Newsroom
Dr. Robert Ashcraft moderates panels at U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership events in Washington, D.C.
October 31, 2019 (Washington, D.C.) – As part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the U.S.–Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP), a public forum was held at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., on October 17. The panel – The Power of Philanthropy in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands – include a robust conversation about the realities of life in the Borderlands from the actual leaders and organizations that live and work in our region.
The panelists included (left to right) Enrique Díaz Rivera R. Bours (BPP/Fundación Tichi Muñoz), Lisa Urias (Arizona Community Foundation), Alma Cota de Yáñez (Fundación Del Empresariado Sonorense), William Smith (Santa Fe Community Foundation), Eric Pearson (El Paso Community Foundation), and moderator Dr. Robert Ashcraft (executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, a BPP member). The leaders spoke of philanthropy’s obligation to support the humanitarian crisis and the plight of migrants desiring entry into the United States, the importance of collaboration in the border region and across sectors to advance issues for families and communities, and the importance to tell the real story of interconnected community, generosity, and safety of our binational region.
While in Washington, DC, the U.S.–Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership assembled philanthropy leaders to talk humanitarian crisis in the Borderlands. BPP Board and staff leaders held a funders breakfast in Washington, D.C. to highlight the role of philanthropy in the border region and to invite additional investment to support organizations engaged in the humanitarian response efforts. The meeting was hosted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in their D.C. offices.
Attendees included representatives from national funders, BPP network members and leaders, Council on Foundations, United Philanthropy Forum, and Univision. With BPP Board Chair, Enrique Díaz Rivera R. Bours (BPP/Fundación Tichi Muñoz) leading the host responsibilities for the convening, Dr. Robert Ashcraft (ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation) facilitated the funders’ discussion. The leaders committed to work together to change the narrative in the region, to work to identify funding opportunities, and to continue public policy advocacy in support of families and communities in the US-Mexico border.
Dr. Ashcraft also engaged in a congressional briefing titled "The Role of Philanthropy in the Humanitarian Crisis in the U.S.-Mexico Border," one example of vital discourse to advance community well-being. Congressional leaders Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Ruben Gállego (AZ-7), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Filemon Vela (TX-34), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Juan Vargas (CA-51), and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) met with the delegation to discuss the humanitarian crisis.