UnidosUS Esperanza/Hope Fund launches with $1 Million from PepsiCo, and Announces $750,000 in community grants to 30 UnidosUS Affiliate partners

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WASHINGTON, DC—UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza), the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, announced today that it has awarded $750,000 to 30 of its Affiliates, all Latino community-based organizations. This is the first round of grants since the organization established its UnidosUS Esperanza/Hope Fund last month to support its Affiliate Network as they respond to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the Latino community.

The coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for all Americans, but several factors make Latinos especially vulnerable both to COVID-19 and the many health and economic threats the nation currently faces. Hispanics make up about 17 percent of Americans, but, according to the CDC, they make up almost 27 percent of total COVID-19 cases.

“The exemplary work of these 30 organizations that are serving communities across the country decimated by this pandemic is heartening and inspiring, but they are doing much of this work without enough funding and resources. That is why we started the Esperanza/Hope Fund,” said UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía. “Our hope is that the Fund and these initial grants will help Affiliates stabilize their operations, provide emergency support to their communities and strengthen their capacity to not only survive these trying times, but emerge ready to serve for the longer term.”

The announcement of the grants follows the launch of PepsiCo’s $7 million initiative to help communities of color devastated by COVID-19. PepsiCo is an anchor funder of the UnidosUS Esperanza/Hope Fund and its $1 million donation has made these initial grants possible.

“We are deeply grateful for PepsiCo’s generous and timely support of our COVID-19 response,” said Murguía. “At a time when Latinos and communities of color are being so hard hit, it is important that all sectors step up to help and PepsiCo has set a great example that others should follow.”

The grants will go to 30 Affiliates in 14 states and Puerto Rico to support emergency assistance to clients; technology to support remote work and service delivery; new programs to respond to the health and economic crises and operational support to ensure these vital organizations can keep their doors open, now and in the long road to recovery from this crisis.

PepsiCo funds are providing grant to 12 Affiliates including: Centro Campesino Farmworker Center, Florida City, FL; The Concilio, Dallas, TX; East LA Community Corporation, Los Angeles, CA; Eastmont Community Center, Los Angeles, CA; Erie Neighborhood House, Chicago, IL; Mi Casa Resource Center, Denver, CO; Mujeres Latinas En Accion, Chicago, IL; New Economics for Women, Los Angeles, CA; Northwest Side Housing Center, Chicago, IL; Proyecto Inmigrante Counseling Services, Inc., Fort Worth, TX; Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation, Oakland, CA and Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, Inc., Hayward, CA.

The other Affiliates receiving grants include: ConXion to Community, San Jose, CA; El Centro, Kansas City, KS; HOLA OH, Painesville, OH; Southwest Economic Solutions, Detroit, MI; Neighborhood Housing Services of San Antonio, Inc., San Antonio, TX; Mexican American Unity Council, San Antonio, TX; Promise Arizona, Phoenix, AZ; Comunidades Unidas, West Valley City, UT; Hispanic Services Council, Tampa, FL; Hispanic Unity of Florida, Hollywood, FL; One Stop Career Center of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR; Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, Birmingham, AL; Shirlington Employment and Education Center, Arlington, VA; Urban Health Plan, Bronx, NY; East Boston Ecumenical Community Council, East Boston, MA; The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, New York, NY; Dominico-American Society of Queens, Corona, NY and TODEC Legal Center, Perris, CA.

Click here to find out more about the UnidosUS Esperanza/Hope Fund and how you can support.