For more than two decades, Progreso Latino Fund has inspired Latine* philanthropy in our community, fostering gifts of talent, time, and financial resources. The Fund has brought people together to promote and support the Latine culture, celebrate Connecticut Latine leaders, advance education through scholarships and training, and provide charitable grants to programs and services for and with the Latine community.
Our mission
To empower a diverse Latine community in the Greater New Haven region through education, leadership, culture and philanthropy.
PLF carries out its mission and creates positive change through:
- Forums on matters of importance to Latines featuring prominent national and local speakers.
- Celebrations of Connecticut Latines who lead from where they are.
- Charitable grants to programs and services that advance Latines.
- A focus on the youth and young leaders.
Grant Opportunity
Casa to Career
The Progreso Latino Fund is making grants to Latine-led or Latine-serving nonprofits providing wraparound support services to help Greater New Haven Latinas enter and remain in the workforce. Program types may include clothes closets, diaper banks, childcare (before and after school, and during school vacations), elder care, transportation subsidies and other services. This funding opportunity is not for job-training programs.
Educational and economic wellbeing
Our Impact
2024 Grantmaking: Bridging the Skills Gap
In 2024, Progreso Latino Fund provided targeted grants to organizations that address barriers to academic and economic success.
Create a Legacy
Start a Fund
The Progreso Latino Fund is working to increase the number of Latine funds at The Community Foundation and invites you to create a personally named fund for directing your philanthropic dollars to support causes that you care about.
Meet our fund founders! Learn more about local Latine individuals and families who have created charitable funds at The Community Foundation and the stories behind their giving.
Support the Latine Community
Give to The Fund
Thank you to everyone who contributed to a successful 20th Anniversary year! But our work continues! Please help Progreso Latino Fund expand its impact in the community with your support.
EVENT RECAP: IN-PERSON FORUM
Building Trust, Creating Impact: The Latine Philanthropy Forum
In September 2024, the Progreso Latino Fund held an in-person discussion entitled Building Trust, Creating Impact: The Latine Philanthropy Forum. This empowering dialog on Latine representation in philanthropy explored the latest trends, focusing on changing the narrative from seeing Latines as being on the receiving end of philanthropy to being the philanthropists, and how to grow your Latine philanthropic voice.
Thank you for celebrating with us!
20th Anniversary Celebration
In November 2023, we celebrated two decades of inspiring philanthropy in our community. More than 200 people gathered for a festive evening of recognizing and amplifying Latine achievement and generosity. The event honored the Progreso Latino Fund founders and featured guest, U.S. Dept. of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.
Progreso Latino Fund eNewsletter
- Progreso en Acción | December 2024
- Progreso en Acción | October 2024
- Progreso en Acción | August 2024
- Progreso en Acción | June 2024
- Progreso en Acción | April 2024
- Progreso en Acción | February 2024
- Progreso en Acción | December 2023
- Progreso en Acción | September 2023
- Progreso en Acción | July 2023
- Progreso en Acción | May 2023
- Progreso en Acción | March 2023
- Progreso Latino Fund eNews | January 2023
Stay connected with PLF.
Stepping Up in a Time of Need
Disaster Response
In 2017, following Hurricanes Irma and Maria and the massive earthquake in Mexico, PLF joined a Latine-led global fundraising campaign to support disaster relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico and Mexico and assist evacuees who came to Greater New Haven.
PLF Advisory Committee (2025)
- Yari Ijeh (Chair)
- Camille Ansley
- Malwin Davila
- Jose DeJesus
- Ana Garcia
- Gypsy Garcia
- Brian Ibarra
- Noah Moore
- Anaika Ocasio
- William Ocasio
- Carolina Parrott
- Atty. Erandi Reiland
- Anna Rivera-Alfaro
- Michelle Wachsmann
Board Liaison
- Fernando Muñiz
Staff Liaison
- Carmen Burgos
- Jackie Downing
- Liana Garcia
Use your talents to expand opportunity for Latines in Greater New Haven. Join the PLF Advisory Committee today!
Our History
The Progreso Latino Fund was established in 2003 a small group of community-minded Puerto Ricans as their way to give back to the New Haven community which they called home. Their vision was to create a fund that would “promote the educational and socio-economic well-being of Latinos in the City of New Haven and the region . . . with particular attention to the needs of our children.”
Since then, more than 660 contributors have have built a permanent endowment of more than $440,000 that is used to fund grant making, policy forums, leadership-building activities and community events
The Progreso Latino Fund is permanently endowed, which means it will last forever and never stop doing good. An independent advisory committee picked exclusively from within the Latine community guides the actions of the PLF.
