Experts assert that overcoming governmental barriers is crucial for a more favorable civil society environment.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

In an effort to enhance collaboration between community foundations and philanthropic families, international experts gathered on August 8th at EGADE Business School in Monterrey, Mexico, to discuss five key opportunities to strengthen these connections.

The event, entitled "Business Family Philanthropy: A Positive Impact on the Community," was organized by the Institute of Family Businesses (IFEM) of Tecnológico de Monterrey and the Comunidar Foundation to provide a space for reflection on how the philanthropy of family businesses can generate positive and lasting impacts on their communities.

María Fonseca, Director of IFEM, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of this dialogue for the strengthening of the philanthropic sector in Mexico.

Michael Moody, Professor of Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University, and Michael Layton, W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair at Grand Valley State University, presented these opportunities based on recent research conducted in Mexico.

The study included interviews with 49 people involved in family or community philanthropy and highlighted the urgent need to strengthen relationships between these two pillars of social impact.

The five opportunities identified for strengthening these connections were:

1. Focusing on collaboration, learning, and advocacy: Identifying and overcoming the governmental barriers that philanthropic families face, with the support of community foundations, is essential for creating a more propitious environment for civil society.
2. Articulating the case for community philanthropy: Many philanthropic families still do not fully understand the concept of a community foundation. Foundations must articulate and promote the community philanthropy model to increase understanding and acceptance.
3. Cultivating advocates for community philanthropy and disseminating the case: The search for trusted leaders to improve communities is a priority for philanthropic families. Foundations can play a key role in connecting with local leaders and expanding relationships across diverse sectors.
4. Cultivating a broader and deeper philanthropic culture: Foundations should strive to attract a more diverse audience of donors and volunteers, especially young people, to broaden the support base for philanthropy.
5. Increasing visibility and trust in the sector: Strengthening philanthropy's visibility and credibility is fundamental. Foundations should focus their efforts on impact measurement and effective communication of results achieved.

Following the presentation of these opportunities, Ana María Sánchez Rodríguez, Director of Philanthropy at Cemefi; Eduardo Garza T. Fernández, Honorary Chairman of FRISA; and Eduardo Garza T. Junco, current Chairman of the Board of FRISA, shared their reflections and comments.

The panelists underscored the importance of these points for promoting more effective and collaborative philanthropy in Mexico and shared their experiences of the positive impact that family businesses can have on their communities.

The event highlighted the relevance of research as a tool to identify opportunities and challenges in philanthropy, emphasizing that partnering community foundations and philanthropic families is vital for enhancing social impact in Mexico.