Meeting the Challenges of the Border through Philanthropy:

1
Meeting the Challenges of the Border through
PhilanthropyICF and FINCOMUN A Partnership
Thats Beginning to Work
Richard KiyPresident CEOInternational
Community Foundation US-Mexico Border
Summit August 24, 2001
2
About ICF

• Established Only community foundation in the
  United States whos sole focus is
  internationally-oriented donor advised
  grant-making.
• Assets of 1 million and 33 funds.
• Close to 850K funded to date (183K last year)
• Geographic focus the Americas and Asia ,with an
  emphasis in Mexico.
• Primary Areas of focus Environment, Health,
  Education, Sustainable Communities, and Culture.
• Expanding focus in the area of Trans-national
  Community Development.
• Over 28 of grant-making to date has been along
  the border, almost exclusively in Baja
  California.

3
Current Border Initiatives

• Approx. 237,000 in grant-making to date in Baja
  California with 42 separate projects funded.
• Recently established the Border Environmental
  Fund to support organizational capacity building
  of Mexican non-governmental sector.
• Established in cooperation with US EPA and local
  donors.
• RFP to be released mid-September 01
• Worked to establish Mexican sister organization,
  Funcacion Internacional de la Comunidad
  (FINCOMUN) through support of Hewlett Foundation
  and individual donors from San Diego and Tijuana
  areas.

4
About FINCOMUN

• Less than a year old.
• Only community foundation serving Baja
  California.
• Focused on promoting a culture of philanthropy in
  Baja Californias border area and coastal
  communities including those along the Sea of
  Cortez.
• Bi-national board.
• Strong strategic relationship with ICF.
• First major grant-making cycle summer 2002.
• 3 Year goal become a self-sustaining community
  foundation in the region that is serves.

5
The ICF/FINCOMUN Relationship

• Strong symbiotic partnership.
• Common objective to strengthen level of
  philanthropy for the benefit of communities and
  non profits in Baja California.
• ICF is working closely with FINCOMUN to expand
  the base of U.S. donors that have an affinity
  with Baja California and in interest in making a
  difference in the region.
• In process of undertaking a joint community needs
  assessment for the Northern Border region of Baja
  California.

6
Observations

• Philanthropy on the border is in its infancy.
• On US side of border various community
  (Brownsville, San Diego, El Paso, Laredo) and
  private/family foundations major national
  foundations.
• Mexico border community foundations beginning to
  be established some select private foundations
• Absence of strong corporate HQs along border has
  kept region largely out of the loop on corporate
  foundation support.
• Maquilas are cost centers and generally not
  disposed to philanthropy with a few exceptions
  (GM, Levi Strauss, Sony).
• Border region has not been as effective as it
  could be in communicating needs outside region.
• Social-economic and environmental challenges
  along the border are great and becoming more
  complex as population grows.
• There is a pressing need for more community based
  foundations along the border.

7
Conclusion

• If the border wants to expand the level of
  philanthropy, grant-makers across region need to
  work together.
• The time has come to form a Regional Association
  of Grantmakers (RAG) for the U.S.-Mexico border.