San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 21, 2024 – The Mano Amiga Program of the Plaza Las Américas and Plaza del Caribe Foundations recognized 24 nonprofit organizations in Puerto Rico by awarding them grants totalling nearly $240,000. The selected organizations offer direct service programs to individuals in the areas of education, art and culture, entrepreneurship, women’s training, health, and the environment. The grants awarded will benefit approximately 5,121 people, thus reaffirming the multiplier effect of the Mano Amiga Program in the communities.

“The selected organizations are examples of true commitment and service to others. They are the ones who, day after day, analyze the needs of the communities, identify their priorities and look for resources that are increasingly difficult to obtain to address them,” said philanthropist and businessman Jaime Fonalledas Rubert, president of the Plaza Las Américas and Plaza Del Caribe Foundations.

During the activity, which marks the seventeenth edition of the Mano Amiga Program, the organizations that received grants from the Plaza Del Caribe Foundation were announced: Ponce YMCA, Pediatric Diabetes Foundation, University of Puerto Rico – Ponce Campus, Special Institute for the Integral Development of the Individual, Family and Community, Inc. (IDIIFCO), Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services, and the Ferrán and Punta Diamante Service Center.

On behalf of the Plaza Las Américas Foundation, the beneficiary organizations were: La Fondita de Jesús Corporation, Center for Puerto Rico-Sila M. Calderón Foundation, ASPIRA Inc. of Puerto Rico, Community Research Initiative, New School Institute, Vimenti, Caras of the Americas (DBA Caras con Causa), American Cello Institute, Attention Attention Foundation, Children of New Hope, Music 100×35 Program, G-8 Group of the Eight Communities Surrounding the Martín Peña Canal, Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation, Andanza, Alliance for a Drug-Free Puerto Rico, League of Art Students of San Juan, Center for Economic Renewal, Growth and Excellence, and ACUTAS.

Fonalledas Rubert emphasized that, “With the Mano Amiga Program, we give them a boost so that they can continue with their important work, helping children improve in their studies from an early age; training women so that they can overcome cycles of violence and poverty; providing access to music and art programs; fostering the development of new entrepreneurs; offering tools for healthy communities and protecting our valuable natural resources.”

A Comprehensive and Collaborative Approach

In an effort to continue strengthening ties with community organizations, the Mano Amiga Program announced the celebration of the “First Meeting of Friendly Organizations,” scheduled for next year. This meeting will offer financial and legal guidance to improve management and transparency processes, as well as the launch of a new proposal form and a simplified evaluation to facilitate the presentation of projects.

This meeting will be a testimony to the commitment of the Plaza Las Américas Foundation and the Plaza Del Caribe Foundation, to be increasingly closer to the organizations with which they collaborate, creating synergies that enhance their efforts and resources for the benefit of Puerto Rico.

The next period to submit proposals for the Mano Amiga program will be from March 1 to 31, 2024. To learn more details about the process and requirements of the Mano Amiga Program and to submit your proposals, you can visit the Empresas Fonalledas website, as well as the company’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages. There you can also learn about collaborations from past editions, as well as success stories from different organizations that have received grants.

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