Here at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we’re committed to partnering with organizations that create opportunities for Hispanic and Latino Americans to pursue leadership opportunities, engage in policy and advocacy to center community voices, and advance economic progress. For this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlight the phenomenal work led by national organizations serving Hispanic and Latino Americans year-round by driving prosperity, power, and progress across the nation. Here are just a few of our grantees doing great work within Hispanic and Latino communities:
California Latino School Boards Association
CLSBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring Latino/a/x students have the best educational opportunities and resources available to succeed. They are committed to meeting the educational needs for all Latino/a/x students by working with educational organizations and empowering current and future Latino/a/x School board members. Together, they seek to positively change and improve the educational outcomes for Latino/a/x students in California. Follow them at: @clsba
Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project
The mission of the CLYLP is to enhance and further develop the leadership potential of California’s youth as they prepare to become the future leaders of the state and nation. They do this by strengthening students’ knowledge of state and local politics; emphasizing the importance of cultural and family values; inspiring students to realize their potential through interaction with leaders; and encouraging students to continue their education by attending college. Follow them at: @CLYLP
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
CHCI is a non-profit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to developing the next generation of Latino leaders. They provide leadership, public service and policy experiences to outstanding Latino/a/x students and young professionals. Together, they convene with Members of Congress, public officials, corporate executives, and thought leaders to discuss issues facing the Hispanic community and nation. Follow them at: @CHCI
The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI)
CHLI is an organization founded by Members of Congress to advance the Hispanic community’s economic progress with a focus on social responsibility and global competitiveness. They help to advance diversity of thought by preparing future leaders through internships, fellowships, scholarships, and leadership conferences within the Hispanic community. Follow them at: @TheCHLI
Delores Huerta Foundation (DHF)
DFH is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire and organize communities to build volunteer organizations to pursue social justice. Their social justice grassroots works focuses on civic engagement, education equity, health and safety, and LGBTQIA+ equality. They believe that those most directly impacted by inequity have the knowledge to implement community driven solutions such as more parks, paved roads, pools, sewer connections, and much more. Follow them at: @DeloresHuertaFD
El Centro de la Raza
El Centro de la Raza (The Center for People of All Races) is a voice and a hub for the Latino community in Seattle and Martin Luther King, Jr. County through their 43 programs and services for low-income children, youth, families, and seniors of all backgrounds. They work to achieve equitable social and economic justice for all peoples and empower them to be fully involved in our community. Follow them at: @elcentro72
Hispanas Organized for Political Equality
HOPE – is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization in California committed to ensuring political and economic parity for Latinas through leadership, advocacy, and education to the benefit of all communities and the status of women. HOPE has focused on empowering communities through advocacy, Latina leadership training, and increasing knowledge on the contributions Latinas have made to advance the status of women for the past 30 years. Follow them at: @HOPELatinas
Latino Community Fund of Washington State
The Latino Community Fund cultivates new leaders, supports cultural and community-based non-profit organizations, and improves the quality of life for all Washingtonians. Their vision is a vibrant and civically engaged Latino community in Washington. LCF identifies, shares and advocates for what is working in the Latino community. LCF programs create a vibrant community through civic engagement, healthy families, arts and culture. Follow them at: @LCFWA
Latino Student Fund
LSF addresses disparities in access to education for underrepresented students in Washington, DC. LSF provides opportunities for a strong academic foundation for underserved PreK-12th grade students and their families to promote higher education and professional leadership by providing year-round, out-of-school-time programs for low-income, at-risk students and their families with the goal of increasing levels of educational attainment in the community. Follow them at: @LSFund
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)
NALEO is a non-profit, nonpartisan membership organization committed to ensuring the nation’s more than 6,800 Latino elected and appointed officials are effective advocates for the communities they serve. Members convene across the country and across the aisle to maintain a network of fellow leaders in times of crisis and beyond. Follow them at: @NALEO
RGV Focus
RGV Focus is a collective impact initiative created in collaboration with Educate Texas and Communities Foundation of Texas. Founded in 2012, their mission is to transform college readiness, access and success in the four counties of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, a region that is over 90 percent Latino: Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy. Follow them at @RGVFOCUS
Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation
Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation is dedicated and committed to analyzing, exploring, and deconstructing the political, economic, social, demographic, and familial attitudes, behaviors, and perspectives of Texas Hispanics and to understanding existing and emerging social, political, and commercial trends within the Texas Hispanic community. Follow them at: @TexHPF
UnidosUS
UnidosUS is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that serves at the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. They challenge the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels through a unique combination of expert research, advocacy programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico. Follow them at: @WeAreUnidosUS
We’re grateful to partner with these and other grantees that continue to lift Hispanic and Latino voices on a state and federal level while advancing the education and livelihoods of their local communities. It is through their advocacy and mentorship that Hispanic Heritage Month continues to center the contributions of past leaders and shine a light on the promise of emerging leaders.