El Convener April 2021

Published: Thu, 04/15/21

April 2021

El Convener is your go-to source for news about grantmakers doing work in Puerto Rico. Please forward this to other grantmakers, let us know who we missed (so sorry!) and send us your monthly highlights to keep the philanthropic ecosystem abreast of your grantmaking actions.

Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Granted $7,000 for the University of Puerto Rico to develop an Afro-Diasporic and Racial Studies major and minor.

AMGEN Foundation

Recognized 50 science teachers as part of the Amgen Biotech Experience which aims to increase the scientific literacy of teachers and students in the field of biotechnology. (Spanish / English)

Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico

Comic Relief USA, through the Red Nose Day Fund, and in partnership with Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico (FCPR), committed $1 million to a donor-advised fund to address child poverty in Puerto Rico.

Together with PathStone Corporation Puerto Rico, FCPR launched a project to help young people obtain their high school degree, get certified in construction work and get a stipend to participate in the reconstruction of homes in the town of Loiza.

With a $140K donation, FCPR began rehabilitating eight homes in Salinas affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Fundación Ángel Ramos

In partnership with the Flamboyan Arts Fund, Fundación Ángel Ramos will award $20K to the nonprofit who wins the arts and culture award at Grupo Guayacán's 2021 EnterPRize competition.

Fundación Banco Popular

Awarded $25K toward fellowships for companies and nonprofit organizations to participate in the Guayacán Venture Accelerator 2021.

Fundación Flamboyán

Their "¡Todos a leer! ...en casa" ("Let's all read!...at home") project continues to have adults and celebrities read stories to incentivize children to read.

Supported the restoration of the “El indígena de América" ('the natives of America"), an exhibit destroyed by Hurricane María at the Museo de las Américas.

Fundación Segarra Boerman e Hijos

Announced the 17 recipients of their April 2021 grants.

Hispanic Federation

Launched the "PopTiendas" revitalization initiative for businesses destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Maria. This partnership with The Coca-Cola Company and Prudential will grant up to 40 sustainable, eco-friendly structures to eligible small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofits on the island.

Was one of the signatories of a letter asking Governor Pedro Pierluisi to fix past mistakes by restructuring PREPA's debt and establishing citizen participation mechanisms.

Liberty Foundation

Issued its 2020 impact report to highlight their work in providing connectivity to refugees, humanitarian aid and virtual study support.

MCS Foundation

In partnership with Abbott and the Asociación de Hospitales de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico's Hospital Association), MCS Foundation provided $80,000 for Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico's 'Lonchera Dorada' (Puerto Rico Food Bank's golden lunch box). This project provided 750 elders, who were hospitalized and suffering from a high risk of malnutrition, with education, supplements and a lunch box with healthy food.

Open Society Foundations

Reported on the $15MM invested in Puerto Rico since 2017 and their three-pronged approach to addressing the challenges on the island. (Spanish / English)

Announced the 2020 recipients of ten Puerto Rico Youth Fellowships supporting young Puerto Rican leaders working to elevate justice, promote human rights, and help underserved communities on the island.

Peter Alfond Foundation

Granted $125K to Foundation for Puerto Rico to reopen the Camuy River Cave Park which closed in 2017 after Hurricane Maria.

Tintín Foundation

Is supporting the Apostemos al Sur (Let's bet on the South) initiative promoting the economic development of the towns of Yauco, Guánica, Guayanilla, Peñuelas, Ponce and Juana Díaz.