BPP Member News (5/7)

Kroc IPJ announces Border Fellows Program 2022. Join the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (Kroc IPJ) on May 27 at 5:30 PM for an info session on the non-residential Kroc Border Fellows Program. Selected Fellows will receive an $850/month fellowship & $5K grant to support their work. For this year’s call, letters of interest are due on June 13 and Kroc IPJ is seeking applications from individuals living in Southern California or Baja California and working to address issues of chronic violence in the cross-border region. Register for the May 27 info session to learn more. You can also meet this year’s Kroc Border Fellows here.

NADBank Board of Directors Public Meeting, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. The North American Development Bank (NADBank) cordially invites you to attend a hybrid public meeting of its Board of Directors, either in person or by videoconference, on Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. NADBank is an international financial institution established by the United States and Mexico for the purpose of developing and financing environmental infrastructure projects within the U.S.-Mexico border region. The purpose of this meeting is to provide the participants with an opportunity for an exchange of information with the Board of Directors about the work of NADBank and to share their views on environmental projects and issues affecting their region, as well as to offer suggestions for ways of enhancing the programs and services offered by NADB.

Cross Border Xpress opens to reduce airline passenger wait times to cross U.S.-Mexico border. Leaders from San Diego County and Mexico celebrated the grand opening Monday of Tijuana International Airport's (TIJ) new $100 million Passenger Processing Facility. The new facility is aimed at reducing Cross Border Xpress (CBX) traveler wait times. "It will expand the capacity and make it easier, with new technology, more space, and more comfort for travelers," said Jorge Goytortua, CEO of CBX. The new 430,000 square foot facility features six new screening lines, new immigration booths, and 52 new check-in counters, as well new boarding gates. According to CBX, in 2021 it saw more than 2.7 million travelers. By 2034, it is estimated that more than 17 million passengers will transfer through TIJ. People as young as 2-years-old can now get a rapid COVID-19 test for free, at the Cross Border Express in... (read more)

Plaza Classic to host first contest for screenwriters. The Plaza Classic Film Festival, set for July 28-Aug. 7, will host its first screenwriting competition this year. The Plaza Classic Film Festival Screenwriting Competition, sponsored by the El Paso Film and Creative Industries Commission, will award a $500 first prize. The winner will get a table read of their screenplay and will be announced at the festival’s Local Flavor showcase on Thursday, Aug. 4. The contest is open to anyone 18 and older. Entries must be feature-length scripts of no more than 120 pages. There are no genre restrictions. A point system will be used to grade the submissions, with a 50-point maximum. Scripts will be awarded up to 10 points each for premise, plot, characters, dialogue, and the script’s potential prospects. The festival, put on by the El Paso Community Foundation, is in its 15th year and will feature more than... (read more)

EPA and SEMARNAT commit to improving environment and public health along the U.S.-Mexico border. Today, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its counterpart in Mexico, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), virtually held their first public National Coordinators meeting under the Border 2025 U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program. The National Coordinators for the U.S. and Mexico shared their environmental priorities of tackling climate, addressing environmental justice and equity, and being more inclusive of Mexico’s indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities in solving environmental challenges. “Binational collaboration is key in tackling environmental and public health challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border," said Assistant Administrator for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs Jane Nishida. "EPA is committed to working with... (read more)

CFSA appoints Emily Walsh as Chief Operating Officer. Following an extensive national search, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is pleased to announce that Emily Walsh has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, effective June 6, 2022. As a nonprofit, foundation, and higher education advancement professional, Walsh has more than fifteen years of experience in operations and administration, including technology and business transformation, prospective donor and pipeline development, data analysis, business intelligence, records management, talent development, and strategic planning. CFSA President and CEO Jenny Flynn shared, “Throughout the process, Emily impressed us with her demonstrated experience as a creative change agent, supportive leader, and avid learner. She showed us she not only has the know-how, but... (read more)

Sister Norma Pimentel, James McCann to receive honorary degrees at 2022 commencement. Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ, executive director for Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, and James McCann, founder and executive chairman of 1-800-Flowers.com, will receive honorary degrees and will deliver congratulatory remarks to the Manhattan College class of 2022 at the Commencement Exercises on May 18. Sister Norma Pimentel will address Manhattan College’s undergraduate class of 2022 after receiving an honorary doctorate degree in humane letters. She is a Sister with the Missionaries of Jesus, and is executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. Sister Norma oversees the charitable arm of the Diocese of Brownsville, providing oversight of different ministries and services in the Rio Grande... (read more)

UTEP program aims to better prepare teachers throughout the region. The El Paso Community Foundation is a partner in the program. A teacher shortage across the nation and in El Paso has been the norm for years now and the pandemic only made it worse. A local program is working to develop more teachers while giving them more training time with students. The Miner Teacher Residency program at the University of Texas at El Paso. Vanessa Lake is the teacher and the student in a first-grade class at Tom Lea Elementary in northeast El Paso, she is part of the residency program. "The residency is so much better than an internship because every teacher I have spoken with has said that one semester was not enough for them," said Lake. The way it works: every resident is paired with a mentor teacher at Tom Lea Elementary it Ms. Baca. "There are so many aspects to teaching that you don't learn in the... (read more)

Nursing faculty, students volunteer at the border to help refugees. You will usually find Dr. Charisse Tabotabo working in the Dickinson Nursing Simulation Center doing such tasks as writing and videotaping virtual reality scenarios. Recently, Dr. Tabotabo and several faculty and students from the Hahn School of Nursing volunteered their time to assist on medical missions to help Ukrainian refugees at the California U.S.-Mexico border. “My boyfriend is Ukrainian,” says Dr. Tabotabo. “Once we found out the U.S. was going to be taking in refugees and we heard about the medical mission, we knew immediately that... (read more)

Social work students visit borderlands to learn about immigration issues, border culture. Trips include visits to border wall, farm, soup kitchen, after-school center. Textbooks, lectures and news reports can only go so far to describe the migrant experience and the role of those who provide services to this population. What’s often missing is the human perspective — and the empathy one gains from walking on a trail near the Arizona-Sonora border in the literal footsteps of individuals who have traveled this path in hopes of a new life. The personal aspects of immigration — who migrants are and what they feel, and who the people are who help them survive – came into sharper focus for Arizona State University students this spring on two separate trips to the borderlands, each led by a... (read more)

Rancho Feliz’s scholarship program awarded $190,000 USD. Earlier this month, Rancho Feliz’s scholarship program was awarded $190,000 USD over the next 4.5 years from Naturgy. This covers the tuition of 80 public high school students from low-income families. Their asociación civil, Vecinos Dignos, applied for the Naturgy Company “Día Solidario” grant at the beginning of the year. Receiving this funding nearly doubles the number of public high school students the organization already supports from the five local schools in Agua Prieta. Claire Bashaw, Program Director at Rancho Feliz said: “Rancho Feliz is often asked if we receive any international donations for the work we do in Mexico, and it feels good to say we do! Cross-border collaboration like this continues to drive our mission forward, and we’re very proud of those who care about education like we do.”

Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. launches STI testing program for women with same-day results. The Body Agency Collective, Visby Medical, Inc. and CCHCI observe National STD Awareness Month with women's health initiative on US-Mexico border. CCHCI among first healthcare providers in the nation to adopt new handheld PCR technology to detect gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis in a single visit. Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. (CCHCI) today announced a collaboration with The Body Agency Collective (TBAC) and Visby Medical, Inc., to improve sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis and treatment in observance of National STD Awareness Week. The project will utilize a new, first-of-its-kind PCR diagnostic device, the Sexual Health Click Test, that detects three of the most common and curable STIs in women – gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis – in less than... (read more)

Environmental Impact Briefing: How to Maximize Your Giving in Southern Arizona. Join the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to learn more about the nonprofits in Southern Arizona that are working to preserve, protect, and restore our local environment, while supporting greater awareness and education about our planet. We will hear from representatives from Arizona Land and Water Trust, Borderland Restorations Network, Solar United Neighbors, and Watershed Management Group, Inc. about their mission and programs, as well as learn about exciting new work that will be launching at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona on Earth Day 2022.

The pieces of paper this nun carries reveal the hidden stories of the US-Mexico border. Migrants hand Sister Norma Pimentel little pieces of paper as she walks around the shelter where many of them have been living for months. Some of the handwritten notes have their names and numbers. Others pen the horrors of the unfettered violence they escaped in their home countries or elsewhere in Mexico. "It's a life, every single one of them," Pimentel says. One of the most well-known migrant advocates in the Rio Grande Valley and director of the region's Catholic Charities, Pimentel helps run respite centers and faith-based shelters, like Reynosa's Senda de Vida, on both sides of the border, caring for thousands of people. The stories on each paper she receives are different, but they all have one thing in common: the... (read more)

Beyond the Wall: Eye-opening visit to U.S.-Mexico border. Driving an hour from the Tucson, Arizona, airport to the Mexican border, you go through miles of mountains and desert that in the dead of winter appear dark and ominous. Occasionally you see signs for a town -- Rio Rico, Patagonia, Tubac – carved out of the terrain. But for the hundreds of thousands of migrants from Central America and Mexico stuck in the state of Sonora, Mexico, the desert is often the only way out and into the U.S. And it can be treacherous. In mid-February, I spent a week in Nogales, Arizona, with Jesuits who run the Kino Border Initiative in the other Nogales, across the border in Sonora. Jesuit seminarian Kieran Halloran, 29, who just left St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City after two years of teaching, is spending his third year of regency, or apostolic work, at Kino working with... (read more)

Love and War: Ukrainian and Russian refugees get married in Tijuana. The couple told Telemundo 20 that they traveled thousands of miles to reach the U.S.-Mexico border. Russian and Ukrainian refugees fled the war and came to Tijuana, Mexico, to tell their story, proving that love can endure even during wartime. Their love story began more than three years ago when Semen Bobrovski, a Russian citizen, found Daria "Dasha" Sakhniuk when he crossed the border in Ukraine. Their plan was to marry in Kyiv, Ukraine, but the war turned their plans around. "We as a ‘Tijuana Sin Hambre foundation’ being part of something so important made us very happy and we are very excited. We are very happy to be part of this great celebration we are convinced that love can cross wars. We realize that love during such a difficult time makes one not lose faith that we... (read more)

Service and Volunteerism to Build a Stronger Arizona. Join ASU Lodestar Center for the 23rd Annual Forum on Nonprofit Effectiveness, returning to an in-person format in Tucson on April 20. The nonprofit workforce is a multifaceted one. Alongside staff members, the sector relies on volunteers as a vital part of an organization. And that workforce also spans a wide array of ages and experience. To maximize your organization's impact, retain key employees and volunteers, and build better communities, you need to develop strategies to work across and unite all segments of your human capital. The theme of the ASU Lodestar Center's 23rd Annual Forum on Nonprofit Effectiveness is Service and Volunteerism to Build a Stronger Arizona. Register here.

Department of Leadership Studies partners with Catholic Charities USA. The University of San Diego is proud to announce a partnership with Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) to provide a brand-new professional certificate in nonprofit executive management. The creation of the professional certification began when CCUSA reached out to Interim Dean Joi Spencer at the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES). The Department of Leadership Studies was awarded the contract through a competitive bidding process with other prominent universities to provide training to 170 Catholic Charities CEOs from across the United States. The partnership is being funded through a private donor to CCUSA who has a vision that all the... (read more)

20th Anniversary Bank America Program on Volunteerism at the Holocaust Museum of Houston. The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at the Bush School invites you to attend the 20th Anniversary of the Bank America Program on Volunteerism on April 7, 2022 at the Holocaust Museum of Houston. Volunteerism is a powerful element in the nonprofit sector because it allows people to engage in issues they care about and provide opportunities that bring people together to work toward the public good. The theme of this year’s program is The Power and Future of Volunteerism, recognizing the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

2 communities mended through a wall. There are kids traveling back and forth from the two countries for education, there are family members bringing back groceries, there is the Kino Border Initiative that provides shelter and support for migrants. In January I was given the opportunity to travel to Nogales, Arizona and walk into Nogales Sonora, Mexico. Two cities that I was unaware of prior to this school year; two cities that are mended as one, while being separated by the wall. It is a border city that is looked over by the Customs and Borders Protection, who fulfills the duty of Title 42. The narrative of migration has been overwritten to take away the beauty of entwining migration as a way of life. Within the United States, the fears instilled on the population towards immigration has caused the growing sprout of dehumanizing individuals who are seeking a way to provide life for themselves and/or for the ones they love. In cities along the border... (read more)

Stephanie Beatriz talks about her visit to US/Mexico border on Instagram. We helped feed migrant families and asylum seekers with Tijuana Sin Hambre. Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Stephanie Beatriz recently expressed her thoughts on her trip to US/Mexico border on social media. She poured her heart out in an Instagram post. The actress further added, “We distributed shoes personally chosen for the children of migrants and asylum-seekers studying at @yeswecanwf mobile school bus (these kids are unable to attend school for lack of resources and risk to their safety/the bus is their school room and serves as their educational home, as well as the place they learn to keep cultivating hope)” Beatriz continued, “We were able to listen to testimonials from women fleeing violence, unaccompanied minor children, and families. I was honored to be in the presence of... (read more)

#ShiftThePower Manifesto for Change: Where it started and where we are now. It was three years ago – in what feels like a very different world – that a small group of community development activists and practitioners from Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the UK met up in London. The meeting was held the day after the 2019 Bond annual conference. Its purpose was, in short, to “take #ShiftThePower to the next level.” At that meeting, the draft #ShiftThePower Manifesto for Change was developed. The idea behind the Manifesto was to help move beyond the rallying cry advocating that another way of “doing” international development aid and philanthropy was both necessary and possible, and towards something more concrete and tangible. The Manifesto lays out nine... (read more )

CFSA announces 2022 annual award recipients. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 Annual Awards, including the Buddy Amos Founders Award, Diane Lynn Anderson Memorial Award, Igor Gorin Memorial Award, and Southern Arizona Civic Leadership Award. Recipients of this year’s awards will be honored at CFSA’s Annual Event on April 28, 2022, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, at the Community Foundation Campus. CFSA is pleased to share that the 2022 Buddy Amos Founders Award recipient is Andrew (Andy) Rush, artist and founder of The Drawing Studio. Created in 2015, this award was established in honor of George H. “Buddy” Amos Jr., a CFSA founder, for his vision and ability to inspire. The award recognizes nonprofit founders who have demonstrated inspirational leadership in the areas of community service, philanthropy, mentoring, collaboration, or systems change that reaches beyond... (read more)

NMPHA National Public Health Week Lunch & Learn Series. Join New Mexico Public Health Association daily from Noon-1pm during National Public Health Week for Lunch & Learn sessions hosted by our very own NMPHA Regional Representatives. Register today for National Public Health Week activities: Wednesday, April 6th - Northwest Region. “Grassroots Initiatives Working Toward a Healthy New Mexico” hosted by Diana Lopez, SCPS. Thursday, April 7th - Southeast Region. "Southeast New Mexico Health Promotion: Bringing Regional Community Barriers to Light!" hosted by Joann Palomino. Friday, April 8th - Southwest Region "Voices from the Field Emerging and in Practice" hosted by Kristen Hernandez-Ortega, MPH & Holly Mata, Ph.D., MCHES, CPH.

Expert on U.S.-Mexico relations Rafael Fernández de Castro named to new Endowed Chair. Aaron Feldman Family Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in U.S.-Mexican Studies in Memory of David Feldman established at UC San Diego as part of Chancellor’s Endowed Chair Challenge. From the migrant crisis at the U.S. southern border to trade talks and international diplomacy, U.S.-Mexico relations have risen to the top of global headlines in recent years, making research and policy discussions more relevant and timelier than ever. Rafael Fernández de Castro has been on the frontlines of this field as a professor at the University of California San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy and the director of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX). Now, Fernández de Castro has been named the inaugural... (read more)

Arizona Community Foundation convenes leaders from the binational region to discuss philanthropy and collaboration along the Arizona – Sonora border. This Tuesday, March 22, the Arizona Community Foundation of Cochise brought together more than 40 nonprofit and philanthropy leaders from the Arizona and Sonora border region to exchange knowledge, discuss the challenges faced by communities along the Arizona-Mexico border and share the work already being done. BPP members participating in this important binational event included Fundación del Empresariado Sonorense (FESAC), Nogales chapter, Border Youth Tennis Exchange (BYTE), Kino Border Initiative (KBI), and Chicanos por la Causa. Felicidades to and Angie Laskarides, Regional Director of the Arizona Community Foundation of Cochise, Adam Lopez Falk, Community Program Officer, and the Arizona Community Foundation Board and staff for advancing collaboration and philanthropy in the Borderlands!

Join the Santa Fe Community Foundation for an early childhood in New Mexico discussion with SFCF HUB Coordinator Yolanda Cruz. Community Matters with Jovanna Archuleta, Assistant Secretary for Native American Early Childhood Education and Care. Yolanda is joined by Jovanna Archuleta, who serves as the nation’s first Assistant Secretary for Native American Early Childhood Education and Care, to discuss our March theme of early childhood in New Mexico. Jovanna works to ensure strong partnerships with New Mexico’s tribal communities and to strengthen government-to-government relationships on early childhood issues. Previously, she worked for the LANL Foundation and the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council. She lives in Nambe Pueblo with her family.

UTEP Education professor’s work named book of the year. Jesus Cisneros, Ph.D., associate professor of Educational Leadership and Foundations at The University of Texas at El Paso, received the Book of the Year award by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) for “Latinx/a/o Students in Higher Education: A Critical Analysis of Concepts, Theory, and Methodologies.” “This award affirms the need for more asset-based research on Hispanic students,” Cisneros said. “My colleagues and I are grateful for this recognition and hope that our book will help guide educational policy and practice to better support Latinx/a/o students’ academic achievement and success.” The book was honored in the Edited Volume Category and features work by... (read more)

Southern New Mexico Giving Day is 30 days away! Southern New Mexico Giving Day is a virtual event that is taking place for 24 hours on April 22, 2022 and is designed to ignite giving across our region and allow you to support causes that better our communities. Our 2022 Giving Day has 44 participating nonprofits! How can you be a part of this virtual day of giving and make a difference? Become an Impact Donor by visiting this page on April 22, 2022 to select which participating organizations align with the cause or causes you are passionate about and donate in order to further their missions! As a bonus, participating organizations will receive a $1 to $1 match up to $500, allowing your donation to have an even greater impact! Matching funds will be offered by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and United Way of Southwest New Mexico.

Plaza Classic Film Festival accepting Local Flavor submissions. The El Paso Community Foundation’s Plaza Classic Film Festival is accepting submissions for its popular Local Flavor showcase of locally made and connected films. A total of $2,500 in cash prizes will be awarded to the top three films and the winner of the audience vote. Local Flavor is open to short and feature-length films of various types. No works-in-progress will be accepted. Projects must have been completed January 1, 2021 or after, and must be made locally, set locally or have a connection of some kind to the El Paso-Juarez-Las Cruces area, which should be noted in the entry. Entries selected for the Local Flavor series will be announced in July and screened during the festival.

CARB awards $10 million in grants to dozens of communities statewide to fight air pollution. Casa Familiar is one of the awardees. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) awarded $10 million in grants to help 33 community organizations and five Native American Tribes reduce air pollution in their neighborhoods. The Community Air Grants were awarded to communities across California that face significant challenges with air pollution including the Inland Empire/Border region, the Central Valley, Los Angeles, the Bay Area and San Diego. The Community Air Grants Program is part of CARB’s overall efforts to implement Assembly Bill 617. Community Air Grants are designed to establish a community-focused approach to... (read more)

Brave Books puts large part of Natalicio’s collection on sale. Brave Books, a 3-year-old bookstore in Central El Paso, is selling hundreds of books that belonged to the late UTEP President Emeritus Diana Natalicio. “It’s a fantastic collection of books on everything she loved: baseball, music and theater, travel, languages and linguistics,” said Brave Books owner Jud Burgess, who acquired some 600 books in an estate sale a few months ago. Natalicio died Sept. 24, 2021, at the age of 82, leaving behind a treasure trove of books, paintings and countless mementos of her life. Burgess said the bookstore will also make the books available after the event. He plans to keep about 60 in a... (read more)

Fostering cross-border connection and environmental collaboration: Via International. By The San Diego Foundation. Six miles west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry sits Friendship Park: a historic landmark that is symbolic of the region’s binational identity and a showcase of the stunning San Diego-Baja Norte coastline. But visitors to Friendship Park confront physical and political barriers to access. Park visitors must enter through Border Field State Park and then hike a 1.8 mile one-way journey to Monument Mesa. Occasionally, rain water washes out the trail and/or causes a complete closure due to possibly contaminated runoff. These conditions make the 1.8-mile journey challenging, especially for... (read more)

Becoming immersed at the Mexican border. Through Catholic Extension I spent three days on an immersion experience in Texas and Mexico where I witnessed this prayer brought to life in the ministry of extraordinary members of our church. My eyes were opened in Reynosa, Mexico to the needs of our brothers and sisters living in a tent city as they waited their turn to be interviewed for asylum status in our country. Then our eyes were opened in the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas where the United States Immigration Service transports migrants who have been granted asylum to be helped by Catholic Charities as they legally make their way to... (read more)

Border Partners. By Morgan Smith. Sometimes what you remember most is not what you have seen but what you haven’t seen. In my ten plus years of working along the Mexican border what I haven’t seen is green – the green of fruit and vegetables being grown in people’s back yards. The reality is that communities like Palomas, Mexico or the area on the west edge of Juárez are “vegetable deserts.” Not only are vegetables not grown but it is almost impossible to buy them. Border Partners, a non-profit formed in 2008 by Peter and Polly Edmunds of Deming and Helena Myers of Columbus, New Mexico is trying to change that in Palomas. When they formed Border Partners, their two main Palomas issues were the lack of jobs and the poor health services. With a population of less than 5,000, no real industrial base and a... (read more)

Join the EPA for Border 2025's U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program Policy Workgroup meetings. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its Government of Mexico counterpart, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) will have its first National Coordinators, Meeting (NCM) of the U.S.-Mexico Border 2025 program on April 8, 2022. In preparation for the NCM, the EPA is hosting a separate borderwide public session for each of the four goals listed in the Border 2025 framework. During each session, the public will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments and remarks. Details for each of the four goal-specific sessions are provided here. Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish and English for each virtual meeting.

Univ. of San Diego report highlights economic benefits of California-Baja region. The University of San Diego released a report highlighting the economic benefits of the California-Baja California region. Released by the USD Ahlers Center for International Business, the report focuses on California and Baja California as the largest integrated economic zone along the U.S.-Mexico border. With its regional gross domestic project of almost $250 billion, "'CaliBaja' is home to diverse industries, including some with powerful manufacturing capabilities that drive cross-border economic activity and create jobs in both the United States and Mexico," the report stated. The report's key takeaways include: A total of 30,932 higher-education degrees were conferred in... (read more)

Two nuns have a message for Catholics angry about their ministry to immigrants: ‘We don’t have any intention of stopping.’ The angry emails and phone calls have been pouring in this week, and Donna Markham, O.P., the president and C.E.O. of Catholic Charities USA, has been among C.C.U.S.A. staff shocked by all the vitriol. “We certainly have received hateful, hateful calls from people who say they are Catholics,” Sister Markham said, “and speaking to us in language that I would never repeat and threatening our agencies. It’s a very sad situation.” The unpleasantness followed quickly in the wake of press releases and news reports about a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the political action groups Judicial Watch and CatholicVote. The suit demands records of communication between the U.S.... (read more)

NADB on the hunt for new sustainable projects. The North American Development Bank (NADB) is focused on financing sustainable projects on both sides of the US-Mexico border and is seeking to expand the variety of initiatives. NADB, whose recent investments include improvements to a wastewater treatment plant in the town of Patagonia, Arizona, and the expansion of a wastewater collection system in Camargo, in Mexico’s Chihuahua state, has an annual budget of US$180mn. “One of the motives for our creation is to oversee these water and waste projects, it is a need along the border, it’s not the only one but a permanent one. Besides, the cities near the border are receiving more migrants than the... (read more)

USD Kroc School for Peace and Justice hosts Former US Ambassador to Ukraine to talk crisis. Last week Andrew Blum, Executive Director of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego, hosted a virtual discussion for students, faculty, staff, and the public with former US Ambassador William B. Taylor. Ambassador Taylor completed two tours of duty on behalf of the American government to Ukraine. Ambassador Taylor shared historical perspective for Ukraine -Russian relations and offered observations on the situation. Thank you Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice for making this conversation available to inform the public about what is happening in Ukraine. For more information contact andrewblum@sandiego.edu.

CFAZ is hiring! The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona offers outstanding career opportunities for individuals interested in supporting the incredible nonprofit sector in Southern Arizona and assisting donors in fulfilling their charitable wishes. The Foundation is currently seeking applicants for three critical positions: Chief Operating Officer, Major Gifts Officer, and Program Manager. Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a member of the Leadership Team, the COO will lead and manage several core internal functions of the organization. Those functions currently include Talent and Human Resources, Operations, Data and Systems, and Marketing and Communications. Experience with systems, process improvement, and scaling is essential. The ideal candidate will bring a... (read more)

Catalyzing Transformational Change in Higher Education and Philanthropy. Virtual Black History Month spotlight conversation with Dr. Joi Spencer and Pamela Gray Payton. Gather online at 4 pm on February 28 as we hear from Dr. Joi Spencer, Interim Dean & Professor, School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego and Pamela Gray Payton, Vice President, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer at The San Diego Foundation. They will come together in conversation about how they are approaching intersecting issues of racism and poverty to create new possibilities for bridging racial gaps in education and wealth, in order to bring about universal community prosperity. Register here.

NADBank, Village of Vinton, Congresswoman Escobar, EPA, TWDB break ground on $20 million water projects. The North American Development Bank (NADBank) and the Village of Vinton, Texas hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for two projects that will provide new drinking water distribution and wastewater collection and will include the decommission of on-site septic systems. The total estimated project costs of both projects is US$20.44 million. These projects are receiving up to US$6.5 million in grants from the Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF), which is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by NADBank. Other funding support was made available through the US Department of... (read more)

Sempra Infrastructure completes first cross-border wind farm between US and Mexico. Sempra Infrastructure started operations on Phase II of its Energía Sierra Juàrez (ESJ) wind farm in Tecate, Baja California. ESJ, the first cross-border renewable energy project between Mexico and the United States, now provides 263 MW of zero-carbon electricity to the California electricity market. “The expansion of our ESJ wind farm demonstrates our efforts to help support the continued integration of the North American energy markets in a sustainable way,” said Justin Bird, CEO of Sempra Infrastructure. “Our latest investment underscores the confidence Sempra Infrastructure has in the Baja region as we look to connect... (read more)

WHAM and La Jolla Institute for Immunology identify economic imperative of research focused on women, partner to accelerate autoimmune research focused on women. WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters, whamnow.org) and La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) today announced a new partnership to accelerate immune health research focused on women. New data released by WHAM and LJI shows that autoimmune research focused on women could generate $10.5 billion to our economy through improving health, quality of life and productive years in the workforce. Building from these findings, LJI, a globally ranked research leader, announced a new sex-based differences research focus at the institute. “Women’s health is an economic issue that impacts… (read more)

Casa Familiar presents: 15th Annual Dia de la Mujer Art Exhibition at The FRONT Arte & Cultura. This call out is an invitation to present works that are reflective of the times we are living in and how we are living in time. Are our ways of living and treating one another dismantling or supporting systems of oppression? Are our ways of inhabiting the planet protecting it or contributing to its unsustainability? This invitation asks you to consider where we are and who we are – to celebrate our resiliency, but more so, it is a request to think about who we want to be and what we need to do to get there. It is a challenge, left to us by the amazing activist-scholar bell hooks, to think of love as an action. Her works are a reminder that “the moment we choose to love, we begin to move against... (read more)

2022 Border Issues. By Morgan Smith. “600 migrants heading north from Honduras in a caravan,” a headline reads. Is this a warning, a sign that we’re about to see another surge of migrants from the Central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador? On Sunday, January 30, I was in Juárez, Mexico at a migrant shelter and listened to a Honduran couple, Oscar and Maira describe the violence that forced them to flee their country. Another surge of migrants would surely cause the migration issue to flare up again and once again become a major factor in what we already know will be a brutal and divisive election year. Here are five suggestions that could help ease this issue and result in solid accomplishments rather than… (read more)

The International Community Foundation earns its seventh consecutive 4-star rating. The rating demonstrates strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. This is Charity Navigator’s highest possible rating. Charity Navigator evaluates a nonprofit organization’s financial health including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability. They also track accountability and transparency policies to ensure the good governance and integrity of the organization. The International Community Foundation (ICF) works across borders to connect people, ideas, and smarter investments in the transformative power of community.

View a recording of The Value of Community Foundations. In case you missed it, a recording of The Nonprofit Report's interview on community foundations is available online. The Nonprofit Report is a weekly 30-minute interview program that draws attention to nonprofit issues, organizations, and leaders. Mark Oppenheim leads a discussion about community foundations, with guests; Jenny Flynn, President & CEO of Community Foundation for Southern Arizona Keith Burwell, President of Toledo Community Foundation & Nancy Anthony, President of Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Join the Nonprofit Report every Tuesday and Thursday at 8am PDT, 10am CDT and 11am EDT. View the recording here.

Kino Border Initiative is hiring for an Advocacy Coordinator. The Advocacy Coordinator supports the Director of Education and Advocacy and the Associate Director for Education and Advocacy in implementing the advocacy strategy, leveraging the resources and networks of KBI to promote humane and just migration policy in a way attentive to both Catholic Social Teaching and the contemporary realities of border and migration policies. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of February 1, 2022. To apply please send cover letter, writing sample, resume and contact information with three professional references to Tracey Horan. Full job description found here.

Bush School alumnus with muscular dystrophy appointed by Governor to state council for disabilities. Life can be both short and challenging for those living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, like College Station local Kyle Cox. Kyle has reached so many milestones in his young life, achieving two college degrees and starting his own consulting company. Now, he’s working for the state government. A Texas A&M and Bush School of Government alumnus, Kyle was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday to serve on the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. “Two areas I really want to focus on are transportation and getting people with disabilities in the workplace," said Kyle. For the next six years, Kyle will be a part of a team that consults with legislators on matters related to... (read more)

Scottsdale "Guardian Warrior" philanthropist first non-Mexican to win prestigious award. Recognizing decades of tireless volunteer work and leadership with Scottsdale-based Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation, local philanthropist Gil Gillenwater was chosen by Premio a la Sonora Filantropia (Sonora Award for Philanthropy) as the individual philanthropic person of the year for the Mexican state of Sonora. Gillenwater is the first-ever non-Mexican citizen to win this award. The ceremony was held yesterday, December 14, 2021, in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Premio a la Sonora Filantropia was established in 2005, in order to develop awareness and social responsibility among altruistic individuals, companies and institutions. Gillenwater formed Rancho Feliz in 1987 with the goal of addressing both sides of poverty: from Mexico's material poverty to America's spiritual, or purpose, poverty. In addition to providing food, housing, medical care, and education to Mexico's underprivileged, the... (read more)

CFSA Appoints Kelly Huber as Vice President for Philanthropy. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA) is pleased to announce that Kelly Huber has been appointed to the role of Vice President for Philanthropy following a national search. In this new role, Huber is responsible for building the assets at the Community Foundation while ensuring the highest standards of service for CFSA donors and community partners. CFSA’s President and CEO Jenny Flynn shared, “Kelly’s deep knowledge of CFSA, our programs, and community needs, as well as her existing relationships with donors and community partners, is a tremendous asset in her new role. ” Flynn continued, “Her expertise and commitment to connecting donors with the causes they care about will allow her to... (read more)

How Casa Del Migrante helps migrants in Tijuana. As a city at the United States-Mexico border, Tijuana receives an influx of migrants yearly from South Mexico, South America and other parts of the world fleeing violence and corruption. Some come by bus, plane or even through walking caravans. Nearly all seek to enter the U.S. either by crossing the border physically, claiming asylum or claiming refugee status. However, these processes are much harder than they used to be. Since the 1990s, the U.S. has upped border security, making the outcomes of cross-border treks less promising. Since 2016, the U.S. has decreased the number of refugees and immigrants accepted. Therefore, some migrants must rebuild their lives in Tijuana. For those looking to claim asylum, the process often takes months or years. As a result... (read more)

UTEP joins new initiative with other Hispanic-serving universities. The University of Texas at El Paso has joined the nation’s top-tier Hispanic-Serving Institutions in a new initiative to advance teaching, research and cultural programming in the area of Latino humanities studies. Officials say this is funded by a three-year, $5 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the project “Crossing Latinidades: Emerging Scholars and New Comparative Directions,” also aims to prepare rising Latino researchers and scholars for faculty positions in humanities studies. UTEP officials said the initiative is the product of a consortium based at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) which includes all 16 Hispanic-Serving Institutions, or HSIs, in the country that have the R1 designation — top tier doctoral universities with very high... (read more)

The International Community Foundation Announces Marisa Aurora Quiroz as President and Chief Executive Officer. After a 3-month international search, Marisa Aurora Quiroz has been selected to lead the International Community Foundation (ICF) as President and Chief Executive Officer. Her track record co-powering and strengthening communities and vulnerable natural habitats will lead ICF into its exciting future. “Marisa brings experience, professionalism, relationships, empathy, and above all, passion for this great community foundation,” said Gustavo A. De La Fuente, ICF's Board Chair. “I have no doubt that she will wisely guide our organization and rise to the occasion when new opportunities and challenges come our way. The board is looking forward to working hand in hand with Marisa on the next stage of our growth.” As the President and Chief Executive Officer, Marisa will lead the continuing evolution of ICF’s innovative model and build on its bold... (read more)

TTP of El Paso’s reach out and read program gets gifts from 2 local foundations. Program gives local children and their families a “prescription to read” during pediatric wellness exams. The El Paso Community Foundation and the Hervey Foundation recently awarded Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso’s Reach out and Read Program grants totaling $13,860. The program provides books to children during their wellness exams at pediatric and family medicine clinics at TTP El Paso’s Alberta and Transmountain locations. The Hervey Foundation awarded the program $10,360, and the El Paso Community Foundation awarded $3,500 to purchase age-appropriate and bilingual books for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Through Reach Out and Read, health care providers give developmentally and culturally appropriate books to children and provide families a... (read more)

Once upon a BCG vaccine. To fight tuberculosis, LJI scientists uncover the key immune cells in play after BCG vaccination. A long, long time ago, the BCG vaccine was approved for use against tuberculosis (TB), and it's still given to infants today. For generations, the vaccine has saved lives and prevented untold suffering. And yet TB still kills around 1.5 million people every year. The problem is that the BCG vaccine was the first—and the last—vaccine approved to prevent tuberculosis. "This vaccine is 100 years old. The first dose was given one hundred years ago this year," says La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) Research Assistant Professor Cecilia Lindestam Arlehamn, Ph.D. "Technology has moved on since then, but not... (read more)

Dr. Will Brown, Director of the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at the Bush School named new President of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC). Dr. Will Brown is the new President of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC), the first group dedicated to the promotion and networking of centers that provide research and education in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. NACC develops curricular guidelines for undergraduate and graduate programs, offers program accreditation, manages the Nu Lambda Mu honor society, and supports academic centers. The Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy currently hosts NACC. The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy’s areas of nonprofit education will benefit from Dr. Brown’s 2-year term as President.

Community Foundations make an impact during holidays and beyond: Kellie Burns-Franco. As we enter this holiday season, many people will give thanks and look for meaningful ways to give back. When you support philanthropy, you invest in our community's future and generations to come. Last week, the Paso del Norte Community Foundation joined National Community Foundation Week and National Philanthropy Day nationwide celebration. When you give through a community foundation, you ensure your gift is used in a way that will leave a lasting impact. The Paso del Norte Community Foundation was established in 2013 to support the philanthropic goals of individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and nonprofits in the Paso del Norte Region. These... (read more)

UNETE, a Mexican organization with 22 years of experience, wins the Shimon Peres Award. ILAN (Israel + Latin America Network) recognizes and promotes social projects through innovation and strengthening ties between Israel and Latin America. The ILAN Innovation Awards took place on November 17 recognizing seven groups for their contributions in health and science, technology, education, social transformation, communication, environment ad peace. UNETE was awarded the prize in the education category for its mission to improve the quality and equity of education in Mexico by integrating technology in schools. Learn more about UNETE here.

UT System board of regents contribute $1 million to create endowment in honor of Diana Natalicio. Funding will support the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success, which will serve as a national resource and model for Hispanic student success .The University of Texas System Board of Regents has allocated $1 million to create an endowment to benefit the new Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success at The University of Texas at El Paso. The endowment will be used to fund a distinguished directorship of the institute, which is named for the longtime and beloved UTEP president who died in September. The Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success will be dedicated to studying and implementing systemic changes that will promote greater access to higher education and will serve as a national resource and model for... (read more)

Investing in Humanity, by Morgan Smith. Thirty one migrants die attempting to cross the English Channel from France. Tension over migration on the Poland-Belarus border. 1,600 migrant deaths in the Mediterranean Sea so far this year. The mistreatment of Haitians in Del Rio, Texas. New complaints regarding care at the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia, New Mexico. Increasingly authoritarian leaders in the three Central American countries – Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador – that are sending the most migrants to the US border. Many predict that the past Honduran President, Juan Orlando Hernández will be indicted and extradited to the US. Lots of bad news worldwide about migration, news that might get worse as... (read more)

Arizona Community Foundation and donors distribute $29.3 million in second quarter grants and scholarships. 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, 2021, a total of $29,292,494 was awarded from funds of the Arizona Community Foundation and its six statewide affiliates in Cochise, Flagstaff, the Gila Valley, Sedona, Yavapai County, and Yuma. The $29.3 million in both discretionary and advised grants and scholarships were awarded in five strategic priority areas: Health Innovations, Community Improvement & Development, Environment &... (read more)

See also: A chat with the Kroc School Fulbright Scholars

Mexico expanding ties with its migrants in the U.S. Consulates, Institute for Mexicans Abroad procure education, financial and immigration advice – and COVID-19 vaccines for hundreds of thousands. Mexicans working in the United States send $40 billion a year to relatives in their homeland, which represents Mexico’s biggest source of income surpassing oil exports and tourism. But many of these émigrés – some 11 million as of 2019 – often struggle to fit into their new society because of barriers such as immigration status, language, or lack of access to services. That’s where consulates and an organization known as Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) try to fill the gap. “Most of our migrants, 97 percent of them, are... (read more)

The Common Sense Colloquy: Q&A with Richard Kiy of Institute of the Americas. Climate change doesn’t recognize borders. While most of our work centers on the U.S., we understand the importance of hemispheric and global communications on issues like energy and environment. So, I was thrilled when a former colleague contacted me this summer to ask for RENEWPR’s help with the release of a report on the future of clean energy in Mexico. I jumped at the chance and had the opportunity to bring new RENEWPRTeam Member Jessica Lass into the conversation from the outset. The result was a project to help Institute of the Americas with the release of the report Clean Energy Cost-Savings: A Study of Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). The former colleague who gave us this opportunity is Richard Kiy, the president and CEO of the... (read more)

See also: NADBank Managing Director, Calixto Mateos announces Bank to invest in new project types

Five questions for Miguel A. Santana, president and CEO of the Weingart Foundation. Miguel A. Santana is the president and CEO of the Weingart Foundation, a Los Angeles-based grantmaking foundation dedicated to advancing racial, social and economic justice. Santana took the role last year, after longtime president and CEO Fred Ali retired. Santana served as L.A.’s city administrative officer under Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and Eric Garcetti. In addition to his work in the public sector, Santana has also worked in the private sphere. We spoke with Santana about his career and how his personal life has impacted his work. Here are... (read more)

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala elected to Mott Foundation board. Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, a nationally renowned otolaryngologist in private practice in Flint, Michigan, has been elected to the board of trustees of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which is headquartered in the city. Mukkamala will begin serving on the board on Jan. 1, 2022. “My parents moved to Flint in 1972 as immigrants from India,” Mukkamala said. “Flint is where I grew up and where I returned after I finished my medical training. I left here as an individual and came back as a family with my wife, Nita, and our newborn twin sons, Nikhil and Deven. “I have watched our city’s struggles and our successes, and I have always been thankful for the legacy and vision of Charles Stewart Mott and the Mott Foundation,” Mukkamala continued. “Our... (read more)

Viewpoint: Philanthropists should take the lead in unifying the country. Philanthropy Southwest is a 73‑year‑old philanthropy supporting organization, and we are the first of our kind. Today we serve seven Southwest states and 230 members who represent 4,000 foundation staff or trustees and $50 billion in philanthropic assets. Annually, our members distribute $2.5 billion to $3 billion in the Southwest. Our role is to bring them together. Our vision is a thriving Southwestern U.S. through the power of philanthropy. Our mission is fostering meaningful philanthropy and trusted relationships that have impact on people and communities throughout our region. President John F. Kennedy famously said... (read more)

EPA details fix to cross-border water pollution issues plaguing San Diego. The Environmental Protection Agency will move forward with environmental review of several water infrastructure projects intended to address transborder water pollution from the Tijuana River, it was announced Monday. "In order to protect public health and vital ecosystems in this vibrant area, we need a bold solution to the transboundary water pollution challenge," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "Today, we're announcing our intent to pursue a holistic water infrastructure strategy to address multiple facets of this challenge and make real progress for the future of the San Diego region." The Tijuana River often carries... (read more)

Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at the Bush School offers 3 new certificate programs. Programs starting in Spring 2022 include: Fundraising Leadership, Nonprofit Leadership, and Social Justice Leadership. The Center launched the Certificate in Fundraising Leadership (CFL) because securing resources is a critical element of strategic management for nonprofit executives. In order to carry out the organization’s mission, nonprofit leaders must have adequate resources to fund staff and programs. The Nonprofit Leadership (CNL) program has been curated for current nonprofit professionals, on-the-ground volunteers within the sector, current or prospective board members, or those considering a transition to the sector. Current CNL courses cover topics including nonprofit leadership, strategic management, board governance, and… (read more)

Join the New Mexico Public Health Association for their 18th Annual Health Policy Forum. On Dec. 3rd, 2021, NMPHA invites you to register for and attend the 18th Annual Health Policy Forum, Strengthening CommUNITY: Equity in All Policies. This forum will feature keynote speakers, a legislative panel, policy proposal presentations and voting, and afternoon sessions on health equity in policymaking. The NMPHA would like anyone and everyone to attend, so registration is free. For more information on registration and submitting policy proposals, please visit this page, or click here to download the flyer to share widely.

$800,000 national grant will expand and strengthen initiatives to support & train El Paso teachers. The Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development (CREEED) and the El Paso Community Foundation announced a new investment from the Prentice Farrar Brown & Alline Ford Brown Foundation (Bank of America, N.A. Trustee) to support the work of the El Paso Teacher Pipeline Taskforce. The $800,000 grant is the second investment from the Brown Foundation in the last two years, and highlights the success of the initial grant to strengthen El Paso’s educator workforce through recruitment and retention, high-quality teacher preparation, and new teacher mentorship. The investment was announced at an Educator Summit, hosted by CREEED, the University of Texas El Paso and the... (read more)

Achieve your career goals in nonprofit leadership. The Center for Healthy Nonprofits is offering a 7-session series for leaders who report to a nonprofit ED or CEO, and for leaders who are exploring the possibility of serving as a nonprofit ED or CEO in the future or aspire to a senior leadership career in the sector. Hosted by Patti Caldwell and Paula Van Ness, both drawing upon decades of experience as nonprofit CEO’s, this series is designed to provide practical information about the roles, responsibilities, and skills of well-rounded and successful CEOs/EDs and senior leaders. The program will consist of seven two-hour sessions offered over Zoom. Facilitated conversations, with the occasional guest speaker, will include the topics of the CEOs/EDs roles as a mission advocate... (read more)

Yes! A new MyMachine Chapter is starting in Mexico. It is with tremendous pleasure that we announce today that MyMachine is growing again! Welcome to the Chihuahua Chapter of MyMachine Mexico! We are proud and thrilled to partner with Fundación Paso Del Norte in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. Fundación Paso Del Norte focuses on advancing partnerships and initiatives to improve the health and well-being of the people in this Mexican state. Focusing on education that stimulates 21st century skills is part of that mission. Karen Yarza, CEO of Fundación Paso Del Norte: “Our mission is to advance partnerships and initiatives to improve the health and well being of the people of Cd Juarez, this program allows us to work with local and global stakeholders to promote creativity, entrepreneurial skills, inter-generational co creation... (read more)

UTEP awarded $6.1 million grant for cancer research and detection. The University of Texas at El Paso is leading new research into Hispanic cancer disparities and early cancer detection with $6.1 million in funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) awarded Marc B. Cox, Ph.D., department chair of pharmaceutical sciences and professor of biological sciences, $5.8 million to advance Hispanic cancer health disparities research at UTEP. Xiujun James Li, associate professor of chemistry, received approximately $250,000 to develop early cancer diagnosis methods for ovarian cancer, which is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women. The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) awarded... (read more)

9th Annual State of Nonprofits and Philanthropy Summit Series, The Nonprofit Institute, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, University of San Diego. Meeting the Moment - Stewarding the Momentum. Over the last 18 months, local nonprofits have worked tirelessly to provide critical partnership and community support in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, many nonprofits thrived while others had to fight for basic survival. As we reflect upon both the tribulations and triumphs of organizations during the pandemic, the value of San Diego’s nonprofit sector becomes more clear than ever. Now, let’s come together in community to talk about it. This Summit features findings from the 2021 State of Nonprofits and Philanthropy Report which highlights the current state of San Diego’s nonprofit sector and the philanthropy that supports it. Register here.

UTEP to host Celebration of Life for President Emerita Diana Natalicio. Officials with the University of Texas at El Paso announced that the school will pay tribute to the life of UTEP President Emerita Diana Natalicio at a Celebration of Life at 6 p.m. Sunday, October 24, in UTEP’s Centennial Plaza. Natalicio, who led UTEP for 31 years and was the University’s 10th and longest-serving president, died Sept. 24, 2021, at age 82. The celebration will be open to the public. It also will be livestreamed via this link. Organizers say the event is an opportunity for UTEP and the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez community to honor Natalicio and reflect on her life and her many accomplishments at UTEP, which stemmed from her deep-seated commitment to access and excellence in... (read more)

Now hiring: Vice President for Philanthropy. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona offers outstanding career opportunities for individuals interested in supporting the incredible nonprofit sector in Southern Arizona and assisting donors in fulfilling their charitable wishes. CFSA is currently hiring a Vice President for Philanthropy who will be responsible for elevating and managing all of CFSA’s fund development functions through the Philanthropy Team. The Vice President will oversee the development and implementation of donor acquisition strategies, as well as ensure long term engagement through effective donor stewardship. The Vice President for Philanthropy will lead efforts to enhance external partnerships with wealth managers and professional advisors. The VP will also personally manage a portfolio of... (read more)

The Bush School Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy offers professional development opportunities for nonprofit leaders. Programs include the Leadership in Board Service Program, an in-depth review of Board member roles, responsibilities, and best practices of high-performing Boards on October 18 and Trends And Data: Decisions for Fundraising Leaders, on October 21, 2021. Both are virtual programs by Zoom. These professional development trainings will be led by Bush School faculty, including Dr. William Brown & Dr. Kenneth Taylor, and Dr. Angela Seaworth, Director of Philanthropic Initiatives and Capacity Building at the Bush School Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy.

Connect and align with the New Mexico Vaccine Equity and Rebuild Network. With support from the Con Alma Health Foundation, New Mexico Public Health Association staff have created the New Mexico Vaccine Equity and Rebuild Network. On this site, you’ll find tools to connect you to people around the state who are working for vaccine equity, as well as grant and program resources and information. New tools and resources are added each week. The New Mexico Vaccine Equity & Rebuild Network envisions that all New Mexicans are protected from COVID-19 through vaccination, especially our most vulnerable and underserved communities. NM-VERN also conducts active surveillance and provides a user-friendly database of grants and programs across the state aimed at improving vaccine equity.

Five opportunities for Ambassador Salazar. By Morgan Smith. On Thursday and Friday, September 23 and 24, I was in Juárez, Mexico, my 12th trip to Juárez and nearby Palomas since late March. Despite the uproar over the treatment of refugees from Haiti, the struggle to deal with the ongoing surge of migrants, and the ongoing criticism of the Biden administration, I see five hopeful opportunities that have been largely neglected. One, the shelter situation. A recent New York Times article titled “ Squalid Border Camp Closed. A New One is Worse” gives the impression that all border shelters are unfit but what I have seen in Juárez and Palomas has been... (read more)

New International Boundary & Water Commission leader proud of border roots. Maria Elena Giner is the first Latina U.S. commissioner and an expert in U.S.-Mexico environmental issues. Newly appointed federal officials who are not familiar with the U.S.-Mexico border often must learn not only the job but the culture as well. That’s not the case with Maria Elena Giner. The newly appointed commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Water & Boundary Commission has lived half her life in Mexico and the other half on this side of the border. That’s an important asset in a job that requires constant cross-border interaction, she acknowledges. “I used to take a lot of U.S. officials to tour the facilities. I used to tell them we are ground zero here. We see the problem, we live the problem, we breathe the problem,” Giner said. “Seeing that on a day-to-day basis creates a lot of... (read more)

Hispanic Heritage Month: Ariadne Sambrano. To loosely quote Shakespeare and the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, though Ariadne Sambrano be but little, she is fierce. The senior at the University of San Diego stands at 5-foot-2, but her passion for helping others is immense. Enrolled in courses through the College of Arts and Sciences, she wants to focus on international human rights after completing a master’s through the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies’ combined degree program. Sambrano is also a first-generation, transfer student elected to be the Vice President of the Associated Student Government where she can use her position to amplify student voices. Her newfound passion to empower a variety of groups is... (read more)

San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center announces multi-year partnership with The Brookings Institution. The San Diego Foundation and The Brookings Institution today announced the San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center, a first-of-its-kind, long-term partnership focused on conducting place-based research and policy analysis to help address the region’s biggest problems and bring new federal infrastructure funding to the region. The San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center, a new 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of The San Diego Foundation, builds partnerships to create cross-sector, multi-jurisdictional solutions to problems that require massive collective effort and extend beyond the reach of any single agency or department. These include regional challenges such as climate resilience, critical infrastructure, creating stable, high-paying jobs, homelessness, housing affordability and health equity. “We have learned so much in the... (read more)

‘The border matters.’ A Q&A with the new head of International Boundary and Water Commission. President Joe Biden appointed Maria-Elena Giner, a civil engineer and long-time leader on border sanitation projects, as the new commissioner of the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission. The federal agency – binationally operated by the United States and Mexico — jointly manages water treaties on the Rio Grande and Colorado rivers, flood control, international reservoirs and pollution. Giner is the first Latina, and the second woman, to lead the commission on the U.S. side, replacing Jayne Harkins, who was appointed in 2018. Mexico designated Giner’s counterpart a week ago. Adriana Beatriz Carolina Resendez Maldonado will replace Humberto Marengo Mogollon at the agency, which is known in Mexico as... (read more)

In Review: NADB’s 25th Annual Border Environmental Forum. The North American Development Bank recently hosted the 25th Annual Border Environmental Forum. Among those to attend were Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz and Mission Mayor Armando O’Caña. Saenz told KGNS-TV he was pleased to meet the keynote speaker and ambassador of Mexico to the U.S., Esteban Moctezuma Barragán. O’Caña told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service he attended to see whether the North American Development Bank (NADB) could help fund the Mission-Reynosa Madero International Bridge project. The Border Environmental Forum was created and hosted by the Texas General Land Office in 1994 with the mission of bringing people together from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border to exchange information about energy, economic development and... (read more)

The Kino Border Initiative is looking for a new Volunteer Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for encouraging persons and communities to be in solidarity with migrants that the Kino Border Initiative serves. This role includes collaborating with KBI staff team to recruit and engage volunteers to support KBI’s mission and ensuring compliance with the KBI Safe Environment Program. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority deadline of October 11, 2021. To apply please send cover letter, resume and contact information with three professional references to: Jorge Torres. See full job description here.

Community Rebuild grants are open! Con Alma Health Foundation is accepting applications for grants that support nonprofits in addressing the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on communities and the nonprofit sector in New Mexico. “We recognize that healing and rebuilding from this global pandemic will be a long-term process, and we welcome applications that focus on system-change strategies that can help our communities recover and become even stronger,” Denise Herrera, executive director. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible to avoid technical challenges with the grant portal. Applications due on Monday, November 1, 2021.

The New Mexico Public Health Association (MNPHA) is seeking Executive Director. The Executive Director (ED} will work closely with the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors to leverage existing partnerships, build new relationships, and amplify the voices of health equity advocates in diverse community settings throughout New Mexico. The ED will oversee ongoing strategic planning efforts, day-to-day operations, internal and external communication plans, and membership growth and engagement strategies. The ED will supervise contractors and volunteers currently engaged in collaborative vaccine equity advocacy/outreach, communications, and conference planning and implementation, and will supervise additional personnel as they join the organization. Apply no later than Sept. 27, 2021.

Watch the 'Health Care Heroes' documentary. Health Care Heroes premiered at this year’s Plaza Classic Film Festival. El Paso experienced one of the worst stretches of COVID-19 infections and deaths in the nation last year. In appreciation of those who continue to fight on the frontlines of that battle, the editors of El Paso Inc. chose to honor those doctors, nurses, techs and others who worked tirelessly in local hospitals and clinics, naming them collectively its El Pasoans of the Year for 2020. The weekly teamed with the El Paso Community Foundation to produce a 12-minute documentary, Health Care Heroes, which was filmed over the summer, and includes footage from El Paso Inc.’s El Pasoan of the Year Awards Ceremony on June 10 at Southwest University Park. Directed by El Paso native Ellie Ann Fenton, the moving documentary focuses on the experiences of... (read more)

The Laredo Area Community Foundation announced the establishment of the David Lee Espinoza Scholarship Endowment for LBJ students. Ike Epstein provided the $5000 seed money and is asking other Laredoans to donate to this fund. US Marine David Lee Espinoza from Rio Bravo and a graduate of LBJ made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He was among 13 servicemen who died in a suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport in Afghanistan. His family was notified on August 27 at 2:30 a.m. by the military of this tragic, and most painful incident. The 20-year-old marine is the oldest of four children and a hero to them and their parents as well as to his classmates and faculty at LBJ. This heroic young man from Laredo will be remembered for his efforts in this 20-year war that probably began the year he was born. The Scholarship Endowment for LBJ students will be a tribute to this soldier who lost his life on the last days of the war against the Taliban.

Applications for Fall 2021 are now open for the Nonprofit Leadership & Management Certificate Program. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is partnering with The University of Arizona’s Eller Executive Education to provide nonprofit leadership and management training to local nonprofit professionals. The partnership was established as part of CFSA’s COVID-19 Response Strategy to help local nonprofits recover from the impact of the pandemic. These trainings, consulting opportunities, and the certificate program will be provided free of charge to local nonprofits, thanks to community support provided by local individuals and organizations through the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.

Register now for the RE:BORDER Binational Conference A Nuestra Salud: The Impact of Public Health and Mental Health in the Baja California Transborder Region. The RE:BORDER Conference is the premier annual collaborative conference that explores key transborder, binational issues and innovative solutions. This year's theme is A Nuestra Salud: The Impact of Public Health and Mental Health in the Baja California Transborder Region. It will bring leading academic researchers together with policy makers, the private sector, students, and a wide variety of community stakeholders-from Mexico and the U.S.- who are interested in border region research, policy, and best practices. Bilingual facilitators and moderators will engage and monitor discussions after each presentation. The RE:BORDER 2021 Conference is taking place on November 16 & 17, 2021.

ASU Lodestar Center receives Bank of America grant to train the next generation of nonprofit and civic leaders. Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is pleased to announce a grant award from Bank of America to support educational and professional pathways for members and alumni of its Public Allies Arizona program. The grant-funded Public Allies Arizona National Service and Workforce Development initiative taps into the unrealized power and potential of these emerging leaders, many of whom come from disadvantaged or overlooked communities. Public Allies Arizona is a program of the ASU Lodestar Center, supported by AmeriCorps, that develops young leaders from diverse backgrounds, places them for 10 months at a nonprofit or public organization, and prepares them for lives and careers devoted to social change. The $50,000 Bank of America grant will allow dozens of Allies to receive... (read more)

Are you a Texas Child Welfare Funder? Join Philanthropy Southwest’s peer group Texas Child Welfare Funders (TXCWF). Private funders are an important voice in the child welfare system, and the Texas Child Welfare Funders provides a statewide forum for funders to collectively understand the landscape of child welfare and identify ways to partner and invest with one another to benefit children, youth and families. Subscribe to TXCWF's listserv where TCWF will announce meetings, educational events, and community building activities as well as pose questions, share resources and discuss issues important to funders working in child welfare issue areas. Visit PSW's peer networks page, scroll to the 'subscribe' drop down at the bottom of the page and select TX Child Welfare Funders.

Black Philanthropy Month: Amplifying Black donors making an impact in San Diego. Black Philanthropy Month is an opportunity to honor some of San Diego’s Black philanthropists who, through donor-advised and scholarship funds with The San Diego Foundation, have made a lasting positive impact on San Diego’s Black community and beyond. Marking its 10th anniversary this month, Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), is a global celebration observed every August and a year-round social action initiative to elevate and encourage African-descent philanthropy. The monthlong celebration was founded by Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, Ph.D., founder and governing board president of the WISE Fund. According to the Black Philanthropy Month website, the celebration aims to amplify the... (read more)

Learn about the MAP (Making Action Possible) Dashboard project, created to measurably improve Southern Arizona through data driven action and education. The Dashboard provides users valuable information about our region’s progress in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, and much more. It also provides access to the latest demographic information for our region. Join the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona for MAP Dashboard 101 on September 2 from 11 AM - 12 PM, and learn how to access and use local and regional data to inform your work and provide funders with critical information about the needs and service gaps in our community. Each MAP Dashboard 101 session will include an overview of how to find the data you need and an example of how available data can be utilized. September’s MAP Dashboard 101 session will look at how COVID-19 has impacted Arizona’s students.

The magic chef. By Morgan Smith. It’s 103 degrees and my son, Nelson and I are at Sam’s Club in El Paso. The goal? To meet Dr. Eva Moya from UTEP and buy a freezer for a migrant shelter in Juárez named Respetitrans. Originally it was a shelter for transgender migrants but now there are roughly 240 migrants there, mostly families and only one freezer. This is part of an extraordinary program called Dignity Mission which was started by Jack and Cheryl Ferrell in Placitas, New Mexico. When I first met them, they were putting together loads of food and clothing to take to El Paso and unload in Dr. Moya’s garage. She and her volunteers would then take everything across the border to different shelters. When I visited the Ferrells for a second time, the program had grown enormously. They and other volunteers were loading a large U Haul with roughly three tons of... (read more)

Arizona Community Foundation donors distribute $17.7M in first quarter grants, scholarships. The Arizona Community Foundation and its donors announce grant and scholarship distributions for the first quarter of its fiscal year, April 1-June 30, totaling $17,661,723 awarded to six statewide affiliates. The $17.7 million in discretionary and advised grants and scholarships were awarded in strategic priority areas including: health innovations, community improvement and development, environment and sustainability, arts and culture, and quality education, according to a press release. Health Innovations: A total of $6.6 million was awarded to 677 organizations and programs in the areas of health, health care, medical research, and various human services. Among the distributions for the quarter were: $100,000 from an ACF... (read more)

“Due Process Denied”- CBP abuses at the border October 2020-July 2021. This joint report by the Kino Border Initiative (KBI) and NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, documents patterns of abuse by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency in the Nogales sector. The purpose of this report is to provide a snapshot of what occurs at the border and to press for external oversight to end CBP’s systemic culture of abuse of migrants. As members of Congress continue to push for increased funding for CBP as a response to asylum seekers arriving at the US-Mexico border, and the Biden Administration increasingly relies on CBP to do the work of asylum officers and trained Health and Human Services (HHS) employees, this report demonstrates that CBP is not the appropriate... (read more)

Catchafire: Matching SA nonprofits with volunteer experts. While looking at ways to support local nonprofits in their recovery efforts last year, the San Antonio Area Foundation joined other local funders to bring Catchafire to the San Antonio area for the first time. Since October 2020, five area funders – San Antonio Area Foundation, Social Venture Partners San Antonio, H.E. Butt Foundation, LISC San Antonio, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and DOCUmation – partnered with Catchafire to give 102 local nonprofits free access to its platform. Catchafire’s principal objective is to connect nonprofits with volunteers looking to provide extra support, particularly with projects requiring extensive professional expertise like public relations, website design and corporate strategy. “I think of Catchafire as an avenue for... (read more)

EPA chief gets tour of Tijuana River sewage and trash that foul San Diego beaches. This is the first time an EPA administrator has toured the polluted border region. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan got a first-hand look Friday at the Tijuana River Valley, where hundreds of millions of gallons of water laced with raw sewage, trash and industrial chemicals regularly foul San Diego shorelines, shuttering beaches as far north as Coronado. “You know, you can read about these things and have your own visualization, but seeing it first-hand really is impactful,” said Regan, the first EPA administrator to tour the local border region. He had plenty to see. On Tuesday, 1.8 million gallons of urban runoff that included untreated sewage flowed across the... (read more)

Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at the Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service to launch Certificate in Social Justice Leadership. The certificate is designed for nonprofit leaders committed to accelerating racial equity within nonprofit organizations. The goal of this innovative offering is to support public service professionals interested in addressing inequities within leadership roles at nonprofits, equip them to identify and advocate regarding systemic and structural barriers within, and positively contribute to the health of the sector. This online program is a non-credit-bearing professional education opportunity for nonprofit practitioners that uses an asynchronous design to offer the flexibility required by today’s professionals and consists of five three-week courses that can be completed in approximately four months.

A conversation with leading funders: Reimagining Systems-Level Changes for Economic Equity. We need radical change to ensure economic security for all. Now is the time for philanthropy to lead the way by intentionally investing in structural change using an equity lens. What does it look like to invest in solutions that create infrastructure for economic resilience for all or dismantle what perpetuates inequity? How have funders applied an equity lens to investing in systems change, and what have they learned? Join us on July 29th for a conversation with leading funders – The California Wellness Foundation, Con Alma Health Foundation, and Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation – to hone in on systemic solutions for economic equity and dignity.

Anne McEnany steps down from her role as President & CEO of the International Community Foundation (ICF). It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that ICF’s Anne McEnany has stepped down from her role as President & CEO. Anne has played a critical role in the development and success of our organization, and while we will miss her and her inspiring leadership, we wish her the best of luck on her next adventure. We want to thank her for the 20 years of dedicated service, which involved many accomplishments that are a direct result of her leadership, including: Growing ICF’s assets from $22 million to $30 million; expanding grant making from $7 million to $17 million in 2020; growing ICF’s team from 5 to 14 cross-cultural professionals; targeting mosquito-borne diseases in Mexico. ICF brought the World Mosquito Program to La Paz to pilot a $2 million project to eliminate dengue, zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever – the first site in Mexico to receive… (read more)

Healthy Air: Indoors and Out, a free webinar in Spanish and English on how to protect your home and family from air pollution. Join the EPA to learn about indoor and outdoor air pollution in the U.S.-Mexico border region and what you can do to protect your home and community. Presenters will share information on common air pollution sources, potential health impacts from poor air quality, and tips and tricks for creating safe environments. All members of the public are welcome! Date: August 12, 2021, Time: 12:00-1:00 PM PT. Host: US EPA, Region 9. For more information, please contact Francisco Dóñez. Register here.

Nominations for the first-ever Legacy of Leadership awards are due July 31. Don't miss your chance to recognize a Philanthropy Southwest foundation or individual leader for their leadership, legacy, and innovationDo you know a PSW foundation member or individual foundation staff member or trustee who deserves recognition for their legacy and innovation in Philanthropy? Please submit your nomination for a Legacy of Leadership Award to celebrate the spirit of leadership, legacy, and innovation. Selected recipients are recognized at this year’s Annual Conference during the Celebration of Philanthropy closing event, a formal reception and dinner. Applications close July 31!

"Mentes Hermosas" brings the Vision in Action Mental Health Sanctuary in focus. Though it lies miles beyond the edge of Ciudad Juárez and its residents are often overlooked by society, the Vision in Action Mental Health Sanctuary is front and center in Mentes Hermosas (Beautiful Minds), a new photography series and exhibit captured by Art Moreno Jr. Established by Pastor Jose Antonio Galvan in 1995, the Vision in Action Mental Health Sanctuary provides care for individuals who were living on the streets of Juárez and primarily serves those grappling with mental illness. Hoping to further the reach and knowledge of its work, Sanctuary leadership recently collaborated with photographer Art Moreno Jr. to produce a series of portraits of Sanctuary residents, one of which is being sold as a print through the El Paso Community Foundation. Proceeds support the... (read more)

Meet the Fellows: A Conversation with the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Border Fellows. Register here to join us on Thursday, July 15 at 1 PM (PST) for a discussion with the inaugural cohort of Kroc IPJ Border Fellows and our Border Ally Award recipients. During the event, you will learn more about their projects and their passion for building a peaceful and inclusive border region. Our virtual panel will be hosted via Zoom in Spanish with simultaneous translation to English. This dynamic group represents the diverse efforts across our border community to reduce vulnerabilities for women, provide opportunities for at-risk youth, protect migrants, increase access to justice, contribute to environmental resilience, prevent violence, and minimize human rights abuses.

Santa Fe Community Foundation Announces new CEO Christopher Goett. The Santa Fe Community Foundation, New Mexico’s largest nonprofit funder, is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Goett as its new president and CEO, effective July 28, 2021. Goett will succeed Sue Coliton, who has served as the organization’s interim president and CEO since September 2020. “We are delighted that Chris has chosen the Santa Fe Community Foundation for this next chapter of his career,” said Marcos Zubia, chair of the search committee. “We’re grateful for all who made this decision possible, including my colleagues on the Search Committee, the Foundation staff and board, and the hundreds of people who participated in the initial constituent conversations.” Mr. Goett is a value-oriented leader with over 20 years of experience in community-based philanthropy. He currently serves as the... (read more)

Legacy of Leadership Awards: Recognizing legacy and innovation in philanthropy. Do you know a Philanthropy Southwest foundation member or individual foundation staff member or trustee who deserves recognition for their legacy and innovation in philanthropy? Please submit your nomination for a Legacy of Leadership Award to celebrate the spirit of leadership, legacy, and innovation. Selected recipients are recognized at this year’s Annual Conference during the Celebration of Philanthropy closing event, a formal reception and dinner. Applications close July 31, 2021 and Award recipients are announced on September 1, 2021.

Plaza Classic Film Fest rolling out their schedule and it’s looking great. The Plaza Classic Film Fest of last year was a little different. It went out on tour in El Paso as pop-up drive ins which was pretty cool, but seeing the films at the historic Plaza Theater was definitely missed. Well, great news, the El Paso Community Foundation has announced that for this year, the Plaza Classic Film Fest will return to the Plaza Theater this summer! This year's Plaza Classic Film Fest will take place on July 29th through August 8th- in and around the Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso. COVID safety protocols will be in place. Check out the list of movies (so far) that will be shown at the... (read more)

UTEP’s Dr. Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia appointed to EPA’s U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Program. Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in The University of Texas at El Paso’s Department of Public Health Sciences, has been appointed as the U.S. co-leader for the environmental education and sustainability task force with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Program. The role of the task force is to serve as a mechanism for border stakeholders to collaborate, share information, raise concerns to government officials, and learn about ongoing efforts in the border region. Among his duties as co-leader, Ibarra-Mejia will be responsible for creating and implementing action plans for the task force and... (read more)

Stepping up: Philanthropy assumes racial justice leadership role. As the country embarked on renewed racial reckoning ushered by the horrendous murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020, the reverberations of growing social unrest were soon felt here in San Antonio. The community was in search of guidance. People needed and wanted to turn to bona fide sources of leadership that could point the way on how to tackle racial injustice and work toward establishing equity. Then the mentions began dropping one after the other – News 4 WOAI, San Antonio Magazine locally and even in national nonprofit circles labeling it as a go-to organization in the Alamo City. They all referred to the San Antonio Area African American Community Fund (SAAAACF), a charitable fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation. Yet it’s not as if SAAAACF was just... (read more)

$471.44B in giving: A look at the latest Giving USA report. Last week, Megan Thomas, president & CEO of Catalyst, joined Mark Stuart, president & CEO of The San Diego Foundation, Emily Young, executive director of The Nonprofit Institute, and Richard Tollefson, president of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, for a launch discussion with the Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego on the newly released Giving USA data for 2020. Launched June 15, the report outlines more than $471 billion in giving to U.S. charitable organizations in 2020 and highlights shifts in behaviors we are seeing at a macro scale across the U.S. We’ve included a comprehensive release of the information below from Giving USA Foundation and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI. But if you’d like an easy button, we’ve also got you covered. Here are our top five takeaways from the report... (read more)

Voices of the Border: Testimonios of Migration, Deportation, and Asylum. By Tobin Hansen and María Engracia Robles Robles, ME, Editors. Foreword by Sean Carroll, SJ. Powerful personal accounts from migrants crossing the US-Mexico border provide an understanding of their experiences, as well as the consequences of public policy. Migrants, refugees, and deportees live through harrowing situations, yet their personal stories are often ignored. While politicians and commentators mischaracterize and demonize, herald border crises, and speculate about who people are and how they live, the actual memories of migrants are rarely shared. In the tradition of oral storytelling, Voices of the Border reproduces the stories migrants have... (read more)

Applications are now being accepted to join CFSA’s third cohort of Catchafire.org grantees. Community Foundation for Southern Arizona’s Catchafire Grants offer significant operational support to regional nonprofits by connecting organizations with professional, virtual volunteers. From building a new website to video production, HR policy review to leadership coaching, Catchafire’s volunteers support nonprofits with over 160 different capacity-building projects. Over the past two years, CFSA’s Catchafire grantees have completed more than $3.9 million in projects through their Catchafire memberships, representing 19,973 volunteer hours and 846 individual projects. Apply here by July 7, 5 p.m. MST.

CFSA Announces Appointment of Jenny Flynn as President & CEO. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA) is pleased to announce that our Board of Trustees has completed a national search and appointed Jenny Flynn as President and CEO, effective August 30, 2021. CFSA is also pleased to announce that Mark Montoya, currently serving as Interim President and CEO for the Foundation, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer. CFSA Board Chair Jan Lesher shared, “The Foundation’s Board of Trustees was impressed with Jenny’s commitment to inclusive philanthropy and her success in increasing philanthropic giving at the University of Arizona. We are excited to welcome her to the CFSA team.” Lesher continued, “Jenny’s expertise and Mark’s relationships with CFSA’s donors and partners will make them a dynamic team. The board is confident that...(read more)

Meet the Fellows: A conversation with the Kroc IPJ Border Fellows. Join us for a discussion with the inaugural cohort of Border Fellows at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice on Thursday, July 15 at 1:00 PM PT. During the panel, you can learn more about the Fellows, the projects they will work on during the 12-month fellowship, and their passion for building a peaceful and inclusive border region. At the event, we will also honor a group of ten dedicated individuals as the first recipients of our Border Ally Award for their work at the border. Patricia Marquez, Dean of the Kroc School, will provide introductory remarks and the panel will be moderated by Kroc IPJ Program Officer for Cross-Border Initiatives Melissa Floca. The event will be hosted virtually via zoom. Please register here to access the webinar.

MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett invest in community foundation momentum. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and her husband Dan Jewett have chosen to donate $5 million to CFLeads. This extraordinary gift shines a light on the vital role community foundations play in transforming communities throughout the United States and acknowledges the unique power of CFLeads as a peer network driving change. We deeply appreciate Ms. Scott and Mr. Jewett’s faith in our mission and the growing number of community foundations coming together through CFLeads to be more effective community leaders. Scott and Jewett recognize that “community-centered service is…a powerful catalyst and multiplier.” In her Medium post “Seeding by Ceding,” MacKenzie Scott writes that her team identified and evaluated equity-oriented non-profit... (read more)

Ken Salazar, Ambassador to Mexico. By Morgan Smith. The Biden administration has now named former US Senator Ken Salazar from Colorado to be its Ambassador to Mexico. Having worked with Ken in the administration of Colorado Governor Roy Romer, I can attest to his knowledge, integrity and commitment. He served as Attorney General for Colorado (1999-2005), US Senator from 2005 to 2009 and Secretary of the Interior from 2009 to 2013 and there is no better choice for this position that offers major challenges but also great potential for improving mutual US-Mexico issues. The first challenge would be gaining the trust and respect of Mexico’s President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (better known as AMLO). Despite Trump’s... (read more)

XXV Border Environmental Forum: The Green Economy & Bilateral Integration. Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas. August 17 and 18. The North American Development Bank (NADB) is proud to present the XXV Border Environmental Forum (BEF). This forum brings together local and state officials, private sector developers, academics, large commercial users, and experts from the U.S. and Mexico. The forum will center the dialogue on the U.S.- Mexico relationship and regional efforts to develop projects that help improve the environment, the climate challenge related to water, highlighting current and future financing opportunities, new technologies and how to continue building partnerships that will benefit both countries.

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