At the Latino Community Foundation (LCF), we pride ourselves in being more than just a funder, we are a family that puts love and people at the center of our work. This last Saturday we hosted a Central Valley Latino Giving Circle’s 2018 Grants Day and End of Year Celebration. It was a day full of excitement, culture, and joy.
WHAT MADE IT SO SPECIAL?
1. THE CENTRAL VALLEY GIVING CIRLCE KEEPS MAKING HISTORY! On Saturday, the largest circle in our Network (70 + members) had pooled $75,000 to invest in Latino nonprofits that LCF matched one-to-one! With $150,000, these were the largest grants made to date by any single Giving Circle!
2. THE WHOLE FAMILY WAS INVITED. In true LCF fashion, we invited the families of our Giving Circle members, community partners, and friends to join us. Children made piñatas, played loteria, and learned games from our amazing Teens that Care volunteers.
3. A CELEBRATION OF ARTS AND CULTURE. We felt, saw, and tasted the richness our Latino community in Fresno. Starting with the venue – we were hosted by Arte Americas, a center for Latino Arts in the Central Valley and enjoyed a live folklorico dance performance by Teocalli Cultural Academy.
4. FOOD IS EVERYTHING. Food plays such an important part in our collective identity. At this celebration we were spoiled with tamales Oaxaqueños, mole, paella, carne en su jugo, sweet churros, pan dulce, and hot chocolate. All cooked with love by small, Latino-owned businesses that we are proud to support throughout the Valley!
5. LATINO LED NONPROFITS ARE CHANGING THE GAME. Our five finalists came to pitch their vision for change and shared their love and commitment to our communities. There was no shortage of inspiration and every organization left with a grant. Please check out these inspiring organizations:
- $40,000 to Community Center for Arts & Technology
- $40,000 to Education and Leadership Foundation
- $30,000 to Centro la Familia
- $25,000 to Arte Americas
- $15,000 to Every Neighborhood Partnership
Central Valley Latino Giving Circle grants are crucial investments for grassroots Latino nonprofits through the region, which is still overlooked by mainstream philanthropy.
LCF is proud of our Giving Circle leaders who continue to lead and inspire all of us with their philanthropy. The impact of our community partners is no longer ignored due to the Giving Circle’s investments and community support.
We look forward to 2019 as we turn our attention to the heart of California, the Central Valley. From Stockton to Bakersfield, we will continue lifting Latino leadership and empowering our communities to unleash their power. Join us!
Interested in joining one of our 20 Latino Giving Circles in California? Be part of the Largest Latino Philanthropic Network in the United States! Email Sara Velten.
0 Comments