Puentes is a program of Somos El Poder to support our philanthropic professionals and volunteers outside of the membership of Somos El Poder.
There are two programs inside Puentes.
Conectores and Fundraising Training For Philanthropic Professionals
Conectores
Our Connectors Programs will help bridge the divide between funders and the national Latinx nonprofit sector. To help funders understand the unique potential and challenges of this sector.
Why Conectores?
The Latinx Nonprofit sector has never been studied or catalogued but it is overwhelmingly made up of small and medium sized nonprofits in the thousands in the US. Very commonly they are started by local citizens who react to a critical and urgent need they see in their community. These organizations work not only in immigration and racial justice but also in Education, Public Health, Community Services, Environmental Justice, Mental Health, Criminal Justice Reform, Women's Rights, LGBTQ issues and more.
Before the pandemic this sector of "Latinx focused nonprofits" received only 1.8% of foundation grants. Though this sector works to support 20% of the US population. At Somos El Poder we are working to build a stronger relationship with the Latinx nonprofit sector and funders interested in their valuable work. Literally to build bridges.
The Conectores Program is free to all grant makers and philanthropic advisors. Its all about providing you with information and connections to the Latinx nonprofit sector. Somos El Poder has over 200 member organizations as members that cover most issues you fund. Conectores is FREE and has no fee. This program is only for staff working at recognized foundations, corporate foundations, family foundations, philanthropic advisors, community foundations and other types of funders/advisors.
Introductions and Research- We will help you identify the Latinx serving nonprofits working in the sector you fund. We can produce lists of nonprofits and contact information. We can also make introductions to SEP Member organizations when needed. We emphasize confidentiality and discretion in this work. Nonprofit organizations will not be notified of your interest in their work or that they were put on a list.
SEP Membership List- We are developing a list of SEP Member organizations that are open to Board Service from institutional giving professionals. If you interested in serving on the Board of a Latinx focused nonprofit we can create a list for you and make introductions if your interested. Again, this service is confidential and we will not inform the nonprofit until you ask us to do so.
Annual Convenings and Networking- We will host an annual virtual convenings of Latinx focused nonprofits where funders can meet these organizations, learn about their work and reach out if they feel inclined to do so. We hope to create a convenient way to get updated on what's going on inside of the Latinx nonprofit sector in each of these issue areas. We will create a pitch free, learning environment where we can showcase some of our member organizations in seven different sectors:
Our Connectors Programs will help bridge the divide between funders and the national Latinx nonprofit sector. To help funders understand the unique potential and challenges of this sector.
Why Conectores?
The Latinx Nonprofit sector has never been studied or catalogued but it is overwhelmingly made up of small and medium sized nonprofits in the thousands in the US. Very commonly they are started by local citizens who react to a critical and urgent need they see in their community. These organizations work not only in immigration and racial justice but also in Education, Public Health, Community Services, Environmental Justice, Mental Health, Criminal Justice Reform, Women's Rights, LGBTQ issues and more.
Before the pandemic this sector of "Latinx focused nonprofits" received only 1.8% of foundation grants. Though this sector works to support 20% of the US population. At Somos El Poder we are working to build a stronger relationship with the Latinx nonprofit sector and funders interested in their valuable work. Literally to build bridges.
The Conectores Program is free to all grant makers and philanthropic advisors. Its all about providing you with information and connections to the Latinx nonprofit sector. Somos El Poder has over 200 member organizations as members that cover most issues you fund. Conectores is FREE and has no fee. This program is only for staff working at recognized foundations, corporate foundations, family foundations, philanthropic advisors, community foundations and other types of funders/advisors.
Introductions and Research- We will help you identify the Latinx serving nonprofits working in the sector you fund. We can produce lists of nonprofits and contact information. We can also make introductions to SEP Member organizations when needed. We emphasize confidentiality and discretion in this work. Nonprofit organizations will not be notified of your interest in their work or that they were put on a list.
SEP Membership List- We are developing a list of SEP Member organizations that are open to Board Service from institutional giving professionals. If you interested in serving on the Board of a Latinx focused nonprofit we can create a list for you and make introductions if your interested. Again, this service is confidential and we will not inform the nonprofit until you ask us to do so.
Annual Convenings and Networking- We will host an annual virtual convenings of Latinx focused nonprofits where funders can meet these organizations, learn about their work and reach out if they feel inclined to do so. We hope to create a convenient way to get updated on what's going on inside of the Latinx nonprofit sector in each of these issue areas. We will create a pitch free, learning environment where we can showcase some of our member organizations in seven different sectors:
- Education and Youth
- Immigration Advocacy and Services
- Community Support
- Arts and Cultura
- Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment
- Public Health
- Civil Rights and Voting Rights
Fundraising Training for Funders
Why does a Program Officer, Foundation President, Philanthropic Advisory or Board Member of a Foundation Need Fundraising Training?
Because Grantmakers and philanthropic advisors sometimes serve on Boards or need to assess a nonprofits' resilience before they make a grant. Or perhaps they have a grantee they want to better support in their growth. Diversifying fundraising beyond grants has been show to be crucial to nonprofit scaling and resilience.
At Somos El Poder we have learned crucial lessons on how to help small and medium sized nonprofits grow their fundraising. These lessons can help you make better grants, be better Board Members and support the nonprofits you care about more effectively. Most fundraising training is designed for large resource rich institutions. We teach growth and prospecting for small and medium sized nonprofits. Organizations often with limited resources and other unique challenges that large nonprofits do not have.
Furthermore, there is a great deal of Board Training out there much of it excludes fundraising or gives a brief overview. We teach how to grow fundraising at small/medium sized nonprofits. This training will help you be able to be a valued advisor to the the nonprofits you support.
Through this training you will be better able to understand the nuances and signs of fundraising strength in a nonprofit or its weaknesses. You will receive innovative tools and matrix to gauge fundraising strength and possible growth. All staff and volunteers in philanthropy are welcome to be part of this training.
Classes will be an hour and a half over a four week period and include the following:
The Fee for this program is $1250
Register for Our Next Training by Using Form on this Page. Gracias! Once you register you will be sent a welcome message that includes all four links to all four classes.
Why does a Program Officer, Foundation President, Philanthropic Advisory or Board Member of a Foundation Need Fundraising Training?
Because Grantmakers and philanthropic advisors sometimes serve on Boards or need to assess a nonprofits' resilience before they make a grant. Or perhaps they have a grantee they want to better support in their growth. Diversifying fundraising beyond grants has been show to be crucial to nonprofit scaling and resilience.
At Somos El Poder we have learned crucial lessons on how to help small and medium sized nonprofits grow their fundraising. These lessons can help you make better grants, be better Board Members and support the nonprofits you care about more effectively. Most fundraising training is designed for large resource rich institutions. We teach growth and prospecting for small and medium sized nonprofits. Organizations often with limited resources and other unique challenges that large nonprofits do not have.
Furthermore, there is a great deal of Board Training out there much of it excludes fundraising or gives a brief overview. We teach how to grow fundraising at small/medium sized nonprofits. This training will help you be able to be a valued advisor to the the nonprofits you support.
Through this training you will be better able to understand the nuances and signs of fundraising strength in a nonprofit or its weaknesses. You will receive innovative tools and matrix to gauge fundraising strength and possible growth. All staff and volunteers in philanthropy are welcome to be part of this training.
Classes will be an hour and a half over a four week period and include the following:
- Fundraising Basics- June 13th, 2025, 9:00 am PST
- Making a Resilience Assessment- June 20th 2025, 9:00 am PST
- Prospecting and Growth- June 27th, 2025, 9:00am PST
- Creative Cultivation and Solicitation- July 2nd 2025, 9:00am PST
The Fee for this program is $1250
Register for Our Next Training by Using Form on this Page. Gracias! Once you register you will be sent a welcome message that includes all four links to all four classes.
Instructor:
Armando Enrique Zumaya is our prime instructor. He is a 40 year veteran and award winning fundraiser. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Somos El Poder.
Armando Enrique Zumaya is our prime instructor. He is a 40 year veteran and award winning fundraiser. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Somos El Poder.
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Questions? Preguntas? Email us at [email protected] or [email protected]
