To address the role that philanthropy can play to assist immigrant communities and migrant sending regions, ICF and San Diego Grantmakers co-hosted on November 9, 2006, “A Forum on Immigration: Implications for Funders.” Four California based organizations actively working on migrant issues both nationally and abroad, were invited to present ideas and opportunities to tackle the root cause of migration—mainly poverty, and the needs of these groups in the U.S.
Panelists were: Allison De Lucca, program director for Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR); Dr. Konane Martinez, Health research coordinator for the National Latino Research Center (NLRC); Sid Voorakkara, program officer for The California Endowment; and Richard Kiy, president & CEO for the International Community Foundation (ICF). Former Ambassador to Mexico and current president of the Institute of the Americas, Jeffrey Davidow moderated the discussion.
The main message that participants took away from the forum was that in order to cost-effectively provide solutions for the problem of migration, philanthropists and other institutions must address poverty and the lack of economic opportunities in the communities of origin. Richard Kiy emphasized the significance of push-pull factors, stating that Tijuana, and other Mexican northern border cities, also face problems of migration similar to those of San Diego, such as homelessness, language barriers, insufficient provision of health services, and unemployment. These factors have become transborder, and more an issue of demand and supply, resulting from the underdevelopment found in regions farther south.
Evidently, the wide array of private, family, and community foundations and other charitable institutions present at the forum actively seeking potential solutions demonstrate that there is a growing interest to begin to find innovative ways to approach issues posed by immigration. Among them, some participants included the United Way of San Diego, The San Diego Foundation, Project Concern International, the Szekely Family Foundation, the McCarthy Family Foundation, and Alliance Healthcare Foundation among others.
Presentations:
"Investing in our Communities: Strategies for Immigrant Integration." Allison De Lucca, Program Director, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees.
"Forging Ahead: North County Non-profits serving immigrant communities." Dr. Konane Martinez, Health Projects Coordinator. National Latino Research Center.
"A Forum on Immigration: Implication for Funders." Sid Voorakkara, Program Officer. The California Endowment.
“Cross-border Issues and Philanthropic Solutions to Mexican Migration.” Richard Kiy, President & CEO, International Community Foundation.
Additional Resources:
For a list of San Diego migrant serving organizations, visit: http://www.icfdn.org/publications/blurredborders/index.htm
To learn more about the Oaxacan community in San Diego and opportunities to get involved in Oaxaca, visit our Ties that Bind Us webpage at: http://www.icfdn.org/initiatives/tiesthatbindus/tiesthatbindus.htm
