BPP News

Save the date for our next binational convening on Philanthropy. The U.S. - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP), in collaboration with Fundación Educativa y Cultural Don José S. Healy A. C. and local partners, will host its next conversation on philanthropy on Thursday, April 2, 2020 in Hermosillo Sonora, Mexico. On Friday, April 3, the BPP will hold its second Board meeting of the year. More details coming soon.

BPP Board elects new officers at 2020 Annual Meeting.

January 17 | San Diego, California

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership Board of Directors held its annual meeting January 17, 2020. The agenda included election o f new officers. Elisa de Vara, Chief Community Officer at Arizona Community Foundation was elected Board Chair; Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, Executive Director of Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico, A.C. was elected Vice Chair, Louis R. Escareño, General Counsel, UETA Duty Free Americas was elected Treasurer; Dolores Roybal, Executive Director of Con Alma Health Foundation was elected Secretary; and Enrique Diaz Rivera R. Bours, Treasurer, Fundación Tichi Muñoz was elected Immediate Past President. During the meeting, BPP also bid farewell to two distinguished Board members, Dr. Robert Ashcraft and Ing. Héctor Jurado.

Robert Ashcraft, ASU Lodestar Center on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation departs Board after 10 years.

January 17, 2020 | San Diego, California

Dr. Robert Ashcraft completed his final Board of Directors meeting on Friday, January 17, 2020. Robert served with distinction for more than 10 years. His first board meeting was in 2010 in El Paso, TX at a time when U.S.-Mexico relations were strained due to violence and drug trafficking. Robert was elected to Vice Chair, a post he held for four years. He served with Past Chairs Cheryl Alethia Phelps and Francisco Solis. In 2015 Robert was elected to serve as Board Chair where he would serve for an additional three years. One of Robert's most significant contributions was the development and implementation of a new strategic plan that continues to guide the work of BPP today. Robert was a transformational leader for BPP says Executive Director Andy Carey. Robert's leadership helped solidify equitable participation from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border, as well as significantly increase BPP's membership, and strengthen our footing promoting philanthropy in the Borderlands. Thank you Robert for your service.

ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation students present capstone projects.

December, 2019 | Arizona, CA

Congratulations to the soon-to-graduate students of ASU's Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management program, who presented their capstone projects on Saturday in Phoenix. Students delved into a variety of topics with their projects this semester, from employee satisfaction to volunteer management. ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation also honored new members of the Nu Lambda Mu Nonprofit Honor Society. The society was established in 2012 by the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council to recognize students dedicated to the study of nonprofit management, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship and enterprise. The Master of Nonprofit Leadership & Management (MNLM) degree, within the ASU School of Community Resources and Development, offers students leadership skills and knowledge in topics such as the management of human resources (both paid and volunteer), fundraising, program evaluation, fiscal management, and governance in nonprofit organizations. We look forward to following your careers in the sector!

BPP updates 2019 Border Mayors Summit on Humanitarian Crisis.

October, 2019 | San Diego, CA

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey attended the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Border Mayors Summit in San Diego, CA to share philanthropy's role in responding to the humanitarian crisis in the Borderlands. Carey shared how national, regional, state, and local funders from both the U.S. and Mexico have answered the call to support migrants seeking entry, asylum as well as those being repatriated to their country of origin. The Border Philanthropy Partnership network has raised over US$1 million in support of organizations providing direct relief including shelter, food, clothing, legal aid, and transportation support to help migrants safely return to their home communities. Additionally, BPP recently traveled to the U.S. Capitol to seek support from the House of Representatives to demand the Department of Homeland Security work with nonprofit organizations to ensure a more humane and dignified repatriation process; establish medical lanes to expedite medical patients crossing into the U.S. from Mexico; to protect the charitable tax deduction; and to have an accurate 2020 Census Count. Additionally, the BPP requested Congress work to continue to provide foreign aid to the Northern Triangle countries to support the very issues that are forcing migration northward including climate change, extreme violence, extreme poverty, and chronic malnutrition. Carey encouraged the Border Mayors to continue to support innovative solutions to the humanitarian crisis, and thanked the efforts of Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) for securing reimbursement opportunities for local municipalities and nonprofit organizations providing key support to the humanitarian crisis. For more information contact andy@borderpartnership.org

BPP takes humanitarian message to Congress.

October 17, 2019 | Washington, DC

The BPP Board of Directors, staff, and member stakeholders totaling 35 leaders travelled to Washington, D.C. October 17-18 for two days of meetings including a visit to the U.S. Capitol. The bipartisan congressional visit included a panel discussion with Anne McEnany (International Community Foundation), Sarah Lyman (Alliance Healthcare Foundation), Eric Pearson (El Paso Community Foundation), Andy Carey (BPP), and moderated by Elisa de la Vara (Arizona Community Foundation), and meetings with Congressmen Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and staff members from the offices of Congressmen Ruben Gallego (AZ-20), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Filemon Vega (TX-34), and Veronica Escobar (TX-16). BPP Executive Director Andy Carey presented four concerns including: That the Department of Homeland Security improve the repatriation process in coordination with the nonprofit sector to ensure the dignified and humane treatment of all migrants; that medical lanes similar to those that operate in San Diego/Tijuana be operational at all ports of entry along and across the 2,000 mile U.S.-Mexico Border; Protection of the charitable tax deduction to encourage increased giving in the Borderlands; and that the 2020 U.S. Census should count everyone.

The Power of Philanthropy in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands in Washington, D.C.

October 17, 2019 | Washington, DC

As part of our 10th Anniversary celebration the BPP convened a public forum at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington,D.C. The panel include a robust conversation about the realities of life in the Borderlands from the actual leaders and organizations that live and work in our region. The panelists included Alma Cota de Yáñez (Fundación Del Empresariado Sonorense), William Smith (Santa Fe Community Foundation), Eric Pearson (El Paso Community Foundation), Lisa Urias (Arizona Community Foundation), Enrique Díaz Rivera R. Bours (BPP/Fundación Tichi Muñoz), and moderator Robert Ashcraft (ASU Lodestar Center on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation). The leaders spoke of our obligation to support the humanitarian crisis and the plight of migrants desiring entry into the United States, the importance of collaboration in our region and across sectors to advance issues for families and communities, and the importance to tell the real story of interconnected community, generosity, and safety of our binational region.

BPP assembles philanthropy leaders to talk humanitarian crisis in the Borderlands.

October 18, 2019 | Washington, DC

BPP Board and staff leaders held a funders breakfast in Washington, D.C. to highlight the role of philanthropy in our region and to invite additional investment to support organizations engaged in the humanitarian response efforts. The meeting was hosted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in their D.C. offices. Attendees included representatives from National funders, BPP network members and leaders, Council on Foundations, United Philanthropy Forum, and Univision. The leaders committed to work together to change the narrative in the region, to work to identify funding opportunities, and to continue public policy advocacy in support of families and communities in the US-Mexico Border.

BPP honors Congressman Henry Cuellar.

October 17, 2019 | Washington, DC

During our visit to the U.S. Capitol the BPP Board of Directors presented the Hon. Henry Cuellar with the Distinguished Service Award in appreciation of his leadership in support of families and communities in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. Thank you Congressman Cuellar for your efforts.

BPP trains more than 160 nonprofit leaders in Mexicali and Monterrey, Mexico.

August 15-16, 2019 | Monterrey, Nuevo León
August 21, 2019 | Mexicali, Baja California

Andy Carey, BPP's Executive Director and Ma. Laura Muñoz, BPP Mexico Representative delivered two training sess ions for Mexican nonprofit leaders on the process to seek funding from US foundations at events in the states of Nue vo León and Baja California. On August 15 and 16, the Monterrey chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (A FP) held its 4th National Fundraising Conference. This two-day event gathered hundreds of fundraisers and executives of leading nonprofits from all over the country as well as a variety of specialized speakers from the US a nd Mexico. On August 21, Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico, convened the Mexicali and San Luis Rio Colorad o, Sonora nonprofit community to attend the seminar. A total of 118 nonprofit leaders attended the Mexicali seminar.

The BPP Board of Directors and staff offer their deepest sympathy to the families of the twenty-two Borderlands community members whose lives were taken in the senseless act of violence and hatred in El Paso, TX earlier this week.

August 3, 2019 | El Paso, Texas

This despicable act of violence against innocent lives has no place in our binational community. We also pray for the speedy recovery of the remaining 26 people who were wounded in the incident. As our community begins the long and difficult healing process, we also wish to express our deepest appreciation to the first responders for their incredible efforts to save the thousands of people in the shopping center, and to the Walmart employees who worked courageously to lead their store customers to safety. Many community leaders and partners have contacted us to offer support and to inquire how they may assist the victims and their families during this difficult time. We encourage everyone who wishes to support this effort, to give generously to the El Paso Community Foundation Victims' Fund (www.epcf.org) or to the El Paso Victims Relief Fund at the Paso del Norte Community Foundation (www.pdnfoundation.org). Blood banks are also requesting blood donations (www.bloodhero.com). This tragedy is personal for many of us as our families, friends, and community partners all know someone impacted by this tragedy. You remain in our prayers. We remain #ElPasoStrong.

BPP partners with Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to support San Miguel de Allende nonprofit sector.

July 30-31, 2019 | San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

BPP returned to San Miguel de Allende last week for a two-day education and training conference in support of the local nonprofit sector. This was the fifth training session in as many years to help nonprofit organizations achieve their missions locally. The two-day session was led by Leticia Becerril Palacios and focused on resource development. 120 nonprofit leaders from San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico City, Saltillo, Hermosillo, San Diego, and Tucson attended. Additionally 10 organizations received coaching support on issues related to their own organizations. The session was possible due to the generous support of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and the legacy of the Shaaron Kent Endowment Fund. Clint Mabie, President and CEO of the Foundation shared, "Our commitment to San Miguel is a permanent one and we look forward to a long term partnership in support of the local nonprofit community."

Foundation leaders meet in Chihuahua to talk leadership, collaboration, and philanthropy.

July 11, 2019 | Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Leaders from across Northern Mexico met in Cd. Chihuahua as part of an ongoing conversation of philanthropy in the Borderlands. The panelists included Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres - Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico, Héctor Jurado - Fundación del Empresariado Chihuahuense, Karen Yarza Sieber - Fundación Paso del Norte para la Salud y Bienestar, Claudia Sepúlveda - Fundación de Beneficencia Jesús M. Montemayor, and the moderator was Ana Maria de la Rosa y Carpizo, BPP Board Member Emeritus. The dynamicdiscussion included the history of each organization and their impact on local issues, efforts to address education, environment, health and well-being, the humanitarian crisis impacting the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands, as well as strategies to combat mistrust in our sector in Mexico. The conversation is part of a year-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. The event was sponsored by FECHAC at their State Headquarters in Cd. Chihuahua. During the event, the Border Philanthropy Partnership extended membership invitations to the attendees, and presented welcome recognition certificates to Fundacion INDEX, Fundacion Grupo Bafar, Fundacion Cima Chihuahua, Centro Humano de Liderazgo, and Lucila Murguia de Arronte.

Funders and support organizations meet in Chicago to talk trans-national philanthropy.

June, 2019 | Chicago, Illinois

The C.S. Mott Foundation,Inter-American Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust and CF Leads are hosting community foundation leaders from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Brazil, and Haiti. BPP members including FESAC, International Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, El Paso Community Foundation, Fundacion Comunitaria de la Frontera Norte, and the Latino Community Foundation are being featured for their mapping research projects to build bridges of philanthropy and collaboration between community foundations. The mapping projects are designed to create awareness and opportunities to increase giving in local communities, as well as communities of origin. BPP is supporting the mapping initiatives. Contact info@borderpartnership.org for more information.

USAID, Universidad ORT, Tijuana Innovadora, and BPP partner to support nonprofit organizations.

June 10, 11, 2019 | Tijuana, Baja California

Over 200 civil society leaders from across the U.S.A. and Mexico recently gathered in Tijuana, Baja California for a two-day conference to support nonprofit organizations. The organizations received education and training on best practices for resource development, board relations, and volunteer mobilization with the intent to reduce violence in local communities. The International Community Foundation and Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico also participated to share their expertise in resource development, grantmaking, and in community development initiatives in Mexico. The conference was funded by USAIDand organized by Universidad ORT, Tijuana Innovadora, and BPP.

BPP to attend tri-lateral environment meeting in Mexico City.

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey will attend the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America to be held June 24-25 in Mexico City. The meeting includes high ranking government officials representing environmental agencies and ministries from Canada, United States, and Mexico. During the two-day event, participants will discuss building disaster resilient communities in North America. Carey will attend the meeting on behalf of philanthropy in the Borderlands, and as a North American Advisory Committee member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

BPP participates in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Advisory Committee.

May, 2019 | Washington, D.C.

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey was re-appointed to serve on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Advisory Committee. Carey joins a committee of 15 civil society leaders from across the U.S.A. and each serve a two-year term. During the committee meeting, the members discussed environmental issues shared by Canada, United States, and Mexico. Each committee member also prepared a brief presentation of issues related to their work. BPP shared the issue of litter polluting the San Diego-Tijuana region, and the importance of binational collaboration to recommend innovative solutions to resolve the issue.

BPP leads International Visitor delegation on tour of Laredo, TX.

May, 2019 | Laredo, Texas

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey led a delegation of 15 International visitors from Western and Eastern Europe on a day-long tour of the humanitarian crisis issues facing the Borderlands. The tour included visits to Customs and Border Protection officials, Texas A & M International University, the Consulate General of Mexico in Laredo, Catholic Diocese of Laredo, Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Laredo Area Community Foundation, and the Sames Scholarship program for first generation college students. The delegates are participating in a month-long visit to the U.S. as guests of the U.S. State Department. The San Antonio Council for International Visitors and BPP collaborated on the site visits to civil society organizations working on migration issues in Laredo, TX. The discussions highlighted the challenges facing migrants seeking asylum status, educational opportunities in the binational region, consular support for Mexican nationals and Central American migrants, the role of the Catholic church in support of humanitarian relief, and philanthropy's efforts to respond to growing community needs in the Borderlands.

More than 200 nonprofit and philanthropic leaders gather in Monterrey, Mexico to discuss philanthropy in the border region.

April 25, 2019 | Monterrey, Nuevo León

On April 25, the U.S. - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) and allies convened the nonprofit community in partnership with Fundación de Beneficencia Jesús M. Montemayor to host Monterrey nonprofit and philant hropic community for an evening conversation about philanthropic trends and challenges in this dynamic border region. Participants traveled from 8 border states to attend the event. Invited panelists included: Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, Executive Director, Cadenas de Ayuda para México; Enrique Díaz Rivera R. Bours, Board Member, Fundación Tichi Muñoz; Héctor Jurado Sánchez, Board Chair, FECHAC; Denisse Rodríguez, Executive Director, Cd. Obregón Chapter, FESAC, and Agustín Landa García Téllez, vice chancellor of development, University of Monterrey (UDEM). Elisa de la Vara, Chief Community Officer, Arizona Community Foundation, served as the panel moderator. The Hon. William H. Duncan, Consul General of the USA in Monterrey, Juan Guadalupe Marcos Giacoman, Board Chair of the Fundación de Beneficencia Jesús M. Montemayor and BPP Board Member Luis Alberto Healy, delivered the welcome remarks

Business leaders honored for positive impact to Latino communities.

May 4, 2019 | Phoenix, Arizona

Two Arizonans who have had a major impact on immigration, trade, and border relations and security are winners of the 2019 Man and the Woman of the Year business awards from the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. They and other business leaders were honored for their long service and contributions to Arizona and the Latino community at the chamber's 61st Black & White Ball and Business Awards Noche de Flamenco May 4. The Man of the Year is Marco Lopez, president and CEO of Intermestic Partners, that invests in, develops, and manages companies across borders. The Woman of the Year is Elisa de la Vara, chief community officer of the Arizona Community Foundation, who oversees the foundation's impact loan program, border philanthropy and other initiatives. About 1,200 Arizona business and community leaders attend the annual event. The awards ceremony recognizes entrepreneurs who have contributed to the "state's social progress and economic prosperity." "We are proud to host this year's 61st anniversary to honor... (read more)

BPP talks philanthropy with new Director of Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior.

Last week during an official visit to the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, BPP Executive Director Andy Carey met with Maestro Roberto Valdovinos Alba, the newly appointed director of the Institute for Mexicans Living Abroad (IME). The meeting was a chance for BPP to share the important role civil society holds in community development initiatives in both the U.S.A. And Mexico. During the conversation, BPP shared that over 1.2 million people work in the nonprofit sector in Mexico, and in support of millions of marginalized families and communities. Carey also encouraged the Federal government of Mexico to reconsider their intention to shut off financial support to the nonprofit sector, and encouraged the new government to work in partnership with civil society to respond to the growing needs of vulnerable communities and populations. Additionally, the leaders discussed future engagements of the Institute for Mexicans Living Abroad (IME) in support of education, health and well-being, as well as cultural opportunities in the U.S.A. The Mexican Government historically has provided significant financial investment in support of programs of Mexican Nationals residing in the United States.

Business leaders honored for positive impact to Latino communities.

wo Arizonans who have had a major impact on immigration, trade, and border relations and security are winners of the 2019 Man and the Woman of the Year business awards from the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. They and other business leaders were honored for their long service and contributions to Arizona and the Latino community at the chamber's 61st Black & White Ball and Business Awards Noche de Flamenco May 4. The Man of the Year is Marco Lopez, president and CEO of Intermestic Partners, that invests in, develops, and manages companies across borders. The Woman of the Year is Elisa de la Vara, chief community officer of the Arizona Community Foundation, who oversees the foundation's impact loan program, border philanthropy and other initiatives. About 1,200 Arizona business and community leaders attend the annual event. The awards ceremony recognizes entrepreneurs who have contributed to the "state's social progress and economic prosperity." "We are proud to host this year's 61st anniversary to honor... (read more)

Louis Escareno presented with the San Antonio Chabad Center's 2019 community service award.

March, 2019

Congratulations to Louis Escareno, Secretary-Treasurer, US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP), on being presented with the San Antonio Chabad Center's 2019 community service award in recognition of your efforts to grow U.S.-Israel relations. Louis Escareno is a Mexican American/Chicano and a native of West Side San Antonio. His efforts to support and to further the Jewish - Latino relationship stems from personal relationships at the University of Pennsylvania and more recently his experience with the faithful, passionate Israel supporters, the Falic Family. As such, he has come to value, respect, and appreciate the Jewish people in the United States, Israel, and around the world.

BPP Executive Director re-appointed to EPA National Advisory Committee.

March, 2019

US. Environmental Protection Agency Adminstrator, Andrew R. Wheeler has re-appointed Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director, to the National Advisory Committee for an additional two years beginning February 2019. The National Advisory Committee was established in 1994 to provide advice to the Adminstrator on a broad range of environment-related strategic, scientific, technological, regulatory and economic issues to be addressed in implementation and elaboration of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation. Committee members serve as representatives of academia, business, and nongovernmental organizations. Andy will serve on behalf of philanthropy in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands.

BPP conducts Board governance workshop for nonprofit leaders in Ciudad Juarez.

February 26, 2019 | Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua

On Wednesday, February 26, more than 20 staff leaders and board members of local nonprofit organizations participated in the first workshop of the REALIZE program for Boards with the Fundación Paso del Norte para la Salud y Bienestar in Cd. Juárez. Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director conducted the workshop "How to build high performance Boards" as part of the REALIZE initiative, which includes workshops and trainings for nonprofit leaders in this city. The goal of this first workshop was to help participants understand Board governance basics, such as structure, policies and practices, and roles and responsibilities, among others. Launching the REALIZE initiative in Ciudad Juárez was possible thanks to Paso del Norte Health Foundation. The Paso del Norte Health Foundation and its partner foundations are members of the Border Philanthropy Partnership.

BPP and University of San Diego Nonprofit Leadership and Management program tour Tijuana.

February 21, 2019 | Tijuana, Baja California

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey led a delegation of University of San Diego Nonprofit graduate students on a day-long tour of Tijuana, Baja California nonprofit organizations and institutions. The visits included Fundacion CODETand the CODET Institute, U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission - Mexico Section, Centro Oncologico Internacional, ProONCAVI, Centro Cultural de Tijuana, and Hospital Infantil de las Californias. The tour also included visits to Borderfield State Park in Playas de Tijuana, and the culinary and business districts. The tour was part of the graduate course Lead 519, "Understanding Binational Nonprofits in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands". A similar tour will be conducted in San Diego March 14.

BPP supports Ventanilla de Salud Health and Wellness programs across the U.S.A.

Februray, 2019

Mexico's Ministry of Public Health, Institute for Mexicans Living Abroad, U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission (Mexico Section), and the Border Philanthropy Partnership are collaborating to support Mexico's Consular network across the United States for health and wellness issues affecting nearly 5 million Mexican nationals residing in the U.S.A. The Mexico Section of the Border Health Commission, the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, and BPP signed a Memorandum of Understanding back in September 2018 to provide technical assistance support for the Ventanilla de Salud Health and Wellness programs. The final deliverable is the delivery of Apple IPads to improve reporting and data collection on health and wellness services provided including blood pressure screens, cancer screens, flu and Hepatitis A vaccines amongst others. The Ventanilla de Salud program is a program of the Mexican Government and is a collaborative effort between the Department of Public Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ventanilla de Salud program was developed in 2001 to improve the physical and mental health of Mexicans living in the United States and to increase access to primary and preventive health insurance coverage and ensure sensitive services in order to reduce the use of emergency services. BPP is the fiscal sponsor of the program in San Diego, CA.

Building Broader Communities in the Americas Mapping Initiatives comes to the Borderlands.

February, 2019 | San Diego, California

The C.S. Mott Foundation, the Inter-American Foundation, and CF LEADS are partnering with community foundation leaders across the U.S. and Mexico to investigate and discover avenues to engage more philanthropists in organized giving mechanisms provided by community foundations. Starting last year, BPP network partners and members started innovative mapping initiatives in El Paso, TX and Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua to engage binational philanthropy at new levels. The El Paso Community Foundation and the Fundación Comunitaria de la Frontera Norte joined forces in the first-ever borderlands mapping initiative. This year community foundations in Arizona, Sonora, California, and Baja California are joining forces to strengthen philanthropy across borders. The Arizona Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, Fundación del Empresariado Sonorense, A.C. (FESAC), International Community Foundation, Fundación Internacional de la Comunidad, and the Border Philanthropy Partnership are all working to bridge the philanthropic divide between the two countries. The partners have assembled a dynamic partnership with key players including Arizona State University's Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, Chicanos Por la Causa, and Fundación Tichi Muñoz. Over the next several months the partners will be surveying stakeholder organizations, members of the general public, as well as interviewing philanthropists on their willingness to support charitable giving on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border. For more information contact Andy Carey.

BPP talks Humanitarian Crisis in the Borderlands.

Februrary, 2019 | San Diego, California

This past week network partners and leaders met with Brian Gallagher, President of United Way Worldwide during a site visit to San Diego and Tijuana. Mr. Gallagher came to the Borderlands to witness firsthand the plight of asylum seekers from Central American trying to enter the U.S.A. Local community organizations participating included Jewish Family Services, California Endowment, International Community Foundation, United Way of San Diego, Fondo Unido de Mexico, San Diego-Tijuana Smart Border Coalition, the Border Philanthropy Partnership, the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, and the Consulate General of the United States in Tijuana. The leaders all shared information on initiatives supporting migrant serving organizations, shared possible solutions to the humanitarian crisis, and invited United Way Worldwide to help share the real story of the situation in the Borderlands with partners, stakeholders, and policymakers across the United States.

BPP hosts "A Conversation with Funders: Philanthropy in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands."

January 17, 2019 | San Diego, California

On Thursday, January 17 BPP hosted over 200 members, partners, donors, and stakeholders for a conversation with funders including Laura Speer from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Linetta Gilbert on behalf of the Ford Foundation, Nick Deychakiwsky from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and Robert Ashcraft from Arizona State University's Lodestar Center on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. The event was part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Border Philanthropy Partnership. Leaders attended from 8 of the 10 Border States and as far away as Washington,D.C. and Mexico City, D.F... The panelists congratulated BPP on its impact over the past 10 years provided education and training to over 15,000 board and staff leaders, coaching and technical assistance to over 200 organizations, supporting fiscal agency needs of member stakeholders to over US$4 million, and for growing and sustaining the member network to over 300 organizations during the 10 year period. Conversations also tackled the need for civil society to grow and influence the narrative in our region that reframes the non-crisis created by Washington, D.C.from the shackles of an imposed humanitarian crisis to that of our reality of a prosperous region where community, family, business, and binational engagement is the norm of the day. The event was possible due to the generous support of Sempra Energy, RL Jones Customhouse Brokers, and Southwest Airlines.

BPP Board hosts foundation leaders for conversation to strengthen philanthropy in the Borderlands.

January 18, 2019 | San Diego, California

On Friday, January 18 the BPP Board of Directors hosted a funders only conversation with 40 foundation leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities facing philanthropy in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Ford Foundation, and C.S. Mott Foundation all attended as well as community foundation leaders from 8 of the 10 Border States. The foundation leaders strategized on ways to strengthen the narrative about the reality of life in the Borderlands, and the need to engage media partners from across both countries to challenge the national narratives about the non-crisis in the Borderlands. Additionally, the leaders discussed the importance of preparedness for future humanitarian crisis that will likely challenge local governments and communities. Several recommendations were also encouraged including: the need for specificity when approaching funders so complete clarity is understood as to why investments are being requested; keep talking about the real issues impacting our region to elevate the dialogue to the national level; and to increase access to compelling and relevant data to support causes and increase philanthropic investment. During the entire session, BPP was celebrated for its commitment to grow philanthropy in the Borderlands, and for its approach to always share and collaborate with members, partners, and stakeholders for the greater good of our community and to respond to the challenges facing our region.

University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute and BPP Executive Director lead delegation to Guatemala.

January 19-27, 2019 | Guatemala

University of San Diego graduate students in Nonprofit Management, Leadership Development, Education, and Social Justice completed an 8 day excursion to Guatemala to study the Role and Responsibility of Civil Society Organizations in the Developing World. The Lead 518 course was led by BPP Executive Director Andy Carey. The 10 graduate student delegation visited academic institutions, corporate foundations, and nonprofit organizations in six communities including Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango, Panajachel, Santiago, Iximche, and Antigua. The prevalent issues included malnutrition that impacts 1 in 2 children under the age of 5; extreme poverty that impacts over 40% of the national population; and the migration crisis impacting Central America, specifically Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. During the 8 day trip, meetings were held with the University Rafael Landivar Medical School leadership, the Representative of UNICEF and the nutrition team, the leadership of USAID, American Friends Service Committee, Casa Migrante in Guatemala City, and Priorato San Jose amongst others. For more information contact Andy Carey.

Beyond Borders: an article by Matthew Harvey about the BPP in the Philanthropy Journal News.

The issue of immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border is controversial, complicated and fraught with partisan trip wires, as the recent government shutdown demonstrates. The reality of children dying in federal custody and the political optics of family separation and detention camps makes this undeniable. While the gravity of pessimism is understandably strong, given the circumstances, optimism can be found in a few universally agreed upon facts - diversity is a strength, a safe and secure border is essential to any sovereign nation, law enforcement matters, and immigration is a positive tenet integral to the founding of our nation. Optimism can also be found within the Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP), a bi-national non-profit that embodies these facts to build prosperity through leadership, collaboration and philanthropy on both sides of the border. The Border Philanthropy Partnership was founded in 2008. With membership spanning across both the United States and Mexico, BPP is uniquely positioned to build that prosperity across the Borderlands. Read more.

BPP leaders invited to present at CEMEFI's Annual Conference.

November 13-14, 2018 | Mexico City, Mexico

Mexican Center for Philanthropy's Annual Conference 2018 "Civil society, actions that transform" took place in mid-November in Mexico City when CEMEFI also celebrated its 30th anniversary. BPP Board Members Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, Executive Director of Cadenas de Ayuda para México and Héctor Jurado, Board Chair of FECHAC, were invited as panelists at a round table on strategic philanthropy, in which four philanthropy leaders spoke with the participants about the current changes and trends in philanthropy in Mexico and what each organization is doing to strengthen philanthropy in Mexico. Also Ma. Laura Muñoz, BPP representative in Mexico presented a workshop for nonprofit boards. Ma. Laura is a certified board consultant by BoardSource.

BPP leaders, members, and partners to talk International grantmaking at Philanthropy Southwest Annual Conference.

November 1-3, 2018 | Galveston, Texas

The BPP was invited to moderate a discussion about International grantmaking at the 2018 Annual meeting of Philanthropy Southwest to be held in Galveston, TX November 1-3. BPP Executive Director Andy Carey will moderate a conversation with foundation leaders who are specialists in grantmaking in Mexico. The confirmed panelists include: J. Clint Mabie, President and C.E.O. of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, Eric Pearson, President and C.E.O. of the El Paso Community Foundation, Gabriela Boyer, Representative for Mexico and Nicaragua at the Inter-American Foundation, and Marisa Quiroz, Vice President of Programs at the International Community Foundation. The panelists will share their organizational experience providing grants in Mexico, compliance with Patriot Act and Ley de Anti Lavado requirements, and initiatives supporting collaboration amongst community foundations in the U.S. and Mexico.

BPP and Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico join forces in Tijuana.

October 18, 2018 | Tijuana, Baja California

Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico and Border Philanthropy Partnership joined forces to provide board governance training in Tijuana. Nearly 100 nonprofit board and staff leaders from 65 local organizations attended the half-day session on the "Roles and Responsibilities of Board of Directors". Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, Executive Director of Cadenas de Ayuda, and BPP Board Member hosted the event. Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director presented the training session. Carey shared best practices for board meetings, team building, and strategic planning. For more information, contact andy@borderpartnership.org.

BPP to moderate discussion:
Trump and AMLO: The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations.

October 12, 2018 | Los Angeles, California

BPP Executive Director will moderate a discussion on the state of relations between the U.S. and Mexico at PolicyWest 2018 Annual meeting to be held October 12, 2018 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. The discussion panel is titled: Trump and AMLO: The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations and the featured speakers are: Luis Madrazo, Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit, COMEXI; Dr. Antonio Ortiz-Mena, Senior Vice President, Albright Stonebridge Group, Dr. Jennifer Piscopo, Assistant Professor of Politics, Occidental College. Discussion moderator is Andy Carey, Executive Director, U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. PolicyWest is an annual forum on global affairs. The conference brings together people from a variety of sectors - business, civic, government and academic leaders - to exchange ideas and collaborate on pressing international issues. The event boasts a diverse, sophisticated, civil, and proudly bipartisan audience. This year, speakers will explore a wide range of topics including cooperation and competition in space, free trade, nuclear proliferation, Russia, China, and more. Click here for a live streaming of keynote with Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong and the lunch debate on #populism.

BPP leaders meet with Border Mayors - talk philanthropy.

September 20-22, 2018 | San Antonio, Texas

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership Board of Directors and staff team attended the 2018 Border Mayors' Summit held in San Antonio, TX September 20-22. The event was the seventh annual convening of the binational elected officials, and was organized by the Center on U.S.-Mexico Studies at the University of California San Diego. During the summit, the 25 Mayors explored collaborative partnerships on trade, commerce, border security, border infrastructure, and philanthropy. Board Member Laura Speer of the Annie E. Casey Foundation shared the latest information on Border Kids' Count and Infancia Cuenta, and Executive Director Andy Carey encouraged the Mayors to partner with civil society organizations to solve challenges facing local communities. During the event, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and First Lady Erika Prosper Nirenberg presented BPP with a proclamation in recognition of our 10th Anniversary celebration. Texas State Senator José Menéndez also attended the BPP Board Meeting to present Board Chair Enrique Diaz Rivera R. Bours with a proclamation in support of the anniversary celebration.

BPP's Executive Director presented Ohtli Award at Independence Day Celebration.

September 18, 2018 | San Diego, California

The Government of Mexico recognized BPP's Executive Director Andy Carey with the Ohtli Award. The Ohtli award is administered by the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs. It is given once annually by individual consulates and consists of a medallion, silver rosette and a diploma. The name of the award comes from the Nahuatl word which means "road" or "path." The medal depicts an Aztec god cutting grass with a machete. The symbolism of the name alludes to the idea of opening a path for others. The first award was given out in 1996. The award is one of the highest honors given to citizens living outside of Mexico. The Ohtli Award recognizes individuals who have aided, empowered or positively affected the lives of Mexican nationals in the United States and other countries. In announcing the award, Ambassador Marcela Celorio, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego shared, "Andy reflects not only a remarkable social leadership through more than 20 years of philanthropy, but it also shows the true love and devotion of someone who has dedicated his life to promote a better understanding of Mexico and the United States of America, its people and its culture."

BPP leaders, members, and partners to talk International grantmaking at Philanthropy Southwest Annual Conference.

November 1-3, 2018 | Galveston, Texas

The Consulate of Mexico in San Diego opens a public lactation room.

Lactating mothers who visit or work at the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diegowill now have a space to breastfeed their babies. The lactation room at the Consulate has the necessary equipment for nursing mothers to extract and store milk in a comfortable and private environment. "It is a legitimate right of mothers, of women, to breastfeed their children and also of the children to be breastfed," said Marcela Celorio, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, highlighting the opening of a quiet and hygienic space for the benefit of consulate employees and visitors. The lactation room, an initiative of the Ventanilla de Salud or Health Window program, will be in operation during office hours. The first lactation room was established at the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco, and Ministry of Health intends to set up lactation rooms in the other 50 consulates in the United States. For its opening in San Diego... (read more in Spanish)

Dr. Dolores Roybal, recognized with New Mexico Change Maker Award.

Dr. Dolores Roybal, BPP Vice-Chair and Executive Director of Con Alma Health Foundation received the Change Maker Award on Friday, August 17th in Espanola, her home town, as part of a community event/concert for the kickoff of the "A New Normal" public multi-media education campaign. Other women recognized as "living treasures, the crusaders, the pioneers, the lionesses that have fought tirelessly for the people of the Espanola Valley and Northern New Mexico" included: Lauren Reichelt, Director RA Health & Services, Lupe Salazar, Director Barrios Unidos, Brenda Romero, Administrator Presbyterian Espanola Hospital. Marian Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo, Kathy Sanchez, Tewa Women United, Dorothy Montoya, Community Activist and Dr. Gina Perez-Baron, Alchemy Integrated Medicine. Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham introduced the awardees.

BPP invited to USAID Civil Society Activity Partners Encounter.

August 9, 2018 | Tijuana, Baja California

On Thursday, August 9, as part of USAID Civil Society Activity (CSA), representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) working along the border in human rights, crime prevention and justice reform, gathered in Tijuana for peer-to-peer learning and reflect on opportunities of collaboration and strategic alliances as a valuable tool to multiply their impact. This perspective will be particularly useful for CSOs that are just beginning to implement their grants. Participants were also prompted to think about the sustainability of results and on how they will continue their work after the term of USAID's grant ends. Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director talked about partnership opportunities in the border region, including cross-border philanthropy and the ways in which alliances can spark change beyond funding. BPP founding members such as FECHAC also attended the event.

Philanthropy gathers in San Diego - Tijuana to assess Family Humanitarian Crisis.

Fifty five foundation and nonprofit leaders from across the U.S.A. And Mexico are meeting this week to address the Family Separation crisis in the Borderlands. Hispanics in Philanthropy convened leaders and organizations to learn about the needs and realities facing women and children in this crisis. The two day event includes site visits in both San Diego and Tijuana with legal experts assisting the families, detention centers and migrant shelters, and meetings with government officials determining legal status and repatriation services. BPP network members and partners including the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, the International Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, and the El Paso Community Foundation participated. We especially appreciate the continued support of the C.S. Mott Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Weingart Foundation for their participation in the tour.

The BPP advances philanthropy, collaboration and leadership in Monterrey, Mexico.

July 19, 2018 | Monterrey, Nuevo Leon

Last week, BPP staff and Board member traveled to Monterrey to carry out a series of activities in cooperation with local philanthropic organizations. The first was a training seminar held on Thursday, July 19 to provide best practices and governance tools to foundation leaders as well as to encourage participation among businesses and corporations in the region. In the afternoon, 230 nonprofit and philanthropic leaders attended our Trans-border philanthropy panel presentation. Panelists included Elizabeth B. Warfield, Mission Director, USAID/Mexico, Enrique Diaz Rivera R. Bours, Board Chair, US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and Treasurer, Fundacion Tichi Muñoz, Raúl Rodriguez-Barocio, Associate Vice President International Relations, Tec de Monterrey and Gabriela Boyer, Foundation Representative, Grant-making & Portfolio Management Nicaragua and Community Asset Mobilization in Mexico, Inter-American Foundation. Elisa de la Vara, Chief Community Officer, Arizona Community Foundation and BPP Board Member will be the moderator. Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, BPP Board Member and Director of Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico in Mexicali, delivered closing remarks. During the second day of activities in Monterrey, the BPP Board of Directors held its third annual meeting. We thank the Fundación Jesús M. Montemayor and local partners Fundación Treviño Elizondo, Fomento Moral y Educativo, Fundación Comunidar and Tec de Monterrey for their support in organizing these successful activities

Dolores Roybal, BPP Vice-Chair, delivers governance seminar for FECHAC.

July 19, 2018 | Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Dr. Dolores RoybalExecutive Director, Con Alma Health Foundation and BPP Vice-Chair, shared best practices for effective boards with FECHAC's leaders and Board members. Delegates from the main 9 cities in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, were in attendance to learn more about their roles and responsibilities as board members, principles of good governance and ethical practice. Dolores also spoke about how to achieve greater effectiveness in board meetings to improve strategic decision making. The BPP is proud to collaborate with Fundación del Empresariado Chihuahuense, FECHAC, our ally and founding partner, in strengthening their Board of trustees.

Cecilia Guzmán, Health Window coordinator receives excellence award.

July 20, 2018 | San Diego, California

Last Friday, July 20, at the 2018 annual conference "Adelante Promotores" (Forward Promoters), organized by the San Diego County Promoters Coalition, Cecilia Guzmán, Health Window program coordinator at the Mexican Consulate in San Diego, received an excellence award. The goal of the Forward Promoters conference is to celebrate the promoters / Community Health Workers (CHW), and motivate them and prepare them better for their valuable work. The Ventanilla de Salud (Health Window) is a free program designed to help people identify the health services they need in the United States and Mexico. Its main goals are to help prevent diseases, to promote healthy habits and to provide referrals to health services, like those offered by community clinics. Felicidades Cecilia!

Your help is needed! Children and Families Humanitarian Crisis in the Borderlands Survey results.

The BPP distributed a survey to our members, partners, and stakeholders on their response to aid children and families separated at the U.S.-Mexico Border. We appreciate the time and effort taken to share your response, and have shared the list of organizations responding with national, regional, and local funding partners. Additionally, we are partnering with Hispanics in Philanthropy to inform their donor network on how they may support our members responding to this effort. You may find the complete list of organizations responding here. Please give generously to their efforts. Your contribution is needed and may be matched. Please contact Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director with any questions or comments.

Louis Escareño, BPP Board Member, takes part in USMCOC Mexico Presidential Election Observers Mission.

July 1, 2018 | Mexico

The U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce led its 5th consecutive Observers' Mission to Mexico for its Presidential election to observe the electoral process, which has earned increasingly high marks for reliability and confidence. The mission, comprised of members of the board of directors and senior staff of the Chamber, who were certified by the Mexican National Electoral Institute (Instituto Nacional Electoral, or "INE"). Mexico is now recognized internationally as having a national electoral process that is a comprehensive structure, reliable and fair. Mission participants prepared apreliminary report with their first impressions and information on the electoral results. As you know, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador won with 53.2% of the vote. His Coalition "Juntos Haremos Historia" also obtained the majority in Mexico's Federal Congress. The USMCOC Electoral Observers Delegation monitored polling locations in Mexico City, Estado de Mexico and Morelos.

Thank you Southwest Airlines for your support!

BPP and Southwest Airlines have partnered in support of binational philanthropy. Southwest Airlines presented free travel certificates to BPP in support of our convening and events in the U.S.-Mexico Border region. The travel vouchers have enabled BPP to participate in important events promoting philanthropy in Washington, D.C., Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and California. Thank you Southwest Airlines for this important community partnership during our 10th anniversary year.

Hispanic Chamber honors San Antonio's Most Influential Business Leaders at 2018 Business Awards dinner.

San Antonio Hispanic Chamber recognized nine outstanding local businesses and business leaders for their positive impact in the community. Honoring the accomplishments of some of San Antonio's most influential business and community leaders who are at the forefront of their industries, the Business Awards Dinner took place on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk. "These phenomenal business and community leaders positively impact our community and ensure the vitality of San Antonio's economy through their work every day," said Ramiro A. Cavazos, President & CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "It is a humbling honor for us at the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to be able to provide recognition to such incredible leaders." The 2018 Business Awards Dinner honorees included Advocate of the Year Award: Louis Escareño, UETA Duty Free and BPP Board Member. Felicidades Louis!

BPP participates in Trilateral meeting for the Environment.

June 26 -27, 2018 | Oklahoma City, Oaklahoma

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey was invited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to attend the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) in Oklahoma City, OK. Carey serves as a member of the National Advisory Committee that reviews environmental issues presented by the EPA and provides citizen input. Carey serves on this committee in representation of philanthropy in the Borderlands. JPAC is a trilateral Commission between Canada, USA, and Mexico. Representatives are selected from the three countries to talk environmental issues and to make recommendations on possible solutions in benefit of our three countries.

BPP talks mapping at Arizona-Mexico Commission.

June 15, 2018 | Tucson, Arizona

Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director, will present to the Water and Environment Committee during the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Arizona-Mexico Commission this Friday, June 15, in Tucson, AZ. During the event, Carey will share an update on the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands mapping initiative under construction in collaboration with Foundation Center. The map is designed to increase philanthropy in the Borderlands by informing nonprofits about grant opportunities; donor entities about the funding needs in the region; and facilitate stronger collaboration amongst civil society organizations. The meeting will be held at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa. For more information on the Arizona-Mexico Commission Annual meeting contact Edna Mendoza.

Community Foundation leaders to meet in Phoenix, AZ to talk binational philanthropy.

June 14-15, 2015 | Phoenix, Arizona

Community Foundation leaders from the U.S.A. And Mexico are meeting today and tomorrow in Phoenix, AZ to discuss mapping initiatives to grow the philanthropic footprint in the Americas. The initiative titled, "Building Broader Communities in the Americas" is funded and led by the C.S.Mott Foundation and the Inter-American Foundation. Community Foundations across North America are participating to develop opportunities to encourage charitable giving between the U.S. and Mexico as a first phase, and later across the Americas. This week's meeting is hosted by the Arizona Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership is a steering committee member for this initiative. For more information contact Andy Carey.

US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) takes part in the citizen scholarship committee for the General Consulate of Mexico, San Diego.

May 11, 2018 | San Diego, California

Mexico's Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior, IMEBecas distributed US$85,000 in scholarships for continuing and higher education. Congratulations to all the recipient organizations including but not limited to MANA de San Diego, University of San Diego, Barrio Logan College Institute, Southwestern College Foundation, PIQE, UC San Diego

USD graduate students complete applied projects for BPP Members.

May 10, 2018 | San Diego, California

Last week, Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director, taught the last class of the semester of Understanding Bi-national Nonprofits in the US-Mexican Border at The Nonprofit Institute at USD University of San Diego. During this class, students learned about the challenges and opportunities of nonprofit organizations in a binational context and worked in groups and with an associate from an assigned nonprofit that spans the Mexico and United States border to analyze the particular nature of that organization and the challenges it faces. The final class was a series of presentations or applied projects for BPP member organizations selected by the students:PATH - Making it Home, ProOncavi, Consulado General de México en San Diego, and Via International. Thank you to all who joined the student tours in San Diego and Tijuana, and for sharing your organizations amazing work in our binational community: San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, I Love A Clean San Diego, Hospital Infantil de las Californias, US Customs and Border Protection, Cruz Roja de Tijuana, Fundación Codet, Casa del Migrante en Tijuana, and Centro Cultural Tijuana - CECUT.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership recognizes the Hon. Russell L. Jones as Chairman Emeritus.

April 12, 2018 | Santa Fe, New Mexico

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) recognized its founder Hon. Russell "Russ" L. Jones as Chairman Emeritus. Russ has been active in community since he was a young man growing up in Calexico, CA. He is the epitome of what is known in the region as a Borderlander. A Borderlander is someone who easily navigates both sides of the border, and identifies as being from both sides of the region. Russ was raised in Calexico, CA and Mexicali, Baja California. His father and grandfather founded what is known today as RL Jones Customhouse Brokers, a premier import/export business facilitating trade and commerce between the U.S. and Mexico across the 10 State region. Russ studied Business Administration at San Diego State University, where he met Janet, his wife of over 50 years. Russ is a founder of multiple organizations. He is one of the founders of the Border Trade Alliance, and he is one of the founding members of the Arizona Community Foundation, and their statewide affiliate system. Since 2008, Russ has served U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) with grace, humility, and honor. His generous spirit has contributed to the growth and development of the BPP as he faithfully executed his responsibilities as a board member and officer. Russ helped extend BPP's mission, redefine its services, expanded member network, and exponentially increased BPP's influence along and across the binational region. Thank you Russ for your tireless commitment to the Border region!

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership names Southwest Airlines Official Carrier.

April, 2018 | San Diego, California

Since 2008, the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership has been a steadfast promoter of increased charitable giving, public policy advocacy, and strengthening the nonprofit and philanthropic community along and across the 2,000 mile border between the U.S. and Mexico. This partnership with Southwest Airlines will enable us to mobilize organizational leaders and stakeholders to important events and activities that encourage greater philanthropic investment across our region and between the U.S. and Mexico. BPP's Executive Director, Andy Carey said, "Southwest Airlines is a natural partner and supporter for us as they reach all key communities and destinations from San Diego to San Antonio, and Southwest Airlines' expansion into Mexico extends this reach all the way to Mexico City and other important destinations. This partnership allows us to be where we need to be for important conferences and conventions to continue to build strong community ties East and West and North and South". Thank you Southwest Airlines!

The BPP hosts "Border KIDS COUNT: The Latest Data from New Mexico and Mexico."

April 12, 2018 | Santa Fe, New Mexico

On Thursday, April 12 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the U.S. - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP), Con Alma Health Foundation, Santa Fe Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, and the New Mexico Association of Grantmakers, joined forces to present, "Border Kids Count: The latest data from New Mexico and Mexico ". Through a moderated discussion, this event featured analyses of child wellbeing data along the U.S. -Mexico border, to raise awareness about child wellbeing in the border region and inspiring local and national funders to get more involved in this critical issue. Panelists included: Francisco J. Ronquillo, PA, MA, Health Extension Officer and Hispanic/Latino Health Specialist, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Health, Health Sciences Center at the University of New Mexico; Laura Speer, Associate Director of Policy Reform and Advocacy, Annie E. Casey Foundation & Board Member, U.S.- Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership; James Jimenez, Executive Director, New Mexico Voices for Children, New Mexico KIDS COUNT; and Terra V. Winter, PhD, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. The panel presentation was moderated by Elisa De la Vara, Chief Community Officer, Arizona Community Foundation, & Board Member, U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership.

New leadership takes helm of BPP Board of Directors.

The BPP is led by a binational Board of Directors from the U.S. and Mexico. New positions include Enrique Díaz Rivera as Board Chair; and Robert Ashcraft, Immediate Past - Chair. Dolores E. Roybal, Executive Director, Con Alma Health Foundation (Santa Fe, NM) becomes Vice-Chair, and Louis R. Escareño, General Counsel and Director, Government & Public Affair, Duty Free America/UETA (San Antonio, Texas) is the new Secretary/Treasurer. New Board members include: Eduardo Acosta, Vice President, R.L. Jones Customhouse Brokers (San Diego, CA); Rosa del Carmen Montaño, Executive Director, Cadenas de Ayuda para México (Mexicali, Baja California); Luis A Healy, Partner, Grupo Healy (Tijuana, Baja California); Hector Jurado Sánchez, Board Chair, Fundación del Empresariado Chihuahuense (Parral, Chihuahua); J.C. Thomas III, Director of External Affairs, Sempra International (Solana Beach, CA); and Oswaldo L. Wendlandt Hurtado, Board Member, Fundación Jesús M. Montemayor, A.C. (Monterrey, Nuevo Leon).

BPP Executive Director attended the 35th anniversary celebration of Hispanics in Philanthropy.

April 5-6, 2018 | San Francisco, California

The 2018 35th Anniversary National Conference & HIPGivers Gala: Investing in Leaders, Justice, & Opportunity for All, was the first annual celebration at HIP presided over by new President and CEO, Ana Marie Argilagos, a former Annie E. Casey and Ford Foundation Program Officer and Executive. Ana Marie is a strong supporter of BPP and was one of the original funders supporting our launch as a nonprofit organization nearly 10 years ago, said Carey. The HIP celebration was attended by more than 300 philanthropy leaders from across the U.S.A. and Mexico. BPP and HIP look forward to more collaborative opportunities in the years ahead.

BPP leaders meet with Mexico's Foreign Minister, Dr. José Luis Videgaray.

March 22, 2018 | San Diego, California

On a recent visit to the United States of America, San Diego was the next to last stop on Mr. Videgaray's itinerary. BPP assisted the Consulate General of Mexico to organize his visit. BPP Board leaders Russ Jones and Louis Escareño were in attendance. Additionally, Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director, was invited to have a private one-on-one with him about our role in the binational community. This was an important opportunity to brief him on our community building efforts while the two countries' relationship is undoubtedly strained. Additionally, BPP supported the Consulate General of Mexico in hosting the first ever convening of the National Institute for Transparency Access to Information and Personal Data Protection. This federal institute in Mexico is responsible for maintaining the right to access of public information and protection of personal data in Mexico.

The U.S. - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership trains more than 50 nonprofit leaders in governance for nonprofit boards.

March 21, 2018 | Mexicali, Baja California

Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director, in coodination with Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico, delivered a training course in Mexicali, Baja Califonia on the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards. Topics included: Basic responsibilities, the role of board members in fundraising, relationship between the CEO and the board, strategic recruitment, board committees, conflicts of interest and ethics, effective board meetings, board manuals and retreats, and succession planning, among others. Thanks to Cadenas de Ayuda and their wonderful staff, led by Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, member of the BPP Board of Directors.

The Nonprofit Institute at USD University of San Diego in the Borderlands.

March 15, 2018 | Tijuana, Baja California

Graduate students taking Lead 519 "Understanding Binational Nonprofits in the U.S.-Mexico Border region" traveled to Tijuana yesterday to see first-hand the amazing efforts of local nonprofit organizations serving them local binational community. Thank you Hospital Infantil de las Californias, Cruz Roja de Tijuana, Ciudad de los Niños, Tijuana, ProOncavi, Casa del Migrante en Tijuana, and Fundación Codet for sharing your story, your mission, and your efforts with our delegation.

BPP and partners host roundtable to discuss impact of the new California School Dashboard.

March 15, 2018 | San Diego, California

The US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP), The San Diego Foundation, andSVPRCommunications hosted a School Superintendents Roundtable breakfast to discuss the impact of the new California School Dashboard, a tool that shows how districts and schools are performing on test scores, graduation rates and other measures of student success. Thank you Larry Perondi (University of San Diego), Francisco Escobedo (Chula Vista Elementary School District), Hugo Pedraza (Fallbrook Union High School), and Luis Rankins-Ibarra (Escondido Union School District) for your support.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership hosts border tour for International Visitor Leadership Program participants.

March 2, 2018 | Laredo, Texas

The BPP, in cooperation with local partners, hosted a tour of the Laredo, TX region on March 2, where participants of the Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program examined global and regional responses to refugee and migration issues. These visitors are invited to the United States under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program. Their program is arranged by World Learning. International Visitor Leadership Program participants come from the business, government, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors from the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Finland, Honduras, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya,Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Norway, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, South Sudan, and Turkey. During this full-day excursion to Laredo, program participants heard directly from the bi-national practitioners who are working in this diverse region. The tour included visits and presentations of TAMIU by Maria Eugenia Calderon, Assistant Vice President for Global Initiatives, the Laredo Area Community Foundation, by Keith Franklin, Board Chair, and a presentation of the SAMES Scholars Program, by philanthropists Hank and Elizabeth Sames. The tour continued with a visit to the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Catholic Charities-Diocese of Laredo (CCDOL) and ended with a visit to Customs and Border Protection.

INAI holds the first binational event on the social utility of the access to information right as a tool for migrants.

February 28, 2018 | San Diego/Tijuana

More than 140 people attended the event, which took place simultaneously in Tijuana, Baja California, and San Diego, California. The event included a panel presentation, a round table to analyze migration related issues and a workshop on the exercise of the right of access to information. This was the first binational event of its kind where nonprofit organizations specialized on migration issues shared their experience on the use of public information as a tool for accessing other human rights of the migrant population in Mexico and the United States. The event also promoted the strategic use of public information to strengthen monitoring and public policy advocacy capacities in Mexico. In San Diego, the event was organized by the INAI, the Foreign Ministry of Mexico, the General Consulate of Mexico in San Diego, Indesol, Tijuana Innovadora and the U.S. - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, in coordination with Instituto de Estudios y Divulgación sobre Migración, A.C. (INEDIM); Voces Mesoamericanas. Acción con Pueblos Migrantes, A.C.; American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, San Diego; and Letra S, Sida, cultura y vida cotidiana, A.C. Read more (in Spanish).

Community Foundation for Southern Arizona partners with BPP in San Miguel de Allende.

February 8,9, 2018 | San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona partnered for the fourth time in as many years with the Border Philanthropy Partnership to carry out a two-day intensive resource development seminar for 100 leaders from more than 65 organizations in San Miguel de Allende. The two-day seminar was possible thanks to the Shaaron Kent Endowment Fund held at the Community Foundation. The fund was established to support the nonprofit sector in San Miguel de Allende, as well as support projects related to end of life care in Arizona and San Miguel de Allende. In addition to the seminar, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona distributed nearly US$80,000 to 11 local organizations in core operating support grants through the Border Philanthropy Partnership. The sessions were led by Carlos Madrid, President, Junta de Asistencia Privada, Distrito Federal; Alma Delia Abrego, Director, Fundacion de Artes Musicales, Tijuana, Baja California; and Maria Laura Muñoz and Andy Carey, both of theU.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. The participating organizations appreciated the opportunity for peer learning, networking with leaders from other communities, and to meet with leaders from the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, Clint Mabie (President and C.E.O.), and Sandra Nathan (Senior Vice President for Philanthropy).

BPP talks binational philanthropy in Mexico City.

February 4-6, 2018 | Mexico City

Nearly 30 BPP members and leaders from across the U.S and Mexico attended the first-ever North American Community Foundation Summit held in Mexico City, February 4-6, 2018. The conference theme: "Leaving No One Behind: Achieving global goals together" explored the role of community foundations in a challenging world for solutions tied to the Sustainable Development Goals, and explored opportunities to build alliances to improve our planet while facilitating collaboration between governments, civil society, communities, and countries. Over 200 leaders from Canada, the United States, and Mexico attended the event representing philanthropy, government, academia, and nonprofit organizations. During the event, a coalition of actors met in support of the "Building Broader Communities across the Americas" met to explore ways to create ties between community foundations between Canada, the U.S.A., and Mexico. Mapping projects were unveiled to highlight opportunities to galvanize philanthropy in migrant communities across the continent in support of local projects as well as in their communities of origin. BPP Executive Director Andy Carey presented the work of the Border Philanthropy Partnership on a panel discussion along with founding members El Paso Community Foundation, International Community Foundation, and the Fundación Comunitaria de la Frontera Norte. The panel was moderated by Steve Cox of the Inter-American Foundation based in Washington, D.C.

Border Philanthropy Partnership congratulates Beatriz Marina Bours Muñoz, Universidad LaSalle.

The Universidad LaSalle based in Cd. Obregón, Sonora, Mexico recognized Beatriz Marina Bours Muñoz with an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of her lifetime support of community philanthropy. Beatriz Marina Bours Muñoz actively supports and participates in numerous nonprofit and philanthropic organizations across Mexico, and serves as Board Chair of the Fundación Tichi Muñoz based in Cd. Obregon. The Fundación Tichi Muñoz was started by the Robinson Bours family in honor of the late Beatriz Muñoz, and the Foundation is a long-time supporter, member, and donor to the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership.

BPP Board elects new officers and directors.

January 19, 2018 | San Diego, California

Enrique Diaz Rivera R. Bours was elected Board Chair at the 2018 annual meeting of the BPP Board of Directors. Enrique first joined BPP in 2013. Enrique has a long and distinguished history in the philanthropic sector in Mexico, and serves as an officer in the Fundación Tichi Muñoz, A. C., based in Cd. Obregón, and on the board of directors of the San Jose del Cabo Fire depart ment. Enrique has a baccalaureate degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de M on terrey. He is a real estate developer in Cabo San Lucas, Mex ico. Addi tio nally, Dolore s Roybal, Executive Director of the Con Alma Health Foundation , Santa Fe, New Mexico was elected Vice Chair. Louis Escareño, General Counsel, UETA Duty Free Americas, San Antonio, TX was elected Secretary-Treasurer. Robert Ashcraft, Executive Director of the ASU Lodestar Center on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, Phoenix, Arizona, was elected Immediate Past Chair. New Board members joining the leadership team include: Rosa del Carmen Mo nt año Fimbres ( Cadenas de Ayuda para México, A.C. ) of Mexicali; Luis Alberto Healy (Grupo Healy) of Hermosillo; Hector Jurado (FECHAC) of Parral; Oswaldo Wendlandt (Fundación Montemayor, A.C.) of Monterrey; Eduardo Acosta (RL Jones) of San Diego; and JC Thomas (SEMPRA Global) of San Diego. Elisa de la Vara ( Arizona Community Foundation ) of Phoenix, AZ and Laura Speer (Annie E. Casey Foundation) of
Baltimore, MD remain on the board.

In Appreciation.
During the 2018 Annual Meeting, BPP recognized four outstanding leaders for their contributions to the growth and development of BPP during the past several years. Departing the Board of Directors are: Maria Elena Giner (BECC), Gustavo Bidart ( Civic San Diego), Francisco Solis (Consultores Tributarios de Negocios, S.C.), and founder Russ Jones ( RL Jones Customhouse Brokers). " Maria Elena, Gustavo, Paco, and Russ have all left an indelible philanthropic footprint in the Borderlands. We are forever grateful for their tireless contributions to increase philanthropy between the U.S. and Mexico." - Andy Carey, Executive Director.

Border Kids Count: The Latest Data from California & Mexico.

January 18, 2018.

The US - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP), the International Community Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and San Diego Grantmakers joined forces to present, "Border Kids Count: The latest data from California and Mexico". This event featured comparative analyses of child wellbeing data in the states along the U.S. -Mexico border, presented by the Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en Mexico / REDIM (Network for the Rights of Children in Mexico) and Children Now, with background information from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The data was extracted from the latest Kids Count and La Infancia Cuenta reports with the objective of raising awareness about child wellbein g in the border region and inspiring local and national funders to get more involved in this critical issue. In a discussion moderated by Laura Speer, Associate Director of Policy Reform and Advocacy, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Board Member, U.S.- Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership , Laurent Giraudon, Juan Martín Pérez García from REDIM and Kelly Hardy and Fatima Morales from Children Now talked about the exclusion and wellbeing of childhood on both sides of the border. More than 150 leaders from the business, nonprofit, academic and philanthropic sectors attended the event. We thank our sponsor Sempra Energy for their generous support.

BPP leaders support launch of first ever binational committe to promote philanthropy and civic engagement.

November 30 & December 1, 2017 | Puerto Peñasco, Sonora

BPP member partners attended the Arizona-Mexico Commission annual meeting in Puerto Peñasco recently to help launch the first ever civil society committee. This initiative is led by Chicanos Por La Causa - CPLC and Fundación Dar más para Sonora A.C. The initiative is designed to foster stronger community ties between Arizona and Mexico, as well as to strengthen the capacity of the nonprofit sector locally. BPP member agencies participating include: Fundación Tichi Muñoz A.C.,, Grameen de la Frontera Sonora, Centro de Formación Social, Bazar Solidario I.A.P., Ecomunidad Cocorit, Arizona Community Foundation, and US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) amongst others. Thank you all for your support as we look to strengthen our sector in Sonora. The effort was one of the highlights of the annual convening, and brought many new and important stakeholders together to promote collaboration and cooperation. Thank you all for your support as we look to strengthen community ties between the U.S. and Mexico. The Comisión Sonora-Arizona (CSA) and Arizona-Mexico Commission's (AMC) annual meeting in Sonora is the binational event where Sonora showcases and celebrates the best of the Sonora and Arizona relationship. Top level business leaders and policy makers gathered under the leadership of Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to promote a strong, cooperative binational relationship.

BPP leaders, members, and partners headed to AZ-Mexico Commission 2017 annual meeting.

November 30 & December 1, 2017 | Puerto Peñasco, Sonora

This Thursday and Friday BPP members and leaders will join the Arizona-Mexico Commission at its annual meeting in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. BPP membersChicanos por la Causa and Fundación DAR Más para Sonora will facilitate the civic engagement panel between Arizona and Sonora. The Border Philanthropy Partnership is pleased to participate with the organizers along with BPP members Arizona Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona ,Fundación Tichi Muñoz, Grameen de la Frontera, FESAC, Centro de Formación Social, Club Rotario, and Fundación Educativa y Cultural Don José S. Healy. For more information contact andy@borderpartnership.org.

The US - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership delivers workshop at CEMEFI's annual conference.

November 13-15, 2017 | Mexico City

In Mexico City, on November 13 to 15, the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI) held its annual conference: Challenges and Opportunities in Complex Times. More than 500 leaders from the philanthropic sector and socially responsible corporations from 19 Mexican states and 5 countries had a chance to analyze our current context, discussing topics such as the economic uncertainty and renegotiation of the North America Free Trade Agreement; concurrent 2018 elections for more than 3,000 public officials at all levels of government, including the president, governors, mayors; corruption and impunity in public life; insecurity; and solidarity in the face of emergencies that the country experienced during the past months. Ma. Laura Muñoz, Mexico representative for the BPP was invited to deliver a fundraising workshop during the conference. Congratulations to CEMEFI for hosting the event that brings together the nonprofit community in Mexico.

BPP leaders meet Mexico's Ambassador to USA.

November 4, 2017 | San Diego, California

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey met with Ambassador Gerónimo Gutiérrez in San Diego this past week to talk environment, immigration, and philanthropy. Ambassador Gutiérrez is a long-standing supporter of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, as he was a member while leading the North American Development Bank. During their meeting, Carey was able to brief the Ambassador on many philanthropic initiatives promoting closer U.S.-Mexico ties including building bridges amongst community foundations to support causes in both countries; developing a new fund to support post-earthquake recovery; BPP's support of the Ventanilla de Salud health outreach in San Diego; and the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands Border data portal to increase philanthropy between the two countries.

BPP hosts San Diego Family Asset Building Coalition to talk domestic violence.

November 7, 2017 | San Diego, California

BPP is proud to serve as fiscal agent to the San Diego Family Asset Building Coalition. The coalition is a group of organizations dedicated to innovative service delivery, sharing best practices, and leveraging resources to create economically thriving communities. Today we gathered leaders from seven local agencies in San Diego to discuss domestic violence and explored ways for agencies to collaborate and improve services to victims. The San Diego Family Asset Building Coalition includes: Community HousingWorks, Community Resource Center, Dreams for Change, Home Start, Inc., International Rescue Committee, Maximizing Access to Advance our Communities (MAAC), and the San Diego Housing Commission.

Event sponsors and partners

BPP Board elects new officers: Enrique Diaz Rivera Robinson Bours elected Board Chair.

October 20, 2017 | Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua

The U.S.- Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership met October 20 in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua for their last meeting of 2017, and elected new board officers for the 2018-20 term. Enrique Diaz Rivera R. Bours was elected Board Chair for a new two year term beginning January 2018. Enrique first joined the board in 2013 and has served as director and vice chairman.Enrique is commercial real estate developer in Cabo San Lucas. In addition to BPP, Enrique is a board member of the Fundación Tichi Muñoz based in Cd. Obregón, Sonora, and of the San José del Cabo fire department. Dolores Roybal, of the Con Alma Health Foundation in Santa Fe, New Mexico was elected vice chair. Robert Ashcraft of the Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation was elected as immediate past chair. Louis Escareño, General Counsel, UETA Duty Free Americas was elected as Secretary/Treasurer. For more information, please contact Andy Carey.

Mexico Peace Index 2017 presented in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua.

October 19, 2017 | Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua

Community leaders from across the Paso del Norte region assembled in Cd. Juárez October 19 to discuss positive peace in Mexico. The Institute for Economics and Peace presented their fifth study in as many years. The focus of the report is to present data and research on the patterns, trends, causes and benefits of peace in Mexico. It aims to inform a strategic discussion among policymakers, researchers, business leaders and the general public. The report examines the results and findings from the 2017 Mexico Peace Index; positive peace in Mexico; the economic value of peace in Mexico; and essays from experts in Mexican civil society. Click here to read the full report. The presentation of the Mexico Peace Index report in Cd. Juárez was possible thanks to the generous support of the Institute for Economics and Peace, FECHAC, Fundación Pedro Zaragoza, FICOSEC, and Southwest Airlines. We especially appreciate the participation of community panelists: Jorge Contreras Fornelli, Judith Soto, Hector Jurado, Carlos Juarez, and Adriana Martinez Landaverde.

BPP teams with UC San Diego on Creating Binational Places Symposium.

October 3, 2017 | San Diego, California

The University of California San Diego and the Border Philanthropy Partnership co-hosted a dynamic series of panels on binational partnerships in education, industry and philanthropy. Judith Rodin, President Emerita of the Rockefeller Foundation headlined the event. The moderators and panelists included leadership from the ASU Lodestar Center on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, the University of San Diego and James Irvine Foundation, California-Bajio Associates,Fundación Tichi Muñoz, Kyocera Mexicana, Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, Keck Graduate Institute, Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness at UTEP, City of Chula Vista, Thermo Fisher, and Solar Turbines. The conversation explored challenges facing the three sectors and opportunities to leverage binationalism in more creative ways along and across the 2,000 mile border. Participants included civil society leaders from California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Baja California, and Sonora. We were pleased to have BPP members theInternational Community Foundation, Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico, Nettleton Strategies, San Diego-Tijuana Smart Border Coalition, RBM and Associates, and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego participate.

Philanthropy responds to natural disasters.

The Board of Directors and staff of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership extends our thoughts and our prayers to the families and communities impacted by the recent hurricanes and earthquakes across our countries and regions. We pray for the safe return of loved ones displaced by these tragedies, and for strength and comfort to those whose lives have been lost.

Now more than ever, volunteers and charitable contributions are needed to respond to the immediate relief of impacted families and communities. There are many organizations responding to these crises. Several BPP member and stakeholder organizations have opened emergency response funds to receive disaster relief contributions. Please see below for a list of organizations requesting your support. Your generosity is appreciated. For more information click here.

BPP participates in community panel to talk U.S.-Mexico Relations.

August 28, 2017 | San Diego, California

Share experiences to promote green growth in North America.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership is seeking your input on an important survey on how best to engage States, tribal nations, and the private sector and to share experiences promoting green growth in North America. BPP Executive Director is a member of the National Advisory Committee, which advises the U.S. government on issues related to the implementation of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation. The input from the survey will help guide the U.S. in its public engagement for the 2018 Council Session. Your input is important and the survey may be completed in 5-10 minutes. Please complete this survey by Monday, September 11, 2017. Thank you for your consideration.

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey joined leaders from Mexico City, Tijuana, and San Diego to talk U.S.-Mexico relations. The panel was part of the public unveiling of the El Universal's exhibit celebrating 100 years in the life of Mexico and the World. The panel included José Galicot (Tijuana Innovadora), Lynne Walker (Inquire First), Enrique Bustamente (Fundación Ealy Ortiz), and David Shirk (University of San Diego). The panel was moderated by the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, Ambassador Marcela Celorio. During the conversation, BPP Executive Director was asked to comment on U.S.-Mexico relations and he shared, "the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico is strong, as we have a binational community committed to each side of the border." When asked about the challenges in the political discourse between the countries, Carey added, "it is true the two Presidents are having a strong disagreement, however, there is nothing that a committed civil society cannot resolve on behalf of our communities and our countries".

BPP Leaders talk civil society at U.S.-Mexico Summit.

August 15-17, 2017 | El Paso, Texas and Cd.Juarez, Chihuahua

BPP members and stakeholders actively participated in the Borderplex Alliance's annual U.S.-Mexico Border Summit held August 15-17 in El Paso, TX and Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua. Hundreds of community leaders from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border attended the fourth annual event including BPP members from Paso del Norte Health Foundation, El Paso Community Foundation, Arizona State University, UTEP and BPP. The multi-day event highlighted the important community, commercial, and cultural ties between our two countries.

BPP Board Member honored for commitment to environment.

Maria Elena Giner, General Manager of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), was recognized by The Government of the State of Baja California, through its Secretary of Infrastructure and Urban Development, Manuel Guevara, for her outstanding work and thanking her for "making possible relevant actions for the sustainable development of our binational region," and for "her continuing support" as an ally of the State of Baja California. In addition to Secretary Guevara, the recognition was signed by the Director General of the Baja California State Water Commission, German Jesús Licea Márquez, and the director generals of the water utilities of Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada and Tecate, Miguel Lemus, Francisco Javier Paredes, Carlos Loyola, Patricia Ramírez, respectively.

The entire BPP Board of Directors and staff team extends our congratulations and appreciation to Maria Elena Giner for her leadership in the Borderlands.

BPP Executive Director delivers keynote speech at award ceremony for Sonora Philanthropy Prize.

August 10, 2017 | Hermosillo, Sonora

The award is presented by Fundación Esposos Rodríguez, Fundación Maldonado, Fundación Educativa y Cultural Don José S. Healy, Universidad de Sonora, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Universidad del Valle de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora and Universidad Tecnológica de Hermosillo. Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director was invited to deliver the keynote address at the award ceremony of the Sonora Philanthropy Prize. The prize was created to develop awareness and promote social responsibility among individuals, corporations and nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. This year's winners are: Campo Pablo Bórquez, (Caborca, Sonora), Juan Francisco Loureiro Herrera (Nogales), and Grameen de la Frontera A.C. (Cd. Obregón). The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 10, at 8:00 pm at the Arts Center of the University of Sonora in Hermosillo.

Media Coverage:

López, J. (2017, August 11.). Reconocen labor altruista. El Imparcial. Retrieved August 11, 2017, from http://www.elimparcial.com/EdicionEnlinea/Notas/Sonora/11082017/1245004-Reconocen-labor-altruista.html
Pacillas, S. (2017, August 11). Sonora es uno de los líderes en acciones filantrópicas: Carey. El Imparcial. Retrieved August 14, 2017, from http://www.elimparcial.com/EdicionEnlinea/Notas/Sonora/11082017/1244996-Sonora-es-uno-de-los-lideres-en-acciones-filantropicas-Carey.html
Rodríguez, S. (2017, August 10). Grameen de la Frontera trabaja transformando la vida de las mujeres. El Imparcial. Retrieved August 14, 2017, from http://www.elimparcial.com/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Obregon/10082017/1244700-Grameen-de-la-Frontera-trabaja-transformando-la-vida-de-las-mujeres.html
Rodríguez, S. (2017, August 8). Campo Pablo Bórquez busca generar el cambio. El Imparcial . Retrieved August 14, 2017, from http://www.elimparcial.com/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/sonora/08082017/1244018-campo-pablo-borquez-busca-generar-el-cambio.html

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) hosted a discussion in San Diego for the release of the 2017 Mexico Peace Index.

July 6, 2017 | San Diego, California

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) hosted a discussion for the release of the 2017 Mexico Peace Index (MPI) on the challenges and opportunities for building a more peaceful society in Mexico. The MPI, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, provides a comprehensive assessment of the level of peace in Mexico, detailing the peacefulness of each of the 32 states of the country during the past 13 years. The presentation of the findings by Patricia De Obeso, spokesperson and coordinator of the Mexico Program for the Institute for Economics and Peace, was followed by a panel discussion on civil society's role in peace activities in the region. The panel was moderated by Dr. Robert Ashcraft, Chairman, U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. Panelists included: Hon. Marcela Celorio, Ambassador, Consulate General of México - San Diego; Hon. Russell Jones, Arizona State Representative & President, R.L. Jones Management Group, BPP Board Member; Lic. Enrique Diaz Rivera R. Bours, Fundación Tichi Muñoz, Cd. Obregón, Sonora; and Michelle Breslauer, Program Director, US Operations, Institute for Economics and Peace, New York, NY. Event partners and sponsors include the Institute for Economics and Peace, Fundación Tichi Muñoz, R.L. Jones Customhouse Brokers, Mexican Consulate General in San Diego, ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, and SENTRE.

Elisa de la Vara is the Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award Winner.

July 8, 2017 | Phoenix, Arizona

Elisa de la Vara, Chief Community Officer at the Arizona Community Foundation and BPP Board member was presented with the Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award at this year's National Council of La Raza annual meeting. Prior to joining the Foundation's staff, de la Vara served as District Director managing the daily operations of Congressman Pastor's District 7 Office for seven years. She also served as State Director for the Fannie Mae Arizona Business Center. In addition, Elisa has held significant civic leadership roles throughout Arizona, including serving as Special Assistant to Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt from 1983 to 1986 and later, as Comptroller for Gov. Babbitt's 1988 national presidential campaign. She rose through the ranks at the nonprofit Chicanos Por La Causa from 1975 to 1983, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President, the most senior position ever held by a woman in that organization at the time. She also served as Assistant to the President of the L.U.L.A.C. (League of United Latin American Citizens) National office in 1972 and 1973.

BBP talks about U.S.-Mexico relations at the Dole Institute of Politics, The University of Kansas.

June 21, 2017 | Lawrence, Kansas.

While there are many positive economic opportunities for bi-national collaboration, this is not the reality for many who struggle with border conditions. The Dole Institute invited Andy Carey, executive director of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, to participate in its Summer 2017 Discussion Groups "Life along the Border: A Separate Reality?" to provide a deeper understanding of this reality and how some of these complex problems are being addressed. Carey brings a breadth of experience in his years working the entire U.S.-Mexico border to grow community philanthropy, leadership and cross-border collaboration in order to increase the human and financial capital needed to address the complex issues facing the region. The event is part of the Summer 2017 Discussion Groups: For many, the U.S.-Mexico border presents a problem, for others, an economic opportunity. An expert in cross-border economic development, Christina Luhn will lead a summer discussion group series exploring the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico with a focus on border security, immigration and trade.

BPP invited to talk about the socio-economic aspects of the border and their influence on human health in Washington, DC.

June 20, 2017 | Washington, D.C.

On June 20, the U.S. Section of the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission (USMBHC) invited Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director as a panelist in the Understanding the Border panel at their Annual Meeting. Andy talked about the socio-economic aspects of the border - poverty, education, employment, etc. and their influence on human health. The purpose of the morning presentations was for USMBHC members to enhance knowledge about our world and what is ahead of us (the future and/or megatrends) and more specifically, our U.S.-Mexico border. This first panel featured three speakers who provided information about the U.S.-Mexico border from three perspectives: 1) homeland security (immigration included), 2) trade and 3) social determinants of health along the border. Roberto Coronado from the Federal Reserve Bank spoke about the topic of trade and Michael Houston discussed the immigration and homeland security aspects of the border.

Americas Quarterly Magazine hosts panel on border future.

June 8, 2017 | El Paso, Texas

Independent publication, Americas Quarterly Magazine, with support from the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and El Paso Community Foundation, hosted a discussion regarding the future of the U.S.-Mexico Border on Thursday, June 8, at the Mills Building in downtown El Paso. The panel of experts included Economic Counselor for the Embassy of Mexico Karen Antebi, CEO of the Borderplex Alliance Jon Barela, journalist Alfredo Corchado, El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar and Western Refining, Inc. Founder Paul Foster. The magazine's Editor-in-Chief Brian Winter, served as the moderator of the discussion and started the session with a guided segment and later allowed for the audience's questions for the panel. Winter explained the discussion's purpose and importance to the region. "These are important issues that touch on a lot of people's lives, their economic lives, and I hope we can send out everyone here today with a better understanding of not only what is happening in these communities, but also in Washington and Mexico City," Winter said. In terms of the scope of the discussion, Winter asked the panel what they thought was the biggest misconception among Americans about the border locality.

In partnership with:

BPP delivers Keynote presentation to Fundación Index annual meeting.

May 23, 2017 | Cd. Chihuahua, Chihuahua

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey delivered the annual keynote address to the leaders and stakeholders of Fundación Index based in Cd. Chihuahua, Chihuahua. Andy's address was titled, "Leadership is an opportunity to serve", and included anecdotes from Andy's family and his father's medical service to rural communities in Northern Illinois for more than 50 years. Fundación INDEX is a foundation supported by the maquilla industry from across the globe. During the event, which was also a presentation of their annual report, Cristina Sánchez Chacón, Chair of Fundación Index said: "...our work is born of commitment that maquiladora companies have with our people and with Chihuahua; Index Foundation is proof that the will moves mountains and transforms dreams into incredible realities that change lives." Fundación Index supports social programs including housing, education, community, environment, health, sports and athletics, and arts and culture. Read more (in Spanish)

BPP hosts New Mexico Learning Series: U.S.-Mexico Border Challenges and Opportunities.

May 22, 2017 | Las Cruces, New Mexico

Over 65 civil society leaders gathered in Las Cruces, NM to talk philanthropy and the U.S.-Mexico relationship. The BPP gathering included a dynamic panel including: Dolores Roybal, Con Alma Health Foundation, Karen Yarza, Fundación Paso del Norte para la Salud y Bienestar, José Luis Velasco, U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission, Inés Maxaira Baltazar, Mexican Consulate General - Albuquerque; and Robert Ashcraft, Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. The panelists discussed the state of relations between the two countries; the role of civil society organizations and their response to the growing needs, challenges, and potential innovative solutions to be implemented; and suggested recommendations to grow philanthropy between the U.S. and Mexico.

BPP and Chicanos por la Causa talk Mexico and philanthropy.

May 21, 2017 | Phoenix, Arizona

Chicanos por la Causa hosted philanthropy leaders from Sonora and BPP in their Phoenix offices to explore Arizona-Sonora philanthropy collaboration. The Sonora delegation included Margarita Ibarra de Torres, President of DIF Sonora; Yolanda Escalante de Mazon, President CIMA Foundation; Carlos Daniel Fernandez, Patronato Buen Samaritano; Juan Carlos Ruiz, President Villas del Papa Francisco; Marina Galaz, Fundación DAR Más; Ambassador Claudia Franco, Consul General of Mexico; and Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director. The meeting was chaired by CPLC President David Adame. CPLC, BPP, and the Sonoran delegation explored ways to increase leadership, collaboration, and philanthropy between Arizona and Sonora. Additional meetings were held with the Arizona Community Foundation and the Arizona Diamondbacks. For more information please contact Andy Carey.

University of San Diego and BPP partner to complete applied projects for member agencies.

Graduate students in LEAD 519 - Understanding Binational Nonprofits in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands completed three excited projects in support of Cd. De Los Niños, A.C., Fundación CODET, and the Mexican Consulate General in San Diego. The three graduate student teams collaborated with BPP member agencies over a 10 week period to develop a compelling and relevant project in support of the nonprofit agency. The projects were developed as an in-kind gift to the organization. Cd. De los Niños, A.C. received a new English language brochure to assist in their resource development efforts in the U.S.A. along with a donor cultivation letter. Fundación CODET was presented with a plan to determine evaluation methods and indicators for measuring CODET's impact across Tijuana and neighboring colonias. The final project benefitted the Consulate General of Mexico, and included a strategic plan framework to mobilize stronger civic engagement locally in pursuit of stronger binational ties between the U.S.A. and Mexico. This is the fourth year that BPP member agencies have benefitted from this strategic partnership with the University of San Diego's Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research in the School on Leadership and Education Sciences. Over 30 BPP member organizations have benefitted from California, Baja California, Arizona, Sonora, Texas, and Chihuahua.

BPP talks U.S.-Mexico relations at New Mexico Grantmakers conference.

April, 2017 | Bernalillo, New Mexico

Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director was a panelist at the 2017 New Mexico Association of Grantmakers Annual Joint Conference held in Bernalillo, NM. Andy participated on a panel to talk immigration issues between the U.S. and Mexico. The panelists included:

Adriel Orozco, New Mexico Immigrant Law Center
Lisa Cacori-Stone, University of New Mexico,
Andy Carey, BPP, and was moderated by
Annmarie McLaughlin, Santa Fe Community Foundation.

BPP Board meets in San Diego - Begins planning process for next three years.

April 7-8, 2017 | San Diego, CA

The Board of Directors met in San Diego on April 7-8, 2017 for their second board meeting of the year, and to begin the process to implement a new strategic plan to guide the organization to 2020. In addition to approving fiscal agency relationships for the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, and the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Board also welcomed the newest board member, Laura Speer, Associate Director for Policy Reform and Advocacy at the Annie E Casey Foundation and has primary responsibility for the National KIDS COUNT Project as well as work in a portfolio focused on national policy research and advocacy with a special emphasis on racial equity policy and immigration.Having spent a number of years doing state- and local-level child advocacy work, Laura is now a key liaison and resource person for the KIDS COUNT network of state advocates in the US as well as a growing number of child advocates in Latin America interested in Data Based advocacy. Laura has a BA in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Master's in Public Administration from New York University. The next meeting of the Board will take place in San Diego, CA July 7-8, 2017.

BPP and USD Justice in Mexico program host Mexico Peace Index report.

April 13, 2017 | San Diego, California

The Institute of Economics and Peace published its fourth annual report on the Mexico Peace Index. The Mexico Peace Index (MPI) provides a comprehensive annual measure of peacefulness in Mexico, aggregating and verifying available data. This year marks the MPI's fourth edition, which analyzes trends in violence from the height of the drug war in 2011 through 2016, and calculates the economic cost of violence. The report aims to identify the key trends and drivers of peace, while highlighting policy opportunities. The report was unveiled at the University of San Diego last Thursday. In her presentation, Michele Breslauer, America's Program Manager, shared the latest trends of violence in Mexico. Dr. David Shirk, University of San Diego, and Andy Carey, U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership shared thoughts and perspectives on the state of civil society and the nonprofit sector in Mexico. For a copy of the 2017 Mexico Peace Index, click here..

BPP attends National Advisory Committee meeting - Enviromental Protection Agency.

March 28-29, 2017 | Washington, D.C.

BPP Executive Director attended the second meeting of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) and the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) in Washington, D.C. The volunteer citizen led committees provide recommendations to the trinational Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC) between Canada, U.S.A., and Mexico. Carey was appointed last year for a two-year term. The committees consist of community leaders from across the U.S.A., including academia, business and corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and philanthropy. During the two day meeting, the National and Governmental Advisory Committees reviewed 12 proposals for implementation in human health and the environment in the three countries. The proposals included: Reducing marine litter in North American Border watersheds; expanding food loss and waste prevention, recovery and recycling in North America; promoting energy efficiency in Industrial sector; extreme heat; species conservation; marine protected areas as tools for promoting ocean health; measuring methane and black carbon emissions from flaring in the oil and gas industry; and reducing emissions from goods movement via maritime transportation in North America. EPA leaders including Assistant Administrator Jane Nishida, and colleagues Mark Karmanova, and Luis Troche will soon meet with counterparts from Canada and Mexico to select projects for implementation and funding. The leadership of the CEC rotates amongst the three countries, and is currently headed by Cesar Chavez of Mexico. For more information contact andy@borderpartnership.org.

C.S. Mott Foundation Board of Trustees receives report on civil society in Mexico.

March 9, 2017 | Flint, Michigan

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey joined colleagues Steve Cox, Managing Director of Networks and Strategic Initiatives, and Agustín Landa, Board Member of Fundación Comunidar to highlight the state of civil society in Mexico, and the growing importance of community foundations across Mexico. Agustín Landa shared the history of the community foundation movement in Mexico, and the opportunities to grow the foundation movement. Andy Carey discussed BPP's impact to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations across the 10 Border State region, and Steve Cox shared the efforts of the Building Broader Communities in the Americas effort. The C.S. Mott Foundation has invested over US$4,000,000 from its International portfolio in building and strengthening Mexico's civil society. The panel discussion was led by C.S. Mott Foundation Program Officer, Nick Deychakiwsky. During the multi-day meeting, the Foundation Trustees also received updates on developments in Europe, Africa, the United States of America, the State of Michigan, and the City of Flint.

The Mexican Consulate General in San Diego hosts ceremony to sign fiscal sponsorship agreement with the BPP.

March 6, 2017 | San Diego, California

In cooperation with the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, the Mexican Consulate General in San Diego hosted a ceremony to sign a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership for its Ventanillas de Salud, or Health Window program. Through this program, the Consulate aims to provide Mexican immigrants with basic health information, health checks and other preventive tests. It also makes referrals to U.S. hospitals, health centers and government programs to facilitate access of Mexican immigrants to health services. Ventanillas de Salud was created by the Mexican Consulate as a collaboration between government and private organizations to eliminate barriers to healthcare for the Mexican population in the US. The ceremony was presided by Marcela Celorio, General Consul of Mexico in San Diego, who will announce that the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership will act as its fiscal agency, managing the program funds provided by the Mexican Ministry of Health through the Institute of Mexicans Abroad. The event also featured a health fair to provide health information and free health services to the community. After the ceremony, San Diegans for Healthcare Coverage, a local nonprofit agency, offered a talk on health coverage for migrant families.

The BPP promotes binational philanthropy by coordinating Tijuana site visits for graduate students.

February 23, 2017 | Tijuana, Baja California

Andy Carey, Executive Director, U.S.- Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership and professor of LEAD 519, Understanding Bi-National Nonprofits In the US-Mexican Border Region at the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, University of San Diego, headed the group of graduate students. The tour started at the border wall at Playas de Tijuana, where the students saw where the US-Mexico border extends 300ft (91m) into the Pacific coastline and have a view of San Diego from the "other side". Next, the group visited the Asociación para los Niños de Tijuana, which cares for nearly 100 children everyday, providing foster care, daycare, and social services for abandoned newborns and toddlers; Fundación CODET, that provides critical vision care to low and moderate income people in Baja California; and Casa del Migrante, a shelter run by Catholic priests that frequently houses Mexicans who have been deported from the United States, began in 1987. This shelter is of the few in Tijuana to serve those that have been deported. Separately, the BPP delegation met with Special Attaché Yoshida from the Japanese Embassy in México City, who is looking to help support the migrant community. The trip included lunch and a tour of Tijuana's Financial District.

BPP trains nonprofit leaders in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

February 13-15, 2017 | San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

BPP offered the third training seminar for nonprofit organizations in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in partnership with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. The capacity-building seminar covered topics such as governance, fundraising, tax and legal, as well as social media, branding and marketing. The BPP staff team that delivered the trainings included Andy Carey, BPP Executive Director, Maria Laura Muñoz, Mexico Representative for the BPP, and consultants Ángeles Anaya o f Fortalece Legal and Miriam Amaro of SICDOS, Agencia Social. Sandra Nathan, Vice President of Community Investment with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona presented the nonprofit community in San Miguel information about the 2017 Shaaron Kent Fund Grant Round to support programs and projects that benefit the people of San Miguel and align with one or more of the following focus areas: education, economic opportunity (job training, workforce development, asset building), and health and well-being. Grants are expected to be announced and allocated during the second half of 2017.

This seminar is 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.

Robert F. Ashcraft, Pd.D., recognized as the H. Roe Bartle Momentum Award recipient.

January, 2017 | Chicago, Illinois

The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance recently presented Dr. Ashcraft with this prestigious award at the annual Alliance Management Institute, an educational conference geared toward students planning a career in the nonprofit sector. This honor is significant in that this is the first time such an award has ever been given. Dr. Ashcraft is the current BPP Board Chair and has served since 1984 as the executive director of the ASU Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and his leadership has resulted in a number of noteworthy achievements including, in part, the development of the nation's first bachelor's degree in nonprofit leadership and management and helping over 400 students to earn their Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credentials. He is recognized nationally for his applied work in the sector, and he continues his steadfast work by representing the Alliance at the national level with groups such as the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council and the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action. "The program Dr. Ashcraft has helped build at ASU is the model we all aspire to create. The many programs his leadership has informed around the world stand as testament to... (read more)

BPP Board elects new officers.

January 13, 2017 | Phoenix, Arizona

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership Board of Directors met January 13, 2017 at the Arizona Community Foundation for the first meeting of the 2017 year. New board officers and directors were elected for 2017-18. Dr. Robert Ashcraft (Arizona State University Lodestar Center on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation) was reelected as Board Chair, Lic. Enrique Diaz Rivera Robinson Bours (Fundación Tichi Muñoz) was elected as the Vice Chair, Maria Elena Giner (Border Environment Cooperation Commission) was elected Secretary-Treasurer, and C.P. Francisco Solis (Consultorios Tributarios de Negocios) was re-elected as Immediate Past Chair. Two new board directors were also elected to the board including Lic. Verónica Jiménez (Fundación Pedro Zaragoza) and Laura Speer (Annie E. Casey Foundation). The board also approved operating plans for 2017, approved fiscal agency services for Fundación Montemayor, the audit report for Alianza Fronteriza de Filantropía, A.C., and an implementation timeline for drafting a new 5 year plan.

University of San Diego: School on Leadership and Education Sciences tours Guatemala nonprofit and civil society sector.

January, 2017 | Guatemala

Graduate students in LEAD 518: Nonprofits and Civil Society in Guatemala recently completed an 8 day tour and intense study of Guatemalan civil society, with particular emphasis on the country's response to poverty alleviation, chronic malnutrition, food insecurity, access to education, and ending violence against women and girls. The course was led by BPP Executive Director and USD Adjunct Professor Andy Carey, and included visits to Guatemala City, San Juan Sacatepequez, Quetzaltenango, Panajachel, Santiago, Iximche, and Antigua. The student cohort visited local nonprofit and philanthropic organizations including Fundazucar (Sugar Producers Foundation), Liga Guatemalteca de Higiene Mental (Mental Health organization), the United Nation's Women's Project in Guatemala, and Marmion Abbey's Guatemala Mission Priorato y Seminario San José educating high school aged young men. The delegation also met with four government ministers leading the ministries on Human Rights, Sustainable Development, Social Development, and Food Security, as well as with representatives of the U.S. Embassy staff in Guatemala. One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to the Catholic University Universidad Rafael Landívar to meet with the Dean of the Medical School, Dr. Gustavo Estrada, and the medical school students. The students shared stories of paying for college tuition, securing internships and fellowships, as well as determining medical specialties. The course is required as part of the International Experience to graduate. The 14 graduate students are all leaders of nonprofit organizations based in San Diego County. BPP member organizations participating included: The San Diego Foundation, I Love a Clean San Diego, University of San Diego, and International Rescue Committee.

BPP Board Member honored for dedication to community.

January, 2017 | Phoenix, Arizona

Congratulations to Arizona Community Foundation Chief Community Officer, Elisa de la Vara, who was awarded the Inaugural MLK Project H.E.A.L. Diversity Excellence Award. She was recognized for her exemplary work ethic and performance as well as her dedication to minority groups in Arizona. As Chief Community Officer with the Arizona Community Foundation, Elisa oversees the Foundation's affordable housing initiative, the impact investing program, and the grants management division. She is also responsible for leadership of staff, volunteers and consultants that guide the Foundation's Latinos Unidos initiative, the Black Philanthropy Initiative, and the Asian American Women's Giving Circle. ¡Felicidades Elisa de la Vara!

U.S.- Mexico Philanthropy: Expectations and Opportunities for 2017.

January 12, 2017 | Phoenix, Arizona

200 border leaders gather in Phoenix on January 12 to talk about philanthropy. The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership hosted "U.S.-Mexico Philanthropy: Expectations and Opportunities for 2017," an event that featured philanthropic leaders from 3 states and 2 countries: Claudia Jasso-Stevens, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona; the Hon. Amanda Aguirre, Regional Center for Border Health; Lucila Murguia de Arronte, Fundación Integra; Francisco Fernandez Jaramillo, FESAC; Enrique Díaz Rivera, Fundación Tichi Muñoz; and Lisa Urias, Arizona Community Foundation. The panel discussion was moderated by Robert Ashcraft, PhD, Chairman, U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, and Executive Director, ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, and was followed by a networking reception. This event highlighted the importance of working bi-nationally and in partnership to address transborder issues and opportunities between the two countries. In his opening remarks, Steve Seleznow, President & CEO, Arizona Community Foundation said: "The border does not separate us. We are one voice of what it means to be partners." Panelists emphasized that diversification of philanthropy is critical, with more Latinos making decisions; that the philanthropic sector is key to maintaining good relationships among actors on both sides of the border; that it is our responsibility to counter perceptions and messages about the border and bring communities together as "fac ilitators of resources." In short, the panelists agreed that philanthropy energizes the notion of creating a more vibrant region. The series of conversations about philanthropy are expected to continue in the summer of 2017, after a BPP board retreat in the spring to evaluate the past six events. The BPP wishes to thank the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, the Arizona Community Foundation, Chicanos Por La Causa - CPLC, the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona and Molera Alvarez for their generous support.

Sponsored by: 

U.S. and Mexico Donors continue to support both sides of the border.

A little more than two years ago, the Board of Directors approved fiscal agency services for BPP network members. This service allows Border Philanthropy Partnership and Alianza Fronteriza de Filantropía, A.C. to legally transfer charitable gifts from member donors to causes and programs on the other side of the border. Since the program started, over US$1.2 million has been donated through the Border Philanthropy Partnership and Alianza Fronteriza de Filantropía, A.C. in support of public policy advocacy, the environment, health, recreation, and child services. Only BPP members are eligible to participate, and the BPP Board of Directors approves each new relationship. According to one recent donor, "this is an excellent opportunity to act philanthropically on both sides of the border, and we appreciate our partnership with BPP to make it happen". The charitable gifts are flowing both North to South and South to North. The U.S. and Mexico are inextricably linked. If you are in need of fiscal agency support, or want more information on our services, contact andy@borderpartnership.org.

BPP honors Ana de la Rosa y Carpizo.

BPP honors Ana de la Rosa. BPP Board Vice Chair Ana de la Rosa y Carpizo submitted her resignation to Chairman Robert Ashcraft to enable her to participate more actively in the public sector in her home State of Chihuahua. Ana has been an instrumental figure on our board for more than five years serving as a director, committee chair and most recently as Vice Chair. Under her leadership, BPP forms a key alliance with Centro para el Fortalecimiento de la Sociedad Civil (CFOSC), and have jointly delivered important training, education and coaching services to hundreds of organizations across Mexico. Robert Ashcraft shared during the last board meeting that: "Ana is undoubtedly a very important voice making great contributions to the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors in Mexico and across the border region. We appreciate the leadership and vision she has shared with us." Thank you Ana!

BPP attends first meeting of the US Environmental Protection Agency National Advisory Committee.

November 16-17, 2016 | Washington, D.C.

BPP Executive Director Andy Carey was appointed by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy for a two year term on the National advisory committee. The EPA established the National Advisory Committee in 1994 to provide advice to the Administrator on a broad range of environment-related strategic, scientific, technological, regulatory, and economic issues to be addressed in implementation and elaboration of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation. Committee members serve as representatives of academia, business, and nongovernmental organizations.

U.S.-Mexico Philanthropy: Building bridges for a more prosperous future.

October 27, 2016 | San Antonio, Texas

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership convened philanthropy and nonprofit leaders for a discussion on the role of philanthropy in strengthening the ties between the U.S. and Mexico. The event, titled, "U.S.-Mexico Philanthropy: Building bridges for a more prosperous future" was held on Thursday, October 27 at the San Antonio International Center and included a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Robert Ashcraft, Chairman, U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership followed by a networking reception. Speakers included: Hector Javier Herrera Bours, Fundacion Tichi Munoz; Elizabeth Romano Sames, Laredo Area Foundation; Raul Lomeli-Azoubel, SABEResPODER; James Paluzzi, KJZZ, Rio Salado College; and Roberto Espinosa, President, Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos (AEM) in San Antonio. Mayor Pro Tem, Hon. Ron Nirenberg, and the Consul General of Mexico, Lic. Hector Eduardo Velasco Monroy welcomed the audience.

The event was sponsored by:

BPP Executive Director appointed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Advisory Committee.

October, 2016

Andy Carey was appointed to serve as a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 's National Advisory Committee for a two-year term beginning October 22, 2016, and ending October 22, 2018. As a representative member, he will represent the interests of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. The EPA established the National Advisory Committee in I994 to provide advice to the Administrator on a broad range of environment-related strategic, scientific, technological, regulatory and economic issues to be addressed in implementation and elaboration of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation. Committee members serve as representatives of academia, business and nongovernmental organizations. The committee is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which regulates and governs its operation.

BPP joins community foundation mapping working group.

October, 2016 | Texas

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Inter-American Foundation are leading a mapping initiative titled "Building Broader Communities in the Americas" (BBCA). The efforts seeks to strengthen the ties that bind migrant communities in the U.S.A. to their community of origen. The init iative will unfold over the next 18 months and currently includes foundation and philanthropy leaders from across the U.S.A., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and El Salvador. The meeting in El Paso, TX was hosted by the El Paso Community Foundation, and included BPP founding members FESAC, FECHAC, Fundación Comunitaria de Matamoros, Fundación Comunitaria de la Frontera Norte, International Community Foundation, and the El Paso Community Foundation. The remaining participants include the entire community foundation network in Mexico known as Comunalia, Council on Foundations, CF Leads, and the Philanthropy Initiative. The purpose of this initiative is to create a self-governing network of collaborating community foundations

BPP leaders invited to share their experience at "Philanthropy and social investment" at CSO Forum: Impact that Transcends.

October 24-25, 2016 | Yucatán and Quintana Roo

Ma. Laura Muñoz, Mexico representative will speak at two important events. Ma. Laura will present in the panel discussion "Philanthropy and social investment" at the CSO Forum: Impact that Transcends, which will be held on October 24 in Merida, Yucatan and on October 25 in Cancun, Mexico. Other panelists include Alejandro Martinez, Executive Director, Fortalece, Andres Perez Peña, Program Manager, ADO Foundation, and Kalus Boker, Board Member, Rafael Dondé Foundation.

BPP presented at the Iberoamerican Summit of Institutional Development.

September 29 - 30, 2016 | Mexico City

Andy Carey, Executive Director of the BPP and Ma. Laura Muñoz, BPP Mexico Representative presented at the Iberoamerican Summit of Institutional Development (CIDI) organized by the Junta de Asistencia Privada de la Cd. De México and its partners in Mexico City on September 29 and 30. This year, the CIDI's thematic focus was visibility and trust in nonprofit organizations. Andy delivered a keynote speech about making visible your passion to serve and Ma. Laura offered two workshops: "How to build trust in your donors", and "Boards, guardians of the public trust". More than 450 representatives of the nonprofit sector in Mexico attended the conference to gain theoretical and practical knowledge applicable to their organizations. Ma. Laura also presented at ForoMty on September 24, in Monterrey, Mexico, in the panel discussion "New role of philanthropy in modern societies", alongside Lourdes Sanz of CEMEFI and Carmen Garza T., of Comunidar. The panel discussion was moderated by Rodrigo Villar, nonprofit sector researcher and former Philanthropy, Civil Society and Social Change in the Americas (PASCA) at Harvard.

BPP hosts U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in border region.

October 12, 2016 | San Diego, California

The BPP hosted the Environmental Protection Agency in the border region this past week to explore stronger collaboration with network partners supporting public health and environmental initiatives in the binational region. This first series of meetings included the San Diego Foundation, Alliance Healthcare Foundation, International Community Foundation, I Love a Clean San Diego, and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. BPP hopes to identify collaborative funding initiatives, encourage greater sharing of resources and information, and to support potential new initiatives for the Border 2020 program. It was wonderful to have Lisa Almodovar and her team from the Office of Regional and Bilateral Affairs and the Border 2020 program visit San Diego and Tucson to strengthen collaborative ties with the nonprofit and philanthropic sector.

Support the BPP by shopping at Amazon.

The US - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership has a unique AmazonSmile link that makes it easier for people to find and support us. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. When you click on BPP's unique link, you skip the process to search for a charity to support among over 1 million eligible charities. Instead, you're taken to smile.amazon.com and are automatically asked if you want to support the US - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. Once you select our organization, BPP will receive 0.5% of the price of all your eligible smile.amazon.com purchases, regardless of whether you use our unique AmazonSmile link to return to the site. Please bookmark and use our link so you don't accidentally shop at www.amazon.com instead of smile.amazon.com. Only purchases made at smile.amazon.com are eligible for donations. Thank you for your support!

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Learning about what unites us: The San Diego-Tijuana Mega-Region.

Nearly 50 years ago, former First Lady Pat Nixon spoke at the inauguration of Friendship Park at the U.S.- Mexico border in Tijuana, where divided families have come to meet one another for generations. Mrs. Nixon, standing in front of the then-border fence, loosely strung together with barbed wire, said, "May there never be a wall between these two great nations. Only friendship." While the first part of Mrs. Nixon's hope may not have been realized, many people in the San Diego-Tijuana region are working hard to guarantee that the second part - friendship between the two nations - endures. Numerous nonprofits, foundations, philanthropists, and businesses are working in tandem with government agencies in both the U.S. and Mexico to build neighborly relationships that unite San Diego and Tijuana as a "mega-region." After all, the environmental health factors and socio-political and cultural movements of the mega-region can have significant impacts on people living on both sides of the border; the policies and practices on one side inevitably affect the health and wellbeing of the other. To take a closer look at these earnest efforts, Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, International Community Foundation, San Diego Grantmakers (SDG), and U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership hosted a full-day learning tour of cross-border issues in Tijuana... (read more)

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 contactandy@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, PhD, Executive Director, Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation at Arizona State University and Board Chair, BPP; Lisa Cacari-Stone, PhD, 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.

BPP News

BPP Board elects new officers at 2020 Annual Meeting.

Robert Ashcraft, ASU Lodestar Center on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation departs Board after 10 years.

​ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation students present capstone projects. ​

BPP updates 2019 Border Mayors Summit on Humanitarian Crisis.

BPP takes humanitarian message to Congress.

The Power of Philanthropy in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands in Washington, D.C.

BPP assembles philanthropy leaders to talk humanitarian crisis in the Borderlands.

​BPP honors Congressman Henry Cuellar.

BPP trains more than 160 nonprofit leaders in Mexicali and Monterrey, Mexico.

​The BPP Board of Directors and staff offer their deepest sympathy to the families of the twenty-two Borderlands community members whose lives were taken in the senseless act of violence and hatred in El Paso, TX earlier this week.

BPP partners with Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to support San Miguel de Allende nonprofit sector.

Foundation leaders meet in Chihuahua to talk leadership, collaboration, and philanthropy.

Funders and support organizations meet in Chicago to talk trans-national philanthropy.

USAID, Universidad ORT, Tijuana Innovadora, and BPP partner to support nonprofit organizations.

BPP to attend tri-lateral environment meeting in Mexico City.

BPP participates in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Advisory Committee.

BPP leads International Visitor delegation on tour of Laredo, TX.

More than 200 nonprofit and philanthropic leaders gather in Monterrey, Mexico to discuss philanthropy in the border region.

Business leaders honored for positive impact to Latino communities.

BPP talks philanthropy with new Director of Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior.

Business leaders honored for positive impact to Latino communities.

Louis Escareno presented with the San Antonio Chabad Center's 2019 community service award.

BPP Executive Director re-appointed to EPA National Advisory Committee.

BPP conducts Board governance workshop for nonprofit leaders in Ciudad Juarez.

BPP and University of San Diego Nonprofit Leadership and Management program tour Tijuana.

BPP supports Ventanilla de Salud Health and Wellness programs across the U.S.A.

Building Broader Communities in the Americas Mapping Initiatives comes to the Borderlands.

BPP talks Humanitarian Crisis in the Borderlands.

BPP hosts "A Conversation with Funders: Philanthropy in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands."

​BPP Board hosts foundation leaders for conversation to strengthen philanthropy in the Borderlands.

University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute and BPP Executive Director lead delegation to Guatemala.

Beyond Borders: an article by Matthew Harvey about the BPP in the Philanthropy Journal News.

BPP leaders invited to present at CEMEFI's Annual Conference.

BPP leaders, members, and partners to talk International grantmaking at Philanthropy Southwest Annual Conference.

BPP and Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico join forces in Tijuana.

BPP to moderate discussion: ​Trump and AMLO: The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations.

BPP leaders meet with Border Mayors - talk philanthropy.

BPP's Executive Director presented Ohtli Award at Independence Day Celebration.

BPP leaders, members, and partners to talk International grantmaking at Philanthropy Southwest Annual Conference.

The Consulate of Mexico in San Diego opens a public lactation room.

Dr. Dolores Roybal, recognized with New Mexico Change Maker Award.

BPP invited to USAID Civil Society Activity Partners Encounter.

Philanthropy gathers in San Diego - Tijuana to assess Family Humanitarian Crisis.

​The BPP advances philanthropy, collaboration and leadership in Monterrey, Mexico.

Dolores Roybal, BPP Vice-Chair, delivers governance seminar for FECHAC.

​Cecilia Guzmán, Health Window coordinator receives excellence award.

Your help is needed! Children and Families Humanitarian Crisis in the Borderlands Survey results.

​Louis Escareño, BPP Board Member, takes part in USMCOC Mexico Presidential Election Observers Mission.

Thank you Southwest Airlines for your support!

Hispanic Chamber honors San Antonio's Most Influential Business Leaders at 2018 Business Awards dinner.

BPP participates in Trilateral meeting for the Environment.

​BPP talks mapping at Arizona-Mexico Commission.

​Community Foundation leaders to meet in Phoenix, AZ to talk binational philanthropy.

US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) takes part in the citizen scholarship committee for the General Consulate of Mexico, San Diego.

USD graduate students complete applied projects for BPP Members.

​The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership recognizes the Hon. Russell L. Jones as Chairman Emeritus.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership names Southwest Airlines Official Carrier.

The BPP hosts "Border KIDS COUNT: The Latest Data from New Mexico and Mexico." ​

New leadership takes helm of BPP Board of Directors.

BPP Executive Director attended the 35th anniversary celebration of Hispanics in Philanthropy.

BPP leaders meet with Mexico's Foreign Minister, Dr. José Luis Videgaray.

The U.S. - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership trains more than 50 nonprofit leaders in governance for nonprofit boards.

The Nonprofit Institute at USD University of San Diego in the Borderlands.

BPP and partners host roundtable to discuss impact of the new California School Dashboard.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership hosts border tour for International Visitor Leadership Program participants.

INAI holds the first binational event on the social utility of the access to information right as a tool for migrants.

Community Foundation for Southern Arizona partners with BPP in San Miguel de Allende.

​BPP talks binational philanthropy in Mexico City.

Border Philanthropy Partnership congratulates Beatriz Marina Bours Muñoz, Universidad LaSalle.

BPP Board elects new officers and directors.

Border Kids Count: The Latest Data from California & Mexico.

BPP leaders support launch of first ever binational committe to promote philanthropy and civic engagement.

BPP leaders, members, and partners headed to AZ-Mexico Commission 2017 annual meeting.

The US - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership delivers workshop at CEMEFI's annual conference.

BPP leaders meet Mexico's Ambassador to USA.

BPP hosts San Diego Family Asset Building Coalition to talk domestic violence.

BPP Board elects new officers: Enrique Diaz Rivera Robinson Bours elected Board Chair.

Mexico Peace Index 2017 presented in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua.

BPP teams with UC San Diego on Creating Binational Places Symposium.

ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation students present capstone projects.

BPP honors Congressman Henry Cuellar.

The BPP Board of Directors and staff offer their deepest sympathy to the families of the twenty-two Borderlands community members whose lives were taken in the senseless act of violence and hatred in El Paso, TX earlier this week.

BPP Board hosts foundation leaders for conversation to strengthen philanthropy in the Borderlands.

BPP to moderate discussion:
Trump and AMLO: The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations.

The BPP advances philanthropy, collaboration and leadership in Monterrey, Mexico.

Cecilia Guzmán, Health Window coordinator receives excellence award.

Louis Escareño, BPP Board Member, takes part in USMCOC Mexico Presidential Election Observers Mission.

BPP talks mapping at Arizona-Mexico Commission.

Community Foundation leaders to meet in Phoenix, AZ to talk binational philanthropy.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership recognizes the Hon. Russell L. Jones as Chairman Emeritus.

The BPP hosts "Border KIDS COUNT: The Latest Data from New Mexico and Mexico."

BPP talks binational philanthropy in Mexico City.

BPP invited to talk about the socio-economic aspects of the border and their influence on human health in Washington, DC.

University of San Diego and BPP partner to complete applied projects for member agencies.

BPP talks U.S.-Mexico relations at New Mexico Grantmakers conference.

BPP Board meets in San Diego - Begins planning process for next three years.

BPP and USD Justice in Mexico program host Mexico Peace Index report.

BPP attends first meeting of the US Environmental Protection Agency National Advisory Committee.

U.S.-Mexico Philanthropy: Building bridges for a more prosperous future.

BPP leaders invited to share their experience at "Philanthropy and social investment" at CSO Forum: Impact that Transcends.

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

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).

BPP featured in US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce magazine.

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

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

Elisa de la Vara promoted to Chief Community Officer.

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

wE THANK THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY OFFICE SPACE AT THE MALIN BURNHAM CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT:
2508 Historic Decatur Rd., Suite 130, San Diego, CA 92106

Phone +1 (619) 814-1388 | Fax +1 (619) 814-1389
E-mail: info@borderpartnership.org