Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Fiesta Benéfica celebrates progress building the island’s resiliency, honors Miranda family for contributions to recovery efforts
Fiesta Benéfica photos can be found here.
PUERTO RICO—On Wednesday, February 8, Hispanic Federation (HF) hosted Fiesta Benéfica, its first gala in Puerto Rico that celebrated five years of recovery efforts and raised funds for HF's ongoing commitment to the archipelago. At the gala, Hispanic Federation welcomed 18 new Puerto Rico nonprofit organizations into its membership to strengthen their existing collaborations and help lead sustainable recovery initiatives. A full list of these organizations can be found below.
The gala also honored the Miranda family for their philanthropic commitment to Puerto Rico and HF’s recovery efforts. Award-winning singer, dancer, and actress Rita Moreno was a special guest presenting a tribute to the Miranda family for their continued commitment. Luis A. Miranda Jr., Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda, Lucecita Crespo, and award-winning songwriter, actor, director, and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda accepted the recognition. Photos from the event can be accessed here. Fiesta Benéfica raised more than $300,000 to support HF’s crucial work on the island.
From L-R: Current and Past HF Presidents: Frankie Miranda, HF President and CEO, Jose Calderon, Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, Luis Miranda, and Lillian Rodriguez Lopez
“Building a stronger and more resilient Puerto Rico requires a collective effort as well as sustained commitments and investments,” said Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda. “Fiesta Benéfica is rooted in this theme and brings together the private, philanthropic, and government sectors to not only raise funds and celebrate progress, but to further empower Puerto Ricans and their vision for the next chapter of the island. I thank our sponsors for making Fiesta Benéfica possible and the Miranda family for their continued support. I also want to welcome our 18 new member organizations to the Hispanic Federation family. Together, we are affirming that our community is worth fighting for and that change is possible when we are united in purpose and action.”
Fiesta Benéfica was sponsored by a number of partners in the philanthropic and private sector, including our Circulo de Campeones: Banco Popular, The Coca-Cola Company, LGA Strategies, Liberty, Paul & Marie Napoli Foundation, Supermercados Econo, Walmart Puerto Rico; and our Compañeros: Bank of America, Bright Planet Solar, GrupoNavis, T-Mobile.
Hispanic Federation's long-term commitment to Puerto Rico began five years ago, when Hurricane Maria made landfall on the island. More than 3,000 people lost their lives, 200,000 were displaced, the island lost power for almost a year, and health systems were stressed. In total, Hurricane Maria left behind about $90 billion worth of damage and decimated a key sector of the local economy – Puerto Rico’s coffee industry.
HF was a first responder to the crisis and has been a major funder and driver of Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts. Specifically, HF launched a three-year initiative to revitalize Puerto Rico’s coffee sector, funded and collaborated with more than 140 organizations and initiatives across Puerto Rico, led dozens more, and bolstered more than 2,500 small businesses, micro-entrepreneurs, and farmers. In September of last year, Hispanic Federation released a comprehensive report – Building a Stronger and More Resilient Puerto Rico – detailing the success and impact of these recovery efforts and the road ahead to build Puerto Rico’s resilience.
In 2023, Hispanic Federation will continue its commitment to Puerto Rico with an additional pledge of approximately $3 million in philanthropic funding and nearly $5 million in federal funding through a new partnership with the USDA. These funds will support grant making for community-based organizations, the expansion of renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and other long-term recovery initiatives in Puerto Rico. The funds will also aid in promoting equitable community development and support the island’s own long-term vision for recovery, resilience, and change. These new commitments are in addition to Hispanic Federation’s $51 million in philanthropic investments to advance Puerto Rico’s just and sustainable recovery from natural disasters and the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The 18 new member organizations include:
- Asociación Mayaguezana de Personas con Impedimentos (AMPI)
- Centro de la Mujer Dominicana
- Centros Sor Isolina Ferré
- Corporación de Servicios de Salud Primaria y Desarrollo Socioeconómico El Otoao (COSSAO)
- Centro de Microempresas y Tecnologías Agrícolas Sustentables (CMTAS Yauco)
- Proyecto Enlace del Caño Martín Peña/G8
- Instituto del Desarollo de la Juventud
- Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente
- Mujeres de Islas
- One Stop Career Center
- Para la Naturaleza
- Proyecto de Educación Comunal de Entrega y Servicio (PECES)
- Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.
- Profamilias
- Proyecto Matria
- Red por los Derechos de la Niñez y la Juventud
- Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust
- Waves Ahead
