BPP News (2/7)

BPP launches its webinar series with Candid experts. On March 25th, the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (AFF) kicks off its virtual seminar series on fundraising with Candid experts, providing relevant and timely training to its members and organizations interested in learning how to engage with various audiences to boost your fundraising efforts. The first webinar in our series, "Introduction to Corporate Giving," will take place on March 25th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Pacific Time). If you are a member of the BPP network, your registration is included with your membership. Click here to receive your registration code. Non-members: Follow this link to join our network or use this link to complete your payment of US$100.00. Don't miss this opportunity for professional and organizational development!
Save the date for the upcoming seminars in the series:

Your Board and Fundraising. April 29 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM PST
Introduction to Fundraising Planning. May 22 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
Advanced Proposal Writing Workshop. June 26 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST
Introduction to Individual Giving. July 17 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
Ask Me Anything: Candid Experts on Finding Grants. August 21 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PS

BPP leads Borderlands tour for U.S. State Department guests. This past week BPP Executive Director Andy Carey led a day-long Border tour on behalf of the San Diego Diplomacy Council. The participants were guests of the International Visitors Program of the U.S. State Department who visited Washington, D.C., Denver, CO, Phoenix, AZ, San Diego, CA, and Iowa City, IA. The delegates in attendance represented the countries of Algeria, Belgium, Italy, Kosovo, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, and Turkey. The International Visitors Program - IVP: Members Visiting Each other Worldwide is an amazing use of diplomatic soft power to engage future leaders of countries with American civil society. This was the 10th tour US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) has completed for the program in California and Texas. The BPP led tour included discussions and presentations on business, commerce, trade, travel, migration, diplomacy and civil society. We wish to thank our members, donors, and partners for participating with us and send a special shout out to San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Smart Border Coalition, Consulado General de México en San Diego, RL Jones Customhouse Brokers, Cross Border Xpress, and Achiote Restaurant for your support of the tour.

ASU Lodestar Center Celebrates 25 Years of Impact. On February 5, 2025, ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation celebrated 25 years of impact in Arizona and beyond. This special event featured Kate Forbes, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). As one of the Center’s first community volunteer champions, Kate played an integral role in shaping its mission, vision, and capacity-building portfolio. Today, as IFRC president, she continues to drive humanitarian efforts through 191 IFRC Federation members and over 16 million volunteers. Community and sector leaders, key stakeholders, and program alumni gathered to celebrate this milestone and explore ASU Lodestar Center’s global vision for the next 25 years of impact. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Robert Ashcraft and the entire ASU Lodestar Center team for this incredible achievement. Dr. Ashcraft, a former BPP Board member and Chair for three years, has been a tireless advocate for philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, leaving a lasting impact on both sides of the border. We look forward to seeing ASU Lodestar Center’s continued success in strengthening communities and fostering positive change!

Save the Date! Exclusive webinar series with Candid experts. Join us for an insightful webinar series featuring experts from Candid, designed to enhance your fundraising knowledge and strategy! Each session will cover key topics to help nonprofits succeed in securing funding. Mark your calendar for these upcoming sessions:

Introduction to Corporate Giving. March 25 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
Your Board and Fundraising. April 29 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM PST
Introduction to Fundraising Planning. May 22 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
Advanced Proposal Writing Workshop. June 26 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST
Introduction to Individual Giving. July 17 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
Ask Me Anything: Candid Experts on Finding Grants. August 21 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from top nonprofit experts! Stay tuned for registration details. Questions? Contact us for more information.

Conrad Prebys Foundation presents 2025 Prebys Leadership Award to Andy Carey. The Prebys Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2025 Prebys Leadership Awards, recognizing five exceptional leaders from organizations across San Diego County. These individuals have demonstrated a strong track record of creating conditions that support well-being—including mental health, healing, access to care, and human expression—throughout the region. Each honoree will receive $100,000 to support their work in the fields of arts and culture, healthcare, medical research, and youth success. This year's recipients include Dr. Paula Aristizabal, pediatric oncologist of UC San Diego and Rady Children's Hospital, is a leader in healthcare, dedicated to improving outcomes for children with cancer by breaking down barriers for Hispanic children and their families; Afira Arrastia-DeVries , President and CEO of the Monarch School Project, who leads the only K-12 public institution dedicated to providing a welcoming environment to unhoused students while support teachers across the country to learn how to better serve these youth and their families; Andrew Carey, the Executive Director of the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, leads a visionary team dedicated to cross-border collaboration with the mission of improving the lives of communities along the US-Mexico border; Ben McCue the Executive Director of Outdoor Outreach who has made remarkable strides in the field of outdoor education and environmental stewardship providing youth with opportunities for growth, development, and to find themselves; Chris Rubio the Artistic Director of Arms Wide Open a groundbreaking theater group dedicated to transforming lives and breaking down barriers for children on the autism spectrum and many others with special needs. More than 200 local leaders were nominated by fellow San Diegans for this prestigious award. “The talent and dedication in our region are immense,” said Prebys Foundation CEO Grant Oliphant. “We are fortunate to have a deep bench of visionary and committed leaders. Through this award, along with our investments in leadership development and nonprofit capacity, we aim to support the individuals and organizations that help San Diego stay healthy, obtain essential resources, and foster a strong, caring community.” For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org

BPP Board holds 2025 Annual meeting, elects officers and welcomes new members. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Board of Directors held its annual meeting today. Highlights of the Board’s decisions include board officer elections including Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta (RL Jones Customhouse Brokers) as Chair, JC Thomas (City of San Diego) as Secretary, Louis Escareño (Attorney at Law/UETA Duty Free Americas) as Treasurer, and Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres (Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico, A.C.) as Immediate Past Chair. The Board also extended the terms of board service for Eduardo Acosta, JC Thomas, Alex Ríos (Sempra Infrastructure), Guillermo Garza (Arca Continental), and Denise Herrera (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation / University of Texas- Houston). Other decisions include the continuation of our partnership with CANDID to provide members access to the Foundation Directory Online, maintain 5 public access points in San Diego, Mexicali, Cd. Juarez, Cd. Obregon, and Monterrey, as well as complete 6 resource development and capacity building webinars beginning this March 2025. The BPP Board also approved extending the partnership with the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. At this meeting, the board recognized the wonderful contributions of Bush Fellow Hannah Russell for her leadership and participation in 2024, and at the same time, welcomed two new Bush Fellows, Ellyn Chatham and Elena Walker for 2025. The Bush Fellows will be tasked with supporting a study on succession planning. The Board also approved the 2025 budget and annual plan to support robust membership programs and initiatives, public relations activities in the Borderlands, and events and activities in the region. For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org

BPP fiscal sponsor program takes in over US$488,000 in year-end December giving. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership received over US$488,000 in the month of December in support of fiscal sponsor programs for arts and culture, child services, education, environment, faith-based initiatives, and public policy advocacy. We are so pleased to support our members and donors in their charitable giving, says Board Chair Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta. This is the most generous month to date for our program that has seen nearly US$17 million supporting 173 initiatives since its inception. Our program is unique, says BPP Director Andy Carey. We are uniquely positioned to support donors from both the U.S. and Mexico, and as you can see from the growth in the program, generosity has no boundaries. For more information on how you and your organization may participate, contact Andy Carey.

The Border Philanthropy Partnership reminds its members and friends of the opportunity to consult Candid's Foundation Directory at its physical locations. As an exclusive benefit for our members, unlimited remote access to this valuable tool is also available, offering information on more than 240,000 grant makers in the United States. This service has a market value of $200 per month. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we provide free access to this service as a community benefit at our locations in Mexico, Monterrey, Nuevo León (UDEM); Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua (Fundación Paso del Norte); Ciudad Obregón, Sonora (Centro de Formación Social); Mexicali (UABC); and in the U.S.: San Diego, California (BPP). Stay tuned to our upcoming webinars (included at no cost as a member benefit) delivered by Candid experts and starting in March 2025: Intro to Corporate Giving, Your Board and Fundraising, Fundraising Planning, Advanced Proposal Writing Workshop, Intro to Individual Giving, and Ask Me Anything: Candid Experts on Finding Grants.

Border Philanthropy Partnership mourns the passing of Christine Baker. The Board of Directors and staff team mourn the passing of our friend, colleague, member, and staff accountant, Christine Baker. Christine was hired in October 2008 as the Accountant for the newly formed and independent U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. The organization was just getting started so we needed a dedicated and talented individual who was an expert in nonprofit accounting. For the next 16 years, Christine helped us grow our membership, start new programs, measure our impact, and maintain administrative overhead to acceptable levels. Christine was recommended to us by the Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego. In addition to serving as a nonprofit accountant at multiple organizations across San Diego, she also taught in the nonprofit program as a professor of practice for the nonprofit accounting courses. Christine was a valued and loyal member of our administrative team, and worked to implement processes, procedures, and controls for our accounting system. Additionally, she played an invaluable role in our fiscal sponsor program, and we successfully presented every audit while Christine led our financial operations. Christine relocated to Bullhead City, AZ at the beginning of 2019 and continued to support our work remotely. Christine is survived by her life partner, Greg Rupeiks, two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, one brother and two sisters, and multiple nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Dean last year, and her daughter Linnea two years ago. Rest in peace dear friend.

Arizona Community Foundation, Fundación Tichi Muñoz and BPP join forces in support of NGOs in Sonora. For the second year in a row, the Arizona Community Foundation, Fundación Tichi Muñoz and U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership have collaborated in supported of civil society organizations in Sonora. We are elated to work with the Fundación Tichi Muñoz in Cd. Obregón to support worthy nonprofits addressing community needs, says Adam Lopez Falk at Arizona Community Foundation. This last year the selected nonprofit organizations secured over US$100,000, and our family foundation is elated to partner with Arizona Community Foundation in this co-investment initiative, says Anabella Díaz Rivera R. Bours, Board member at both Tichi Muñoz and BPP. The projects supported in year one included Ecomunidad, A.C., Centro de Formación Social, A.C., Bazar Solidario, I.A.P., Baisae, A.C., and Pronatura Noroeste, A.C.. More than 30,000 people in Sonora benefitted from year one results, and we are excited to see what happens in year two. This innovative initiative supports binationalism in its truest form says BPP Board Chair Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta.

New team members join BPP in January 2025. BPP is pleased to announce the arrival of new team members to support our work in the binational region. We are excited to welcome Chandra Lukes as our new Accountant. Chandra brings a decade of fiscal management and accounting experience to the organization. In addition to serving BPP Chandra is also the Director of Accounting at San Diego Foundation. Previously, Chandra served as an Audit Senior Manager for EisnerAmper, where she specialized in nonprofit organizations, among other key areas of accounting. Lalibela Walto also joins the team from Bisbee, AZ. A recent graduate of the University of New Orleans and an AmeriCorps volunteer member in Louisiana and Colombia, Lalibela will serve as Project Specialist, and support social media campaigns, data processing and collection, research, and member services. Please join us in welcoming Chandra Lukes and Lalibela Walto. For more information contact Andy Carey.

BPP Board of Directors holds final meeting of 2024. The BPP Board of Directors met in late November for the final meeting of 2024. The Board received and approved the 2023 Audit report, approved a new policy for expired membership, approved updates and changes to the legal structure of Alianza Fronteriza de Filantropía, A.C., and approved several new fiscal sponsor relationships. Executive Director Andy Carey also shared his year-end report, as well as related financial information. Board Chair Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta remarked, “this has been a remarkable year for Border Philanthropy Partnership, and all we have accomplished in service to our membership and our region. We are excited for 2025 and look forward to meeting in Phoenix, AZ in late January.”

Fiscal Sponsor program grows to new heights in 2024. Since 2013, BPP has provided fiscal sponsor services to more than 173 organizations across the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. This represents nearly 42% of the member network and makes this service one of the most valued amongst member clients. During the first three quarters of 2024, BPP distributed more than US$1.5 million in charitable gifts between the U.S. and Mexico. The total fiscal sponsor giving program now surpasses US$16 million. We are elated to support our members and donors generosity towards arts and culture, child services, education, environment, public health, and public policy advocacy in the Borderlands, says BPP Chair Eduardo Acosta. We are proud of the work we are doing and look forward to continuing to support our network in doing important work on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border. For more information contact andy@borderpartnership.org

BPP and Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles sign collaboration agreements. The BPP Board of Directors has approved a collaboration agreement with the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles to support community outreach activities across the region. BPP will serve as fiscal sponsor for the community activities carried out by Mexico including the health and wellness outreach, financial education, scholarships, and community engagement efforts. “The Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles is proud to work with the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership in bringing needed services to our community,” said Carlos González Gutiérrez, Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles. Since 2013, we’ve provided fiscal sponsor services to our member network and leveraged our ability to support philanthropy in both countries, says BPP Chair Eduardo Lalo Acosta. Since that time, we’ve channeled over US$16 million to support families and communities. We are pleased to join our friend, Ambassador Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez and the diplomatic team in Los Angeles, he continued.

Molina Healthcare awards BPP US$100,000 to support health and wellness in LA. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (“BPP”) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Molina Healthcare of California (“Molina”) to strengthen and increase health services for the Hispanic and Latino population in Los Angeles County. The grant will support health initiatives through a partnership between BPP, The Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, and the Consulate’s Ventanilla de Salud (VDS) program. The BPP is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to support a network of organizations that build prosperity through leadership, collaboration, and philanthropy in the U.S.-Mexico Border region. “Health disparities among the underserved Mexican population in Los Angeles can be significant,” said Andy Carey, executive director of BPP. “Factors in the disparities include limited access to healthcare services, language barriers, and socio-economic challenges. The Molina Healthcare grant will help us reduce the disparities by funding health promotion and preventive activities,” Carey said. “Molina is committed to removing barriers to care and helping communities connect to critical health and wellness resources,” said Abbie Totten, plan president of Molina Healthcare of California. “We are proud to join The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and the great work they are doing to help underserved communities access the services needed to thrive.” Individuals of Mexican origin face the highest rates of uninsurance in the U.S. and encounter numerous health disparities, particularly in access to healthcare. Los Angeles County is home to the largest Hispanic and Latino population of any county in the United States, with more than 4.8 million individuals.

BPP moderates panel on diplomacy in the Borderlands at World Design Capital conference. World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 held the Beyond Borders Conference last week in San Diego. Over 400 civil society leaders from Canada, the United States and Mexico attended. The conference explored design as a strategy to build community and stronger relations across the globe. As a part of this effort, BPP moderated a panel on subnational diplomacy between the U.S. and Mexico in the Borderlands. The panel included Ambassador Alicia Kerber Palma, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, and Christopher Teal, Consul General of the United States in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The two diplomats shared keen insights on the future of U.S.-Mexico relations as it relates to business and commerce, student exchange, diplomacy, environmental protection issues in the region, and civil society engagement.

BPP supports USD School on Leadership and Education Sciences to host delegation from South Africa. The University of San Diego School on Leadership and Education Sciences and the Global Center hosted the Wits Business School based in South Africa. The delegation included 16 graduate students and faculty members exploring the role of civil society in the globe. The delegation visited Miami, FL, San Diego, CA and Los Angeles, CA as part of a 10-day tour of academic institutions. BPP was honored to participate in the event, says Director Andy Carey. This was the second time this year that Wits Business School has visited Southern California, and we were honored to share the story of the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. In addition to learning about the work of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, our friends also toured the Border to see first hand the dynamic relationship between the U.S. and Mexico.

BPP and Arizona Community Foundation leaders visit Mision Caridad in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora. Last week, BPP Executive Director Andy Carey and Arizona Community Foundation officials including Adam Lopez Falk and Taylor Pineda toured BPP member Misión de Caridad School and Center that serves students and families in the surrounding community serving pre-school to ninth grade students and families in the Northern Sonora region. Misión de Caridad provides an excellent educational experience for women and children and was started in 2019, says Founder Jean Sicurella. Jean visited the area as part of a church mission trip and decided to make a bigger impact by starting a nonprofit to create real change for the students and families. The students are provided after school program support, supplies, two meals a day, get school uniforms and shoes, and receive an excellent education in reading, writing, math, science, and technology. Additionally, Misión de Caridad is providing support to the families to address health and wellness as well as opportunities for employment. For more information contact info@mdcaridad.org.

BPP visits Universidad de Monterrey for nonprofit training and support launch of new health organization. BPP Director Andy Carey travelled to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon to provide a nonprofit training in collaboration with the Universidad de Monterrey and Fundación de Beneficencia Jesus M. Montemayor. More than 40 nonprofit executives attended to learn strategies and cultural differences in successfully securing funding support in Mexico from U.S. based donors. Carey highlighted the use of BPP member services and the member access to CANDID Foundation Directory online. There are almost 5,000 foundations based in the United States that regularly support initiatives in Mexico. "We are excited to get the word out about access to CANDID and the incredible opportunities to secure funding support from the other side of the Border," says Carey. Additionally, Carey met with the newly formed Board of Directors of a soon to be launched health initiative supporting individuals and families dealing with neurodivergent people. Generosity knows no bounds, says Carey, and this new initiative will have an incredible impact on the people and families served, and will no doubt be a wonderful resource for people living on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border. For more information contact Andy Carey.

BPP to moderate World Design Capital Beyond Borders panel November 12, 2024. The San Diego-Tijuana World Design Capital Beyond Boundaries Forum launches next week in San Diego with leaders and organizations attending from across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Topics include diplomacy, journalism, transboundary governance, migration, housing, urban mobility, and workforce development, education, and climate adaptation and resiliency. The two-day forum includes hundreds of officials from the public, private, and civil society sectors from the three countries and is designed to facilitate dialogue, creative thinking, and engagement in the topic areas. BPP Director Andy Carey will moderate the opening session titled “Building cross-border collaboration through subnational diplomacy” and features the Consul General of the United States in Tijuana, the Hon. Christopher Teal and the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, the Hon. Alicia Kerber Palma. For more information contact BPP.

Arizona Community Foundation recognizes Jones’ family. The US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) congratulates the Russ and Janet Jones family on the 2024 Generational Giving Award presented at the annual Heart of Yuma awards this week by Arizona Community Foundation. This is the first time this award was presented and recognizes the entire family’s engagement in the binational community. “What a testament to the Jones’ community leadership, giving, and philanthropy, says Eduardo Lalo Acosta, Chair, BPP Board of Directors. Thank you Russ Jones, Janet Jones, Shelley Jones Mellon, and Eric Jones for your commitment to our binational community and the families that live here. Russ Jones is a founding member of BPP and was named Chair Emeritus. Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma and Arizona Community Foundation are founding members of BPP.

BPP supports Festival Mariachi in Tecalitlán, Jalisco for third year in a row. BPP was honored to attend the 7th annual Festival Mariachi in Tecalitlán, Jalisco in recent days. The 11 day annual festival brings together musical groups from across Mexico as well as the United States. Tecalitlán is the home for mariachi music. The festival was amazing, says BPP Executive Director Andy Carey, and we were delighted to support the wishes of American donors to celebrate the Art and cultural heritage of mariachi music. The event brings thousands of people to Jalisco each October from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia and the United States.

The vision of impact: Adam Lopez Falk and the future of Arizona’s communities. Republished with permission, original article published in Spanish by Newsweek en Español América. Adam Lopez Falk stands at the intersection of community, philanthropy, and legacy. As the Senior Community Impact Officer for Discretionary Grantmaking at the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), Lopez Falk views philanthropy as far more than just donations. For him, it’s about generosity rooted in culture and history, particularly within Arizona’s fast-growing Latino population. With decades of experience advocating for the Latino community, his leadership blends a background in professional development, a deep understanding of local needs, and a passion for driving Arizona’s future forward. Established in the mid-1970s by individuals who found success in their own lives, the Arizona Community Foundation is a key player in... (read more)

Ana De la Rosa, former BPP Board member, receives the 2024 Rotary Merit Award. On October 16, the Chihuahua Campestre Rotary Club, along with all the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs in the City of Chihuahua, presented the 27th Rotary Merit Award, in its 2024 edition. This event aims to highlight and recognize the work of individuals who, while not being Rotarians, stand out for carrying out altruistic activities for the benefit of their community, which aligns with the same spirit that drives Rotary: to give of oneself before thinking of oneself. This year, the club had the honor of nominating the awardee in the environmental category, with the chosen recipient being Ana De la Rosa Carpizo, director of the Centro de Cultura Ambiental de Chihuahua, A.C., where she currently participates actively... (read more)

San Diego and Baja California leaders in Mexico City for binational meetings. Eduardo "Lalo" Acosta, BPP Board Chair and Louis Escareño BPP Treasurer, among the visiting leaders. Issues to be discussed include border efficiency, water management, strengthening economic ties between both sides of the border and more. More than 100 business and elected leaders from San Diego and Baja California began a four-day trip to Mexico City Sunday to discuss binational issues as the new Mexican administration starts its term. Mexico elected Claudia Sheinbaum as its next president on June 2 in a landslide. Sheinbaum, Mexico's first woman president, assumed office on Oct. 1. The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce's 18th Annual Binational Delegation to Mexico City includes San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas and Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño, among... (read more)

Border Philanthropy Partnership leaders join California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom at Climate Ambassadors program in Mexico City. Last week during the Mexican Presidential Inaugural festivities, Board Treasurer Louis Escareño and Director Andy Carey joined California’s First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom at La Casa de la Universidad de California en México to discuss climate change. Attendees included San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas, Rafael Fernández de Castro, Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies at University of California San Diego, Susan Guinn, San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center, Silvio González, U.S. Embassy Mexico City, Diana Dominguez Guereca, California Governor’s Office, student leaders from each of the University of California campuses and Mexico City based universities including Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. The event was organized by AlianzaMX that is doing incredible work boosting scientific research and education bringing California and Mexico closer together. The event was strategic to highlight that climate change does not respect international boundaries, our shared region is a powerhouse for innovation and collaboration, and by connecting students, public officials, and civil society organizations, we are able to build a stronger and more engaged cross-border community.

24 st Binational Health Week launches across the USA. Consulates General of Mexico across the United States launched the 24st annual Binational Health Week held each October. During the month of October, the Ventanilla de Salud health and wellness outreach program highlights and provides medical, dental, and mental health services to the Latino, Hispanic, and undocumented community across the United States. "This program is providing healthcare services to more than 3 million people annually," says BPP Director Andy Carey. Across the Borderlands, our community members are gaining access to health services and referrals for free or low-cost services at community clinics. The program provides blood pressure checks, glucose checks, vaccinations for Flu, Covid, and TB, grief counseling and more. This week in San Diego, Ambassador Alicia Kerber officially launched Binational Border Health week with a full house at the Consulate with community members and program providers in attendance. "The program is only possible due to the commitment of healthcare providers to reach out to the most vulnerable amongst us," says BPP Director Carey. The Ventanilla de Salud program is a remarkable effort supported by the Mexican Ministries of Foreign Relations and Public Health and augmented by thousands of community health partners across the United States.

Arizona Community Foundation, Fundación Tichi Muñoz, and BPP complete first year of AZ-Sonora Co-Investment initiative. This week marks the first year of the Arizona-Sonora Co-Investment initiative between the Arizona Community Foundation, Fundación Tichi Muñoz and Border Philanthropy Partnership. This effort witnessed the first-ever community foundation and family foundation joint effort in support of the Borderlands and BPP. The two foundations collaborated to identify community-based organizations and provided joint funding support. The organizations receiving the grants included Ecomunidad, A.C., Centro de Formación Social, A.C., Bazar Solidario, I.A.P., Baisae, A.C., and Pronatura Noroeste, A.C.. The projects funded included food security programs, scholarships, water restoration programs, support for migrants and vulnerable families, and capacity building efforts for the nonprofit sector. For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org.

BPP Fiscal Sponsor program supports Festival Mariachi Tecalitlán. For the third year in a row, the Festival Mariachi in Tecalitlán, Jalisco, Mexico will be supported through the BPP fiscal sponsor program. The annual De Tecalitlán los sones, festival cultural del mariachi draws thousands of visitors to Tecalitlán to celebrate the history of mariachi music, art, and culture. “We are excited to support the City of Tecalitlán and this historic annual event that brings the best mariachi performances to the birthplace of mariachi music,” says BPP Executive Director Andy Carey. The festival runs October 3-13 and features musical presentations from groups in both the United States and Mexico, including the world renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán.

Samuel Kalisch has passed away. The Mexican philanthropic sector mourns the death of the beloved and respected leader, one of the founders of BPP when he was the Board Chair at FECHAC.Last Thursday, the renowned businessman Samuel Kalisch passed away at the age of 82 in the city of Chihuahua. His death was confirmed by family and close friends, who mourned the loss of a key figure in the business and educational sphere of the state. Kalisch Valdez leaves a legacy that covered various areas, from the steel industry to education and public service. Born on May 23 in Chihuahua, Samuel Kalisch Valdez graduated as an Agricultural and Zootechnical Engineer from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) in 1965. Son of Margarita Valdez and José Gustavo Kalisch, of Polish origin, Samuel forged... (read more)

BPP joins ASU Transborder Studies at Arizona-Mexico Forum. This past week BPP leaders and members attended the Arizona-Mexico Forum hosted by the Arizona State University School on Transborder Studies held at the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus. The event was organized by Dr. Irasema Coronado, Director and Professor of the School in partnership with Jesús Rodríguez Dávalos, President of Rodriguez Dávalos Abogados. Attendees included public officials Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs; Roberto Velasco, Chief Officer for North America, Mexican Foreign Ministry; Jorge Mendoza Yescas, Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix; Rafael Barceló Durazo, Consul General of Mexico in Tucson; Luis E. Ramirez Thomas, President Ramirez Advisors Inter-National; and Abraham Zamora, Executive Vice President Corporate Affairs, Sempra Infrastructure amongst others. The forum explored ways to foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth, and examined comprehensive approaches to challenges and opportunities between Arizona and Sonora. The topics included Nearshoring: logistics and competitiveness; water and environmental issues; energy; investment and infrastructure development; and workforce development and labor mobility. The event was a resounding success, and additional forums are planned. For more information contact Dustin Davila-Bojorquez.

BPP leaders, members support Arizona Community Foundation launch of Latinos Unidos Fund. Last week Arizona Community Foundation President and CEO Anna María Chávez launched the Latinos Unidos Fund to support Latino philanthropy throughout the State of Arizona. The program is designed to empower Latino-led nonprofits and promote Latino leadership in philanthropy. The growing Latino community now represents 33% of the total state population. Guests travelled from across the state to participate as well as leaders from California and Mexico. During the event, Latinas in Philanthropy and Service (LIPS), a group of dedicated Latina philanthropists committed to supporting and uplifting Latino communities, presented grants to Children’s Action Alliance, CPLC de Colores, CPLC Women’s Center, All In Education, and Unlimited Potential. Former BPP Board Chairs Robert Ashcraft, ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation; Elisa de la Vara, Arizona Community Foundation were in attendance, as well as FESAC Board Chair Luis Arturo Torres and Director Alma Cota de Yañez, and the leadership of Aguilas del Desierto.

Binational Border Health Week starts October 1, 2024. Across the United States beginning October 1, is the launch of Binational Border Health week. Communities and community-based organizations are planning to carry out thousands of health fairs to promote healthy living and access to free and affordable healthcare services. The events are part of the Ventanilla de Salud program sponsored by the Mexican Consular network and the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission. Nonprofit organizations partner with Ventanilla outreach coordinators to provide multiple health services including but not limited to preventative health support; vaccinations; early detection screens for glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure checks, eye exams, and dental exams; grief counseling; HIV testing; nutrition support; and mental health counseling. In San Diego, more than 45 activities are planned throughout the county to support the local community. Contact your nearest Mexican Consulate to participate in Binational Border Health week. For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org

BPP supports Puente News Collaborative in El Paso. The El Paso Community Foundation launched the Puente News Collaborative to support journalism and effective reporting in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. Recently the El Paso Community Foundation hosted philanthropy leaders across the Borderlands in El Paso to showcase this new and innovative news initiative. Participants included El Paso Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, Community Foundation for Southern New Mexico, San Diego Foundation, San Angelo Area Foundation, Southern New Mexico Press Collaborative, Paul Foster Family Foundation, Microsoft, MacArthur Foundation, Border Philanthropy Partnership, and distinguished reporters from across the region. Puente News Collaborative is led by renowned journalist and former Dallas Morning News representative Alfredo Corchado. For more information contact epearson@epcf.org.

BPP supports health initiative in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. A new initiative supporting a variety of health services is launching in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. This week BPP leaders travelled to Monterrey to support the formation of a new board of directors supporting health in Northern Mexico. “This is an exciting development for our region,” says BPP Director Andy Carey. “There is no effort in the binational region like this and it is exciting to participate in this effort”, says Carey. The initiative will support both private and public health initiatives and will likely support the medical tourism industry in the Borderlands as more and more individuals seek medical care in the Northern Border of Mexico.

BPP leaders show in force for North American Development Bank annual environment summit. This week more than 500 leaders from both the U.S.A. and Mexico will gather in San Antonio, TX to support and participate in the North American Development Bank’s annual gathering. Leaders include elected and appointed public officials, business executives, nonprofit organizations, grantmaking foundations, university leaders, and more. The summit will make recommendations related to water crisis solutions in the Borderlands, Energy and Water efficiency in sustainable food value chains, innovations in clean energy, and sustainability production initiatives related to supply chains and circular economy. For more information contact jhereford@nadb.org

BPP and ACLU San Diego and Imperial Counties join forces to work on Borderlands narrative. Last week the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and the ACLU for San Diego and Imperial Counties collaborated in hosting a day-long communication strategy session for narrative change in our community. The event was a resounding success with more than 200 registrants for both in-person and online participation. Harvard University Law Professor of Practice Alan Jenkins headlined the event with dynamic and creative storytelling and strategy development curriculum to help devise strategies to implement improved language strategies for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the Borderlands. BPP was proud to work with our former Board Chair, Cheryl Alethia Phelps, ACLU Executive Director Norma Chavez-Peterson, and attending guests and stakeholders. For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org.

BPP fiscal sponsor program disperses over US$700,000 in first half of year; Board approves 7 new relationships. At the BPP Board of Directors meeting held at the end of July, 7 new member organizations were approved for fiscal sponsor services at BPP. The organizations support arts and culture, education, environment, and public health initiatives in both the U.S. and Mexico. More than 150 organizations in the BPP network are now benefiting from this service. BPP Board Chair Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta says "over US$14 million has been directed to member partners. We are so pleased to see such great response to our services. The generosity of spirit crosses the U.S.-Mexico Border every day, and we are happy that BPP can facilitate this work."

BPP officially welcomes Darren Kew, PhD, as new Dean of Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. The University of San Diego is a long-standing member of the BPP network and the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies just welcomed Darren Kew, PhD, as the new Dean effective July 1, 2024. Darren brings to USD a unique academic background and wide-ranging experience in the peacebuilding field, which combine to make him a perfect fit to lead the Kroc School. Dr. Kew is a professor and former Chair of the Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security, and Global Governance, and Executive Director of the Center for Peace, Democracy, and Development at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Kew has also worked as an advisor on democracy and peace initiatives with the United Nations and U.S. State Department, among others. He studies conflict resolution and democratic development in Africa and has monitored the last seven Nigerian elections. “USD attracted applicants from across the globe for this unique opportunity,” said Senior Vice President and Provost Gail F. Baker, PhD. “After an intensive search which included zoom and on campus interviews with myriad members of our community, it was clear that Dr. Kew has the skills, background, passion and alignment with our mission that will move the Kroc School of Peace Studies forward.” The Kroc School is committed to developing its students into changemakers and training them to shape the future of fields of peacebuilding and social innovation. Baker added that Kew’s collaborative and student-centered leadership approach will help elevate the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies to its next level. BPP serves as fiscal sponsor to the Border Fellows program and BPP Executive Director serves on the Advisory Board for the Kroc School.

U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and ACLU San Diego and Imperial Counties to host narrative change session.On Monday, July 29, 2024, BPP and ACLU are hosting a day-long conversation with community leaders related to narrative change. The session seeks to improve community understanding of narrative change used in social justice circles, as well as strategies designed to address hate speech and social injustice. Participation is available both in-person and virtually. The session will be lead by the nationally renowned social justice leader Alan Jenkins, Professor of Practice at Harvard Law School. For more information and registration click here.

BPP Executive Director talks cross-border leadership for South African business school students. This week the University of San Diego and their School on Leadership and Education Sciences hosted a 26-member delegation of South African graduate students in business administration to discuss leadership principles. USD invited BPP Executive Director Andy Carey, who also serves as Adjunct Professor in the program, to address the group. Carey highlighted the work of Border Philanthropy in building bridges between countries through cross-cultural understanding, binational collaboration, and philanthropy. We were eager to learn ways to create lasting and positive change in challenging environments, and the BPP stories about the plights of migrants moving northward in search of dignified existence was inspiring, said Renee Horne a member of the delegation. Carey also highlighted the collaborative work between government agencies in Africa and Central America to develop new and innovative agricultural processes to address the growing impacts of climate change, which is the leading cause of migration northward in Central America. For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org

BPP members join forces to support wildfire and flood relief and response in New Mexico. In this edition of the BorderBuzz, we want to highlight the tremendous impact of cross-border collaboration between New Mexico and Texas. After the recent fires and floods that devastated parts of New Mexico, BPP network partners jumped into action. The Community Foundation for Southern New Mexico, the Paso del Norte Community Foundation, the Community Foundation for Lincoln County and their Shelter fund, and the Albuquerque Community Foundation and their emergency fund all jumped into collective action. Even the New Mexico State University Foundation joined their efforts to support students, alumni, friends, and families impacted by the wildfires in Lincoln County, Otero County, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. "This is philanthropy at its finest," says BPP Board Chair Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta. "Generosity in the Borderlands knows no bounds," he added. "In this spirit, BPP intentionally highlights this cause to raise awareness of the wildfire devastation and call to action and invites the public to give generously. We especially celebrate the collaborative response of these community foundation network partners in the Borderlands to assist families in need. Thank you all for your leadership, and more importantly, for your commitment to our community." The direct links for the various funds are:

Greatest Needs Impact Fund - Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.
Wildfire Relief Fund - Paso del Norte Community Foundation.
Shelter Fund - Community Foundation for Lincoln County.
Aggie Student Emergency Fund - New Mexico State University Foundation.
New Mexico Fire Relief Emergency Response Fund - Albuquerque Community Foundation.

For more information contact: info@borderpartnership.org

North America Development Bank visits San Diego. North American Development Bank is hosting meetings in San Diego, CA to meet with current and potential stakeholders to discuss the work of the Bank here in the Binational region. Jesse Hereford, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement is meeting with public, private, and philanthropic partners to discuss issues, projects, and opportunities to address environmental projects across the region. NADBank is a binational financial institution established by the Governments of the United States and Mexico to provide financing to support the development and implementation of infrastructure projects, as well as to provide technical and other assistance for projects and actions that preserve, protect, or enhance the environment in order to advance the well-being of the people of the United States and Mexico. The Board of Directors of NADBank includes (United States) Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of State, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a Border State elected Representative, and a Border Resident. The Mexico based Board leaders include Minister of Hacienda, Minister of Foreign Relations, Minister of the Environment, Border State elected Representative, and a Border Resident. NAD Bank is a long-standing member of BPP. Welcome Jesse Hereford to San Diego.

BPP attends Hispanics in Philanthropy annual meeting in Chicago. BPP Executive Director Andy Carey participated in the Hispanics in Philanthropy Conference 2024 Corazón y Poder: Unleashing our Power this past week in Chicago, IL. The three-day event including informative sessions related to migration, health and wellness, environment, community development and more. It was great to see members and partners in action, says Carey. The annual event brings together funders from across the Americas to a single location to foster relations, strengthen partnerships, and create synergies in philanthropy he added. The BPP member network was there in force with representation from BPP, San Diego Foundation, International Community Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Latino Community Foundation. The HIP team really knocked it out of the park pushing funders to get closer to issues impacting the Hispanic and Latino community. Additionally, the White House Office on Hispanic Initiatives was also present to talk community engagement and collaboration. The HIP 2025 conference will be held in Albuquerque, NM next June.

BPP supports July 4 celebration in Mexico. This past week the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana celebrated the annual binational Independence Day celebration in Tijuana. "The BPP was excited to support this important community event and to support the donors and sponsors that made the evening possible. The event was a resounding success," says BPP Board Chair Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta. "It is always a great experience to celebrate our binational community at the Independence Day event. It brings together our business, academic, government, and community leaders and partners to celebrate the U.S.-Mexico relationship and our freedom and democracy," added Acosta. This was the final July 4 celebration for Consul General Thomas Reott as his three-year term is coming to a close. Thank you, Consul General Reott, for your friendship and tireless efforts to support U.S.-Mexico relations in the Cali-Baja.

BPP participates in Funder call in response to Biden Administration Executive Order. Funder groups from across the USA participated in an information gathering virtual meeting last week in response to the Biden Administration’s latest Executive Order related to asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico Border. There is great concern in the funder community related to vulnerable populations gaining access to the USA asylum system, and significant cause for concern on the impact this will have on the Northern Border of Mexico, says BPP Director Andy Carey. There are extraordinary groups on both sides of the Border responding to the needs of the people, but the costs to maintain the shelters and respond to the large number of individuals is daunting. More financial support is needed for legal services, direct operating support, as well as basic human needs to enable these frontline organizations to do their work. For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org.

BPP hosts Puente News Collaborative in San Diego. This week BPP was pleased to host award winning journalist Alfredo Corchado, Executive Editor and Correspondent for Puente News Collaborative, a project of the El Paso Community Foundation. This new venture launched just a few short months ago and is designed to recapture the narrative of the U.S.-Mexico Border region from Brownsville, TX and Matamoros, Tamaulipas all the way to San Diego, CA and Tijuana, Baja California working in collaboration with news partners along and across the entire region. Corchado aims to remove the controversy, chaos, and concern that mistakenly highlights much of the news about the Borderlands and highlight the day to day stories that truly impact the families, communities, and businesses that reside here. Alfredo Corchado Is formerly the Mexico Border correspondent for The Dallas Morning News and author of Midnight in Mexico: A Reporter’s Journey Through a Country’s Descent into Darkness (Penguin Press) and Homelands: Four Friends, Two Countries, and the Fate of the Great Mexican-American Migration (Bloomsbury). Corchado was born in Durango, Mexico, he was raised in California and Texas. He worked the fields of California’s San Joaquin Valley alongside his parents, who were members of the United Farm Workers union led by Cesar Chavez. Corchado began his career in journalism at the El Paso Herald-Post, before working for the Wall Street Journal in 1987. He is a 2009 Nieman Fellow at Harvard, Woodrow Wilson, Rockefeller, Lannan, USMEX, and IOP fellow, and the winner of the Maria Moors Cabot Prize and Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award for Courage in Journalism. Contact Alfredo Corchado.

BPP supports Mexico Pavillion at BIO 2024. For the third year in a row, the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership supported Mexico in participating at the annual BIO International Convention to showcase the growing role and participation of Mexico in the Biotechnology sector. The annual conference is held each year in the United States with participation from countries across the globe. Scientists, academics, entrepreneurs, business and government leaders gather to showcase the latest developments in the sector. The BPP provides fiscal sponsor services to the participating organizations to ensure the full participation of leading universities, businesses, and scientists at this global event. "We are very grateful to our friends and partners at the Border Philanthropy Partnership for their incredible support," says Ambassador Alicia Kerber, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego. "They are key to the participation of Mexico in this event."

BPP leaders and members welcome Cuauhtemoc to San Diego. The Mexican Naval training tall ship, Cuauhtemoc, made an historic visit to the Port of San Diego in a display of International diplomacy last week. The ship is used to both train future naval officers and crew as well as to strengthen International ties between Mexico and the globe. It was exciting to meet Commander Victor Hugo Molina Perez and his crew of more than 220 sailors, says BPP Executive Director Andy Carey. The crew made all the visitors to Cuauhtemoc feel at home in true Mexican hospitality style, he added. Duiring their visit to San Diego, more than 29,000 visitors took advantage of the public tours to see first hand the ship built in 1982, and to meet the crew and learn about their 7 month voyage that will take them from Mexico to the United States with stops in San Diego and Honolulu, and then off to Japan, South Korea, China, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti before returning to home port of Acapulco. BPP donors and partners assisted with social activities aboard the vessel.

Fiscal sponsor program supports education, arts and culture, and public policy advocacy in May. BPP’s fiscal sponsor program was in full force during the month of May as donors and partners joined forces to spread education, arts and culture, and public policy advocacy initiatives between the U.S. and Mexico. We are so pleased to support the generosity of both U.S. and Mexican donors to support cultural ties between our countries, says Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta, BPP Board Chair. Together our organization is opening doors and pathways to stronger bonds between families and communities. In just the past few weeks, we have channeled more than US$266,000 to support education, arts and culture, and public policy advocacy in our region, continued Acosta. We look forward to supporting more philanthropic initiatives that are in the pipeline for education, environment, child services, public health, and more. For more information contact Andy Carey.

BPP leaders participate in official welcome of Mexican Consul General to Los Angeles. The Cordoba Corporation, based in Santa Ana, CA sponsored a welcome reception in Los Angeles, CA to officially welcome Ambassador Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles to his new post. The Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles is the largest diplomatic outpost of the Mexican government anywhere in the world. Ambassador Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez was initially assigned nearly 35 years ago to the Consulate in Los Angeles as Consul for Community Affairs. In addition to his new post in Los Angeles, the Ambassador has served in Washington, D.C., Mexico City, Austin, TX, Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA. Congratulations Ambassador Gonzalez. BPP member representatives present included Polidore, San Diego-Tijuana World Design Capital, Smart Border Coalition, and Sempra Energy.

BPP supports Border Health Commission for continuing education. BPP Executive Director recently presented to the continuing education program of the Mexico Section of the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission meeting held in Baja California. The delegation of nearly 30 individuals is participating in a certificate program on public health in collaboration with the Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, University of Arizona, San Diego County Government, and the Border Health Commission. The program supports continuing education in infectious disease, public health, leadership development, and resource development strategies. BPP expresses its appreciation to Dr. Gudelia Rangel for the invitation to participate in the certificate program. BPP has supported the Border Health C

Find grants to fund your nonprofit with Foundation Directory Online by Candid. As a BPP member, you have exclusive access and coaching to explore new funding opportunities. Candid’s Foundation Directory gives you access to the information you need to be smart and strategic with your funding requests. The tools available on Foundation Directory allow you to tap funding opportunities beyond open Requests for Proposals (RFPS) that make up less than 1% of total foundation funding. 90% of U.S. foundations do not have websites, the insights you need to find funders will not be discovered via standard search engines. Digging deeper is critical to your fundraising success. If you are a BPP member, request access to FDO today. Not a member? Join BPP.

BPP congratulates María Laura Muñoz on 14th anniversary. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership Board of Directors and staff extend our congratulations to María Laura Muñoz on her 14 th anniversary with our organization. "María Laura is an integral member of our staff leadership", says BPP Board Chair Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta. "We are so proud of her contributions to our staff team and her tireless efforts to support our growing member network." María Laura oversees BPP communications, and our education and training programs. "We are fortunate to have Malaura on our team," says BPP Executive Director Andy Carey. "She is a Borderlander that studied at University of Texas El Paso and has led a distinguished career in philanthropy in Mexico leading at multiple institutions and organizations." Thank you Malaura for your wonderful contributions to our team. ¡Muchas felicidades! ¡Enhorabuena!

BPP fiscal sponsor program grows in Borderlands to over US$13 million. Last week the BPP Board of Directors met for the second quarter meeting for the 2024 administrative year. The Board reviewed and approved five fiscal sponsor relationships that are expected to generate significant support for academia, public policy advocacy, child services, the LGBTQ community, and binational relations. “This brings the number of fiscal sponsor relations to 140 groups in the BPP network”, says Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta, Board Chair. “We are excited to support our members grow their programs, and we are honored by their confidence in making us their partner,” continued Acosta. According to BPP Director Andy Carey, 38% of the member network engages this important member service. To date, more than US$13 million has been channeled to support causes on both sides of the Border. What is most exciting is the giving is nearly 50/50. Acosta says that just as much money comes into the United States from Mexico, as the United States sends back into Mexico. Generosity knows no Borders.

Border Briefs to debut this May. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership is proud to publish the Border Briefs in the coming weeks. “The Border Briefs are an important contribution to the International narrative about the U.S.-Mexico Border region,” says BPP Board Member and Treasurer, Louis R. Escareño. “These publications will showcase the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands in a powerful and compelling way, and we are excited to help provide important information and resources to both countries to better inform policymakers on key issues impacting our region,” he says. The Border Briefs cover general Border dynamics, education, environment, migration, public health, and philanthropy. We are excited to share the Briefs and the Executive Summaries in both English and Spanish, and look forward to disseminating them across the U.S. and Mexico. We are grateful to Dr. Paul Ganster for his wonderful support in completing the research and analysis, and to our staff team for completing the project. For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org

BPP hosts Texas students to learn about migration at the U.S.-Mexico Border. The 7th, 8th, and 9th graders from St. Catherine’s Montessori School in Houston, TX visited San Diego, CA this past week to learn first-hand about the challenges facing migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border. The delegation of students and teachers numbered 38, but the interest, enthusiasm, and empathy demonstrated was even greater, says BPP Director Andy Carey. This was a repeat school delegation from Houston, TX to visit BPP and once again we were amazed at the generosity of spirit of the students to address the challenges facing migrants entering the United States. The students demonstrated incredible knowledge of global affairs, and also possessed a keen sense of humanitarian duty to assist the most vulnerable amongst us.

Fiscal sponsor program grows in support of Borderlands and the Americas. The Border Philanthropy Partnership fiscal sponsor program for members continues to grow in scope, service, and territory. As of today, 140 member groups are actively participating in the program says BPP Executive Director Andy Carey. This represents 35% of the member network. We are elated to support our network’s generosity and engagement. Carey also shared that the program has extended in select cases beyond the Borderlands to help Borderlands groups extend their reach. The program now supports efforts in the U.S.A., Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil. And for the first time, we are proudly and actively supporting the LGBTQ community in the Americas, he says. Over US$13 million has been granted to groups in support of child services, education, environment, public health, and public policy advocacy. For more information on this member service, contact info@borderpartnership.org

International Boundary and Water Commission hosts Border leaders to discuss projects, funding, and priorities. The U.S. and Mexico Sections of the International Water and Boundary Commission hosted a binational meeting this week in Tijuana, Baja California with leaders from along and across the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands to discuss water issues between the two countries. Civil society leaders were invited to attend to address community water priorities, collaborative opportunities, and funding issues to address water issues in the region. Participants included U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials, SEMARNAT, State of Baja California officials, North American Development Bank, U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center, and San Diego Foundation officials. "It was a pleasure to join Commissioners Maria Elena Giner and Adriana Resendez at this meeting", said BPP Director Andy Carey. "Together we are working on collaborative solutions to many of the ongoing challenges facing our region." This meeting was important to finalize working proposals to seek additional funding support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other funding agencies.

BPP honors the International Women’s Day.In this edition of the bimonthly newsletter, we want to recognize the invaluable contributions of our leaders’ service to philanthropy in the Borderlands. Since 2008, 15 leaders from across the Borderlands have served with distinction on our Board of Directors, and 4 have gone on to serve as Chair. Together we have galvanized programs, services, and charitable giving to support arts and culture, child services, education, environment, migration, and public health initiatives in the Binational region. On behalf of many, we thank Karen Yarza Sieber, María Antonieta Beguerisse, Ana Maria de la Garza, Cheryl Alethia Phelps, Carla Roberts, Judy Gresser, Sara Topelson, Elizabeth Sames, Ana Maria de la Rosa y Carpizo, Dolores Roybal, Elisa de la Vara, Laura Speer, Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, Denise Herrera, Karina Jimenez Lewis, Anabella Díaz Rivera R. Bours, and Hannah Russell. Additionally, we thank our incredible staff team for their tireless efforts, compassion, and engagement to support our member network with dynamic programs and services. Thank you, Maria Laura Muñoz, Celith Bañuelos, Christine Baker, Cecilia Guzman, Berta Garcia, and Amanda Schultz Brochu.

BPP makes news publications in Texas for Border Tours. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy recently traveled to South Texas to support Border tours and to engage with key stakeholders. Along the way, San Antonio Express News’ Elaine Ayala met up with BPP Executive Director to talk diplomacy, immigration, and our work at the Border. Check out the story here. Additionally, La Prensa Texas also picked up on the news and did a feature story you can read here. Thank you Yvette Tello from La Prensa Texas, Elaine Ayala from San Antonio Express News, and BPP Treasurer Louis R. Escareño for making these stories public.

Universidad Xochicalco, Border Health Commission and BPP join forces to support Ventanilla de Salud. The Xochicalco University in Tijuana, Baja California is a private and nonprofit institution in Mexico with three campus in Ensenada, Tijuana, and Mexicali with over 46 years of experience in higher education. Students from Xochicalco will be working weekly at the Ventanilla de Salud program in San Diego assisting Mexican nationals with their primary healthcare needs. This is an exciting program says, Cecilia Guzman, Coordinator for the Ventanilla de Salud program. This allows medical students to complete their professional experience required for graduation, and helps the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, the Ventanilla de Salud program, and BPP reach more individuals each day. We extend our deep appreciation to Dr. Gudelia Rangel, Chief of the Mexico Section, U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission for securing this important support. For more information contact Cecilia Guzman.

Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta elected Board Chair during 2024 annual meeting. During last Friday’s annual meeting, Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta, was elected Chairman of the Board for the 2024-2026 term. Lalo is Vice President of RL Jones Customhouse Brokers, and a partner for over 20 years. RL Jones Customhouse Brokers has 9 locations along and across the U.S.-Mexico Border and Los Angeles, CA. Acosta is very involved in the binational region and serves on many boards of directors including Chair of International Business Affairs at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Index, Chair of Pacific Coast Council of National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of America, and Smart Border Coalition. Lalo is a Borderlander, raised in Nogales, AZ and attended University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. Lalo and his wife Anny Nenninger (Cd. Obregón, Sonora) have been married for 30 years and have three children (Eduardo, Anna Lucia, and María Ines). “BPP is an important organization serving the binational region, says Acosta, and I look forward to working with members, partners, donors, fellow board members and our staff team to grow philanthropy between the U.S. and Mexico”. BPP Executive Director Andy Carey remarked, “we are excited to have Lalo lead our Board and continue the strong partnership with RL Jones Customhouse Brokers, and our Chair Emeritus, Russ Jones.” The Board also elected Guillermo Garza, (Arca Continental) Vice Chair; Louis R. Escareño, (Attorney at law) Treasurer; and JC Thomas, (City of San Diego) Secretary.

New Board members join BPP Board of Directors. BPP officially welcomed several new board leaders to a three-year term including Karina Jimenez Lewis (Associate Director Policy Reform and Advocacy, Annie E. Casey Foundation) Anabella Díaz Rivera R. Bours (Board Member, Fundación Tichi Muñoz), José Roble Flores (Board Member Fundación de Beneficencia Jesús M. Montemayor), and Hannah Russell (Bush School Fellow, Texas A&M University). We are very excited to have these new leaders join the Board, says Lalo Acosta. This is an exciting opportunity to continue to grow our relationship with these important organizations, but also to bring new ideas, interest, and enthusiasm to our work in the Borderlands. Karina, Anabella, and José all represent long-standing partners in our Board, and we are delighted to benefit from their leadership. And Hannah is a talented and engaged graduate student at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, and we are excited to have this new opportunity for service, says Acosta. The Board also expressed appreciation to departing Board members Laura Speer (Annie E. Casey Foundation) for her 7 years of service; Juan Guadalupe Marcos Giacoman (Fundación para la Beneficencia Jesús M. Montemayor) for 3 years of service; and Enrique Díaz Rivera R. Bours was recognized for his 11 years of service and named Emeritus member. The Board also thanked Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres for her extraordinary leadership as Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for her efforts to foster significant membership growth and program expansion. Rosa continues her service as Immediate Past Chair for two years.

Board approves 2024 annual plan – Border Briefs to lead BPP programming in 2024. The BPP Board approved the 2024 annual plan and budget that encourages robust education and training support to the membership, as well as support resource development in collaboration with Candid. The Border Briefs, authored by Paul Ganster, Ph.D., are expected to lead programmatic efforts during 2024 with public presentations along and across the region on General U.S.-Mexico Border information, Environment, Education, Public Health, Immigration, and Philanthropy. For more information, please contact info@borderpartnership.org

British Diplomats visit Borderlands. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership was honored to assist the British government in a recent visit to Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. The delegation included Deputy Chief of Mission at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. the Honorable James Roscoe, British Ambassador to Mexico the Hon. Jon Benjamin, and British Consul General in Houston Richard Hyde. During the two-day visit, the representatives visited with the Mayor Victor Treviño of Laredo, Texas, Mayor Carmen Lilia Canturosas of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Consul General of Mexico in Laredo Ambassador sJuan Carlos Mendoza, Consul General of the United States in Nuevo Laredo Erika Zielke, Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Laredo, His Excellency Bishop James Tamayo, President of Texas A&M International University Dr. Pablo Arenaz, IBC Bank Executive Vice President Gerald Schwebel, Pastor of Christ Church Episcopal Reverand Paul Frey, Laredo Area Community Foundation Board Chair Christina Cerda, Arca Continental Coca Cola Southwest Beverages leaders Ada Ortega and Hugo Audiffred, and BPP leaders Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta of RL Jones Customhouse Brokers, Louis R. Escareño Attorney at Law. BPP staff included Executive Director Andy Carey and Mexico Representative Maria Laura Muñoz. In addition to the visits with public and private officials, the BPP hosted a dinner for 80 community leaders from both sides of the Border to engage a dialogue with the visiting delegation related to trade, commerce, trilateral relations, and the issue of migration. The delegation shared insights on the British government post Brexit, as well as thoughts on dealing with the challenges related to global migration. Deputy Chief Roscoe commented that he wanted to see for himself what was going on at the U.S.-Mexico Border. In discussions with Washington, D.C. based policy makers, “many complain about the Border, but have never visited, so I decided to see for myself.” The delegation also completed a tour of the Laredo Port of Entry and engaged discussions with the Department of Homeland Security. The last visit was to Catholic Charities and their migrant shelter in Laredo. The visit was very informative, says Ambassador Benjamin. During our visit we were able to meet individuals from Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, and Haiti.” The shelter is operated by Catholic Charities and handles more than 150 individuals each day. On this day, we met with more than 100 individuals, says BPP’s Andy Carey, but at least another 200 arrived during our visit. This is a humanitarian crisis that must be addressed in a humane way, says Carey. These people are just looking for a dignified life with clothes on their back, a roof over their head, and food on a plate.” The visit was possible due to the generous support of Arca Continental Coca Cola Southwest Beverages, IBC Bank, Hank and Elizabeth Sames, Louis R. Escareño, and Texas A&M International University.

BPP Members gain access to Candid’s Foundation Directory. For a second year in a row, BPP member can access the Candid’s Foundation Directory as part of your BPP membership. As you begin your work in 2024, don’t forget to leverage this important tool to support your resource development team, says Maria Laura Muñoz at BPP offices. This service enables our member organizations to have the latest information on grant opportunities says Muñoz. Members may reach out to us to gain the access. It has been an integral part of our membership services program, coupled with access to the Candid training programs that will get started in the next several weeks. We anticipate another robust response to the virtual trainings again this year. Each session will be delivered in both English and Spanish, and are recorded in case the members miss the session. We are excited to be working with Candid again this year, says Andy Carey. The turnout for the trainings and the positive response to Candid’s Foundation Directory has really helped us solidify our membership program. Contact Ma. Laura Muñoz.

BPP to host British Ambassador to Mexico Jon Benjamin in Borderlands. The British Ambassador to Mexico, the Honorable Jon Benjamin will complete his first-ever official visit to the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. The Ambassador will meet with public and private officials as well as leaders from the business and corporate community in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas and Laredo, Texas January 24-25, 2024. BPP is organizing meetings with the Mayors, Consuls General, leaders of the Chambers of Commerce, as well as business and civil society leaders from both sides of the Laredo – Nuevo Laredo Border. The visit is a chance for the Ambassador and his delegation to learn about the dynamic trade and commercial relationship at U.S.-Mexico Border as well as the issues and challenges related to migration. The Ambassador will visit with the Department of Homeland Security and tour the Laredo Port of Entry as well as visit migrant shelters. BPP will host a dinner and reception for the Ambassador where he will meet with local leaders and officials from both sides of the Border. BPP wishes to thank Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, IBC Bank, Hank and Elizabeth Sames, Louis R. Escareño. Esq., and Texas A&M International University for their sponsorship support of the event. For more information contact Andy Carey.

BPP Board of Directors to hold annual meeting February 16, 2024, in San Diego, CA. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership will complete its annual meeting Friday, February 16, 2024, in San Diego. The meeting is normally held in January but was postponed allowing the Board and Staff team to receive the British Ambassador to Mexico in Laredo, TX. The BPP Board will elect Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta, RL Jones Customhouse Brokers as Chair. BPP will also welcome four new directors who will serve for a three-year term. The new directors include Karina Jimenez Lewis, Associate Director of Policy Reform and Advocacy at the Annie E. Casey Foundation; Anabella Díaz Rivera R. Bours, Board Member Fundación Tichi Muñoz; Juan Roble Flores, Board Member of the Fundación de Beneficencia Jesús M. Montemayor; and Hannah Russell, graduate student at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. For more information contact Andy Carey.

Consul General recognizes BPP, Ventanilla de Salud for work during 2023. This Monday, Ambassador Carlos González Gutiérrez, Consul General of México in San Diego, recognized the achievements of the U.S. – Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and the Ventanilla de Salud program at the Consulate at an event to celebrate the achievements during Binational Health Week 2023 (BHW) in San Diego. During BNH, Supervisor Nora Vargas issued a Proclamation to honor Binational Health Week; we hosted a historical meeting between Health Secretaries Dr. Jorge Alcocer (Mexico) and Javier Becerra (EE.UU.); we provided close to 4,000 flu and Covid-19 vaccines; conducted numerous health events and fairs; and offered 6 workshops for parents, training 850 families to reinforce their children's education and health. We thank our sponsors and partner agencies for their support.

Strong donor relationships are critical to fundraising success at all stages of the development cycle. That’s a fact! Explore eight steps successful fundraisers take to reach and surpass their goals. These steps present proven techniques for connecting with donors, effectively communicating your cause, and cultivating long-term relationships.
Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

Explain how selling your cause is a part of fundraising in the social sector
Make the case for the value of donor relationships for fundraising success
Assess your circles of influence to identify prospective new donors
Draft a plan to improve relationships with your existing donors

BPP Director to speak at Arizona Community Foundation convening.
The Arizona Community Foundation is hosting the third annual Border Philanthropy Convening this Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the Santa Cruz County Fair & Rodeo Association in Sonoita, AZ. The day-long event features speakers from California, Arizona, and Sonora. This in-person event will bring together nonprofit organizations, philanthropists, and community leaders to exchange knowledge gained from Frontera work. The Arizona Community Foundation is thrilled to host representatives from three organizations fostering binational collaboration across the US-Mexico Border, says Adam Lopez Falk. They'll share initiatives supporting binational work and future plans for Arizona-Mexico communities. One of the most enriching aspects of past convenings has been the time to hear from nonprofit partners and share successful strategies for some of the work already being done—ample time will be provided this year to do just that. This convening aims to improve future philanthropy, communication, and awareness of needs in our communities and the binational region. To register click here.

Year-end giving spurs generosity for fiscal sponsor program. Since 2013, BPP has offered fiscal sponsor services to the member network. The program continues to grow and now 37% of the BPP member network is participating. To date more than US$12 million has been received in support of child services, education, environment, health and wellness, and public policy advocacy. It is exciting to see generosity in action, says BPP Board Chair Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres. We are excited to match donor interest with real needs on both sides of the Border, says Montaño Fimbres. Each relationship is reviewed by the Board of Directors, and we are so excited to engage binational donors in this way, says BPP Director Andy Carey. Carey shares that the resources are split rather evenly between the U.S. and Mexico. This program is successful because it is truly binational. Mexicans are helping Americans, and Americans are helping Mexicans. For more information, contact andy@borderpartnership.org

Bush School of Government and Public Service Fellow at Texas A&M University to join BPP Board. The BPP Board of Directors has approved the addition of a Graduate Student Fellow to join the BPP Board of Directors beginning in 2024. The Bush School of Government and Public Service is a long-standing member of BPP and approached BPP about placing Fellows in the BPP network. We are excited to participate in this leadership development opportunity in support of the Borderlands says Denise Herrera, BPP Board member and liaison to the Fellow program. This is a dynamic opportunity for students choosing public service to engage in real world experiences in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, and this opportunity will help the Bush School, BPP, and most importantly the individual fellow says Herrera. We are excited to welcome Hannah Russell to the Board of Directors as a nonvoting member for one year. Hannah Russell is a graduate student in Public Service and Administration at the Bush School. Hannah completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and International Studies, also at Texas A&M University. In 2018, Hannah also completed a study abroad program at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile. Welcome Hannah to the Border Philanthropy Partnership and best wishes to you in this fellowship.

Arizona Community Foundation, Fundación Tichi Muñoz, and BPP support binational philanthropy. The Arizona Community Foundation, Fundación Tichi Muñoz, and U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership have launched an innovative partnership to support binational philanthropy between Arizona and Sonora. The two Borderlands grantmaking foundations are coinvesting on support for nonprofit organizations in the region with BPP as a supporting fiscal sponsor partner. Arizona Community Foundation has embarked on a series of historic investments in the Borderlands supporting projects and organizations across the Arizona – Sonora region, says Adam Lopez Falk, Community Program Officer at Arizona Community Foundation, and with the assistance of Enrique Díaz Rivera from Fundación Tichi Muñoz, and BPP’s Andy Carey, we’ve been able to create a strong partnership for philanthropy, says Lopez Falk. This is an exciting time for philanthropy and binational collaboration, says Enrique Díaz Rivera, Board member of Fundación Tichi Muñoz. For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org.

We all want to grow our individual donor base, but where to start?! If you’re interested in learning how to find new individual donors, then join us as we will provide practical strategies for researching prospects who share a passion for your organization’s mission. You will learn techniques for connecting with prospects and keys to managing valuable donor information that will help you make data-driven decisions when locating donors who want to fund your cause. You’ll walk away with inspiration, confidence, and the next steps that you can immediately apply to your fundraising.
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

Leverage your network to identify potential qualified donors.
Plan to approach U.S. generation(s) likely to be interested in your cause.
Describe how you can use email, social media, and direct mail to connect with donors likely to be interested in your cause.
Collect potential donors’ information at an event and assess which leads are best.
Justify the use of technology to manage prospect information.
Prioritize next steps for connecting with potential donors.

El Paso Community Foundation launches Endowment fund for Border Philanthropy Partnership. The El Paso Community Foundation President and CEO, Eric Pearson, visited with the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership Board of Directors last week to announce that El Paso Community Foundation has launched an endowment fund in support of Border Philanthropy Partnership. "BPP is an important partner and organization in the Borderlands," said Pearson, "and we determined that we wanted to be a part of your long-term success", continued Pearson. This gift is intended to ensure that BPP has the tools and resources at its disposal to ensure their long-time presence in our region. The El Paso Community Foundation started this conversation with us while BPP Director Andy Carey was in El Paso. In a meeting between the organizations, it was discovered that BPP is in its 15th year and needed to start an endowment fund. The El Paso Community Foundation decided they wanted to help get that started. "This is a wonderful show of support for philanthropy, the Borderlands, and BPP," says Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, BPP Board Chair. "We are honored by this opportunity to work on the long-term funding of our work in support of families and communities in the U.S.-Mexico Border region, and we greatly appreciate the generous gift from the El Paso Community Foundation," says Andy Carey.

US EPA Administrator Michael Regan thanks BPP Director for service. This week U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan publicly thanked BPP Executive Director Andy Carey for his service to the National Advisory Committee. Carey served from November 2016 to November 2023, and during the Biden Administration, was appointed Chair. Carey was nominated in 2016 by Maria Elena Giner, then General Manager of the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission (now part of North American Development Bank). As a member of the National Advisory Committee, Carey represented philanthropy in the Borderlands in his advice and counsel to the Committee and the E.P.A. Administrator in office. Carey served three U.S. administrations including Obama, Trump, and Biden. In his letter, Administrator Regan remarked, “you should take great pride in knowing the nation's air and water is cleaner, in part, because of your achievements. Indeed, committee members play vital roles in advancing environmental policies that will result in a sustainable future for North America.”

More than 200 nonprofit leaders participate in BPP webinar. This week, more than 200 BPP members and stakeholders from both sides of the border participated in our webinar “Measuring and Sharing Your Impact to Attract Funders”, delivered by David Holmes and Lori Guidry from Candid. This hands-on session allowed participants to identify outcomes for their own programs and create their own logic model. Participants also learned to describe outcome thinking and how it differs from other approaches to program planning and management, apply an outcome mindset to their organization’s programs, projects, and grants; and create a logic model as the outcome framework for program management, grant proposals, and stakeholder communications. Download the session materials and view the webinar recording here. Register for the upcoming webinar in our series: Practical Strategies for finding new donors, on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 10:00 am PST.

Businessman and philanthropist Louis Escareño participates in Connect Humanity webinar. Discussion held on Connect Humanity’s plans to build a $10 million fund to help finance the digitalization of small businesses in the Texas border region. A recent webinar hosted by Connect Humanity was titled, ““Digital Equity in South Texas: Paths Forward.” The webinar was held to provide more information about Connect Humanity’s plans to build a $10 million fund to help finance the digitalization of small businesses in the Texas border region. The webinar was hosted by Jordana Barton-Garcia, a senior fellow at Connect Humanity. The webinar included entrepreneurs and local leaders that discussed the importance of investments in digital infrastructure, broadband affordability, and skills — and how this can act as a catalyst to help...(read more)

Funders increasingly want to invest in a nonprofit’s impact, not activities. In this workshop, learn to shift your nonprofit organization's focus and communication tactics from activities to outcomes. We will discuss and learn how nonprofit organizations can develop frameworks for tracking the outcomes and impact of their work, and how to successfully articulate that to funders. This will be a hands-on session and participants will have the opportunity to identify outcomes for their own project or program, and will create their own logic model. Delivered by expert from Candid.
Upon completion of this workshop you should be able to:

Describe outcomes thinking and how it differs from other approaches to program planning and management.
Apply an outcome mindset to your organization’s programs, projects, and grants.
Create a logic model as the outcome framework for program management, grant proposals, and stakeholder communications.

New Mexico based funders and donors continue to address humanitarian crisis in Borderlands thru HEAL Fund. Since early 2021, funders and donors supporting programs and initiatives in the State of New Mexico have collaborated to raise critical human and financial resources to address the on-going humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico Border. The HEAL Fund (the Healthy Entry for Asylee Lives) is supported by a lead gift from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and with additional support from New Mexico Foundation, Thornburg Foundation, Santa Fe Community Foundation, McCune Charitable Foundation, Con Alma Health Foundation, Hispanics in Philanthropy, and multiple individual donors, where nearly US$1.6 million in grants and donations have been deployed to date to support more than 13 organizations providing direct and immediate relief to migrants and asylum seekers at the Border from more than 22 countries. These organizations supported include but are not limited to transportation, shelter, meals, clothing, legal aid, translation services, public policy advocacy, and family reunification efforts. The HEAL Fund continues to seek support as well as requests for funding for New Mexico based projects and programs. The HEAL Fund is managed by the New Mexico Foundation and is provided volunteer support by representatives from each of the participating foundations. Leaders from New Mexico Foundation, Thornburg Foundation, Hispanics in Philanthropy, and U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership review funding proposals for consideration. The local nonprofit agencies awarded funding to provide immediate support include Santa Fe Dreamers, El Calvario United Methodist Church, Las Cumbres Community Services, New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, American Red Cross, Lutheran Family Services, Centro Savila, Colores United, Reading Quest, United Voices for Newcomer Rights, and Albuquerque Asylum Seekers Welcome/St. Therese. For more information about the HEAL Fund, contact jmelchor@newmexicofoundation.org.

U.S. and Mexican Health Leaders visit Borderlands, Inaugurate XXIII Annual Binational Border Health Week.
Dr. Jorge Carlos Alcocer Varela, Minister of Public Health in Mexico, and Hon. Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services in the United States visited San Diego, CA this week to discuss binational health issues including the growing challenge of fentanyl abuse. The two health officials and their delegations are collaborating on developing effective joint responses to address the growing challenge impacting both sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border. In addition to their high-level meeting, both leaders participated in the official launch of the XXIII Annual Binational Border Health Week here in San Diego where the Ventanilla de Salud program at the Mexican Consular network officially launched 20 years ago. “It was an historic moment, says BPP Director Andy Carey, to have both Secretaries of Health of our two nations together to address this growing problem, as well as to meet and address local stakeholders from both sides of the Border was simply inspiring. Both Secretaries have agreed to do more to address the health challenges facing vulnerable communities, and both indicated more needs to be done to address mental health challenges. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership is a partner in this work, and has supported the Ventanilla de Salud in San Diego since March 2017, and since 2018 has assisted in resource development support for all Ventanillas de Salud across the U.S.A. Most recently BPP secured resources to support the vaccination of more than700,000 Mexican nationals residing in the United States, completed more than 17,000 COVID test at the Cross-Border Express terminal, as well as distributed COVID-19 test kits in recent weeks to more than 16,000 individuals in cities across the nation. During the event, the Consul General of Mexico, Ambassador Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, and BPP Executive Director Andy Carey, publicly thanked the tremendous financial support of our community partners, especially to San Diego Foundation and their President and C.E.O. Mark Stuart, Alliance Healthcare Foundation their Executive Director Sarah Lyman, and Wells Fargo and their VP for Community Development Antonio Barbosa.

San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas recognizes Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, Ventanilla de Salud and BPP. This week, Chair Nora Vargas, San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and long-time supporter of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership presented an official proclamation recognizing the incredible work of the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, the Ventanilla de Salud, and BPP in recognition of the XXIII Annual Binational Border Health Week, and the XX Anniversary of the Ventanilla de Salud program. “As a long-time supporter and advocate of public health, I am very pleased to recognize this wonderful effort,” said Chair Vargas, “access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right of our community, and these organizations are working tirelessly to support our community,” she added. Border Philanthropy Partnership has served as fiscal sponsor of the Ventanilla de Salud since March 2017. Since that time, the number of people served has grown significantly. At that time, the number of people served monthly was approximately 1,200 individuals. Today, we are serving over 3,000 individuals, and the partner network has increased from the original 20 to more than 84 from both sides of the Border. “We are so proud of our colleague, Cecilia Guzman, Coordinator of the Ventanilla de Salud,” says BPP Director Andy Carey. “Cecy has brought passion, empathy, commitment, and team-building skills to this position. It is truly a labor of love,” adds Carey, “and to see Cecy lead the two health Secretaries through the health fair as part of the launch of Binational Border Health Week is simply amazing. All the partners were able to highlight their role, responsibility, and the services offered to the local community.”

BPP Executive Director visits Alaska to promote binational philanthropy. Last week BPP Executive Director Andy Carey visited Alaska to discuss binational philanthropy and fiscal sponsorship opportunities with donors. The visit was funded by supporters of Border Philanthropy Partnership who have great interest in supporting causes on both sides of the Border. To date initiatives supported include education, health, and faith-based initiatives on both sides of the Border. Alaska is a beautiful State, says Andy Carey, but to experience the beauty of Alaska alongside the beauty of binational philanthropy is a magical moment. The visit included stops in Anchorage, Whittier, Prince William Sound, College Fjord, and Cook Inlet.

Fiscal sponsor program supports Mariachi Festival in Tecalitlan and Education initiatives. This week Border Philanthropy Partnership continues to engage fiscal sponsor services in support of significant binational efforts. US based donors are supporting the 2023 Mariachi Festival held in Tecalitlan, Jalisco, Mexico enabling the participation of artists from both the U.S. and Mexico. This is the second year in a row that BPP and US based donors are supporting the annual event. Additionally, Mexico based donors are supporting University scholarships in Texas to enable U.S. citizens of Mexican origin to attend University in Texas. The fiscal sponsor program has been in place since 2013 and has reached nearly US$12 million in total giving. For more information contact info@borderpartnership.org.

BPP tours Arca Continental, talks corporate social responsibility in Houston, Texas. U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership leaders and members toured the Houston, TX facility of Arca Continental this week to learn about their corporate social responsibility efforts and to seek ways for additional collaboration. Guillermo Garza Martínez, Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer, and BPP Board member hosted the delegation that included Louis Escareño, BPP Treasurer, Andy Carey, Executive Director, and Salvador Lopez, Chief Environmental Officer, North American Development Bank. The group reviewed the sustainability efforts Arca Continental implements across the five countries where Arca Continental operates including United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina. Arca Continental is a long-standing supporter and partner of Border Philanthropy Partnership, and we appreciate and value their commitment to the Borderlands, community issues, and their incredible support of the nonprofit sector, says Louis Escareno. Arca represents what corporate social responsibility is all about, added Escareño. Our relationship with Arca started when we launched the capacity building portal www.procapacidad.org says Carey. The Fernandez Family of Cd. Juarez and their Fundación Rosario Campos de Fernández in conjunction with Fundación Tichi Muñoz, and INDESOL provided the funding to create this dynamic portal with more than 400 tools and resources were added to portal to support nonprofit organizations in resource development, governance, volunteer mobilization, legal and fiscal issues, nonprofit basics, and more. To date, more than 600,000 visitors have benefitted from procapacidad. Later this year, Guillermo Garza will be elevated to Vice Chair, BPP Board of Directors.

INTRIVO Diagnostics, Inc. gives 17,000 COVID tests to BPP for use in Ventanillas de Salud. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership is pleased to announce that INTRIVO Diagnostics, Inc., a Miami, Florida based healthcare company has presented 17,000 COVID-19 tests for distribution to the public through the Ventanilla de Salud program at Mexican Consulates located in the U.S.A. The Ventanilla programs were all offered the opportunity, and 14 located across the country agreed to participate. Each Health and Wellness program is to receive between 1,000-2,000 test kits. “We are elated to continue to support COVID-19 programming”, says Andy Carey, Executive Director. “Our community was one of the most impacted, and we look forward to supporting this important effort through the end of January 2024.” Intrivo Co-CEO and Co-Founder Ron Gutman added: “One of our core values in On/Go for Good by Intrivo is providing those in need with immediate access to high quality healthcare anytime anywhere. I deeply believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right and our collaboration with and donation to the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership exemplifies our commitment to helping everyone live healthier happier lives and aligns perfectly with our core values.” The in-kind value of the COVID-19 tests exceeds US$140,000.

BPP Executive Director hits 15-year anniversary. This month BPP Executive Director Andy Carey celebrates his 15th anniversary leading the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. Andy arrived at the BPP offices on September 2, 2008, to help convert a program supporting community foundations to a dynamic Border-wide membership organization. “We started with 18 community foundations and today we have over 400 members from along and across the Borderlands,” says Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, Chair, BPP Board of Directors. “We are so proud of our organization, and greatly appreciate the support and engagement of our member network. Our work is only possible due to their commitment and support,” adds Montaño Fimbres. Since 2008, BPP membership has grown substantially to include academia, business and corporate partners, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and grant-making foundations. Congratulations Andy on this important milestone, and thank you to our members, partners, donors, and stakeholders for all that we’ve accomplished during the first 15 years.

BPP Leaders join Ventanilla de Salud annual meeting in Atlanta. This week Cecilia Guzman joins Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores and the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior for the annual meeting of the health and wellness outreach program. This year marks the 20th year that the Mexican government supports diaspora communities with health and wellness. The program is operated at each Mexican Consulate General across the USA and abroad in support of healthy families and communities. BPP provides key support to this important network across the USA, and most recently provided funding support for COVID-19 campaigns that led to 760,000 individuals getting vaccinated. Featured here in the photo is Cecilia Guzman, Coordinator of Ventanilla de Salud program in San Diego, and Ambassador Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego.

BPP delivers leadership training to nonprofit organizations in Paso del Norte region. Today BPP Executive Director is in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua in support of the REALIZE conference organized by the Fundacion Paso del Norte para la Salud y el Bienestar. The Paso del Norte family foundations are an integral part of the BPP member network, and we are honored to support their program support of the local nonprofit community, says Carey. Carey is presenting effective board meetings and the board partnership with the CEO.

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites BPP network to National Conference in Orlando. The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a long-time partner and ally of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and is offering the BPP network a discounted rate to attend the 2023 National Conference to be held in Orlando, Florida September 24-26, 2023. This invitation was extended from Nelson Reyneri Jr., Chairman of the USHCC Board of Directors, Ramiro A. Cavazos, President and CEO, their Board of Directors, and the USHCC Team, to thank you us for our partnership and collaboration as they continue to advocate collectively for Hispanic businesses across the country as the nation’s largest Latino Business Advocacy organization. This is a wonderful networking opportunity for our member network says BPP Executive Director Andy Carey, who has attended many previous USHCC events. For more information, and access to the discounted rates, valid until August 25, please contact info@borderpartnership.org. Only BPP member organizations are eligible for the BPP member network discount.

BPP Executive Director invited to train Board members in the Paso del Norte region. This in-person workshop is part of the REALIZE experience by Fundación Paso del Norte and Paso del Norte Health Foundation for nonprofit Board leaders in Juarez, Mexico. The goal of this session is to strengthen board members skills and knowledge to improve their performance in nonprofit organizations by having more effective Board meetings and understanding the role and partnership with the Executive Director. The workshop will take place on August 24, 2023 at the Technology Hub in Ciudad Juarez and includes a box lunch breakfast. Andy Carey, Executive Director of the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP), will guide participants through practical examples, valuable advice, and proven insights in the field of governance and leadership. Click here for more information.

Fiscal Sponsor program grows to 130 organizations – over US$11.5 million distributed to member organizations. At the most recent meeting of the BPP Board of Directors, 5 BPP member organizations were approved for fiscal sponsor services bringing the total to 130 since we launched the member service in 2013. Since that time more than US$11.5 million have been received and distributed to member organizations in support of their local missions. The financial generosity of Americans and Mexicans is contagious, says Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, BPP Board Chair. Since 2013 we are helping organizations and individuals make a difference on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border. Generous donors are supporting arts and culture, child services, education, environment, public health, and public policy advocacy initiatives. We are honored by the trust and confidence of our member network, adds Montaño Fimbres. For more information on this effort contact info@borderpartnership.org.

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites BPP network to National Conference in Orlando. The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a long-time partner and ally of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and is offering the BPP network a discounted rate to attend the 2023 National Conference to be held in Orlando, Florida September 24-26, 2023. This invitation was extended from Nelson Reyneri Jr., Chairman of the USHCC Board of Directors, Ramiro A. Cavazos, President and CEO, their Board of Directors, and the USHCC Team, to thank you us for our partnership and collaboration as they continue to advocate collectively for Hispanic businesses across the country as the nation’s largest Latino Business Advocacy organization. This is a wonderful networking opportunity for our member network says BPP Executive Director Andy Carey, who has attended many previous USHCC events. For more information, and access to the discounted rates, valid untul August 25, please contact info@borderpartnership.org. Only BPP member organizations are eligible for the BPP member network discount.

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites BPP network to National Conference in Orlando. The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a long-time partner and ally of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and is offering the BPP network a discounted rate to attend the 2023 National Conference to be held in Orlando, Florida September 24-26, 2023. This invitation was extended from Nelson Reyneri Jr., Chairman of the USHCC Board of Directors, Ramiro A. Cavazos, President and CEO, their Board of Directors, and the USHCC Team, to thank you us for our partnership and collaboration as they continue to advocate collectively for Hispanic businesses across the country as the nation’s largest Latino Business Advocacy organization. This is a wonderful networking opportunity for our member network says BPP Executive Director Andy Carey, who has attended many previous USHCC events. For more information, and access to the discounted rates, please contact info@borderpartnership.org. Only BPP member organizations are eligible for the BPP member network discount.

BPP webinar series show a need for increased capacity building efforts in fundraising. Last week, the BPP conducted another training in partnership with Candid to teach nonprofit organization leaders about proposal writing and budgeting to request grants from US-based foundations. Among other findings, 87% of participants reported having never used the Foundation Directory online. Sixty-six percent reported never having received a grant from a U.S. based foundation. Webinars to date have been well attended with three hundred participants each time. The BPP launched the webinar series as a tool to support fundraising efforts of local nonprofits with in-person access to the Foundation Directory Online in 5 locations along the US-Mexico border: San Diego, California; Mexicali, Baja California; Cd. Obregon, Sonora; Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua; and Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. BPP offers virtual access to our member network. For more information or request access and coaching, please contact us.

This free, on-line class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. It will include:

The basic elements of a proposal.
The "do's" and "don'ts" of writing and submitting a proposal.
How to follow up whether the answer is yes or no.

This class will also provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to generate a standard project budget for a foundation proposal. We will discuss:

The basic components of a project budget including income and expenses.
How to estimate the realistic cost of a project.
What other financial documents you may also need to submit with your proposal.

Outcomes: At the conclusion of this class, you will:

Understand how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation.
Know how and when to follow up with funders after submitting a proposal.
Describe the basic elements of a project budget.
Estimate a project's expenses and income.
Follow up after the project is funded.

Presented by experts from Candid.

U.S.-Mexico border covid-19 testing program ends. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP), the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and Cross Border Xpress (CBX) announce the end of the U.S.-Mexico Border COVID-19 Testing Program at the San Diego-Tijuana CBX on June 29, 2023. Beginning on April 25, 2022, international travelers entering San Diego through the CBX terminal from the Tijuana Airport were able to take voluntary COVID-19 tests thanks to this dynamic public-private-philanthropic partnership among BPP, the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego’s Ventanilla de Salud Program, the CDPH, and CBX. A total of 16,857 individuals, aged 5 and up, participated in the program, and 564 positive COVID-19 cases were identified. “This program helped to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to our binational friends and families while traveling internationally, and we thank the Consulate of Mexico in San Diego, the State of California, and CBX for rising to the challenge of COVID-19 with this innovative program,” said Andy Carey, Executive Director of the BPP.“ Funded by the CDPH’s California Office of Binational Border Health, the program allowed the CDPH COVID-19 Testing Task Force to test for COVID-19 and to provide international travelers with information about prevention and treatment.

BPP partners with Candid to provide access to fundraising resources for nonprofit organizations at 5 locations along the border. Resources include in-person access to Foundation Directory Online, the most complete tool for grantseekers looking for funding from U.S.-based grantmakers. UDEM in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Centro de Formación Social in Cd. Obregón, Sonora, Fundación Paso del Norte in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership in San Diego, CA, and soon at UABC in Mexicali, Baja California, are the new locations of the Funding Information Network, where local nonprofit organizations have public free access to: GuideStar, a comprehensive nonprofit research tool where community members can easily find local nonprofits where they can donate, work, or volunteer; connect those in need to resources they rely on, such as food banks or shelters and access 2 million+ nonprofits; Foundation Directory helps nonprofits find funding faster, with more than 242,000 grantmakers; and find Grants to Individuals to search for grantmakers who fund scholarships, fellowships, and student aid. All BPP members at the Institutional level and above already have virtual access to these resources. Request access here. This program is funded in part by Fundación de Beneficencia Jesús M. Montemayor.

EPA National Advisory Committee presents Advice Letter to Administrator Regan; Carey to share findings with Environmental Ministers in Canada, US, and Mexico. National Advisory Committee presented their advice letter to the EPA Administrator on climate adaptation challenges. The National Advisory Committee (NAC) to the U.S. Representative to the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, will present advice resulting from their 59th meeting held on May 18, 2023, in El Paso, Texas, about ways to empower communities to address climate adaptation challenges. Advice includes best practices, strategies, and tools that could be developed to empower minority, low-income, tribal, and indigenous communities; engaging residents in identifying and implementing solutions that address their unique needs and vulnerabilities; empowering residents with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to identify and implement solutions to address the impacts of climate change; and building partnerships with organizations and agencies that specialize in climate adaptation. Today, these findings will be shared at the Tri-lateral meeting of the Environmental leaders of Canada, United States, and Mexico. The meeting is being held in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director, is the current Chair of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) and will present the findings and recommendations to members of the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) led by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). For more information, contact Andy Carey.

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