Organization: The Resource Foundation

All Photos The Resource Foundation strives to empower the disadvantaged in Latin America and the Caribbean so that they can gain the skills, knowledge and opportunities to improve their lives. We do this by ensuring that donors' support goes to self-help projects being implemented by reputable and effective non-governmental organizations in the region that are familiar with the needs of the population they serve and experienced and knowledgeable enough to ensure the impact and success of the projects.

Focus Areas:	Arts, Children, Technology, Disaster Relief, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Poverty, Gender & Equality, Microfinance
Countries Served:	All 16 countries: Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Costa Rica Dominican Republic Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Peru El Salvador Uruguay Venezuela   Summary by region: Latin America & Caribbean

Description of Services:
To increase the institutional capacity of local NGOs, The Resource Foundation provides valued services, such as: Vetting, Technical Information and Assistance, Representation, Training, Fundraising and Networking. To help US donors give effectively to the region, The Resource Foundation also offers individualized services. It identifies sustainable, effective NGOs throughout Latin America to implement programs matching donors' specific civic objectives. It conducts due diligence, provides proposals in desired formats and supplies the legal and operational framework for funds transfers to the chosen agency. It conducts oversight and provides semiannual reports. It also assists with PR and volunteer activities related to programs.
History:
The Resource Foundation was established in 1987 by individuals from both developed and developing nations who were united in the beliefs that 1) local responses to need situations are more efficient and effective than expatriate ones, 2) the empowerment of private development organizations (PDOs) accelerates the development process, and 3) knowledgeable funders of socio-economic initiatives seek to partner with effective PDOs and support their programs. Currently, The Resource Foundation works with 42 member PDOs in 16 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Accomplishments & Progress:
Charity Navigator, the nation?s premier independent charity evaluator, has awarded The Resource Foundation (TRF) its highest rating of four-stars for its organizational efficiency and sound fiscal management for two consecutive years (2008 and 2009). This is an honor that only 19% of rated charities receive. TRF has provided more than $40 million to support 900 projects in 25 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2008, TRF funded 205 projects that benefited over 4.9 million people. In Fall 2006, TRF's Founder and Executive Director received the Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service. In 2007, TRF joined with Give2Asia and the King Baudouin Foundation US to form the Alliance of International Giving.