There’s no denying how much of an impact the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation has had on the health and well-being of the children of Baja California Sur. Since it was established 15 years ago, the charity has invested $15 million USD in local programs that help improve children’s quality of life; last year alone it invested more than $940,000 in programs that treated 3,300 children. That’s pretty impressive, especially considering that the LCCF has a small staff of just six people (along with a 13-person Board of Directors).

Unlike most other non-profits, which raise money for their own programs, the LCCF uses the donations and contribution it gets to help support and strengthen other community programs. The LCCF’s goal is to foster collaboration, build partnerships and link programs so they can all have a greater impact.

40% of organizations the LCCF supports focus on improving children’s healthcare in BCS. These programs focus on treatment and/or preventative healthcare in the areas of general health, critical health, cancer and congenital heart defects. The LCCF also supports the pediatric oncology, cardiology and intensive care programs of Salvatierra General Hospital in La Paz.

These programs help BCS children in a variety of ways. Some might help only a few children in a big way, like giving them life-saving heart surgery, while others can help hundreds of children in smaller ways, like hosting dental clinics throughout the year. Each program plays an important and necessary role in ensuring that the children get the healthcare they need.

To receive support from the LCCF, organizations must apply every year, submitting proposals of how much money they need and the program the money will support. There are strict requirements that must be met in order to be eligible; they have to be legally established as a donataria (which is tax deductible status in Mexico, like a 501(C)(3) status in the States), and they must also provide their financial records. The program is fully vetted by the LCCF’s grant and medical programs committee and then approved by the Board of Directors.

The programs selected by the LCCF, whether ran by non-profit organizations or by government institutions, are awarded either a grant or an in-kind donation or a combination, starting in July of each year and going until June of next year. The LCCF recently announced the 26 programs it will support for the 2017-18 year, including:

1. Amigos de Los Niños de Cabo San Lucas

2. Los Niños del Capitán

3. Sudcalifornia contra el Cancer Infantil

4. Sarahuaro - La Cocina de los Niños

5. Cuna de Cartón

6. Abriendo Corazones

7. Reigstro de Cancer de BCS

8. Casa Valentina (BCS DIF)

9. Salvatierra Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

10. Liga Mac

11. Salvatierra Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Program

12. Salvatierra Hospital Pediatric Area

13. Salvatierra Hospital Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit

14. Red Autismo

15. East Cape Community Urgent Care Clinic

16. Salvatierra Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

17. LCCF Special Cases Program

18. LCCF Prevention Program

19. Buceo sin Barreras

20. Fundación Mark

21. ORCAS, Explora tu mundo

22. Vida y Familia Nacional

23. Gente Joven Por un Cambio

24. CRIT BCS

25. Casa Cuna-Casa Hogar (BCS DIF)

26. Padrino Children's Foundation

The first 18 have received support from the LCCF before.The other eight programs were new applicants this year. A total of $1,036,489 dollars will be invested directly in those 26 programs, which is 45% more than the last fiscal year. That extra money means there will be more beneficiaries, up from 3,300 to 5,524. That is 44% more programs and 67% more children than last year.

Once the money has been allocated, the LCCF monitors the programs’ process throughout the year. It also provides guidance and support in the areas of fundraising, accounting, human resources and online marketing.

In the next 26 issues of the Gringo Gazette, we will be profiling each of these programs, giving our readers a closer look at the work that each of them do and, hopefully, a little extra incentive to donate to the LCCF.

 And speaking of donations, there are several ways you can help support the LCCF. To make a monetary donation, go to www.loscaboschildren.com/donate. To become a volunteer, e-mailcontact@loscaboschildren.org. If you own a business, you can become one of the Proud Partners and help them raise funds by adopting a continuous fundraising program. For that you can contact Vanessa Figueroa atvanessa@loscaboschildren.org.

And be sure to follow the LCCF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LCCF.AC/.