Meeting the Challenges of the Border through Philanthropy: “ICF and FINCOMUN: A Partnership That’s Beginning to Work” Richard Kiy President & CEO International Community Foundation US-Mexico Border Summit August 24, 2001

About ICF Established Only community foundation in the United States who’s 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.

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.

About FINCOMUN Less than a year old. Only community foundation serving Baja California. Focused on promoting a culture of philanthropy in Baja California’s 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 Year goal: become a self-sustaining community foundation in the region that is serves.

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.

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.

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.