, Eric Pearson about the restoration of the Plaza Theatre and the creation of the Plaza Classic Film Festival. To listen, visit: https://www.plazaclassic.com/PCFFPodcast or any of your preferred streaming services, such as iTunes or Spotify. The new Plaza Classic Podcast pulls back the curtain on the El Paso Community Foundation Plaza Classic Film Festival. Each 30-minute episode offers free-wheeling conversations with the people who make this summer tradition one of El Paso’s top feel-good events. The 18th annual Plaza Classic Film Festival will be July 17-27, 2025 in and around downtown El Paso’s historic Plaza Theatre. The Plaza Classic Podcast is a coproduction of the El Paso Community Foundation and El Paso Community College.

Texas A&M International University President Dr. Pablo Arenaz has passed away. Dr. Pablo Arenaz, the sixth president of Texas A&M International University, passed away unexpectedly last night. No cause of death or additional information is available currently and funeral arrangements are pending. Chancellor John Sharp of The Texas A&M University System shared his condolences. “Texas A&M International University has thrived under Pablo. He was truly one of the best presidents in the country! He will be difficult to replace as a president and a friend!” Chancellor Sharp said. TAMIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Claudia San Miguel, shared the campus sentiment. “On behalf of all TAMIU faculty, staff, and students we are all profoundly saddened by the passing of Dr. Arenaz. He was kind and generous and a leader... (read more)

Creativity and Cultures in the Borderlands: A virtual discussion. Tuesday, October 22 at 4:00 p.m. (ET). This event is free and open to all. What can we learn from new ideas and new approaches to the arts currently taking place in the region, and from the strength and stewardship of its many different cultures? In a year when both Mexico and the United States are holding presidential elections focused on the political border between the countries, how can we better understand and celebrate the intersection of the arts, culture, and social justice that lives among Borderlands communities? Join Mellon Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander for a discussion with guests whose mission-driven work connects us to the Borderlands: Julián Castro, chief executive officer of the Latino Community Foundation; Dr. Patrisia Gonzales, emeritus associate professor, University of Arizona and advisor to the Indigenous Alliance Without Borders; and Cristina Ibarra, filmmaker & co-founding director of Borderlands Studios. Register here.

Texas Tech Health El Paso receives $5 million for cancer care. Paso del Norte Health Foundation (PdNHF) has announced a $5 million grant to Texas Tech Health El Paso in support of cancer care within the Borderplex community along the U.S.-Mexico border. The grant provides cornerstone funding for the future Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center, to be constructed on the Texas Tech Health El Paso campus, and will support efforts to recruit top-tier cancer specialists. The grant also will fund the hiring of a director for the Patient Support Services Unit, which will focus on providing a seamless patient experience. A longtime supporter of the university, PdNHF previously awarded $11 million to the Hunt School of Dental Medicine and $1.25 million to create a... (read more) dit.

Smart Border Coalition, Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce and San Diego Regional Chamber bring CBP to Borderlands to talk Fentanyl. The week the Smart Border Coalition, the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a public session on the challenges of Fentanyl entering the United States. The session was led by two Customs and Border Protection officials based in New York City and Washington, D.C. Fentanyl is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States that is killing 150 individuals each day. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. According to CBP officials, 2 mg is a lethal amount and just one pill can overdose or kill an individual. CBP officials are working with public, private, and community leaders and stakeholders to help inform about the dangers of Fentanyl in our community. Officials shared that illegal fentanyl is smuggled into the United States from China but has expanded to other countries including Mexico and numerous transit countries around the globe making it difficult to stem the flow of smuggled drugs into the United States. Officials also shared the biggest challenge is the many precursor chemicals used are for legitimate purposes and may be legally imported and exported. Fentanyl is entering the United States through the Southwest Border primarily at the ports of entry, is mailed or shipped through express consignment carriers into the United States. Officials shared the primary ports of entry include Los Angeles International Airport, John F. Kennedy Airport. For copies of the presentations contact info@borderpartnership.org.

Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego presents award to Rafael Fernández de Castro. Last week, during the commemorative event for the Mexican Independence in the City of Chula Vista, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego Alicia Kerber presented the "Distinguished Mexican" award to Rafael Fernández de Castro from the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at UC San Diego. Rafael Fernández de Castro is a professor, Aaron Feldman Family Chancellor's Endowed Chair in U.S.-Mexican Studies in Memory of David Feldman, and director of the school's Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX). A former foreign policy adviser to President Felipe Calderón, he is an expert on bilateral relations between Mexico and the U.S.

Call for Applications: 2025 Mellon-Fronteridades Undergraduate Internship Program. The Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry invites undergraduates from the University of Arizona interested in gaining a critical understanding of the U.S.-Mexico border region, its complexities, and its cultural diversity to submit an application of intent for the Fronteridades Undergraduate Internship Program. The program, funded by the Mellon Foundation, aims to foster and promote scholarship and creative activities that explore, analyze, and elevate this region's lived experiences and cultural resources. It also lays the foundation for a university-wide service-learning program based on reciprocity by connecting U of A undergraduate students with community arts and... (read more)

The Puente News Collaborative expands to report on the entire U.S.–Mexico border. “If you look beyond the wall, you really see these two vibrant communities that are involved in each other’s lives and the integration between them.” In February, seasoned immigration and border reporter Alfredo Corchado took on a new challenge: covering his home. Corchado, a native of El Paso, Texas, is now the executive editor of the Puente News Collaborative, a bilingual nonprofit journalism initiative funded by the El Paso Community Foundation to report (and fund reporting) on both sides of the 1,954-mile border that separates Mexico and the United States. Its current publishing partners include local... (read more)

Smith: Anapra and Sunland Park, a microcosm of the border. A guest column about immigration by Morgan Smith, a Santa Fe-based retired lawyer and government official. After almost ten years of documenting conditions in the Juárez area and assisting a number of humanitarian organizations there, we began focusing on migration issues in 2019 as the surge was beginning. Wondering how migrants were crossing the wall between Anapra, Mexico and Sunland Park, New Mexico, we followed a narrow dirt road on the US side until suddenly the wall just ended at the beginning of the long slope up Monte Cristo Rey. This was April 19, 2019. Driving back along the wall, we stopped across from Anapra and a group of women and children suddenly appeared on the Anapra side. This began a... (read more)

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