One of the best ways to help communities you care about is by supporting organizations that actively advocate for the community’s rights, physical and mental health, education, success, and overall quality of life. Educating yourself and practicing empathy are great first steps––you can take it a step further by donating monetarily or donating your time and resources. We’ve compiled a list of 12 amazing organizations that are doing incredible work to enrich and empower Latin communities. Check them out!
1. Hispanic Scholarship Fund
As the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund empowers Latino families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as many exceptional Hispanic American students as possible. HSF also seeks to give its Scholars all the tools they need to do well in their course work, graduate, enter a profession, excel, help lead our nation going forward, and mentor the generations to come.
2. Hispanic Heritage Foundation
This award-winning non-profit “identifies, inspires, prepares, and connects Latino Leaders in the community, classroom, and workforce.” The Hispanic Heritage Foundation works as a bridge between young Latino students and soon-to-be professionals, and the community and workforce.
3. The Committee for Hispanic Families and Children (CHFC)
The CHFC is an educational, non-profit organization that aims to support the system and continuum of learning for Hispanic children and youth. They focus on early care, youth development, community engagement, and policy and advocacy. Council for Latino Workplace Equity (CLWE) Under the umbrella of the National Diversity Council, the purpose of the Council for Latino Workplace Equity is to foster workplace equity for Latino talent and seek inclusion and opportunity for Latino leaders to claim their place at the table with certainty and conviction.
4. The Committee for Hispanic Families and Children
The Committee for Hispanic Families and Children focuses on developing and promoting social programs to help low-income Hispanic families and children to improve their quality of life in such areas as youth development, immigrant services, child care, public policy, advocacy, HIV/AIDS prevention, and sexual education. As they state themselves, "CHCF combines education, capacity-building, and advocacy to strengthen the support system and continuum of learning for children and youth."
5. Cesar Chavez Foundation
Cesar Chavez rose to prominence because he fought for migrant workers. And though the Cesar Chavez Foundation has worked to improve the lives of farmworkers for more than 40 years, they also want to help the Latino community in other areas
6. Latino STEM Alliance
Latino STEM Alliance sees STEM education as a key step in a career ladder for economically disadvantaged populations who may be less likely to pursue these opportunities without strong encouragement and support. We partner with schools and community organizations to address the challenge through inspiration—helping children imagine themselves in STEM fields—and empowerment—giving children access to hands-on STEM learning.
7. United We Dream (National)
United We Dream is a national, immigrant, youth-led organization dedicated to elevating immigrant voices. They focus on empowering immigrants regardless of their legal status to fight for justice and dignity for immigrants and all people.
8. Voto Latino (National)
Voto Latino is a civic media organization that seeks to transform America by recognizing and promoting Latinx leadership. Over the past 15 years, they've worked to help organize and activate Latinx communities across the country to build a stronger and more inclusive democracy.
9. Make the Road New York (New York City)
Make the Road New York (MRNY) is the largest progressive grassroots immigrant-led organization in New York state, working on issues of workers' rights, immigrant and civil rights, environmental and housing justice, and more. MRNY provides an array of services such as educational trainings, legal services, and even health services for the Latinx community and beyond.
10. Latino Equality Alliance (Los Angeles)
The Latino Equality Alliance is an LA-based organization advocating for equity, safety, and wellness for the Latinx LGBTQ+ community. They focus their efforts on recruiting and developing leaders within the community who'll continue to champion their causes moving forward.
11. NALEO
NALEO Educational Fund is the nation’s leading non-profit, non-partisan organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service. Founded in 1981, NALEO Educational Fund achieves its mission through integrated strategies that include increasing the effectiveness of Latino policymakers, mobilizing the Latino community to engage in civic life, and promoting policies that advance Latino political engagement. They provide national leadership on key issues that affect Latino participation in our political process, including immigration and naturalization, voting rights, election reform, the Census, and the appointment of qualified Latinos to top executive and judicial positions.
12. Chicanos Por La Causa
Chicanos Por La Causa was founded in 1969 to confront the oppression facing Latinos in Phoenix, Arizona as part of the movement led by Cesar Chavez. Now, they are one of the largest Hispanic nonprofits in the country, promoting stronger and healthier communities throughout the southwestern United States. Their vibrant community presence spans a comprehensive range of bilingual and bi-cultural services in Health & Human Services, Housing, Education, and Economic Development.
Hero photo courtesy of Adilene Garcia Weddings
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