Mexico Community Foundations: An Updated Profile

In 2009, the Mexico City-based advocacy and capacity building organization Alternativas y Capacidades, together with the San Francisco consulting firm Teamworks, released Mexico Community Foundations: A Comprehensive Profile. This study updates the 2009 effort by examining whether there were substantial changes to the foundations' institutional and financial conditions in the intervening years.

This study covers 21 community foundations in Mexico. Of these, the study assesses the institutional characteristics of 17 and the financial conditions of all 21. In addition, it analyzes the sociopolitical context in which they operate and offers recommendations on how to strengthen their capacity.

The research provides a comprehensive look at how these foundations have evolved over time, identifying both progress and persistent challenges. By understanding their administrative and programmatic capacities, community foundations will be better positioned to make a meaningful, lasting impact in communities—and remain sustainable in the long term.

The study examines key areas including governance structures, fundraising strategies, grantmaking practices, and organizational sustainability. It also contextualizes the findings within Mexico's broader civil society landscape, offering valuable insights for foundations, donors, and policymakers interested in strengthening community-based philanthropy.

This updated profile serves as both a diagnostic tool and a roadmap for building stronger, more resilient community foundations capable of addressing local needs and fostering civic engagement across Mexico.