Ethics in the Nonprofit World

Building With Integrity: What We Believe In

As a newer nonprofit organization, we are learning and growing every day. From the very beginning, our board agreed that we wanted to build

our organization on a strong foundation of transparency, accountability, and respect for our donors and the families we serve.

We are an all-volunteer organization. None of our board members receive compensation, and when we travel to Guatemala to oversee programs or build partnerships, those costs are covered personally. We do this intentionally, because at this stage in our growth we want to direct as much funding as possible to the students and families we support.

As we continue to grow, we believe it is important to clearly communicate the following principles:

Transparency Should Be Clear and Understandable

Transparency goes beyond filing required IRS documents. While public tax filings are important, we believe donors should also be able to easily understand:

• How much money is raised

• How much goes directly to programs

• What administrative or operational costs exist

• How funds are allocated for each sponsorship level

  
  

Our organization has not yet completed its first fiscal year, but once we do, we will publish a clear, easy-to-read financial summary for our supporters. We welcome questions from donors at any time and believe every question deserves a respectful and direct response.

Strong Governance Matters

Nonprofit leadership carries responsibility. Board structure, defined roles, and accountability safeguards exist to protect both donors and beneficiaries. As a California-registered nonprofit, we operate within state guidelines that help ensure separation of duties and proper oversight. We believe governance should never be a formality — it should actively protect the mission.

Respectful Donor Engagement

We believe generosity should be inspired — not pressured.

Sharing impact, success stories, and student achievements is the best way to invite others into meaningful giving. We aim to focus our messaging on hope, progress, and measurable outcomes rather than urgency or guilt.

Clarity Around Sponsorship Costs

When sponsoring a student, we believe donors should clearly understand:

• The actual cost of tuition and required expenses

• Whether any portion supports administrative needs

• What additional fees (if any) are included

Our current annual sponsorship levels are:

• Primaria: $240

• Básico: $600

• Diversificado: $900

• Universidad: $1,248–$3,000 (depending on major)

Every dollar designated for student sponsorship is directed to the student or their family. Any transfer fees or currency exchange costs are absorbed by our organization.

As we continue building this nonprofit, we remain committed to learning, improving, and operating with integrity. We are grateful for the trust our donors place in us and take that responsibility seriously.

As always, thank you for your support!