Part 7 of 7 · ← Part 6

BPP Mexico representative attains Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting.

Ma. Laura Muñoz, Mexico Representative for the BPP recently completed a three-day course with BoardSource to become a Certified Nonprofit Board Consultant. The course featured core curricula and provided nonprofit consultants the tools needed to address important and sometimes tough conversations that happen in the boardroom. The course facilitator and participants discussed techniques that BoardSource has found most effective in working with boards while weaving in high-level nonprofit governance concepts, case studies, group work, and current nonprofit trends. The BPP wishes to thank our member organization, Centro para el Fortalecimiento de la Sociedad Civil in Chihuahua for providing this professional development opportunity for our staff.

Webinar, Authorized donees in Mexico: requirements and obligations.

In Mexico, not-for-profit organizations must apply and obtain approval from tax authorities on a case-by-case basis to be eligible for income tax exemption and to receive tax-deductible donations according to the Income Tax Law and other provisions. An organization with "authorized donee" status may also be exempt from import taxes. On Thursday, August 11, the BPP will offer a webinar on this subject. This free webinar will be delivered in Spanish by Consuelo Salinas, the leading expert in Mexico on nonprofit legal issues. Consuelo is the Executive Secretary of the Junta de Asistencia Privada del Distrito Federal, and for 20 years headed the legal department of the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI). The webinar will include a Q&A session after the presentation. This webinar is made possible by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, the Tichi Muñoz Foundation and the Centro de Formación Social. Missed the webinar? BPP Members can request a copy of it. Send us an email at info@borderpartnership.org.

BPP provides keynote address to El Paso Nonprofit Business Summit.

August 5, 2016 | El Paso, Texas

The Center for Civic Engagement at The University of Texas at El Paso, the United Way of El Paso County and the Paso del Norte Health Foundation collaborated with the OneStar Foundation to bring the 2016 Nonprofit Business Summit as part of the Texas Nonprofit Series on Friday, August 5, 2016. The event was headlined by Texas First Lady, Mrs. Cecilia Abbott, UTEP President, Dr. Diana Natalicio, and BPP Executive Director, Andy Carey. Approximately 250 nonprofit leaders from the Paso del Norte region attended. Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott said Friday in El Paso that she hopes to inspire more people to answer the call to volunteer service. Abbott spoke about her Texanthropy initiative, which is an effort to improve volunteerism across the state, at the El Paso Nonprofit Business Summit at the University of Texas at El Paso. The event was one of three 2016 Texas Nonprofit Summits across the state. "Texans are generous by nature, and these summits will bring together nonprofit organizations, business and community leaders, volunteers and others interested in learning how we can work together to help make a difference through service and volunteering," Abbott said said. Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director was the Keynote speaker and delivered a workshop on volunteering. The series of summits that kicked off Friday in El Paso and will continue in Edinburg and in Lubbock.

Experience your border: A learning tour of cross-border issues in the Tijuana-San Diego region.

BPP partners with International Community Foundation, San Diego Grantmakers, and the Jewish Community Foundation for philanthropy tour of Tijuana. Four San Diego based philanthropy organizations partnered for a tour of public health and environment initiatives in our binational region. Over 30 philanthropists spent the day learning about our shared resources and challenges in the San Diego-Tijuana region. During the day, site visits were made to Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Friendship Park, Colegio de la Frontera Norte, and a final stop at Via Corporativo. During each stop the delegates learned about current research about cross-border air and water quality issues, and heard directly from the bi-national practitioners who are working to address them. Guest speakers included: Chris Peregrin (Director of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mayor Serge Dedina (Mayor of Imperial Beach), Margarita Diaz (Director of Proyecto Fronterizo Educacional Ambiental), Michale Krichman (Insite), Daniel Watman (community organizer), Sonia Contreras (Center for Disease Control), Dra. Vargas (Universidad Autonoma Baja California), Marcela Merino (Executive Director Fronteras Unidas Pro Salud), Edith Guerrero (Qualcomm Wireless Reach), and Consul General William Ostick, U.S. Consulate in Tijuana.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership convenes more than 200 philanthropic leaders to discuss collective impact in the border region.

July 14, 2016 | San Diego, California

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership convenes more than 200 philanthropic leaders to discuss collective impact in the border region. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership in cooperation with the San Diego Foundation, the International Community Foundation, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, and the UABC Foundation, hosted "Collective impact: Philanthropists and foundations making a difference in our region", a conversation that took place will take place on July 14 in San Diego, CA. The event included a networking reception followed by the first panel discussion: Exemplary Foundations Investing Strategically in the Binational Region, moderated by Dr. Robert F. Ashcraft, Board Chair of BPP and Executive Director of the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. Panelists included Kathlyn Mead, CEO San Diego Foundation, Anne McEnany, CEO, International Community Foundation (San Diego), Reginald Jones, CEO, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation (San Diego), and Georgina Walther Cuevas, CEO, UABC Foundation (Mexicali, Mexico). The second presentation was a one-on-one conversation with San Diego philanthropist Malin Burnham. Malin is the author of the book: Community Before Self: Seventy Years of Making Waves, in which he recounts lessons learned in his life and career and describes how anyone can live a life of integrity and purposeful giving. Regardless of income, political views, or age, everyone can contribute toward enhancing their community by volunteering their time and effort. This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of San Diego Gas and Electric, Sempra Energy, The San Diego Foundation, Wells Fargo, Point Loma Credit Union, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation and Electroneon.

The BPP hosted the 2015 Annual Report presentation of the Tijuana based Children's orphanage, Asociación para los Niños de Tijuana, A.C.
(Ciudad de los Niños).

The mission of Ciudad de los Niños is to promote and provide care, attention and protection to children and adolescents in an environment that respects their rights and dignity. The organization provides foster care, daycare, and mental health services to over 600 children. Nonprofit, academic and civic leaders from the San Diego/Tijuana region gathered to learn about how this organization is impacting children and families in the Tijuana/San Diego region. BPP is proud to have Ciudad de los Niños be a member since 2011 and to serve as their Fiscal Agent. Click here to download the 2015 Annual Report.

The BPP congratulates and welcomes Roberta Jacobson, new U.S. ambassador to Mexico.

Roberta Jacobson confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Mexico. The Senate finally confirmed Roberta Jacobson to be the U.S. ambassador to Mexico on Thursday, ending a months-long delay of her nomination that was ultimately resolved by a complicated deal that drew in two Senate Republicans who had vied for president. Jacobson, a top State Department official, had faced objections from senators related to her work on implementing the Obama administration's controversial policy normalizing relations with Cuba. In November, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who at the time was deep into his presidential run, put a hold on her nomination while publicly criticizing her work at State. But the wheels began to turn toward getting Jacobson installed this month, after Rubio returned to the Senate following his failed presidential bid. (read more)

BPP featured in US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce magazine.

If The BPP is pleased to share the latest ad that is featured in Alliance, the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce magazine. This is the second time UETA Duty Free Americas has shared ad space with BPP thanks to the efforts of Board member Louis Escareño. Alliance magazine is a quarterly publication and advertising medium published by the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce (USMCOC) committed to provide timely and relevant data on our binational business community, expanding communication for members and furthering the goals of being the "Ambassador of Good Business". The United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce is the leading binational business organization working to build mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships in the Americas. The organization's mission is to promote business between the United States and Mexico. If you would like to receive a copy, please email Andy Carey.

US and Mexican leaders build children's play park in San Vicente, Baja California.

Members of the Club de Cazadores de San Vicente joined forces with BPP to build a play park for young children in San Vicente, Baja California in recognition of the hunting clubs' 25th anniversa ry. Club members wanted to make an impact locally where members have gathered for years to hunt with family and friends. BPP fiscal agency services allowed members to make tax deductible contributions to build the playground. "The smiles on the children's faces makes it all worthwhile", said one member. The playpark includes a large boat themed playground, and includes new swing sets, covered picnic tables, and a refurbished playground area. The park is open dawn to dusk, and is available to all children 9 years old and younger.

BPP talks paying it forward to scholarship recipients.

The Institute for Mexicans Living Abroad (IME) invited BPP Executive Director to talk to scholarship recipients at the annual scholarship presentation held each year at the University of California San Diego. The Mexican Consulate General in San Diego hosts the event each year to recognize college age students of Mexican descent who are awarded scholarships from the Mexican government. Andy shared his families' story on why giving back to the community matters highlighting his father's 50 year career as a medical doctor in rural Illinois. Andy challenged the scholarship recipients to serve others before themselves, to find a cause that matters, and to leverage their professional career in a meaningful way to build communities and families.

University of San Diego - SOLES and BPP team up to support border region nonprofits.

Graduate students in LEAD 519 -"Understanding Binational Nonprofits in the US-Mexico Border region completed applied projects for 11 BPP network organization members. The organizations included: San Diego Family Asset Building Coalition (Community Housing Works, Dreams for Change, Home Start, Inc, International Rescue Committee, MAAC Project, North County Lifeline, and the San Diego Housing Commission), Cadenas de Ayuda, A.C., ProOncavi, A.C., and the Laredo Area Community Foundation. The graduate students are completing their Master's degree in Nonprofit Management and are all full-time nonprofit executives. As part of their graduation requirements, they must complete an International experience. The 10 session course includes studying the history of the binational region, impacts of philanthropy between the US and Mexico, and the completion of an applied project for a binational nonprofit. Over the past four years, 30 BPP organizations have benefitted from the applied projects. This year's projects support volunteer mobilization, resource development, and communications. For more information, please contact andy@borderpartnership.org

Nonprofit and philanthropic leaders talk about border issues, information and resources in Las Cruces.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, Con Alma Health Foundation, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, and the New Mexico Association of Grantmakers, convened nonprofit and philanthropic leaders in Las Cruces on Thursday, April 7 to discuss U.S.-Mexico Border issues, information, and resources on the first of theNew Mexico Learning Series. The event started with a panel discussion and closed with a networking reception. Speakers, panelists, and facilitators included Dolores E. Roybal, Executive Director, Con Alma Health Foundation & BPP Board member; Andy Carey, Executive Director, BPP; Robert F. Ashcraft, Ph.D., Executive Director, Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation at Arizona State University and Board Chair, BPP; Lisa Cacari-Stone, Ph.D., Member, BHC Work Group; Silvia S. Sierra, President, Cultivating Communities, Louis Luna, Board Vice President, Con Alma Health Foundation; Jennifer Cervantes, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico; Francisco Solis, Director, Francisco Solis y Asociados and BPP Board member; Cathy Frey, Executive Director, New Mexico Association of Grantmakers, and María Elena Giner, General Manager, Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) and BPP Board Member.

BPP Board of Directors meets in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The BPP Board of Directors met for their second meeting of the 2016 administrative year. The meeting was held at the Encanto Hotel in Las Cruces, NM. The agenda included robust discussion in four key areas guiding the growth and development of BPP. Staff reported that membership has increased to 257 organizations from academia, business and corporate sectors, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy. Since January, BPP has hosted two philanthropy panels in the region, conducted a three-day nonprofit training program in San Miguel de Allende, completed border tours in San Diego and Tijuana, and is planning for additional philanthropy conversations to be held July 14 in San Diego, CA; October 27 in San Antonio, TX; and January 12, 2017 in Phoenix, AZ. Additionally, BPP is planning additional learning series opportunities in New Mexico, Sonora, and Chihuahua for later this year.

Elisa de la Vara promoted to Chief Community Officer.

Longtime community leader and BPP Board Member, Elisa de la Vara has been promoted to the newly created executive-level position of Chief Community Officer with the Arizona Community Foundation, which is among Arizona's and the nation's largest charitable foundations. She joined the Foundation's staff as Senior Director of Community Initiatives in early 2015 and will assume additional organizational and statewide executive leadership responsibilities in this new role. As a member of the executive management team, de la Vara will oversee the Foundation's engagements and relationships with the diverse cities and communities of Arizona. Her leadership and oversight responsibilities include the grants management division, all major community initiatives including the Community Impact Loan Fund (impact investing), affordable housing fund, immigration and border philanthropy, the Black Philanthropy Initiative, Latinos Unidos initiative, and the Asian Pacific American Women's Giving Circle. She will also build the strategy and implement ACF's new Native American Philanthropy Initiative. Read more.

The BPP presents at: "The Global Imperative for Higher Education Leadership" Workshop.

The Latin American Council of Management Schools - CLADEA and the College of Business and Public Administration at California State University, San Bernardino hosted the Workshop: The Global Imperative for Higher Education Leadership on March 15 - 17, 2016 in San Bernardino. Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director was a speaker on the Leadership, Ethics and Developing Communities panel discussion. This session discussed how to use leadership and ethics as a daily part of your work with the local business community, in your university community, in developing a community based board of directors, etc. Other panelists included Bill Stevenson, VP Community Bank, Paul Granillo, CEO, Inland Empire Economic Partnership, and Thomas Galindo, BBVA Compass.

More than 70 nonprofit leaders gather in San Miguel de Allende for intensive training workshop.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona partnered once more to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations working to improve the community of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Workshops covered the following topics: volunteer program management, fundraising, governance, and communications. The capacity-building seminars covered topics such as volunteer management, fundraising, governance for nonprofit organizations, and effective communications, delivered by Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director, Maria Laura Muñoz, Mexico Representative for the BPP, and consultants Emilio Guerra and Mauricio Guerrero.

This seminar was made possible by the Shaaron Kent Endowment Fund held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. When Shaaron Kent set up her field- of-interest endowed fund at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona many years ago, she designated that her assets be allocated annually to three areas that she felt passionate about: education, hospice and San Miguel de Allende, where she had a second home. The Community Foundation has the responsibility of carrying out her wishes in a manner that carries on her legacy as she envisioned it.

Part 7 of 7 · ← Part 6