Why should these issues matter to philanthropy?
Philanthropic support for Latino civil society has reached a critical juncture in the United States. Foundation support for Latin American organizations declined 30 percent between 2002 to 2004 to 5.9 percent of all U.S. foundation dollars spent for international purposes. Furthermore, philanthropic giving by wealthy Latin Americans falls below their counterparts in other regions of the world. Foundation support for U.S. Latino-focused organizations has remained steady at about two percent of all U.S. philanthropic giving over the past 20 years, despite the dramatic growth in the U.S. Latino population during that time.
Ironically, this decline in relative funding comes at a time when Latin America’s philanthropic infrastructure—once virtually nonexistent—is emerging, and the philanthropic landscape is changing with many possibilities for growth. In Mexico, there have been 19 community foundations or similar organizations created. There are an estimated 300,000 millionaires in Latin America, and wealthy individuals like Mexican businessman Carlos Slim are drawing unprecedented media attention to the role of philanthropy. In 2006, remittances from Latino workers to Latin America and the Caribbean were estimated at $58 billion; and increasing numbers of the 600 hometown associations in the United States are serving as vehicles for philanthropic giving back to communities of origin, often in partnership with government.
While the more established foundations that have traditionally invested in the region—Kellogg, Hewlett, Ford, MacArthur, and Packard among others—continue to build on knowledge and experience gained through years of focused initiatives, a new wave of entrepreneurial philanthropists is addressing big global issues with a business approach to measuring risk and outcomes. Therefore, despite the relative decline in philanthropic funding to Latin America and Latino communities in the United States, there is a great deal to be excited about in the philanthropic field. The current relative stability, the importance of the region to the United States, and the wealth of opportunities that can have a considerable impact will make Latin America an intriguing and attractive region for philanthropic investments. Philanthropists have the opportunity, the tools, and the resources to impact a critical region at a critical time.
Design and Theme
The study tour aims to facilitate a dialogue among philanthropic leaders who see the potential for impact of social investments in Latin America and Latino communities. This transnational, high-level, practical tour will provide participants an opportunity for learning, peer exchange, and a sharper understanding of the complex dynamics of immigration to the United States from Latin America, including the economic, social, cultural, and political dimensions of both the sending and receiving communities.
The one week study tour will include interactive sessions that focus on:
· issue briefings with noted experts, academics, and practitioners
· site visits to projects to hear firsthand from communities and their leaders
· discussions of best practices, innovative models, and new ideas
· reflections and peer exchanges
In addition, the curriculum incorporates readings, case studies, and other resources to introduce participants to the subject matter.
The program will encompass a broad subject area on topics such as:
· perceptions of Mexican immigration versus the reality in the United States
· resource mobilization for communities of origin, including remittances
· the social, economic, and environmental factors that drive migration from Mexico
· strategies for revitalizing communities of origin in Mexico
· community support systems and organizing in new and rapidly expanding immigrant destination cities
Agenda
Sunday, September 7 - Arrive in Raleigh, North Carolina in the afternoon and check into hotel.
5:00pm – 6:00pm Welcome and orientation reception
6:00pm – 8:30pm Dinner and panel discussion.
A panel of local community leaders will put into perspective the issues facing Mexican transnational communities. Panel moderator: Ivan Parra*, Executive Director, North Carolina Latino Coalition
Keynote speaker: Nolo Martinez*, Director, Center for New North Carolinians and former Governor’s Advisor on Hispanic/Latino Affairs
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Monday, September 8
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
8:00am – 9:00am Travel to Newton Grove, NC (approximate travel time:1 hour)
A morning visit to Newton Grove will allow the group to learn about the issues in an area in rural Eastern North Carolina with a mostly Latino migrant worker and farmworker population. During the bus ride Andrea Bazan*, president of the Triangle Community Foundation, will brief participants on conditions for immigrants, challenges, and the local response.
9:00am – Noon Site visit to the Tri County Community Health Center and panel discussion with local direct service providers
Tri County Community Health Center
TCCHC uses a comprehensive approach to healthcare for the region to provide clients with a vast spectrum of medical, social, and mental health services. Tri-County Community Health Council helps the 10,000-plus migrant workers, many from Mexico, who come to the region annually to harvest sweet potatoes, tobacco, and cucumbers.
Casa Cosecha – A nonprofit that provides addiction treatment for adult men, including residential and outpatient services, DWI assessments, case management, referrals, prevention and comprehensive services to individuals and their families. The center has bilingual (Spanish and English) and culturally diverse staff to provide a holistic 12-step approach to addiction treatment.
Episcopal Farm Worker Ministry – The ministry responds to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families, actively supporting opportunities for them to become self-directed.
NC Farmworker Project – A nonprofit that promotes the organization of farmworkers so they can find solutions to their problems collectively, encourages political participation, and fights to improve their living conditions.
Noon – 2:30pm Lunch.
Exploring the complex relations between labor and business. A discussion with a local farmer and member of the State Farmers’ Association and farmworker members of the North Carolina Farmworker’s Association.
Moderator: Millie Ravenel,* Director, Center for International Understanding
2:30pm – 4:00pm Site visit to a migrant workers camp.
Seminar participants will visit a migrant farmworker housing camp to understand the conditions of migrant life (workers will not be present).
4:00pm – 5:00pm Drive back to Durham.
6:30pm – 8:30pm Dinner.
Panel discussion on the many faces of philanthropy.
Together with philanthropists from the region, we will explore the myriad forms of philanthropy and the creative models for giving that create impact. Panelists will include representatives from:
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Patronato Mezquital, a hometown association that channels giving from diaspora members
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Hebron USA, a faith-based model of charitable giving
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Hispanics in Philanthropy’s Funders’ Collaborative
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A formal philanthropic organization (to be determined)
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Tuesday, September 9
8:00am – 9:30am Check out of the hotel. Breakfast discussion of law enforcement and justice issues.
Participants: Chief of Police Jose Lopez*, Judge Tom Ross* and Judge Laurence McSwain* will provide their perspectives on the laws and enforcement issues that affect immigrants and how these reflect social change.
10:00am – 11:30am
Site visit: El Centro Hispano and the Latino Community Credit Union, two respected organizations that share a building in downtown Durham address social and economic issues of their Latino constituencies.
El Centro Hispano is a grassroots membership organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of the Latino community in Durham by actively involving grassroots leaders in the solution of their own problems. To serve that goal, El Centro Hispano develops educational, cultural and social programs as well as leadership and economic development initiatives in collaboration with other communities and groups.
Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU) is the first financial services institution in North Carolina aimed at the state's growing Latino population. LCCU's mission is to improve the financial condition of the Hispanic community by delivering affordable financial services and financial education programs specifically targeted to undeserved Hispanic immigrants in North Carolina. It is a community–based and member-owned institution.
Noon – 1:30pm Lunch with the media.
A discussion among Spanish language and English language media representatives, examining how the media both shape and reflect perceptions of the Latino community and how these perceptions may differ from the reality.
Moderator: Dr. James Johnson*, Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
1:30pm Travel to airport
3:40pm – 9:50pm Travel to Guanajuato, Mexico
10:30pm – 11:00pm Transfer to hotel
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Wednesday, September 10
8:30am – 10:30am Welcome breakfast hosted by Guanajuato Governor Juan Manuel Oliva*.
Perspectives on the impact of Guanajuato’s high migration rate on local development and the social fabric. The Governor, the State Secretary of Social and Human Development, and/or the coordinator of the Office of Migrant Affairs will set the context for the next two days. Wireless simultaneous translation will be provided.
10:30am – 4:00pm Site visit to the community of Tamaula (travel time 1:15 min).
Meet the community leaders involved in a goat-loan project funded by HIP’s transnational program, traveling with the leadership of the nonprofit executing agency, Centro Comunitario para las Obras y el Intercambio Cultural y Educativo, CHOICE. This project is also partly financed by remittances from members of the community living and working in the U.S. During the bus trip, project director Juan Luis Alducin, will talk about the area, the particular challenges of the rural communities involved in the project, and the project’s organization. Wireless simultaneous translation will be provided. Box lunches will be provided.
4:30pm – 6:30pm Free time to explore the town of Guanajuato.
A guided tour will be available. All participants will meet at the Juarez Theater at 6:30pm.
6:30pm – 9:00pm Dinner.
Rafael Fernandez de Castro*, President Calderón’s advisor for migrant and transnational issues, will present his perspectives on President Calderón’s policies concerning Mexican migration and transnationalism.
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Thursday, September 11
8:00am – 8:30am Check out of hotel.
9:00am – 12:30pm Breakfast followed by a meeting with local philanthropists at the Ex-hacienda San Gabriel de Barreda, location of the offices of Guanajuato Patrimonio de la Humanidad, a nonprofit dedicated to identifying and preserving Guanajuato’s cultural heritage. Meet with local business and philanthropic leaders representing Unidos por Guanajuato Foundation, Fundación ProEmpleo, the Community Foundation of Leon, and the Community Foundation of the Bajio. Discussion will focus on the challenges facing the civil sector, the landscape for philanthropy, and steps needed to increase the level and impact of social investments.
Moderator: Michael Layton*, Professor, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, and well-known expert on the civil sector and philanthropy in Mexico.
12:30pm – 1:00pm Drive to airport
1:50pm – 2:50pm Travel to Mexico City
4:00pm Check into hotel
4:00pm Evening reception at the Museo de Arte Popular (Museum of Popular Art)
Hosted by Manuel Arango* and his wife with a private viewing of the exhibits.
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Friday, September 12
8:00am Breakfast meeting with Margarita Zavala*, First Lady of Mexico, at Los Pinos, the Mexican presidential residence. Screening of the film “Por los que se quedan” (For Those Left Behind), produced by the BBVA Bancomer Foundation followed by a discussion of human rights issues, especially as they pertain to migrant children and unaccompanied minors.
10:30am – 1:30pm Philanthropy roundtables.
Seminar participants will engage with their Mexican counterparts around specific content areas, such as health, education, economic development, and the environment. Interactive discussions around common goals, successful projects, and challenges; peer exchanges and strategies for collaboration.
1:30pm – 3:30pm Lunch.
Ernesto Cordero Arroyo*, Secretary of Social Development (SEDESOL), will discuss the 3-for-1 Program—its successes, challenges, and future goals.
SEDESOL administers the 3-for-1 program, under which the Mexican government at the federal, state and municipal level matches each dollar remitted by migrant groups in the U.S. for community infrastructure projects.
4:00pm – 6:00pm Free time
4:00pm – 6:00pm Dinner hosted by Martha Smith de Rangel*, HIP board member and founding member of the Fundación del Empresario Mexicano (FUNDEMEX), a collaborative corporate funding entity. Open discussion with Mexican corporate and philanthropic leaders on the Mexico of tomorrow, opportunities for greater collaboration with U.S.-based civil sector actors.
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Saturday, September 13
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am – 11:30am Morning reflections and next steps.
Discussion facilitators: Steve Gunderson of COF and Diana Campoamor of HIP.
11:30am Check out of the hotel and return travel to the U.S.