We were lucky to catch up with Gigi Pedraza recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Gigi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
In 2015 a few friends started discussing the idea of pulling together dollars from all of us to support smart and emerging community groups and organizations doing the work needed to match the need of a growing and diverse Latino community. The reason behind it was that only 2-3 very visible organizations seemed to be receiving most dollars and at the rate of the growth of the community it was going to be impossible to build an infrastructure to meet the needs of families, students, workers, entrepreneurs if we did not accelerate change.
2 years later, the Latino Community Fund incorporated following successful models from other states and other communities with three pillars: Advancing Democracy through advocacy, civic participation and research in order to deepen knowledge of who we are as a community and increase representation and visibility; Protecting and Building Community through directly supporting our now 39 member organizations across the state with grants, coalition opportunities, free technical assistance and the community in general with our health and wellbeing and know your rights programs, and Expanding Economic Opportunity through scholarships, grants, seed capital for micro-entrepreneurs and DACA renewal support for low income individuals.
When we launched, we through we need 10 people to pledge $1000 per year through a Giving Circle. We committed to return to the community 100% of all individual dollars from the circle. The first year, just 5 years ago, we secured 12 people to join and through other donations, we raised $108,000. During 2020, the community really showed up. We were able to provide over 2 million dollars in grants and assistance. Our budget and giving circle has grown so much, and it is only reflective of the fact that our model works and meets the opportunity we have in Georgia, to ensure it grows into a state with the right legislative environment and representation so ALL of us can pursue our aspirations and dreams, fully contribute, and thrive.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am the founder and Executive Director of the Latino Community Fund (LCF Georgia). I grew up in Peru, but have lived in Spain and China, too. I live in Dekalb County with my husband and 2 teenage daughters.
I got into the social justice sector after looking for jobs and only been offered jobs as dishwasher, nanny or janitorial/cleaning opportunities. I had a masters’ degree and stayed as a volunteer at the organization to find new and better opportunities for Latinos like me. Overtime, my role evolved and have been in the sector for 20 years as a volunteer, consultant, contractor, executive, etc.
Fundamentally, what we want to accomplish is a visible vibrant, self- sufficient, healthy and civically engaged Latinx community in Georgia, and we believe we can accomplish that by ensuring Increase diverse representation in decision-making spaces, Increased comprehensive coverage of the Latinx story in Georgia so our contributions and people are recognized, and ensuring equitable investments in the Latino and immigrant community in Georgia are made.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Like many nonprofit organizations and businesses, we self-funded. I put some funds to develop the website, pay for incorporation, etc. Probably around $7,000. I also did not take a salary the first year and the next year I made $18,000. Many grants require you to have a paid staff member to even be considered as a measure of viability.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Transparency, honesty and follow thru are key for the social sector and in particular for us.
We try really hard to lead by example, accept when we don’t know exactly the answer to questions or how to go about them, be vulnerable about our reality which is that many times we are just figuring this out. There is no silver bullet for this work and we are trying to be best of our abilities with the information and capacity we have.
With financials, transparency is key to build credibility. Every year we get an audit and also disclose to our members our P&L so they see how much we raised, how we spent, how much we invested in grants and our plans for the following year. There is no other way to build community than to build trust.
Contact Info:
- Website: LCFGeorgia.org
- Instagram: @lcf_georgia
- Facebook: @LCFGeorgia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/25053572
- Twitter: @LCFGeorgia