2025 Impact Report
Letter from the Board President
Bolton, and the establishment of our rst endowed fund by Judy and Dan Bauer. Between these benchmarks the recently expanded Pro-DIA team worked tirelessly to strengthen the wellbeing of communities through sustainable economic development projects, nancial literacy programs, investments in dental health and education. In the pages which follow you’ll nd summaries of some of the projects that were completed. All of this work was made possible by your sustained support for our e orts.
We are also eager to tell you what is proposed for the year ahead. In 2026 we will launch an e ort to mark Ralph Bolton’s legacy through a substantial expansion of our rotating fund and water projects. As you may know the rotating funds are a unique method that makes it possible to for local communities and associations to access funds to implement sustainable economic development projects. We will seek funding up to 10 such projects in 2026. The cost of the projects range between $1,500 and $7,000.
Providing clean access to water will be another emphasis in 2026. The Chijnaya Foundation Board will consider three possible projects. The Water Projects help an entire community. They depend upon the contribution of land and the investment of labor from each community. We hope to raise su cient funding to undertake up to three water projects in 2026. Each water project requires an investment of up to $10,000 and we hope our donors will want to make this
Finally, we have just completed the review of our scholarship applicants and I am delighted to report that we once again have a strong pool of candidates. With your support we hope to be able, once again, to support up to 50 young scholars from our rural communities.
Please join us in these e orts in the Peruvian altiplano. Your investment is essential, and it will have an enormous and positive impact in the lives of so many. Please join us to honor Ralph Bolton’s legacy and help us expand our e orts as we enter a new decade.
The Chijnaya Foundation was built upon the vision and values of our founder, Ralph Bolton, whose life’s work was rooted in deep respect for Andean communities and a belief in true partnership for lasting change. As an anthropologist who spent decades living and working alongside Indigenous communities in Peru, Ralph gained a profound understanding of local culture, social systems, and the importance of trust. This perspective shaped every program he created — ensuring that solutions were not imposed from the outside, but developed collaboratively with the people they were meant to serve. His academic work and eld experience gave him rare insight into what truly strengthens communities over time.
Central to Ralph’s philosophy was his commitment to sustainable, community-based investment over short-term aid or conventional microloans. He recognized that economic empowerment works best when resources remain within the community and are guided by shared accountability. This belief led to the creation of the Rotating Funds Program, a model in which families collectively manage and reinvest funds for livestock, small businesses, and essential needs. The program not only expands economic opportunity but also reinforces cooperation, dignity, and resilience — principles deeply informed by Ralph’s anthropological understanding of communal systems and reciprocity.
As we look toward 2026, we are committed to honoring Ralph Bolton’s extraordinary legacy in ways that re ect the causes closest to his heart. We honor his enduring legacy by launching the Sustainers Monthly Giving Program, a commitment to long-term, community-driven impact — just as Ralph envisioned. Through consistent monthly support, Sustainers will fund vital clean water initiatives and strengthen our Rotating Funds projects, empowering families to build sustainable livelihoods with dignity. This program transforms generosity into lasting change, ensuring Ralph’s belief in partnership over handouts continues for generations to come.
Please visit our website to make a contribution, or email makensie@chijnaya.org for more information.
Honoring Ralph Bolton
Where We Work
The Chijnaya Foundation works in the Puno region of Peru, a southern state that borders Bolivia. In Puno, our work is focused in the altiplano, a geographic area of high altitude plains and rolling hills that is located at elevations of 12,500 feet and above. The Foundation has worked with communities in the following six districts in Puno: Pucará, Choquehuanca, Taraco, Paratía, Capachica, and Amantaní.
2025 $333,744
Accumulated, managed, and reinvested by 48 communities since 2007 $1,493,179
Persons directly bene tting from the Rotating Fund program 7,132
2025 Highlighted Rotating Funds Projects
Ceramic Workshops
The main objective of this initiative was to protect Asociación de Cerámica Innovada de Pucará’s ceramic products from the uncertainties of nature such as frost, wind, and torrential rains during the months of September to March. This project constructed roo ng that shelters their work from the elements and allows for su cient production levels, ensuring that the handcrafted products reached consumers more e ectively.
Solar Heated Water
The Lampayuni community, on Amantaní Island on Lake Titicaca, previously bene ted from a water project. In order to continue providing an improved experience for the tourists who visited their island, they planned to implement solar panels to heat their water and provide warm showers for their guests.
Alfalfa Seeds
The members of the Pukarani – Nicasio Association were engaged in agricultural activities, raising cows that produced milk; some also grew products such as potatoes, quinoa, and cañihua. The income of the families came from the sale of milk and oat bales. By diversifying the cows’ diet with alfalfa, the bene ciaries of the project increased their income by at least 5% through their earnings from the sale of milk.
Construction of Feeders
This project will support the installation of cattle troughs to improve the feeding and care of livestock. The troughs will allow farmers to provide forage and supplemental feed in a cleaner, more controlled way, reducing waste and ensuring that cattle receive adequate nutrition. By improving feeding practices and the animals’ overall health, the project will help increase the production of milk and other cattle-derived products. This, in turn, will enable families to generate additional income through the sale of these products while strengthening their livestock management practices.
Community: Comunidad Campesina Angará Bajo
Beneficiaries: 12
Amount to invest: $3,750
your donation. Contact makensie@chijnaya.org for more info.
Purchase of Alfalfa Seeds
All of the bene ciaries are smallholder farmers who rely primarily on livestock and agricultural production for their livelihoods, with fewer than half supplementing their income through small-scale commerce. This project aims to increase families’ milk production by planting and cultivating alfalfa for cattle consumption. As a nutrient-rich forage, alfalfa will improve the cattle’s diet by providing higher levels of protein and energy than traditional grazing alone.
Community: Nueva Betania
Beneficiaries: 18
Amount to invest: $3,125
Purchase of Display Cases
This project will support the purchase of display cases that allow local potters to properly showcase their ceramic work. By providing a clean, organized, and professional way to present their pottery, artisans will be able to highlight the quality and craftsmanship of their products, making them more attractive to customers. Improved product visibility and presentation will help increase sales opportunities, allowing families to generate greater income from their pottery.
Community: Virgen de Copacabana
Beneficiaries: 10
Amount to invest: $2,362
Purchase of Grinders and Mills
This project will support the purchase of grinders and mills that allow families to process grains and other feed ingredients for their cattle. By grinding and preparing feed locally, farmers can provide more nutritious and easily digestible food for their animals, improving their overall diet and health.
Shed Implementation
This project will support the construction of sheds for cattle to provide shelter and improve their overall wellbeing. Protecting livestock from harsh weather conditions such as intense sun, rain, and cold will reduce stress and illness while creating a healthier environment for the animals. With better protection and care, cattle are more likely to maintain good health and productivity, leading to improved milk and livestock production. As a result, families will be able to generate greater income through the sale of dairy products and other cattle-derived goods while strengthening their livestock management practices.
Community: Las Mercedes - Chijnaya
Beneficiaries: 50
Amount to invest: $3,750
Purchase of Alfalfa Seeds
This project will support the purchase of alfalfa seeds for families to cultivate high-quality forage for their cattle. Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich crop that provides essential protein and energy, helping to improve the animals’ diet beyond what natural grazing alone can provide. By supplementing cattle feed with alfalfa, farmers can strengthen animal health and increase milk production. Improved livestock productivity will allow families who depend on cattle for their livelihoods to generate greater income through the sale of milk and other dairy products.
Community: J. D. Choquehuanca
Beneficiaries: 10
Amount to invest: $3,125
This project will support the purchase of extruders used in the preparation of raw materials for ceramic production, which is the primary source of income for many families in the community. These tools will allow artisans to more e ciently process clay and other materials, improving the consistency and quality of the ceramic products they create. By strengthening the production process and reducing the time and labor required to prepare materials, potters will be able to increase their output and improve the quality of their work.
Community: Nuevo Amanecer Kojra
Beneficiaries: 6
Amount to invest: $3,750
Water Projects
Three separate projects will provide access to clean water for households across the entire community through the installation of a safe and reliable water system. Access to clean water will signi cantly improve daily living conditions by reducing the time families spend collecting water and lowering the risk of waterborne illnesses. Reliable water access will support healthier families, better sanitation, and stronger community wellbeing. In addition, having clean water available at home will allow families to dedicate more time to their productive activities, strengthening local livelihoods and overall community development.
The Savings Program
Waqaychasun,
“Together we’ll save.”
Access to loans with fair interest rates has long been a challenge for rural communities in Peru. The Group Savings Program addressed this need by supporting the formation of small savings groups and community banks, giving members a safe, local place to save money and access loans. All funds saved and loaned were generated by the members themselves. This model enabled groups to o er low-interest loans, with all interest earned reinvested directly
In 2025 members reported allocating their savings and loans to agriculture, livestock, handicrafts and trade, generating income for families. In addition, 63% of participants obtained nancial education certi cation, strengthening human capital and the sustainability of the program. 80% of the 21 solidarity groups operate in a self-sustaining manner, with
Also in 2025, in partnership with the NGO CARE Peru, ve nancial education modules were implemented for 15 savings groups, using digital tools provided by the NGO’s Máxima
The Scholarship Program
Since 2007, The Chijnaya Foundation has responded to the growing demand among rural families for access to higher education by awarding scholarships to high school graduates pursuing university and technical studies. In 2013, these scholarship recipients came together to form Mosoq Riqchari—meaning “New Dawn” in Quechua.
Mosoq Riqchari meets regularly throughout the year, creating a space for students to share experiences, support one another, and apply their academic training to projects that address pressing needs in their home communities. Through this collective work, students are empowered not only to give back, but also to develop leadership skills and practice self-governance. The group further serves as a vital support network for students from neighboring communities, many of whom are the rst in their families to pursue higher education.
In 2025 the students of Mosoq Riqchari implemented projects focused on the following areas:
- Local tourism
- Reading Club
- Environmental projects
- Reforestation
- Values and emotional intelligence building
- Money management
- Community hygiene and anemia prevention
- Solid waste management plans
51
Scholarships awarded in 2025
748
Scholarships awarded to students from 27 di erent communities in the altiplano since 2007
The Health Program
A 2017 report by the Peruvian Ministry of Health identi ed Puno as one of the three regions in Peru with the highest prevalence of dental cavities among children aged 3 to 15. The ndings were alarming: more than 98% of children in these regions were a ected by cavities, largely due to inadequate oral hygiene practices and limited access to regular dental care. These conditions not only cause pain and infection, but also interfere with nutrition, school attendance, and overall well-being.
In response to this urgent and repeatedly expressed need from local communities, The Chijnaya Foundation established its Dental Program in 2010. The program focuses on preventive and curative care, prioritizing uoride treatments, restorative dental services, and educational workshops that promote lifelong oral health habits among children. In addition, the Foundation organizes several community-wide dental clinics each year, expanding access to essential dental services for adults and helping to improve oral health outcomes across entire communities.
22,709
Fluoride and curative dental treatments provided since 2013 dental treatments (root canals, medications, and uoridations) were completed in 2025 alone.
714
training on dental hygiene and hygiene kits to support healthy habits at home in 2025
Other 2025 Initiatives
honoring traditional knowledge and sustainable land stewardship.
Complementing these e orts is the Chijnaya Foundation’s Volunteer Program, which partners with local college students eager to apply their academic skills in real-world community settings. Students work alongside community members on projects ranging from education support to infrastructure and environmental initiatives, gaining valuable professional experience while contributing meaningfully to local development. This program fosters leadership, collaboration, and long-term investment in the communities we serve—creating a powerful bridge between higher education and grassroots impact.
Our Board of Directors
Executive Committee:
Susan C. BourquePresident
David Cajo CosavalenteExecutive Director Pro-DIA
Liz Klarich - Secretary
Kathy Oths - Vice President
Michael J. RensinkTreasurer
Staff:
Makensie BrownSenior Operations Manager
Leadership Circle
Gifts of $1,000 and up
Anke Dew
Abigail Levine
Alida Metcalf & Daniel Rigney
Amber Bourque
Anke Dew
Ann Stromberg
Asela Gunawardana
Charles Haug
Christine Shelton
Connie Jaquith
Cynthia McClintock
Dan & Judith Bauer
David Buchner and Marian Huhman
Diane Palmer
Donald Dyche & Phyllis Cummins
Elysia Solomon
Fernando Mendez & Vivian
Morgan-Mendez
Gloria Levin
Ian Dew
James Bass
Jeremy Hobbs
John N. Bryan IV
John Rouse
Judy Farmer & Connie Knapp
Kathleen McCartney & William Hagen
Kathryn Sue Oths
Keelung Hong
Laurie Sanders & Frederic Morrison
Leah Sanders
Leo Schoenhofen
Martha Egan
Mike Rensink
New England Biolabs Foundation
Paul E. & Peggy Slater
Peggy Slater
Penina Glazer
Roland Moore & Marlowe Baldwin
Robert & Elizabeth Boylan
Robert & Susan Knox
Sally & James Lindsey
Susan Barrett
Susie Bourque
Vikki Lenhart
Western Wind Foundation
William Dressler
William Mitchell
Board Members:
Dan Bauer
Judy Bauer
Carla Dahl-Jorgensen
Judith Farmer
Abby Levine
Roland Moore
Ricardo Roca Torres
John Rouse
Christine Shelton
Richard Waller
George Whitman
Emeritus Members:
Anne Bages
Eugene Bolton
Jerome Crowder
Robert O. Frost
Connie Jaquith
Peggy Slater
Ann Stromberg
Raymond Rifenburg
Heather Williams
Friends of the Foundation
Gifts of $500 - $1,000
Alida Metcalf & Daniel Rigney
Camille DeFrank & Edward Chez
Carol Doolittle
Charles Haug
Charles & Karen Staelin
David W. Brown
Frederick & Maria Cornelius
Ian Dew
Jackie Gri th
Jane & Clif Taylor
Jane Jaquette & Abe Lowenthal
John and Marianna Connolly
John Davis & Jason He ner Davis
Katherine Gabel
Liz Klarich
Margo Smith
Mark and Jean Farmer
Mary Clare Wilkinson
Melody A Foti
Nicholas Perakis
Peter Hofman
Robert and Suzanne O'Hatnick
Robin LaMonte
Stephen & Sharon Willey
Suzanne Frayser
Theodore Terry Clattenburg
Tom Lockard & Alix Marduel
William & Susan Parsons
Advocates
Gifts up to $500
Alan Wick
Alicia Boswell
Alicia Boswell
Allan Hoben
Andrew W. Zanella
Becky and Ron Harris-Warrick
Becky Henderson & Dan Kowalski
Bernard T. & Catherine Rocca III
Bill & Carmen Bollinger
Bob and Julie Beanblossom
Bob Brannon
Brian Bauer & Eliana Gamarra
Brian Polovoy
Brooke Thomas
Carol Doolittle
Carol F. Meyer
Carol G. Salinas
Catherine J. Allen
Cecilia Riddell
Charlene Bolton
Cheryl McFadden
Christina Conlee
Christine Scordato
Daniel & Lissa Petersen
Daryl Smith
David and Sherry Bourque
Debbie Cottrell
Deborah Veneziale
Delia Anderson
Douglas and Karen Raybeck
Dr. Elizabeth Abell
Edward & Margarita Glab
Elizabeth Arkush
Elizabeth Briody & Marc Robinson
Elizabeth R. Moynihan
Eric and Amy Montgomery
Esther Kisamore
Fatma Kassamali & Kim Bruce
Frederick and Maria Cornelius
Gabriel Klapman
Garry Chick
George R. and Dorothy N. Gamble
Geraldine M. Benson
Glenn Blumhorst
Gloria Levitas
Greg White & Patricia Reidy
Gregory Larson
Gwen Harrison
Hans Sono Jimenez
Harriet & John Taylor
Howard & Diane Sachs
Jacquelyn & William Daley
James A. & Claire M Metcalfe
James Olson
James Wallace
Jane Bryden & Christopher Krueger
Jane Douglass
Janet McGrath & David Zordan
Jean Bloom
Je rey Chernin & Peter Nardi
Joe & Phoebe Wiley
John and Linda Dressman
John and Sigrid Southworth
John Cooper
John Davis & Jason He ner Davis
John G. Bemis
Jose & Rose Calderon
Joshua and Peter Tobiessen
Judith Helzner
Judith Ratcli e
Judy Yates
Kenneth Erickson
Kitty Corbett
Lawrence Soderholm & Judith Parr
Lee Carlin
Linda & Ken Stoltz
Linda Laird
Linda Moore
M.L. Church
Madelynn & Ralph Appelbaum
Marcy & Neil Alexander
Margaret Slater
Marie & John Stoutland
Mark & Carolyn Landis
Mark Aldenderfer
Martha Ackelsburg & Judith Plaskow
Mary Patterson McPherson
Matthew Seddon
Matthew Velasco
Maynard Wheeler
Mel Badway
Merry Keefe
Michael & Angela Moyer
Michael & Joanne Bailis
Michael Hirsh
Michael Rouse
Michiko Okaya
Mike and Barbara Coleman
Molly McLaughlin
N. Roger Chapin
Nyla E. Musser
Patrick Peterson
Paul Killebrew
Paula & Michael Koshmrl
Paula and Charles Goldsmid
Peter and Wanda Michaelson
Phoebe Weil
Ralph Bolton
Ralph Slaght & Susan Bauman
Richard M. Barron
Richard Muirhead
Robert A Shivers
Robert and Janet Bissell
Robert Libutti
Robert Olin
Rolly Thompson
Ronald & Judith Inskeep
Rosemary and Franco Arnold
Sally Bourque-Laycsak & Joe Laycsak
Samantha Roberts
Sara Abraham
Sara Bourque
Sarah Abraham
Shana Hennigan
Sheila Gaa
Sidney H. & Judith S. Golub
Stephen Schnitker
Steve Rothert
Steven Bosiljevac
Steven Oder & Robin Nuskind
Sue Schafer
Susan & Eric Mangler
Susan Ball
Susan McConnell
Susan Phelps
Sylvia Bates
Teall & Cynthia Messer
Thomas & Margaret Greaves
Thomas Divine
Thomas Hunsdorfer
Thomas Thompson
Todd Peebles
Victor Walker & Mary E Seetch
Virginia Cesan
Walter Palmer
Wayne and Anita South
Wendy Stickel
Wilson Will
WM. Eversen
Yanina Vargas
Organizations
Give Lively Foundation
Global Giving
JP Morgan Charitable
New England Biolabs
Patient First
Western Wind Foundation
Legacy Society*
Connie Jaquith
Dan & Judy Bauer
Judith Farmer & Dr. Connie Knapp
Michael J Rensink MD
Ralph Bolton
Susan Barrett
Susan C. Bourque
* These individuals have designated the Chijnaya Foundation in their estate plans or wills. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact us at info@chijnaya.org.
Planned Giving
You can make a planned gift by naming The Chijnaya Foundation as a beneficiary in your will. A planned gift will continue your legacy of generosity beyond your lifetime and support projects in southern Peru long into the future.
Annual & Monthly Giving
Annual gifts are vital to meeting our budget and sustaining our programs throughout the year. Monthly giving provides steady support that allows us to plan ahead and serve communities consistently.
IRA Charitable Rollover
You can make a difference while also reducing your tax liability! If you are 73 or older and own an IRA, the IRA Charitable Rollover allows you to make a charitable gift and satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
Charitable Gift Annuity
This is essentially a contract between you, the donor and us, a charity, that provides you with a fixed income for life in exchange for a donation to the foundation.
Appreciated Stock
This is a donation of stock that has increased in value since it was purchased. Donating appreciated stock can provide tax benefits for you and can help us keep the full value of the donation.
Other Ways to Give
Shop at Ebay and Kroger to donate at no extra cost! You can also start a fundraiser, create a named scholarship, or make a tribute gift. There are so many different ways that you can get involved and help us make a difference.
* For more details or questions about how to give, please contact us at info@chijnaya.org.
