Strengthening Latino-based Organizations

While LCF-funded organizations are having a large impact on local Latino communities, some are still small in size. LCF increases organizational capacity and provides collaborative opportunities for grantees through a learning community that provides technical assistance to build organizational effectiveness and impact. LCF convenes its grantees several times a year and provides training to increase fundraising capacity and organizational effectiveness; improve communications and program evaluation; and share information about best practice models that are working in their local communities.

Building Relationships

Participation in the learning community provides grantees increased access to funders, supporters and partners. LCF's goal is to introduce grantees to other funding sources, thereby increasing their ability to sustain this work beyond the Initiative. LCF provides its grantees with a connection to other foundations and individual donors to become more acquainted with the work of our grantees. LCF also provides its grantees with an opportunity to learn from each other and build alliances.

Case Study: Somos Mayfair and Mujeres Unidas y Activas

Somos Mayfair works in the Mayfair neighborhood of San Jose to cultivate the dreams and power of the people of this community through cultural activism, social services and community organizing. To the north, in San Francisco and East Bay, Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) is a grassroots organizations with a dual mission of personal transformation and community power.

While Somos Mayfair and MUA knew of each other and had always wanted to have a more formal collaboration, it seems a difficult task to do given the distance. When both organizations became funded community partners of LCF, they finally had their chance.

This past fall 2009, they took their relationship to a new level by having four member leaders of Somos Mayfair graduate from the Peer Counselor training program at MUA, and also hosted a morning of theater at the MUA Oakland office. After the performance members from both organizations created an important space for healing and conversation about how to break the cycle of violence in Latino families.

"We have realized how similar our missions and programs are [and] have held in-person and telephone meetings to share ideas about programs, funding sources and collaborations," Mujeres Unidas y Activas.