Our Four Strategies

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Mobilizing & Granting Funds

As a trusted philanthropic intermediary, we mobilize donor resources and regrant them securely and strategically to community-rooted organizations and social leaders across Central America.

Our flexible funding model is grounded in trust, partnership and deep regional understanding, ensuring resources reach where they are needed most.

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Convening & Alliance-Building

As a convener, we bring people together across borders and sectors to collaborate for democracy and human rights.

Through platforms such as the Central America Donors Forum, we create trusted spaces where funders and leaders share strategies and strengthen collective action.

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Accompaniment & Capacity Building

We stand with our partners beyond the grant, offering mentorship, skills, and visibility that strengthen their organizations and amplify their impact. Our approach is relationship-based and responsive. We recognize that sustainable change is driven by those closest to the work.

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Advocacy

Our convening power opens doors for partners to engage decision-makers and inform policy at national, regional, and global levels.
We elevate Central American voices in spaces where critical decisions are made, connecting local realities with broader policy conversations.

Our Grantmaking Approach

SIF regrants resources to organizations and leaders whose work aligns with our mission to advance equality, human rights, and democracy in Central America. Our grantmaking is grounded in long-term relationships and deep regional knowledge. At this time, we do not operate open calls for proposals. Most grants are made by invitation, based on existing partnerships and referrals from trusted networks.

Whenever possible, we prioritize flexible funding, recognizing that locally rooted organizations are best positioned to decide how resources can be used effectively. Organizations interested in sharing information about their work are encouraged to do so through our inquiry form.

Why SIF


For 18 years, SIF has partnered with local leaders, organizations, and movements across Central America. Our deep regional expertise, built on long‑standing relationships and trust, guides how we mobilize resources, build alliances, and support locally led change.
Partnering with SIF connects your support to the leaders and movements advancing a more just, inclusive, and democratic Central America.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of organizations does SIF partner with?

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SIF partners with a wide range of organizations, movements, and leaders in Central America advancing equality, human rights, and democracy. Our partners are locally rooted, community-led, and engaged in long-term social change.

 

They include:

 

  • Youth-led collectives, grassroots networks, and social organizations
  • Indigenous, Afro-descendant, feminist, women-led, and LGBTIQ+ youth groups
  • Independent, not-for-profit, and public interest media organizations, including investigative outlets, fact-checkers, and community radios
  • Cross-sector coalitions and civil society leaders

 

We work with both established organizations and emerging initiatives, prioritizing relationships grounded in trust, shared values, and regional expertise.

What support does SIF provide beyond funding?

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In addition to grantmaking, SIF supports organizations and leaders through a combination of accompaniment, convening, and advocacy.

This support may include:

 

  • Long-term accompaniment and capacity support, including mentorship, skills-building, and safety and resilience tools for leaders and organizations;
  • Convening and alliance-building, bringing together organizations, movements, donors, journalists, and allies across borders and sectors; together, they share strategies, strengthen collaboration, and amplify impact;
  • Advocacy support, leveraging SIF’s convening power to elevate Central American voices, connect partners with decision-makers, and give visibility to leaders working in restrictive or high-risk environments. 

 

Our approach is relationship-based and responsive. We strengthen organizations while respecting their autonomy, leadership, and lived expertise.

How does SIF use convening to advance change?

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SIF convenes organizations, leaders, funders, journalists, and other allies across borders and sectors. Our gatherings allow our community to share analysis, align strategies, and build long-term collaboration in support of equality, human rights, and democracy in Central America. This approach turns connection into coordinated action and lasting alliances.

How does SIF support advocacy and influence?

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SIF promotes informed dialogue and civic participation by elevating perspectives from Central America and facilitating connections among stakeholders. Through coordination and narrative amplification, we support advocacy that links local realities to public debate. SIF does not support or participate in political campaign activity and conducts its work in accordance with applicable nonprofit regulations.

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