A Year of Impact
It’s been 5 years since my father passed away and the most therapeutic way I’ve found to cope with not having his physical presence with me is by honoring his memory every day by continuing his philanthropic work.
He started The Acevedo Foundation 30 years ago in Mexico with a focus on education, and for the past two years I’ve expanded his work here in the U.S. creating equitable access to capital, promoting economic mobility and inclusion while also contributing to closing the educational gap in our Latino community.
He would be incredibly proud and thankful to know that thanks to your generous support, we were able to distribute over one million dollars in grants this year.
The Acevedo Foundation serves as a partner for several programs devoted to providing opportunities for underrepresented founders, entrepreneurs, students, content creators, activists, and more.
Below is a summary of the impact we’ve made in the past year:
In 2021, the Acevedo Foundation, in partnership with the Annenberg Foundation and other community members, helped raise $500,000 for 20 Latino and Black founders from South Los Angeles. Each received a $25,000 stipend of non-dilutive capital, 3 months of technical assistance, and mentorship from experienced CEOs in their fields which is priceless.
We are excited to continue this effort in 2022 and beyond. The PledgeLA Fund for South LA Founders is committed to increasing access to jobs and capital for underrepresented communities and we are incredibly proud to be a partner of this effort.
The Acevedo Foundation was also a partner to LTX Connect co-founded by Lili Gangas and Carla Perez Vela, LTX Connect is a unified platform (one-stop-shop) of emerging resources, curated career cross-sector opportunities, insights from Latinx leaders and trailblazers, and plug to the ecosystem supporting Latinx led businesses across tech, entertainment, media, and advocacy. Cultura, technology, and community support and uplift our Latinx community across the U.S.
The Acevedo Foundation has remained a proud founding sponsor of LA Collab since its launch in 2020. LA Collab is a collective impact group of entertainment industry leaders, professionals and allies, co-founded by Ivette Rodriguez, myself and supported by the Office of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. The mission is to ignite a movement that inspires collaboration, accelerates Latino visibility and authentic representation, and drives exponential growth for our community and the entertainment industry.
Our most impactful program in 2021 was joining efforts with LTX Connect to launch LTX MATCH, where Latinx talent and opportunities meet. LTX Match is a new dedicated portal to connect Latinx in the industry with opportunities across the media, entertainment, advocacy, and technology sectors. Here is where we build community, share opportunities, and advocate for collective unifying power
With the reopening of theaters in the United States, LA Collab, the Acevedo Foundation, and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) worked in partnership with GOLD HOUSE to launch #LatinxGoldOpen an initiative to ensure the opening weekend success of Latinx films across the country. Click here to learn more and support Latino representation and impact at the box office.
Activist and nationally bestselling author Julissa Arce's new book, You Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation is the kind of book that will lift the history, heritage, and culture of our people. The Acevedo Foundation is working towards providing this book to as many Latino high school students as possible, especially as efforts to ban Latino studies, and Critical Race Theory pick up steam. Our goal is to grow the choir of people who believe that Latinos belong in America.
One of the biggest problems Latinas continue to face is the lack of available resources to pursue and enhance their careers. The Educated Hermanaz, Melanie and Mariana Montoya, have created the 24Fierze fund with the mission to expand opportunities for Latinas to break stereotypes and limitations that have been placed on Latinas. Their initiative 24Fierze will create tangible opportunities for Latinas by providing financial help to enhance their careers such as research for STEM, study abroad, take a masterclass, or even get a real estate license. We were proud sponsors of this initiative that is much needed in our community.
You can support here: https://givebutter.com/acevedofoundationehz24fierze
I am honored to have been appointed to serve on the Council on Underserved Communities which will provide the U.S. Small Business Administration with guidance on how the agency can strengthen programs and initiatives to help small businesses start and grow. From the nation’s most diverse and accomplished small business owners, community leaders, and advocates, the CUC membership represents the voices and interests of America’s diverse small business owners, including those in disadvantaged groups such as women and within communities of color. Together, we will work to promote public investment and policy formation to address the barriers facing underserved small businesses.
Today would have been my dad’s 88th birthday and what better way to celebrate than with the achievements we’ve had in his name along with our partners and allies.
I’m incredibly grateful for your support as we continue to empower the next generation of Latino leaders - because when Latinos prosper, America prospers.
If you’d like to support the work we are doing at the Acevedo Foundation, you can do so by making a tax free contribution to: https://givebutter.com/AcevedoFoundation
Please email joyce@acevedo.foundation if you require a tax-deductible letter.
You can also subscribe to our newsletter here.
Con gratitud,
Beatriz Acevedo
President, Acevedo Foundation
The Acevedo Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable not-for-profit organization committed to empowering the next generation of Latino leaders. We do so by funding and facilitating programs that close the educational gap, create equitable access to capital, and promote economic mobility and inclusion for our community.
