What We Do

We build the capacities of CSOs, donors and grantmakers, while promoting a favorable environment for their development. Our work is concentrated in three main areas:

Capacity building for grantmakers and donors
Contribute to social development through training, research on social issues and capacity building efforts directed at those involved in social policy.

We promote a strategic and development-oriented philanthropy, improving ties between CSOs and private funders. In the process, we work closely with corporate and community foundations and businesses, to help them maximize the impact of their philanthropic work.

We see philanthropy as tool for social change, particularly when the actors promoting progressive causes work directly with funders in the most impoverished regions and members of society.

Our research on these topics in English includes:
     - “Mexico Community Foundations: A Comprehensive Profile,” Report Summary
     - “Mexico Community Foundations: A Comprehensive Profile,” Full Report
     - Study of Corporate Philanthropy 2008
     - Accountability in the Allocation and Use of Public Resources by Civil Society Organizations
     - “Charity rather than change: Still the order of the day for Mexican Corporate Philanthropy,” in Alliance Online 2006

Capacity building around social policy advocacy

We improve the vision and capacities of CSOs to advocate for social policy, as well as to participate in the design, monitoring and evaluation of public policies.

We offer workshops designed to help civil society leaders gain an understanding of how advocacy can enhance their ability to resolve social problems, increase their impact and leave a lasting legacy.

In addition, we offer coaching and facilitation services for networks interested in policy advocacy. Currently, we are working with two education networks. We have facilitated policy dialogues among public officials and CSOs.

Our research on civil society advocacy includes:
"Civil society and the struggle to reduce maternal mortality"

Public policies to promote CSOs and their work

We promote public policy change through a legal framework that recognizes the value of CSOs and philanthropy as alternatives to solving social problems and promoting social development. We monitor and make policy recommendations for the programs and regulations that promote or impede civil society growth.

Through the results of our research, we provide proposals to help decision makers enact more effective public policies. Alternativas constantly disseminates the results of our studies among civil society organizations, to keep them informed. We have published handbooks to guide organizations on how to legally incorporate and comply with their legal and fiscal obligations.

- “Accountability in the Allocation and Use of Public Resources by Civil Society Organizations,” (Mexico’s right to know)

All the research and publications in Spanish and English can be found here