Stories of Philanthropic Leadership in Advancing Regional and ...

The International Community Foundation, Tijuana Estuary, and IMPlan hosteda November 2004 community meeting in the neighborhoods of Los LaurelesCanyon to disseminate the results of their diagnostic and discuss future pilotprojects. (Source: International Community Foundation).ResultsThe creation of a joint effort to study and act inconcert toward improving the environment andaddressing related social issues is a significant resultof the early development of the projects. “We’re justbeginning to raise awareness of the importance ofrescuing open space in this region. Our partnersand grantees are working on zoning reforms and alandowner contact program in Mexico, as well asland acquisitions in San Diego County,” explainsRichard Kiy, president and CEO of ICF. Kiycontinues, “We’re extremely pleased with theinitiative’s progress in just two years.” The SanDiego Foundation’s Young states, “ICF and TSDFare now moving forward to identify possiblefunding partners to advance the critical work thatlies ahead to protect our shared resources in air,land, and water.”Even before an official diagnostic of Los Laureles wascompleted, Romo from the Tijuana Estuary begandiscussions about solutions and held workshops forresidents on how to build with discarded materialusing proper techniques. The Tijuana authoritiesreacted positively with mayoral support and thepeople in the Canyon did not feel threatened.Moreover, according to Romo, active conversationswith local authorities have bypassed officialcommunication protocol between state departmentsbecause information never trickles down. This hasled to more direct communication betweennonprofits and government agency representatives,which can often cut through bureaucracy withpersonal relationships. In Mexico, this kind of oneon-onecontact is critical for on-the-ground success.Romo also notes that the Los Laureles work caughtthe attention of Tijuana-based non-governmentalorganizations (NGOs) that were inspired by theinternational partnerships. The NGOs have used thepartnership as guidelines in their own endeavors tofurther progress with U.S. partners.A view of the storm drain that connects the United States and Mexico and theLos Laureles Canyon and Tijuana Estuary. (Source: International CommunityFoundation).Lessons LearnedRomo believes that ICF is good at supervisingprojects and supporting a dynamic process.However, Kiy admits that, “[international work]always takes longer then domestic work. Cultureand language coupled with barriers slow projects.”For example, Kiy references the fact that mayors inMexico can only hold one term of three years,which causes inconsistent municipal support and aconstant need to educate the incomingadministration. Viewing the San Diego/Tijuanageographic area as one region has helped theInternational Community Foundation play a keyrole in educating political officials,A view of sprawling development patterns in eastern Tijuana. (Source:International Community Foundation).EQUITABLE PUBLIC INVESTMENTPart III: Section 1: Promoting Equitable Public Investment 50