By Danita Brisson
Noble actions often spring from humble ideas, particularly as relates to charities.
For decades, Canadians seeking winter weather refuge in Mexico have given back to their host communities by volunteering and donating to causes that improve the lives of locals in need.
Thirty years ago in San Miguel, Amistad Canada was founded to “help Canadians participate more effectively in such efforts”, according to their website.
The notion of developing a more efficient tool to facilitate and acknowledge Canadians’ contributions in our town has evolved into a pan-Latin-American clearinghouse and oversight organization, raising and distributing over half a million dollars annually in Canadian charitable donations. Currently 11 of Amistad’s 17 partners are San Miguel based. Others are located in Ajijic, Chapala, Jocotepec, Tepoztlan, Santa Maria Huatulco, La Crucecita, and Copalita.
Locally those partners include large and small initiatives that address diverse needs and demographics. Yet they have much in common. Their services are delivered by passionate volunteers in a country not blessed with the social safety nets Canadians take for granted. Mark O’Neill, Amistad Canada’s President, shares a few examples.
Don Diego Community Foundation, is tackling serious socio-economic issues and changing lives by providing education, psychological and emotional support, and healthy lifestyle choices for youth in the community of Santa Teresita Don Diego, on the road to Comonfort. Their website explains, “We selected this specific community, after a long research, because of the large number of young people living there, with various needs and also various aspirations to have a better future, and because of the interest of this community to get involved.”
Mark mentions the ripple effect on poor rural families made by Mujeres en Cambio scholarships for girls attending secondary school through college. Educated young women live healthier, happier lives and raise healthier families.
“We have statistics to prove that when children are well nourished through in-school programs such as Feed the Hungry, the drop-out rate declines,” Mark reports. Tangible results from a noble action; that’s Amistad’s goal.
“We operate like a smaller version of the United Way model,” says Mark. “We interview potential partners to see that their finances, Canadian volunteer base and administration are in order. Twice a year partners make financial and narrative reports, and annually we audit them.” Local charities applying for funding must complete a questionnaire and interview process to ensure they comply with regulations defined by Canada’s Income Tax Act. If so, Amistad is empowered to issue tax receipts for Canadian donors to those organizations.
The charity’s work must align with Amistad’s mission of supporting health and education. They must have at least one Canadian volunteer who is active in and well informed about its activities and who can help Amistad connect with potential Canadian donors. Applications must be project-specific, not destined for a charity’s general revenues, and usually last two or three years. Donors can select the projects they want to fund or ask Amistad to determine where the greatest need exists. As projects wind down, new partners are taken on, usually one or two annually.
Beyond the vetting and monitoring for due diligence, Amistad provides their partners with practical aid by promoting them on their website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages, and through their electronic newsletter. They provide graphics for advertising and assist with partners’ awareness campaigns as well. An Amistad liaison works with each partner on fundraising and progress reports. And, of course, they collect, receipt and channel Canadian donations. Because they are an all-volunteer operation, a high percentage of those funds go directly to the projects.
“With our 15 Board members, our liaisons, auditors, and committee members, we have about 50 active volunteers,” says Mark. But more are needed. While Amistad’s goals have remained constant, their execution has changed. “We’re expanding to other areas in Mexico with growing (full and part time) Canadian expat populations,” Mark advises. “Our demographic is aging, so we focus on legacy giving with them but also try to attract younger donors.” The motivation for those generations is different. They may donate to a cause, but “they don’t want to belong to it,” Mark explains.
Amistad’s Policies and Priorities committee is proactively tackling that and other succession issues so that 30 years hence, they will still be helping Canadians who live in Mexico, even parttime, to give back to their communities with a confidence based on due diligence and accountability. Because, as Mark accurately points out, “Canadians love Mexico!”
For more information visit www.AmistadCanada.org
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