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The Resource Foundation to Celebrate History of Empowering Communities in Latin America at Upcoming 25th Anniversary Gala

This year's annual benefit will be held on October 10th, at the New York Athletic Club

The Resource Foundation to Celebrate History of Empowering Communities in Latin America at Upcoming 25th Anniversary Gala

This year's annual benefit will be held on October 10th, at the New York Athletic Club

Published 09-09-13

Submitted by The Resource Foundation

The Resource Foundation (TRF) will celebrate the culmination of its 25th year working with U.S.-based donors to create lasting social change in Latin America and the Caribbean at its 25th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, October 10, at the New York Athletic Club.

TRF, a leading nonprofit organization based in New York City that facilitates philanthropic giving in Latin America and the Caribbean, has provided nearly $67 million in grants to support the work and build the capacity of effective local nonprofits in 29 countries since its founding in 1987. TRF was created by its founder and president, Loren Finnell, as a “scrappy start-up” to empower disadvantaged communities in the region with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to improve their own lives

A former Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador and seasoned international development consultant, Finnell believed that the best way to address development challenges is by supporting local solutions. He says, “I got to know local institutions…to see their needs, but also the advantage that being in the region represented. They knew the people, the issues, the language, and the culture, but lacked the resources.”

Thus, in 1987, Finnell founded TRF to serve as the bridge between donors and local development efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since then, says TRF Executive Director Marcela Lopez-Macedonio, “We have been connecting U.S. donors to effective, trusted nonprofits throughout Latin America that really understand the needs of their communities.”

Today, TRF has a growing list of corporate, foundation and individual donors, and a network of more than 270 local partners across the Americas and the Caribbean. Throughout its history, it has supported nearly 2,000 development projects in the region. In 2012 alone, TRF provided approximately $6 million in support of 217 programs in 25 countries, benefiting around 2 million people.

According to Lopez-Macedonio, “We would not be where we are today without the three cornerstones of our success: our founder’s vision, our board members and our donor partners.” In recognition, TRF will recognize its founder, Loren Finnell; its board members, Lawrence Prince and the late William Hockman; and one of its long-standing corporate partners, Johnson & Johnson, at the upcoming gala.

TRF’s local partners implement innovative self-help programs focused on education, vocational training, health care and HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, affordable housing, disaster relief, sustainable agriculture, microenterprise development and many other areas. Over the years, these initiatives have helped thousands of under-resourced families increase their self-reliance and improve their standards of living.

The 25th Anniversary Gala, which will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., is TRF’s annual fundraiser in support of its programs. The evening will include a silent and live auction, as well as a cocktail and dinner reception. Tickets can be purchased by email (gala2013@resourcefnd.org), online (www.resourcefnd.org/gala2013), or by calling (212) 675-6170. TRF is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible to the highest extent of the law.

For more information about TRF’s work or this event, visit www.resourcefnd.org or follow the organization on Facebook (www.facebook.com/resourcefnd).

About The Resource Foundation
The Resource Foundation (TRF) is a U.S. nonprofit organization that facilitates charitable giving from corporate, individual and foundation donors to the Americas and the Caribbean. Since 1987, TRF has helped donors optimize the impact of their philanthropy through specialized, tailored services. By forming partnerships with carefully vetted nonprofit organizations in 29 countries, TRF empowers the disadvantaged to gain the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to improve their lives. TRF is a founding member of the Alliance for International Giving. For more information, visit www.resourcefnd.org, or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/resourcefnd.

The Resource Foundation logo

The Resource Foundation

The Resource Foundation

The Resource Foundation (TRF) is a U.S. nonprofit organization that helps donors support effective, locally driven development programs in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada.

Founded in 1987, TRF provides tailored advisory, consulting and grant administration assistance to corporations, individuals and foundations interested in supporting high-impact programs throughout the region. Donors rely on TRF's regional expertise, multilingual staff and knowledge of the region’s nonprofits and programs to safely and securely support projects that make a difference.

Through partnerships, technical assistance and grants to carefully vetted organizations in 28 countries,TRF fulfills its mission to empower the disadvantaged so that they can have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to improve their lives.

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