ICF On The Move

An important way for ICF to encourage and promote international philanthropy is to help our donors connect with grantees and their work in the regions that we serve. In this way, our donors see the value of their gifts first-hand, hear about tangible results from the organizations they funded, and meet other donors with like-minded philanthropic goals and objectives. For new donors, ICF’s approach offers a way to take a closer look before projects are funded, to
ask questions, and make personal connections with key non-profit project staff.

Accompanied by ICF board members Alice Tang and Robert Chang, ICF President, Richard Kiy, visited China for two weeks in October 2002 to meet new and existing grantees in Shanghai, Beijing and Yunnan Province, where ICF’s donors have been active in education and environmental grantmaking.

In January 2003, ICF staff traveled to Baja California Sur for a series of donor outreach events in Los Cabos and Los Barriles to launch its Give2Baja campaign. At these events, Canadian and U.S. citizens that reside in México learned about ICF, its local grantees, and several special projects, including a new arts education center in Los Barriles. Follow-up donor trips were also organized by ICF to Bahía Magdalena, as well as Loreto to meet with sea turtle conservation groups.

ICF was proud to participate in the expropriation ceremony of Isla Espíritu Santo in February, which was attended by Mexican President Vicente Fox. Five ICF donors that provided matching funding for the purchase and conservation management of Isla Espíritu Santo accompanied ICF staff to the ceremony. ICF donors were also on hand for the unveiling of two sculptures donated by ICF to the City of La Paz to promote the arts and civic pride in that community.

In May, ICF hosted its first gala event, "Promoting Sustainable Communities." With 260 donors, civic leaders, and grantees, ICF celebrated 12 years of grantmaking in Baja California and China. Deborah Szekely paid tribute to ICF’s former CEO and current Senior Fellow, Lucy Killea; and the former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, William K. Reilly, was the
evening’s keynote speaker.

Most importantly, however, ICF listened to its donors and provided more personalized site visits for interested individuals, families, and small groups. Throughout the year, ICF organized custom trips to visit grantees, projects, and special places in Tijuana, Tecate, Mexicali, Ensenada, La Paz, Los Cabos, Loreto, and Magdalena Bay. ICF will continue to arrange these inspirational visits for donors, board members, and friends of the foundation upon request.