FEMSA Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The charitable arm of a major Mexican beverage company, the FEMSA Foundation gives awards grants for water access and sustainability projects as well as those related to food security and nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean.
IP TAKE: FEMSA supports organizations that work in the global development fields of water and nutrition and that can potentially bring about “[m]omentous changes,” that are both long lasting and sustainable. This funder offers support for both small and large organizations. However, if your work doesn’t focus on Latin America or the Caribbean, don’t bother applying since those are regions of giving focus. Make sure your proposal has data to back up your ask in order to be successful. This is a funder that likes being contacted directly rather than accessing proposals through an online interface, so reach out and introduce your work briefly to gain a better understanding of its grant process.
PROFILE: The FEMSA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Mexico-based multinational FEMSA, which has diverse business interests and operates throughout Latin America. FEMSA comprises the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottler, OXXO convenience stores, and part of Heineken. Its foundation supports projects “ranging from the exploration of new ideas to improve the lives of communities to cooperation platforms and scalable solutions that greatly impact on a regional level.” The foundation seeks to serve as an “instrument of social investment that supports the conservation and sustainable use of water and improving the quality of life in the community through education, science and technology applied.”
Grants for Global Development and Environmental Conservation
The majority of FEMSA’s grantmaking centers around water usage, particularly in terms of sanitation and watershed conservation. Its water-related work centers on the sustainable development of water resources and WASH projects. It supports grantees that work on watershed conservation, safe water access (particularly in marginalized and Indigenous communities), rainwater harvesting systems, and disaster response. FEMSA is also interested in water-related capacity building and scientific research.
Grants for Early Childhood Education
The FEMSA Foundation supports projects that promote strong early childhood development throughout Latin America, particularly in terms of “physical, cognitive, linguistic and socio-emotional development.” The foundation works by partnering with schools, businesses, governments, and NGOs to promote “innovative and replicable models” and “skills and leadership in the sector,” with a particular focus on child care centers, parental involvement, and proper nutrition. Previous grantees and projects include Nutriescuela, Ludonutrición and Campaña de Colores.
Important Grant Details:
FEMSA does not provide detailed information on its grant values. In order to apply for a grant, grantseekers must contact the foundation by email. Most kinds of individuals and groups (governmental and nongovernmental) are eligible to apply for FEMSA funding. In assessing its applicants, the foundation seeks projects with measurable impacts and long-term benefits that outlast the life of the grant. FEMSA does not give grants for projects taking place outside of Latin America and the Caribbean.
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