PRESS RELEASE
Press Contact:
Masha Chernyak, Vice President of Programs
mchernyak@latinocf.org | 415.533.9697
Google.org awards $1 million to the Latino Community Foundation to Launch the
First-Ever Latino Nonprofit Accelerator
San Francisco, CA August 24, 2017 – The Latino Community Foundation (LCF) has a big idea —unleash the power of Latinos by investing in their leadership and organizations on the frontlines of social justice. Google.org has made $1 million commitment to turn this idea into reality.
LCF and Google will launch the first-ever Latino Nonprofit Accelerator in California—the home to the largest number of Latinos in the country. “Latinos are the heart and soul of California” says Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, “That is why we invest in Latino-led nonprofits working on the frontlines of social change. These leaders have the entrepreneurial vision and passion to transform their communities into equitable places where our youth and families can thrive.”
The Accelerator is designed to address growing demands on Latino-led organizations tackling inequities in the midst of an anti-Latino and anti-immigrant political climate. LCF will work closely with ten organizations in the first year. The organizations have already led successful efforts to increase college graduation rates, economic stability, and civic engagement in Latino communities. Through the Accelerator, LCF will work with these organizations to scale their impact. The ultimate goal is to build civic and political power for Latino communities through these nonprofits.
“Our community has the intellectual and creative capital to drive social change,” says Masha Chernyak, Vice President of Programs at the Latino Community Foundation. “We need to redefine what it means to offer capacity building. The issues facing Latino-led nonprofits require a new, bold set of solutions from funders.”
Latino-led nonprofits receive a meager 1.1% of all national philanthropic dollars. This is a severe underinvestment for a population that reaches 57 million. In California, Latino youth already make up more than half of all school children- they are the backbone of the state’s economy and democracy. Google.org recognizes the need to invest in organizations led by Latinos and serving Latino communities. “We are proud to support the Latino Community Foundation with a $1M grant. LCF has shown great leadership with their innovative and equitable approach to building non-profit leadership in the Latino community,” says Adrian Schurr, Bay Area Giving Lead for Google.Org. “The accelerator will help scale amazing Latino led and Latino serving organizations to better serve our communities this year and beyond. We’re honored to host LCF’s program in our Google Community Space,” Schurr added.
LCF will invest core support grants, and fundraising and marketing mentorship from world-class fund development and design firms. The Accelerator will include a weekend Design-a-thon where Bay Area artists, designers and branding experts will elevate the voice and brand of Latino leaders. Some of the workshops and programming will happen at the Google Community Space in San Francisco.
About Latino Community Foundation
The Latino Community Foundation exists to unleash the power of Latinos in California. The Foundation fulfills this mission by building a movement of civically engaged philanthropic leaders, investing in Latino-led organizations, and increasing political participation of Latinos in California. LCF’s approach is rooted in the very essence of what it means to be Latino, with a fierce tenacity and focus on community and authentic relationships. For more information visit www.latinocf.org.
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