AMIGOS 2014 Annual Report

2014 Annual Report

Dear Amigos, We believe in the power of young people to change the world.

Since 1965, AMIGOS has been the leader in providing international youth leadership programs for high school and college students. We prepare young people to be leaders engaged in an increasingly complex and globalized world.

In 2014, AMIGOS celebrated 50 years since our first summer preparing young people to do amazing things in the world. Since our founding, our approach and focus have evolved with the region from campaigns to eradicate polio, to community health and sanitation projects, to building leadership capacity in youth from the US and Latin America.

Sara Nathan, President & CEO

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Message from our leadership 2-3 2014 highlights 4-5 Programs 6 Gap & funded programs 7 Financials & International Board 8 - 10 Individual donors & corporate sponsors

2014 also brought many important advances for the organization. AMIGOS was selected as a partner in the Tufts 1+4 Bridge-Year Service Learning Program, implementing an academic year-long program for incoming Tufts students in Nicaragua. Additionally, AMIGOS expanded the Youth Ambassadors Program to Ecuador, as well as competed for and won a grant to implement the American Youth Leadership Program. This new program provides 18 financial aid awards for participants from Houston who will train in Ecuador then return to the US to carry out service initiatives in their home community.

We recognize that the global community currently faces numerous challenges such as inequality and poverty, global financial crisis, environmental sustainability, global warming, racism, health, and human rights issues. Just to name a few! Many of those social and political challenges can be overcome with improved cultural understanding and community engagement. That’s why the focus of AMIGOS today is on preparing our next generation of leaders across the Americas.

As we enter our 6th decade, we want to thank the generous alumni, donors, and friends who have supported our work in preparing young people to become lifelong catalysts for social change.

Sara Nathan

President & CEO Amigos de las AmĂŠricas

Scott Roberts Chairman International Board of Directors

2014 HIGHLIGHTS

•

• • •

Developed Global Leaders 606 US and 620 Latin American high school and college students received training in personal leadership, cultural competency, and community development through local and international AMIGOS programs.

Program participants collaborated with community members in 254 host communities in 9 countries in Latin America on service projects.

99 young professionals led 13 summer projects throughout Latin America.

30 families in the San Francisco Bay Area volunteered as host families for the AMIGOS Youth Ambassadors Program.

•

•

•

•

•

Launched New Programs Awarded two cooperative agreements by the US Department of State to fund 35 US participants and 45 South American participants in the Youth Ambassadors and American Youth Leadership Program in 2015. This is a 77% increase in the total number of grant funded participants annually.

Selected as a partner for the Tufts University 1+4 Bridge Year Service Program to administer AMIGOS Gap Year Programs for accepted students at Tufts University in the 2015-2016 academic year.

Earned Recognition Once again received an exceptional Four Star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities. The rating means that AMIGOS exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in our cause.

Earned the GuideStar Exchange Silver level, a leading symbol of our commitment to non-profit accountability and transparency. GuideStar is the premier source of non-profit information.

Attained the Better Business Bureau’s 20 Standards of Charitable Accountability for the 7th year in a row. We are accredited through the Greater Houston and South Texas organization.

www.amigoslink.org/spring2014

2

2014 HIGHLIGHTS

• • •

• • •

Improved Technical Infrastructure Hired our first ever IT manager and eliminated the need for external technical support.

Improved flight processes and checks with the use of Salesforce by integrating itineraries with participants’ project assignment information.

Expanded outreach with the utilization of lead email automation in ExactTarget and the newly acquired ability to send mass emails via Salesforce reports.

Exceeded Fundraising Goals Raised more than $409,000 in 2014 thanks to our generous supporters.

Received more than $119,000 from foundations and corporations.

Selected as the charitable recipient of the Kiwanis Sealy Fall Classic, a bike race held in October 2014, by the Kiwanis Foundation of Houston.

3

SUMMER PROGRAMS

AMIGOS continued to partner with Grupo Social FEPP and Plan International Ecuador. In 2014, a new youth entrepreneurship curriculum was implemented in which AMIGOS participants worked with local youth in their host communities to design and launch small businesses.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Cajamarca, Peru

Yucatán, Mexico

AMIGOS continued successful partnerships with Plan International Peru and Ayuda en Acción and began a new partnership with CEDEPAS Norte. AMIGOS participants addressed themes relating to environmental protection, children’s rights, youth participation, and health education.

Young leaders from our US partner organization, Summer Search, worked with communities in the Yucatán in collaboration with the Cultural Center of Yaxunah, Save the Children Mexico, and local non-profit ALTER-INT.

Perez Zeledón, Costa Rica

For the third year, AMIGOS participants in Costa Rica alternated between living in a host community and carrying out community service in a national park. Costa Rican students, recruited and trained by partner agency Casa de la Juventud, volunteered alongside AMIGOS participants each week in the park.

Bahoruco, AMIGOS opened a new work area in Bahoruco in partnership with World Vision. AMIGOS particDominican Republic ipants carried out community initiatives and extracurricular activities focused on sports, leadership, and creative expression.

4

SUMMER PROGRAMS

AMIGOS participants worked with one of three different local development organizations in Oaxaca: Puente a la Salud Comunitaria, CAMPO, and Servicios de Salud Oaxaca. Activities were focused on nutrition and food sovereignty, environmental education, and public health.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Madriz, Nicaragua

Matagalpa, Nicaragua

AMIGOS participants worked on a public health and creative expression program in collaboration with three local development organizations: ADIC, UCA San Ramon, and CESEMA.

AMIGOS participants worked on an environmental awareness and community health program with the support of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) and the Ministry of the Environment (ANAM).

Coclé, Panama

San Juan, Dominican Republic

AMIGOS continued our long-time successful partnership with Plan International DR. US participants partnered with young leaders from their host communities to carry out educational summer camps for children and local community initiatives.

Paraguarí, Paraguay

Barranquilla, Colombia

Participants worked to complement Plan International Nicaragua’s activities centered on fostering local youth participation in educational and service activities and participated in campaigns to increase awareness about children’s rights.

Participants working with SENASA collaborated with technicians in latrine construction and basic community health education. Participants working with Plan International Paraguay facilitated summer camps for children and carried out local community initiatives.

AMIGOS participants enrolled in Universidad del Norte (UNINORTE) for two weeks intensive coursework focused on social immersion and service learning from an anthropological perspective. Upon completion of coursework, students lived and worked in host communities with local organizations. Colombian university students from UNINORTE’s campus volunteer organization, Univoluntarios, served side-by-side with AMIGOS participants for the duration of the program.

5

GAP PROGRAMS Gap Year & Gap Semester The Gap Year and Gap Semester program in Nicaragua offered a four or eight-month internship in collaboration with our local partner agencies. This longer program allowed for a more in-depth experience in Latin America and its communities. The program provided high school graduates and college-aged students a head start and an opportunity to enrich their worldview before deciding on a career path.

Students lived with host families, participated in community development internships, and went on excursions throughout Nicaragua.

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS Summer Search In 2014, AMIGOS partnered with Summer Search to operate our third year of specialized programming in Yucatรกn, Mexico for their students. AMIGOS plays a key role in the multiyear leadership development program that Summer Search implements for first generation college-bound students throughout the United States.

Youth Ambassadors The AMIGOS Youth Ambassadors Program is a leadership development, cultural exchange, and community service program funded by the US Department of State. This year, AMIGOS administered the Youth Ambassadors Program in Paraguay, Uruguay, and the San Francisco Bay Area. During their international training, participants learned about and engaged with US and South American history and culture through host family stays, service work with US and South American peers, and visits to cultural and historic sites. The international training provided Youth Ambassadors with hands on experience in the design and implementation of community-based initiative. After returning home from the international training, each participant carried out a community project in his/her home community.

6

6

FINANCIALS Total Revenue in 2014 4%

Total Expenses in 2014

9%

13% 12%

Public support

9% Programs and training

Grant Revenue

Fundraising

Program income

G&A

Other income 78%

74%

Total Revenue: $4.2 million

Total Expenses: $4.1 million

If you would like to receive a copy of the audited finacial statements, please send your request to Jacque Fuller at jfuller@amigoslink.org.

INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Scott Roberts (Chair), Michael Kercheval (Treasurer), Karen Crossley (Secretary), J. Dayton Voorhees, III, M.D. (Medical Director), Alan J. Wolf (Legal Counsel)

DIRECTORS Doug Alexander (Foundation Director), Roma Arellano, David Baron, MD, Doug Beeman, Kelly Burkholder, Thomas J. Edwards, Eitan Fenson, Patricia Grad (2nd Vice Chair), Angela Graves, Andy Howick (Vice Chair), Dena Korsgard (Chapter Director), Russell Langsam, Breen Lorenz, Sara Nathan (Ex officio) President and CEO, Bart Putterman, MD, Yohanna Romero Baca, Ann Starr, Julie Taylor, MD, MPH, Libby Udelson (Project Staff Director), Holly Vander Schaaf (Project Staff Director), Raquel Wexler

7

INDIVIDUAL DONORS AMIGOS would like to recognize and thank all of our generous supporters who gave over $1,000 to make our work in 2014 a reality: Douglas and Stacy Alexander Eric and Cindy Arbanovella William and Catherine Arnold Samantha E. Barbee Douglass and Margaret Beeman Elizabeth Blowers-Nyman and Jay Nyman James and Judith Bozeman Delia Brinton Kelly Burkholder and Mary Bouley Lauren Eve Cantor Thomas Cattarin Emma and Edward Cazier III John and Judy Cedarholm Raja Chatterjee Sarah and Ryan Collins Donald and Patricia Cook Karen and Alan Crossley Joseph Crownover and Jennifer Langdon Tom and Julie Edwards Charles E. Evans, MD Susan and Phil Evard Stephanie Falkenstein and Subir Kumedan Eitan M. Fenson Dane and Mary Fetherling Hugh and Katherine Force Donald and Martha Kaplan Freedman Denise Fries and Robert Jensen Patricia Selcke Grad and Benjamin Grad Alec Graham Beth Guthrie-Radwanski Thomas Carmichael and Catherine Hayden Henry and Suzanne Herzing Kevin and Tammy Holme Scott W. Horsley

Andrew Raymond Howick Laurie W. Howick Adolfo Jimenez and Ulrike Falkenberg Christopher Johnson, MD and Cynthia Pekow, DVM Janice Elaine Miller Jones Michael and Marsha Joyce Michael and Dana Kercheval Steve and Maria Claudia Kirk Wade and Donna Lamson Lydia Luz Mary Rose Maglio Milton Mann Kelly Edith McMullen, MD and Daniel Bowles Anne A. Morriss Sara and Andrew Nathan Justin and Elizabeth Cooley Nelson David and Susanne Newswanger Patricia Rosenberg and Scott Nichols Barb and Will Noel Bart and Ilene Putterman David and Juann Quinto Paul and Elizabeth Reidy Scott and Catherine Roberts Milton and Lisa Roney Stephen and Susanna Sharpe Barrett K. Sides Joe and Alice Specht Mary Ann Stanley Ann Starr and Stephen Beasley Mary L. Stelletello Sarah A. Tukman Dayton Voorhees III, MD and Sara Voorhees Robert and Suzanne Werner LaNoe and Robert Westheimer Laura Wexler and Andreas Ruckriegel

8

CORPORATE & FOUNDATION SPONSORS We would also like to warmly acknowledge the following generous corporations and foundations: Amegy Bank of Texas The Brown Foundation, Inc., of Houston Fieldstone Partners Greater Houston Community Foundation HCC Services Company Houston First Corporation Jackson Walker, LLP Kauffman Family Foundation Kiwanis Foundation of Houston Lift Source Machinery Ltd. Meadowview Foundation Omidyar Network Fund, Inc. PureCircle SA Seattle Foundation Stone Church of Willow Glen Presbyterian UBS Matching Gift Program United Airlines Woodway Financial Advisors

9

AMIGOS FOUNDATION DONORS 6 We would like to recognize and thank the donors, chapters, charitable foundations, and corporations that supported the long-term strategic priorities of AMIGOS through the Foundation for Amigos de las Américas with generous gifts of $1,000 or more: Amigos de las Américas Boston Chapter Amigos de las Américas Chicago North Chapter Amigos de las Américas Colorado Chapter Amigos de las Américas Marin County Chapter Amigos de las Américas Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter Amigos de las Américas New York City Chapter Amigos de las Américas Portland Chapter Amigos de las Américas Salt Lake City Chapter Douglas and Stacy Alexander David Baron and Pamela Mann Elizabeth Blowers-Nyman and Jay Nyman Kelly Burkholder and Mary Bouley Emma and Edward Cazier III Karen and Alan Crossley Eitan M. Fenson Patricia Selcke Grad and Benjamin Grad Michael and Johanna Gridley

Andrew Raymond Howick Michael and Dana Kercheval Merck Foundation Merrill Lynch Private Banking & Investment Group Douglas Paisley II and Susan Paisley Bart and Ilene Putterman Scott and Catherine Roberts Milton and Lisa Roney Stephen and Susanna Sharpe Paul and DiAnne Stebbins Mary L. Stelletello Strake Foundation Dayton Voorhees III, MD and Sara Voorhees Walmart Foundation Weatherspoon Charitable Foundation Dorn Wenninger and Dominique Schulenburg H. S. Wright III and Kate Janeway Janet and James Zimmermann