For Immediate Release: Somos El Poder receives Two Major Grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation

November 30, 2021

The leadership of Somos El Poder: A National Latinx Fundraising Institute are proud to announce two major grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
Somos El Poder is the first institute dedicated to improving fundraising at Latinx focused nonprofits nationally. We teach fundraising, create fundraising resources, provide counsel and build community for Latinx nonprofit leaders to help them raise more money, especially from our own Latinx community. We believe that Latinx people have the ability to transform our own communities through strengthen and growing our Latinx focused nonprofits.

“We are thrilled to get this vote of confidence from two leaders in philanthropy in the US today. These grants will help us expand our services and grow the organizations vital work” Armando Enrique Zumaya, Founder of Somos El Poder.
The MacArthur Foundation commented on this new grant: “MacArthur Foundation’s Philanthropy Field Support Program aims to support a vibrant philanthropic field and keep the Foundation connected to new ideas and opportunities in the nonprofit sector, and Somos El Poder is an innovative organization that strengthens nonprofits by supporting more diverse and inclusive fundraisers and development practices.” The grant from the MacArthur Foundation will be focused on building Somos El Poder and expanding its work. This grant will support directly growth in membership, programs and member services.

The grant from SVCC will focus on a 10 Latinx nonprofit focused Cohort model. This model is designed to help Community Foundations directly assist their local Latinx focused nonprofits in building sustainability. “Working towards a more just and equitable future, Silicon Valley Community Foundation is explicitly focusing on investing in the needs of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in our work and grantmaking,” said Gina Dalma, executive vice president of community action, strategy and policy of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. “A critical part of this work is investing in leaders and the nonprofit organizations that they lead so they can grow their influence and service provision toward systemic change. Through our Capacity Building and Leadership Investment Program, we are proud to invest in organizations like Somos El Poder, whose national expertise in fundraising will help bolster the capacity and transform the operations of our local Latinx nonprofits.”
 
Also sharing her perspective is Diana DeJesus-Medina, Board Chair of Somos El Poder. “These grants from the MacArthur Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation represent a major investment in equity- one that will help Somos El Poder develop Latinx leadership at nonprofits that serve our own communities. It is a transformational opportunity to elevate the voice, vision and potential of those most directly impacted”
Somos El Poder currently has 46 nonprofit organizations and individuals as members and is growing every month. Membership is intentionally accessible to nonprofit partners and individuals. To explore having your nonprofit join Somos El Poder visit our membership page at https://www.somoselpoder.org/membership.html
 
About the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, decreasing nuclear risk, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., and reducing corruption in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100 & Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago.
www.macfound.org

About the Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Silicon Valley Community Foundation is a regional catalyst, connector and collaborator.
We bring the resources and skills of donors, business, government and community to solve some of our region's toughest challenges. We promote philanthropy in our region and support philanthropists to invest with impact. Through advocacy, research, policy and grantmaking, we seek systemic solutions to drive enduring community change. 
www.siliconvalleycf.org
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For More information contact Armando Zumaya, [email protected]
www.somoselpoder.org
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By Armando Zumaya