Foundation for Puerto Rico

Foundation for Puerto Rico (FPR) is a nonprofit organization focusing on economic and social growth opportunities. They provide "resources, training, funding, and networks," as their website states, that help improve Puerto Rico internally to "unleash" its potential globally. 

Founded by Jon Borschow in 2011, FPR is an economic development leader in Puerto Rico to create a network for various industries on the island. They provide communities and small businesses with resources for success and increase international awareness of the local economy as an opportunity "so that more people can live, visit, work and invest in our beautiful island, through strategic innovation, visitor economy, and resilience."

How do they do it?

FPR tends to research and act. They combine innovation, data, and "field-based work" with communities around Puerto Rico. Their 2019 Annual Report stated that they would work with 32 communities and support over 600 small businesses.  

Their headquarters, called El Colaboratorio, is in Ciudadela, Santurce, where they manage their projects and provide a forum for people to share ideas, create new projects, and innovate to transform Puerto Rico. 

Most of FPR's team comprises women; more than half comprise the group. This signifies that the organization can focus on promoting economic growth and providing more jobs for women in need. The island desperately needs more women in power that can move them forward in the social, political, and economic aspects. FPR's progressive line-up inspires other organizations on the island that should also consider the gender diversity of their teams.

FPR Programs

Currently, several projects give value to the community. Some of them are:

‍Support for Small Local Businesses

"Small Business Support Program" was created after Hurricane Maria in 2017 to provide financial relief and assistance to local businesses to help them face the post-disaster circumstances. After the series of earthquakes that struck Puerto Rico in January 2020, FPR reactivated the program to support entrepreneurs in the south of the island.

Activating the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic

[re]Activa is a program focused on providing tools to help businesses adapt to the current time. They give more technical and hands-on assistance through marketing, business planning, and finance experts in a series of workshops and mentorship sessions.

These business mentorships sessions are free and available on the Zoom platform. These are provided by Alan Taveras, an entrepreneur specializing in Digital Advertising. Log on to their Facebook page for more information on how to apply for the workshops: FPR Facebook.

Innovation and partnerships

Led by attorney and former governor candidate Alexandra Lúgaro, the Center for Strategic Innovation uses research and networking to generate forums between different sectors that can position Puerto Rico in a better place to face today's challenges. The Center recognizes that these efforts require a transformation of how ideas are generated and produced into working programs. Economic growth involves adaptation and collaboration from the private sector, government, nonprofits, and community leaders.

Some of their current partnerships include companies such as Walmart, Wells Fargo, Toro Verde, UBS, AwakenR, Best Option Healthcare, B Media, and Brands of Puerto Rico.

The Bottom-Up Destination Recovery Initiative is a program within the Visitor Economy sector of FPR whose goal is to develop and improve the conditions of communities to accelerate the country's economic growth. Part of the development includes creating new jobs for those affected by natural disasters, most recently Hurricane Fiona in September 2022. The municipalities that participated in this program are Aguadilla, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Cabo Rojo, Camuy, Manatí, San Germán, Ceiba, Fajardo, Luquillo, Orocovis, Humacao, and Naguabo.

Donations

As a nonprofit organization, Foundation for Puerto Rico has numerous ways where people can donate to them to maximize resources to provide for different areas around the island. Customers can donate in a one-time or monthly term through the organization's website: FPR Donations. 

If the customer prefers other payment methods, FPR also accepts donations through ATH Movil via a QR Code and PayPal (which can be accessed in the link above). For more ways to donate, customers can text 'GIVE2FPR' to 44-321. Donations could also be received through mail at the following address: Foundation for Puerto Rico Attn: Development Department P.O. Box 364029 San Juan, PR 00936.

For any other payment methods in mind or for information about donations, contact them via email: donations@foundationpr.org. Any questions outside of donations? Contact info@foundationpr.org or call 787-773-1100.