FORWARD Puerto Rico Fund
A pooled fund supporting key nonprofit organizations and innovative projects that advocate for equitably addressing the layered crises facing Puerto Rico, while increasing the resilience of vulnerable populations on the island. Strategic investments are multi-year and of a significant size to enhance their potential impact.
What the fund supports
Promoting social justice and transparency in the distribution of public resources with particular emphasis on recovery funds provided by the federal government.
Facilitating data analysis and informed public dialogue and debates on actual and potential impacts of new policies, particularly on vulnerable populations.
Advancing the resilience and sustainability of the nonprofit sector by enhancing leadership, building fiscal and programmatic health, augmenting collective influence and voice, and enabling collaborations among organizations.
Who created it & why?
The Fund was created in 2017 as an instrument to advance significant solutions that typically go beyond the grantmaking possibilities of a single investor. The Fund’s first grantmaking round was used for its Phase #1, an emergency relief funding effort following Hurricane María. Phase #2 focused on recovery and reconstruction funding tied to the hurricane’s aftermath. For Phase #3, and as of April 2020, we are evaluating how the Fund fulfills the needs exacerbated by earthquakes in the South of Puerto Rico and the COVID-19 outbreak.
With half of its population living under the U. S. poverty level, Puerto Rico confronts layered challenges that primarily affect the island’s most vulnerable populations. The two latest being the COVID-19 outbreak in the Spring of 2020 and the devastation caused by earthquakes striking the southern part of the island beginning in December 2019. The latest crises occurred at a time when the island was already facing a huge economic collapse and a slow and highly controversial recovery process from the disasters caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
COVID-19 and the quakes aggravated already dire social conditions such as high unemployment rates, increased migration, precarious housing conditions, closed public schools, and inefficient and outdated public utilities, especially the electric authority.
With government services stretched thin and long before the hurricanes, earthquakes and the Coronavirus, community-based nonprofit organizations were always ready to step in and serve the most vulnerable populations. As organizations deeply rooted in local communities, they pursue equal treatment, advocate for the most vulnerable, create innovative initiatives, mobilize volunteers and address basic needs. Their proximity and knowledge of their communities and people enable them to quickly and efficiently provide necessary services, even in remote places
FORWARD Puerto Rico Fund is one of FiPR’s strategies to develop philanthropic partnerships that help bolster the capacity of nonprofit institutions and help place Puerto Rico on a clear path to recovery and transformation, coupled with greater equity and prosperity.
Donations Received
$9,004,504
-
US Foundations - $7,262,460.00
-
Local Foundation - $1,150,000.00
-
Crowdfunding - $421,284.24
-
Corporations + Individuals - $170,759.75
Funds Distribution
$8,052,732
-
Resiliency + Sustainability - $3,094,000.25
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Data Generation - $2,758,007.00
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Distribution Transparency - $1,305,225.00
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Emergency Relief Grant - $616,000.00
-
Earthquake Relief Grants - $279,500.00
Our Grantees
| Priority | Year | GRANTEE | GRANT TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | La Fondita de Jesús | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Boys and Girls Club de Puerto Rico | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Casa Pueblo | $ 45,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Centro de Periodismo Investigativo | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Centros Sor Isolina Ferré | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | CREARTE | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Grupo de las Ocho Comunidades del Caño Martín Peña (G8) | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Hogar Cuna San Cristobal | $ 41,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Instituto Nueva Escuela | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Museo de Arte Contemporáneo | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Nuestra Escuela | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Para la Naturaleza | $ 50,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Programa de Educación Comunal de Entrega y Servicio (PECES) | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | Proyecto Matria | $ 40,000.00 |
| #0 Emergency Relief Grant | 2017 | SER de Puerto Rico | $ 40,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Andanza | $ 40,000.00 |
| #1 Distribution Transparency | 2018 | Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico | $ 300,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico | $ 40,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Beta Local | $ 40,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Beta Local | $ 21,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Caras con Causa | $ 40,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Casa Pueblo | $ 30,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Centro ESCAPE | $ 40,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Centro ESCAPE | $ 75,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Centro para una Nueva Economía | $ 40,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | CREARTE | $ 100,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Centro para la Nueva Economia (auspicio fiscal Espacios Abiertos) | $ 40,000.00 |
| #1 Distribution Transparency | 2018 | Centro para la Nueva Economia (auspicio fiscal Espacios Abiertos) | $ 150,000.00 |
| #1 Distribution Transparency | 2018 | Fundación Fondo de Acceso a la Justicia | $ 100,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Grupo de las Ocho Comunidades del Caño Martín Peña (G8) | $ 25,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2018 | Boys and Girls Club de Puerto Rico (asupicio fiscal Instituto Desarrollo de la Juventud) | $ 242,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Instituto Nueva Escuela | $ 100,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | La Fondita de Jesús | $ 100,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Museo de Arte Contemporáneo | $ 100,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Museo de Arte de Ponce | $ 11,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico | $ 75,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Nuestra Escuela | $ 100,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Programa de Educación Comunal de Entrega y Servicio (PECES) | $ 100,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Proyecto Matria | $ 60,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | SER de Puerto Rico | $ 100,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Taller Salud | $ 40,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2018 | Taller Salud | $ 70,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2019 | Cambio PR | $ 303,750.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2019 | Cambio PR | $ 25,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2019 | Centro Estudios Multidisciplinarios sobre Gobierno y Asuntos Públicos | $ 447,000.00 |
| #1 Distribution Transparency | 2019 | Centro de Periodismo Investigativo | $ 680,125.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2019 | Colegio Sonifel | $ 80,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2019 | Centro para la Nueva Economia (auspicio fiscal Espacios Abiertos) | $ 30,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2019 | iCasa | $ 175,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2019 | productora angeles del fin, inc (agente fiscal Desarrollo y promocion cultural) | $ 90,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2019 | productora angeles del fin, inc (agente fiscal Desarrollo y promocion cultural) | $ 85,800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2019 | Para la Naturaleza | $ 185,000.00 |
| #1 Distribution Transparency | 2019 | Mentes Puertorriquenas en Accion (agente fiscal Sembrando Sentido) | $ 75,100.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2019 | Taller Salud | $ 550,357.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2019 | HASER | $ 250,000.00 |
| #4 Earthquake Relief Grants | 2020 | Andanza | $ 15,000.00 |
| #4 Earthquake Relief Grants | 2020 | Universidad de Puerto Rico (PATRIA) | $ 47,000.00 |
| #4 Earthquake Relief Grants | 2020 | One Stop Career Center of PR | $ 30,000.00 |
| #4 Earthquake Relief Grants | 2020 | Ponce Neigborhood Housing Services | $ 30,000.00 |
| #4 Earthquake Relief Grants | 2020 | PathStone Corporation | $ 30,000.00 |
| #4 Earthquake Relief Grants | 2020 | Museo de Arte Contemporáneo | $ 50,500.00 |
| #4 Earthquake Relief Grants | 2020 | CMTAS | $ 29,500.00 |
| #4 Earthquake Relief Grants | 2020 | Red por los Derechos de los Niños | $ 25,000.00 |
| #4 Earthquake Relief Grants | 2020 | Fundacion Musica y Pais | $ 22,500.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Coalicion Legal de Puerto Rico | $ 12,500.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2020 | Coordinadora Paz para la Mujer | $ 5,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Kilometro Cero | $ 300,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2020 | Boys and Girls Club de Puerto Rico (agente fiscal Instituto Desarrollo de la Juventud) | $ 150,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Centro de la Mujer Dominicana | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Centro para una Nueva Economía | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Coalicion de Coaliciones de Puerto Rico | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Fideicomiso de la Tierra del Caño Martin Peña | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | FURIA | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Primera Iglesia Bautista | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Pathstone Community Development Corporation of Puerto Rico | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Centro para la reconstruccion del Habitat | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Fundación Fondo de Acceso a la Justicia | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | ACUTAS - Asociación de Comunidades Unidas Tomando Acción Solidaria | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | SOLIDUS/Maria Hernandez | $ 500.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Coalición Residentes Vivienda Pública - CARAS of the Americas | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Comisión Nacional de Vivienda Cooperativa | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Centro para una Nueva Economía | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Instituto para el Desarrollo Socioeconómico y de Vivienda de Puerto Rico | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Proyecto ENLACE Caño Martín Peña | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Habitat for Humanity | $ 500.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | ABRE PR | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Nuestra Escuela | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Boys and Girls Club de Puerto Rico | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Comite Timon de Familiares de Personas con Impedimentos | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Centro de Estudios Multidisciplinarios en Gobierno y Asuntos Públicos | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | No Poor Left Behind | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Jóvenes Puerto Rico en Riesgo | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Asociación Puertorriqueña de Sostenibilidad/Aprodec | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Cambio PR | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Comité Diálogo Ambiental / Queremos Sol/Idebajo | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Museo de Reciclaje (Reciclaje del Norte Luis Sanchez) | $ 500.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Instituto para la investigación y acción en Agroecología | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | HASER (agente fiscal La Colmena Cimarrona) | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Organización Sistemas Acueductos Non-PRASA de PR / Acueducto Comunidad Buenos Aires | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Para La Naturaleza | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Nuestra Escuela (agente fiscal Agua, Sol y Sereno) | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Asociación de Museos | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Asociación de Documentalistas de PR | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Beta Local | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Coordinadora Paz Para La Mujer (agente fiscal de Circuito Queer) | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Taller Comunidad La Goyco | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Centro Economia Creativa | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Para La Naturaleza | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Centro de Periodismo Investigativo | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Colectivo Ilé | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Comité Amplio para la Búsqueda de la Equidad/Proyecto Matria | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Espacios Abiertos | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Junte Gente | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | G-8/Joel Vazque | $ 500.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Líderes Jóvenes en Acción/G-8 | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | Proyecto Matria | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | VAMOS Concertacion Ciudadana | $ 800.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2020 | FURIA | $ 150,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2021 | Mentes Puertorriquenas en Accion (agente fiscal Sembrando Sentido) | $ 36,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2021 | Cambio PR | $ 100,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Centro de Economia Creativa | $ 180,000.00 |
| #2 Data Generation | 2021 | Espacios Abiertos | $ 76,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Nuestra Escuela (agente fiscal Movimiento una sola Voz) | $ 52,000.25 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | VAMOS PR | $ 155,500.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Centro para la Reconstrucción del Hábitat | $ 50,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Comité Desarrollo Social y Cultural Daguao Inc.(agente fiscal Naguabo Somos Todos) | $ 44,500.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Casa Solidaria Matria | $ 50,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Nuestra Escuela (agente fiscal Movimiento al Rescate de mi Escuela) | $ 50,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | ACUTAS | $ 50,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | CAMBU | $ 98,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | CEMGAP | $ 50,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Proyecto Matria | $ 50,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Instituto para la [Investigación y Acción en] Agroecología | $ 170,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Fideicomiso de Tierras Comunitarias para la agricultura sostenible | $ 45,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Fideicomiso Bosque Modelo | $ 35,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Parceleras Afrocaribeñas | $ 35,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Para La Naturaleza | $ 15,000.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Agenda Ciudadana | $ 500.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Caribana Coop | $ 500.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | Amapola | $ 500.00 |
| #3 Resiliency + Sustainability | 2021 | El Puente | $ 500.00 |
Our Donors
| ENTITY | Sum of AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| American Endowment Foundation | $ 20,000.00 |
| Carl F Baerst & Janice | $ 20.00 |
| CCM Group LLC CONCUR INV | $ 50,000.00 |
| Charles Melendez | $ 50.00 |
| Comic Relief | $ 1,500,000.00 |
| Conchita Gonzalez | $ 75.00 |
| Crowdfunding | $ 400,838.74 |
| Dr. Mary R. Carter | $ 10.00 |
| Ford Foundation | $ 700,000.00 |
| Francisco Carvajal Narvaez | $ 56,561.00 |
| Fundacion Angel Ramos | $ 200,000.00 |
| Fundacion BPPR | $ 200,000.00 |
| Fundacion Comunitaria de Puerto Rico | $ 50,000.00 |
| Fundacion Francisco Carvajal | $ 443,439.00 |
| Fundacion Segarra Boerman e Hijos | $ 50,000.00 |
| Fundación Titín | $ 50,000.00 |
| Gap, Inc. - CyberGrants, Inc. | $ 7,500.00 |
| Global Giving Foundation | $ 724,975.00 |
| Hill Snowdon Foundation | $ 19,000.00 |
| Hispanics in Philanthopy | $ 255,000.00 |
| Jorge V. Salgado | $ 5,000.00 |
| Josefina Pasarell | $ 500.00 |
| Karen B Rubin | $ 50.00 |
| Laurie F. Michaels | $ 100,000.00 |
| Louise M Bastedo | $ 75.00 |
| Mariposa Foundation | $ 25,000.00 |
| Martha Fernandez | $ 287.50 |
| Miami Foundation | $ 250,000.00 |
| Miranda Foundation | $ 50,000.00 |
| NBPA Foundation | $ 100,000.00 |
| Network for Good | $ 840.00 |
| Novo Foundation | $ 1,500.00 |
| Open Society Foundations | $ 529,985.00 |
| Rachel M. Brownstein | $ 100.00 |
| Rafael B. Borras | $ 100.00 |
| Richard L. Patrick & Patricia Patrick | $ 250.00 |
| Robert Wood Johnson Foundation | $ 1,150,000.00 |
| Rockefeller Foundation | $ 500,000.00 |
| Ruben Rodriguez | $ 4,854.70 |
| Schwabb Charitable | $ 7,500.00 |
| Shwabb Charitable | $ 1,000.00 |
| Susan R and John W. Sullivan Foundation | $ 5,000.00 |
| Sylvia Rosenberg Diamand | $ 75.00 |
| The Church of the Holy Spirit of St Paul, MN | $ 718.05 |
| The JPB Foundation | $ 500,000.00 |
| The Vermont Country Store | $ 800.00 |
| V. Suarez& Co., Inc | $ 30,000.00 |
| Wanda Lawrence | $ 400.00 |
| Wind Point Foundation | $ 12,000.00 |
| WK Kellogg Foundation | $ 1,000,000.00 |
| Yvonne Shepard | $ 1,000.00 |
B
- All
- 2017-2018
- 2019-2020
- Emergency Relief Grant
- Earthquake Relief Grants
- Forward Fund Priorities
- Data Generation
- Resiliency + Sustainability
- Distribution Transparency
How does the Fund operate?
FORWARD Puerto Rico Fund collects contributions from philanthropic organizations based in Puerto Rico and in the United States, as well as from individuals and other private sources. Funds are distributed in Puerto Rico among nonprofit organizations that aim to advance equity and social justice in alignment with the Fund’s priorities.
The Fund is managed by FiPR, whose Board of Directors is composed of leaders from its member philanthropic organizations that ensure the effective distribution of funds raised.
Our Donors
Read about our Grantees in Action
Grantees Increase Resiliency and Sustainability through Fiscal and Financial Strategies
Grantees In Action Grantees Increase Resiliency and Sustainability through Fiscal and Financial Strategies A Montessori assisttant hands off educational materials to students. FORWARD Puerto Rico
Investigations to Support Child/Youth Poverty Public Policy Development
Grantees In Action Investigations to support child/youth poverty public policy development Participants examine data at IDJ’s Advocacy Academy. Instituto del Desarrollo de la Juventud (IDJ)
A Qualitative, Socio-Legal Investigation on Tenancy and Property Rights in Puerto Rico
Grantees In Action A qualitative, socio-legal investigation on tenancy and property rights in Puerto Rico Fundación Fondo de Acceso a la Justicia and the University
