“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Seven years and seven months ago, I arrived to California with a deep sense of urgency and a bold vision to unleash the power of Latinos. The vision has come to life. Now, it is time. Time for me to step down as CEO of the Latino Community Foundation (LCF) and make way for a new season.
It’s been the privilege of a lifetime to fuel a movement and build an organization centered on love, culture, and power! My greatest joy was doing it alongside leaders like YOU!
Together, we did it! Anchored in values of trust, faith, and JOY, we navigated through the terrains of uncertainty, unchartered territory, and unprecedented crises.
We endured a pandemic and the devastating toll it took on our families. We found purpose in the pain. Lifted each other up. Found reasons to laugh again and celebrate life. We remained girded by a shared commitment to build a future worthy of the dignity, integrity, and respect our families deserve.
By God’s grace we persisted with hopeful expectations—and became an unstoppable force for positive change.
In seven years, we raised $95 million to unleash the civic and economic power of Latinos. Through core support grants to nearly 400 Latino-led organizations, the first-ever Latino Nonprofit Accelerator, community-driven advocacy, and the largest network of Latino philanthropists, we delivered on our promise and yielded tangible results.
We transformed the face of philanthropy. Shaped a new narrative of Latinos as change agents, civic leaders, and philanthropists. Leveraged $300 million of federal resource to build a more inclusive, just economy. Established an endowment aligned with our mission. Built a foundation that belongs to the people. Led from a place of strength and abundance.
We made it known que Si Se Puede! LCF is now here to stay—and the team will continue to drive equity and justice for our communities.
Now it’s time for the next leader to usher LCF into a new season of growth and impact.
I am so grateful and proud of our extraordinary, brilliant team and exceptional Board—and I look forward to working with them until a successor is identified and named later this year.
Adelante mi familia— the best is still yet to come!
With all my love and heartfelt gratitude,
Jacqueline Martinez Garcel
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