Fund for the Future

Young People are the Future

Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) understands this intimately. Since 1965, we have empowered youth across the Americas and have continued to evolve with every generation.

We prepare youth across the Americas to lead and address the challenges that face us in our communities at home and abroad. These young people do not just serve in the moment; they realize a passion for and commitment to giving back to their communities for the rest of their lives.

AMIGOS alumni venture into the world with new perspectives and a deeper understanding of what unites us despite our differences. Now 30,000+ strong, our alumni impact their communities as doctors, diplomats, business leaders, politicians, and change-makers who are committed to making our world more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable.

We believe that youth-focused learning and development is more important now than ever. Today, AMIGOS is poised to significantly expand our reach and to empower greater numbers of youth to become actively engaged members of their communities and our world.

Welcome to the Fund for the Future

AMIGOS has launched a transformational campaign closely aligned with our mission, from which investments will be made to support our mission and vision, while providing the necessary framework for sustainable, continuous operations regardless of the changing geopolitical environment.

One truth remains constant:

To effectively tackle the world’s most pressing and complex problems, young people must be engaged as lifelong leaders who share responsibility for our global community.

1965: Our founding

It was in that year when the first group of AMIGOS youth traveled from Houston to Honduras to try and fight polio. Partnering with local government ministries, AMIGOS launched programs for youth in the U.S. to serve in select countries in Latin America. The idea was to provide youth with the bridge-building opportunities that the Peace Corps offered to adults and a commitment to volunteerism.

AMIGOS throughout the decades

  • 1960s

  • 1970s

  • 1980s

  • 1990s

  • 2000s

  • 2010s

  • Today

Since those early days, AMIGOS has grown to include:

✔Year-round programming

✔Exchanges with volunteers from Latin America who come to the U.S.

✔Middle school programs

✔Gap Year programs

✔Fully Sponsored Programs

Over the last 60 years AMIGOS has continued to build youth leaders committed to service. Today, AMIGOS programs give volunteers the opportunity to travel and engage in issues such as biodiversity, eco-tourism, environmental conservation, community health, microenterprise, cultural connection through sports, and sustainability.

2020: Disruption like never before

In 2019, more volunteers joined in-person AMIGOS programs than ever before. But on March 16, 2020, we canceled all programs - in-person participant count fell to zero.

During the pandemic, we leveraged deep institutional knowledge to design virtual programs, create in-person group experiences, and involve more Latin American youth volunteers and Project Staff team members. We were among the first to cancel in-person programming, and also among the first to bring it back.  The ability to innovate and adapt is buried deep in this organization’s DNA.

One truth remains constant:

To effectively tackle the world’s most pressing and complex problems, young people must be engaged as lifelong leaders who share responsibility for our global community.

“AMIGOS was so key in helping me figure out what I wanted to do. Initially, I thought, it has to be medicine or public health, etc., but I actually met some really interesting diplomats, foreign service officers, and USAID officials in my AMIGOS work and, again, decided that was what I wanted to do. So that is what I ended up doing, and I have done that for nearly 40 years now. I give back to AMIGOS because it was the most consequential experience of my youth and put me on the road to a wonderful career in public service. AMIGOS nurtured my passion and potential as an effective leader and manager and set the stage for my success as a Foreign Service Officer.”

Ambassador Arnold Chacón, ‘74, ‘75, ‘76, ‘77, ‘78, ‘79

To develop the global leaders of tomorrow and deliver on our mission and vision, AMIGOS must invest in three critical areas:

  • AMIGOS strives to eliminate financial barriers to participation and strengthen our outreach and visibility to youth in the Americas. In addition to an increase in financial awards, AMIGOS will continue to increase enrollment and visibility by leveraging new and existing strategic partnerships with youth organizations and schools, as well as expanding outreach support. These actions, supported by enhanced marketing and information technology, will help to ensure that we hear far less frequently the refrain: “I wish I had heard about AMIGOS when I was young.”

  • AMIGOS requires critical investment to update antiquated technology to meet current trends in marketing, fundraising, and management tools. Additionally, our challenges in data management hold us back in recruiting, fundraising, and ongoing impact assessment. Updating these systems will also allow us to realize our potential and reach more youth.

    Since the pandemic, our team has worked to keep the AMIGOS spirit strong. AMIGOS must now invest in vital organizational functions such as HR, finance, and staff development, where expenses were greatly reduced or put on hold.

    At our core, AMIGOS builds community and a shared commitment to the greater world around us. More than 30,000 students have completed an AMIGOS program. However, historically, the organization has not invested in ongoing alumni engagement efforts. Increased alumni engagement will benefit the organization through visibility, philanthropy, and enrollment. To leverage our incredible alumni network, AMIGOS must invest in maintaining accurate contact information, expanding alumni staff capacity, and facilitating increased alumni activities.

  • A sustainability fund will ensure that future generations will be able to benefit from AMIGOS life-changing experiences. Currently, AMIGOS primarily operates on an annual basis to cover all financial awards, expenses, and general operations. This fund will allow for multi-year investments needed to realize strategic plans, and position AMIGOS to withstand external factors that may impede the organization’s sustainability. Our goal in this campaign is to raise $6.5 million toward a longer-term vision of a $20 million fund.

For 60 years, we have empowered youth across the Americas and evolved with every generation.

Campaign Financial Summary

$2.3 Million

Increased Access and Visibility

Lift economic and cultural barriers to participation so that every young person who wishes can join AMIGOS. Amplify our visibility through expanded outreach and increased partnerships.

$2.3 Million

Modernize Technology and Strengthen the Foundation for Growth

Strengthen our core systems that were impacted during the pandemic to prepare for growth. Expand programming with a focus on addressing current pressing social issues in the context of cultural competence and increased diversity. Amplify our visibility through expanded outreach, increased partnerships, and engaging our vast alumni ​​network.

$6.5 Million

Ensure Sustainability

Seed a fund so future generations can benefit from transformative AMIGOS experiences.

This $11.1 million campaign comes at a pivotal moment - not only for our organization and its more that 60-year legacy but also for the global community we serve. Through this effort, more youth will be a part of life-changing opportunities and create a sense of purpose for a lifetime.

Steering Committee

  • Patricia Grad

    Campaign Co-Chair

    Partner, Head of Investor Relations

    Arsenal Capital Partners

    New York, NY

  • Elizabeth Blowers - Nyman

    Campaign Co-Chair

    Executive Director, Global New Vaccines Policy

    Merck & Co.

    Philadelphia, PA

  • Steve Sharpe

    Consultant

    Sharpe LLC

    Saverna Park, MD

  • Kevin Lanier

    Deal Lead, Acquisitions and Divestments

    Shell Oil Company

    Houston, TX

  • Samantha Schnee

    Founding Editor

    Words Without Borders

    Houston, TX

  • Michael Hafner

    Senior Advisor, Business Development, Executive Office

    ADNOC Group

    Abu Dhabi, UAE

  • Kellie Motsinger

    Retired

    Houston, TX

  • Paul Reidy

    President

    Excalibur LLP

    Austin, TX

  • Sarah Heck

    Investor, Advisor

    ex-Stripe, White House

    San Francisco, CA

  • Adolfo Jimenez

    Attorney

    Partner at Holland & Knight

    Miami, FL

  • John Hahn

    Vice President

    Goldman Sachs

    Washington D.C.

  • Toby Spoon

    Retired

    El Paso, TX

  • Board of Directors

    Click Here

  • Advisory Council

    Click Here

  • AMIGOS Staff

    Click Here

Honorary Committee

  • Doug Alexander

    Partner at Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP

    Austin, TX

  • Stacy Keaton Alexander

    Attorney, Mediator, and former Adjunct Professor

    Austin, TX

  • Steve Cook

    Founder & President, Fieldstone Partners

    Houston, TX

  • Eric Donnelly

    Director & CEO of Crossroads Impact Corp

    Los Angeles, CA

  • Anne Morriss

    Author, accelerator, builder of mission-driven companies

    Cambridge, MA

  • Katherine Lorenz

    President, Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation

    Aspen, Colorado