Fueling SIF’s mission and strategies

SIF partners with foundations, institutions, and individual donors to support our work across Central America.

Grants to SIF enable:

  • Mission-aligned regranting to trusted partners
  • Cross-sector convening and alliance-building
  • Accompaniment and capacity support for leaders and organizations
  • Advocacy and regional coordination efforts

All resources are stewarded with transparency, compliance, and long-term impact in mind.

Mission-Aligned Regranting

We deploy resources to community-rooted organizations and leaders whose work aligns with SIF’s priorities in Central America. Funding decisions are informed by long-standing relationships, deep regional knowledge, and shared values.

SIF does not operate open calls for proposals.

Regranting is primarily invitation-based and prioritizes flexible support, recognizing that local partners are best positioned to lead change.

Tailored Support for Value -Aligned Giving

 

In select cases, SIF offers philanthropic advising, intermediary support, and fiscal sponsorship to advance social change in Central America. This work draws on our regional knowledge, trusted relationships, and strong compliance systems. 

 

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Philanthropic Advising

We help donors define giving strategies, identify aligned partners, and navigate regional dynamics.

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Intermediary Services

For donors who already know who they want to support, we manage the grantmaking process, including expenditure responsibility.

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Fiscal Sponsorship (Model C)

We serve as the administrative home for projects without 501(c)(3) status, enabling tax-deductible giving and compliant grantmaking.

Why Intermediary Support is
Essential

Many high-impact organizations in Central America operate outside the U.S. nonprofit system. SIF bridges the gap, ensuring resources reach trusted partners while meeting all legal and financial requirements. We offer:

 

  • Deep regional relationships
  • Rigorous compliance and reporting
  • Strategic alignment with your values
  • Flexibility to support emerging movements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does SIF allocate funds?

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SIF allocates funds to organizations and initiatives that align with our mission and grantmaking priorities in Central America. Funding decisions are made by SIF in accordance with its charitable purposes. Decisions are informed by:

 

  • Long-standing relationships with partners
  • Deep regional knowledge
  • Donor alignment with SIF’s values and strategies

 

At this time, SIF does not have open calls for proposals; our grantmaking is by invitation only. If you would like to tell us about your organization and work in Central America, we encourage you to share information through our inquiry form.

Can SIF support non-501(c)(3) or international organizations?

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Yes. SIF can support certain non-501(c)(3) or international organizations using IRS-compliant grantmaking methods. Depending on the circumstances, SIF either:

 

  • Documents that an organization is equivalent to a U.S. public charity (equivalency determination), or
  • Applies expenditure-responsibility oversight, including grant restrictions, monitoring, and reporting.

 

 

These processes allow SIF to fund locally led organizations while maintaining full legal compliance.

What is expenditure responsibility and why does it matter?

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Expenditure responsibility is a compliance standard used when a U.S. charity funds an organization that is not recognized as a U.S. public charity. It requires the funder to conduct due diligence, restrict the charitable use of funds, and monitor how funds are spent.

 

As a public charity, SIF applies expenditure-responsibility procedures, or an equivalency determination when available, to ensure grants further exclusively charitable purposes and comply with U.S. tax law.

How does fiscal sponsorship work at SIF?

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Fiscal sponsorship allows eligible charitable projects to operate under SIF’s tax-exempt status when aligned with our mission. SIF provides administrative oversight, financial management, and compliance oversight, and ensures expenditures further charitable purposes. 

 

Fiscal sponsorship at SIF is selective, relationship-based, and supports specific charitable initiatives to further our broader mission.