PDF version of the press release
The Puerto Rico Community Foundation (FCPR) presents the Puerto Rican community its evolution and philanthropic trajectory in the book A community foundation for all time: 38 years of philanthropic action, The event took advantage of the month of philanthropy and the celebration of the institution's thirty-ninth anniversary.
The content was written by the writer and journalist Tatiana Perez Rivera and the foreword by Luis Alberto Ferré Rangel; the graphic design was in charge of Edder González Palacios. The text includes testimonials from non-profit organizations such as. FISH, the Sister Isolina Ferré Centers and the communities of Black Bull, in Ciales, and Corcovada, in Añasco. In addition, scholarship recipients of some funds. It also integrates the voices of donors, members of the Board of Directors -present and past- and representatives of allied foundations in the United States. More than 60 people related in one way or another to FCPR funds or programs were interviewed, among them: César Rey, past secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Education; The architects Elio Martínez Joffre and Edwin Quiles, former director and founder, respectively, of the Community Design Workshop of the School of Architecture of the University of Puerto Rico; the mayor of Loíza, Julia Nazario; and past members of the Board of Directors, including Manuel Cidre, Secretary of the Board of Directors. Economic Development and Trade Department; Manuel “Coco” Morales and Carlos J. Vázquez Camuñas.
“A community foundation for the ages is a historic record of the Foundation's work over 38 years,” said FCPR president and chief executive officer, the Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats. “The book is a conversation among multiple and varied voices: boards, staff, community organizations, corporations, families, and local and U.S. foundations, and it conveys two main messages: community organizations grow the collective wealth of communities and donors, through the Foundation, touch lives that change their stories,” added Colón Tarrats.
The book was presented yesterday during a private event in Hato Rey, in which Dr. Colón Tarrats was in charge of highlighting details of the book and sharing quotes of special significance to the work of the Foundation. There was also a conversation facilitated by the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the FCPR, Lic. Vivian I. Neptune Rivera, whose speakers shared their experience with the Foundation and relevant details of the book, these were José Joaquín Villamil, Pérez Rivera, renowned economist and member of the first Board of Directors of the FCPR, and Pérez Rivera, writer, journalist, who was in charge of the research and writing of the book.
For Pérez Rivera, it is important to tell the Foundation's story not only because “what is not talked about is often forgotten,” but also because its trajectory marks a path to solutions. “The most striking thing to me is that in different instances, with different scenarios, with different complications, communities and non-profit organizations design tailor-made responses; they perfect them, put them into practice, adjust them when they see that they don't work and come back again and again. I believe that this speed and consistency deserves to be told,” said Pérez Rivera.
“What we have seen in the book and what we have seen in the Foundation's trajectory is that it plays a very important role in transformation. It's not about patching up different little things; it's about how you structure processes, organizations, that allow you to transform the foundations of that society. And I, for one, have always thought that the future of Puerto Rico is in the communities,” Villamil said.
The content of the book is framed within the philanthropic impact that FCPR has had through the increase of community capital -physical, financial, social, human, cultural and ecological-, which is part of the institution's theory of change that seeks to close inequity gaps and strengthen equity, social justice and community prosperity. This has been the benchmark for strategic projects related to health and technology, education, housing, community development and prosperity; water, energy, social justice and equity; arts and public communication, as well as funds, bequests and donations.
It also sheds light on the world of strategic and transformational philanthropy, donors and philanthropic vehicles such as endowments and scholarships; and the Community Investment Fund (FIC), which provides loans to non-profit organizations.
“The challenge is the future. Precisely, if it is for ‘all times,’ to have that ear to the ground: what are the needs, the challenges that we as a community are now facing. And know that always the Community Foundation, this wonderful team - those who were here before and those who will be part of the Foundation in the future - will continue with that commitment,” said Neptune Rivera.
As of today, the book is on sale in bookstores. The Bookmark in Santurce, Guaynabo and Hatillo.