U.S.-Mexico Foundation

The U.S.-Mexico Foundation (USMF) is 501c3 organization, created by the North American Development Bank as originally envisioned under the North American Free Trade Agreement. In 2008, the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial (the National Business Council of Mexico) embarked upon a process to develop the USMF fully, and in February 2009, the USMF formally began operations. Then, in 2010 the USMF helped launch the Mexican-American Leadership Initiative (MALI), which consists of Mexican-American leaders from throughout the United States who are committed to deepening the bi-national relationship.

For the benefit of both the United States and Mexico, the U.S.-Mexico Foundation collaborates bi-nationally to expand opportunity for the people of Mexico. The USMF seeks to benefit both the United States and Mexico by raising awareness AbOUT Mexico, as well as the bi-national relationship. The Foundation’s main focus is to stimulate broad social transformation in Mexico through the promotion of civil society organizations and strategic grant-making in the areas of education, health, and economic development, with a particular emphasis placed on youth and on communities highly impacted by instability.

The USMF is governed by a board of prominent business and civic leaders, with equal representation from Mexico and the United States, who believe that a strong and stable Mexico is in the vital interest of both nations. A founding principle of the Foundation is that a dynamic and growing civil society is an essential condition for a healthy country. To that end, the USMF provides grants for social change to non-governmental organizations working to build capacity in Mexico for civil society. In addition to its grant-making focus, the USMF also serves as an effective bridge for greater bi-national understanding and cooperation between the United States and Mexico. The Foundation operates under the principle of co-responsibility, and is therefore committed to seeking partners and matching funds within Mexico.

Mexican-American Leadership Initiative

The Mexican-American Leadership Initiative (MALI) is a vital component of the U.S.-Mexico Foundation. Specifically, the MALI seeks to engage U.S. civil society with Mexico via the leadership of Mexican-Americans in particular. The MALI seeks to raise awareness in the U.S. and Mexico about the importance of the bilateral relationship and to raise funds for high-impact social projects in Mexico. The MALI has organized a Mexican-American Leadership Council, with members located throughout the United States, which will hold its inaugural annual meeting in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2011.