Contact:
Amber Gonzales
agonzales@latinocf.org
(209) 405-4081
Latino Community Foundation Celebrates
$1 Million Investments by Largest Network of Latino Philanthropists in the Country
Fresno Leaders Join Forces to Make History in Latino-led Philanthropy
Fresno (Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018)– The Latino Community Foundation (LCF) and its Central Valley Latino Giving Circle will celebrate a historic day of investments in the Central Valley by awarding $150,000 in grants and announcing a $1 million commitment for 2019.
The Central Valley is a priority region for the Latino Community Foundation. The celebration on Saturday, Dec. 8 will bring together Latino leaders united by a vision to transform the Central Valley into a vibrant place for Latino families and youth to thrive.
On the heels of the record midterm election voter turnout of this population, the gathered Latino leaders are more committed than ever to build on this momentum and unleash the civic and economic power of Latinos to effect change.
“In cities like Fresno, Latinos make up more than 48% of the population—they are the backbone of the economy and a big part of the democracy of the region,” stated Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, “these investments are critical to the organizations working to create opportunities for these families to prosper and thrive.”
The 65-member Central Valley Latino Giving Circle was launched in 2016 by LCF and a group of local leaders. On Saturday, the community will celebrate this historic movement of Latino philanthropists—the largest in the country and announce grants totaling $150,000 to the following organizations:
• Centro La Familia Advocacy Services
• Community Center for the Arts and Technology
• Education and Leadership Foundation (ELF)
• Every Neighborhood Partnership
“All of these organizations are led by grassroots leaders who know how to engage young people through arts, culture, and civic opportunities,” said LCF Vice President of Programs and Policy Masha Chernyak. “We believe that those closest to the issue must be leading the solutions for change.”
A $1 million investment, made by LCF in partnership with the James Irvine Foundation, will support civic engagement efforts and Latino leadership development in 2019.
Sara Velten, Vice President of Philanthropy for LCF, pointed out that “less than 1.1 percent of philanthropic dollars are invested in Latino-led nonprofits in the U.S., making giving circles critical to achieving real progress for the state’s 15 million Latinos.”
“There is a severe underinvestment in Latino nonprofits in the communities where the hard-fought battles for social and systemic change are being waged,” said Tim Rios, co-founder of the Central Valley Giving Circle. “The beauty of LCF’s Latino Giving Circle Network® is that it enables everyday working people to become philanthropists and collectively invest their own money in local Latino nonprofits.”
In the Fresno area, the LCF Latino Giving Circle comprises local professionals from different walks of life and includes people in finance, musicians, lawyers, teachers, academics and others making up a true cross section of the community. The Giving Circle is also intergenerational, the youngest members are in their early 20s and the eldest in their late 60s.
“The point is you don’t have to be a millionaire to be a philanthropist,” Velten said. “Giving circles puts the power in the hands of everyday people who want to pay it forward.”
Today, LCF has more than 500 members and they are changing the face of philanthropy.
The Dec. 8 Central Valley Latino Giving Circle grants day and end of year celebration will be held at Arte Américas in Fresno from 2:30 – 6:30. Media are welcome. Contact: Amber Gonzales, agonzales@latinocf.org,(209) 405-4081
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About Latino Community Foundation:
The Latino Community Foundation has the largest network of Latino philanthropists in the country and has invested millions of dollars to improve the livelihood of Latino families. Its mission is to unleash the power of Latinos in California by investing in Latino-led organizations dedicated to the transformation of their communities. It is the only statewide foundation solely focused on investing in Latino youth and families in California.
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