Jaime Bolaños, Executive Director of the Fundacion Comunitaria Oaxaca, gives an update on their progress post Oaxaca’s political crisis
We extend our warmest and most joyful holiday cheers! We truly have so much to be thankful for, and your support is on the very top of the list. Oaxaca, our immensely rich and beloved home, is well on its way towards social growth and economic sustainability. And it should be. There are few places in this world which boast such a rich array of unique character, natural resources, productive opportunity, and unforgettable charm. And you will find no other people with the same strength of spirit and solidarity as the Oaxaqueños. It is an honor to serve the community of Oaxaca, and your investments are meaningful ones.
As most of you are aware, Oaxaca was hit in 2006 and 2007 by one of the worst social conflicts in its history. The economic tail-whip that followed was one of the greatest financial challenges our state, and our Foundation, have ever experienced, considering that 90% of our local donor based was eroded. Thanks to the support of many, Oaxaca can now shake the dust from its feet and move forward, towards a future bursting with opportunity. There is much to be accomplished, and thousands of ambitions that await fulfillment.
What have we accomplished in the last year?- Together with ICF, we launched the “It’s for Oaxaca” campaign, a two-year, bi-national effort (see related article “Oaxaca Fund Initiative Campaign”).
- The Ford Foundation has joined the ICF/OCF alliance by supporting the “Oaxaca Fund Initiative” campaign, and even further committed to matching the first $300,000 USD raised 1:1!
- Thanks to your support and that of national and international sources for programs, to date we have been able to raise $135,460 dollars over the last three months, which will be matched 1:1 by the Ford Foundation. We have accomplished 50% of our goal and look forward to next year to achieve it.
- The Oaxaca Community Foundation has been able to continue operations, completely uninterrupted.
- We have diversified our board of trustees, a group of Oaxacans and Mexican nationals committed to our cause, whom individually support the Foundation with a $10,000 USD annual donation.
- The Oaxaca Community Foundation is about to conclude its periodic programmatic evaluation, which helps us continue serving the Oaxacan community in the most effective way.
- We will build alliances with local and national government organizations, the educational sector, and NGOs.
- We will offer a membership option in Mexico and the US, as a method for our supporters to easily invest in the Oaxacan community. Membership is a wonderful way to pro-actively realize your personal aspirations for Oaxaca.
Together with ICF, we look forward to another year of great accomplishments!
Submitted by Jaime Bolanos
Executive Director
Fundacion Comunitaria Oaxaca
December 2007
For more information on Fundacion Comunitaria Oaxaca, please visit http://www.fundacion-oaxaca.org.
To learn more about or contribute to the Oaxaca Fund Initiative, please visit http://oaxaca.icf-xchange.org/, or contact Julieta Mendez, Program Officer at Julieta@icfdn.org.
