As we reviewed the progress of the year 2022, we noticed that projects that were under design began to be activated, thus igniting the spark that brought them to life. We have chosen the concept of “spark” to frame this annual report because it means: small particles of light that are released when two hard surfaces are rubbed together. Those “sparks” ignite, start, celebrate... which is just what we have metaphorically achieved in this year in the communities.
We saw a spark of entrepreneurship ignited in five organizations that confirmed their critical role in the communities and, through the installation of renewable energy and storage systems, become centers of resilience. The spark was also lit for the celebration of the establishment of the Puerto Rico Community Aqueduct Association; and with the start of the small business incubation and acceleration project. Racial equity and gender equity initiatives and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) also gained momentum.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Donors also ignited the philanthropic spark with the establishment of two new philanthropic funds, bringing the total number of funds managed by the FCPR to 97.
The establishment of the Puerto Rico Association of Community Aqueducts is a project that seeks to ensure that more than 242 community aqueducts - scattered throughout the archipelago - have the necessary support provided by a peer organization that convenes and represents them in order to conquer challenges and share knowledge. Meanwhile, the launching of the pilot projects of the Initiative of
Community Energy Resilience (CERI), a pioneer in the Caribbean that, through combined sources, makes it possible for critical facilities to have access to clean and safe renewable energy, which turns them into centers of resilience for their communities.
We also launched two equity initiatives with the public presentation of the Institute for Building Racial Equity in the Americas (ICERLA) and the publication of the special series On the road
towards equity, an editorial project in the digital media TODAS that told stories of women who contribute to Puerto Rico from their respective non-profit organizations. We also contributed to the promotion and discussion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a view to the presentation in 2023 of a report on the local situation regarding the indicators presented by the SDGs.
In the area of economic development activation, we have initiated the first cycle of the Small Business Incubation and Acceleration Program, supported by the CDBG-DR program, and we organized the Community Investment Fund (FIC) as a non-profit corporation and subsidiary of FCPR, with the vision of increasing its reach, capital and impact in the community.
At the close of 2022, the Puerto Rico Community Foundation granted $2,567,860.07 in donations to non-profit organizations to support the development of their causes; and in scholarships to university students to support the continuation of their studies; and in technical assistance.
We show below the impact of philanthropic investment in 2022, confident that we will continue to count on your support in the years to come.
Thank you,
Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats, FCPR President and Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer, FCPR
Antonio Escudero Viera, Esq., President of the Board of Directors of FCPR