The San Miguel Community Foundation (SMCF) is now taking applications for charity grants to be given in December. This organization gave out nearly U.S. $50,000 this past May, and last year’s total was $107,000. Over the past seven years, more than $650,000 has been given to needy individuals and groups.
As impressive as the grants have been, SMCF president Donna Foudray says the foundation’s coffers should more than double over the next several years as a result of generous new property and monetary bequests.
In a review of the foundation, Foudray notes it has a second major role, having been originally set up 35 years ago as a “pass-through” to provide tax-deductible receipts for U.S. citizens contributing to Mexican charities. SMCF, of course, still fulfills this function. A total of almost $3 million has been passed through to local charities, thereby enabling donors to reduce U.S. taxes.
This service and the grants program are administered from an office in a bequeathed Centro-area home. Handling day-to-day operations is a bilingual administrator, Araceli Cerritos. Along with the pass-through program, she oversees details involving the grants decided on by the SMCF’s board of directors.
SMCF last year matched funds put up by Ezequial Mojica who now has a kitty coming to U.S. $20,000. Armed with those funds, Apoyo a Gente Emprendedora makes interest-free loans, ranging from 500 to 6,500 pesos, to small-time entrepreneurs for such purposes as buying a food cart or opening a tienda.
SMCF has paid for construction of three homes for people in need as part of the Casita Linda program. A new fully equipped ambulance was given to the Red Cross. The boys’ home at Mexiquitos, Amigos de Animates, the SPA animal shelter, the ALMA retirement home, IREE school for the deaf, Hospice San Miguel and local schools all have received funds. The list of recipients includes 48 different charities with Mexican Asociacion Civil status.
Foudray is asking expatriates to remember the community and SMCF in their wills. Tax-free bequests such as cash donations, life insurance policies, homes, businesses, land and other non-monetary items will help ”enormously” she said, noting that contributions can be earmarked for specific programs or put into SMCF’s general fund for grants.
She urged those interested to contact Araceli Cerritos. Drop by Prol. De Pila Seca #9l-A, email araceli@sanmiguelcommunityfoundation.org, or call (415) 152-7447 or (415) 152-5327 Vonage line (210) 858-5286.
SMCF website: www.sanmiguelcommunityfoundation.org.
SMCF treasurer Doug Bruce is available to consult on these matters.
