Nurturing the roots of holistic wellbeing
Rather than focus on project-based outputs or services, we seek to invest in the holistic wellbeing of people living in vulnerable communities around the world.
Through our grantmaking, we prioritize community-led initiatives that seek to heal people’s connections to God, self, others, and creation. As communities embrace new mindsets about their own identity and purpose, and learn to steward resources in more innovative ways, new paths unfold.
We believe if you heal the spirit of a people, they will lead themselves
We believe that it is not simply lack of access to such things as education, healthcare and job creation that keeps communities from flourishing, but a much deeper brokenness of spirit evidenced by lack of voice, purpose, meaningful relationships, agency and connection. (See Theory of Change)
Choosing our Grant Partners
When exploring new partnerships, we use the following criteria in our evaluation process.
We focus on 4 geographic areas – Mexico, Haiti, Northern India, and East Africa – prioritizing community-based organizations in specific regions of each country that can be connected and learn from each other.
Our support goes beyond funding. We seek to be mutual partners, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration across regions.
We seek partners who share our values and approach to living and working in community.
We are place-based, prioritizing rural communities; we are faith-inspired, responding to God's call to service and justice; and we are healing-centered, prioritizing grassroots initiatives that promote healing and reconciliation.
At this time, funding applications are available by invitation only.
Our Partners
Our current grantees work in one or more of the following areas of community development.
Stories
Changing Mindsets and Livelihoods in India
Inderpaul is a cotton farmer in the Vidarbha region of India. Due to poor weather conditions, he fell into heavy…
Combatting Gender-Based Violence in Latin America
In 2018, VHF hosted our first international grant partner retreat in Mexico City. Forty people from 15 organizations attended. Following…
We For Others: Mindset Change in India
When I (Joseph) joined Vista Hermosa Foundation as a Program Officer to steward relationships with partners in East Africa and…
Changing Mindsets and Livelihoods in India
Combatting Gender-Based Violence in Latin America
We For Others: Mindset Change in India
LISTENER NOT MENTOR
I have been a social worker since 2006 and I have been privileged to work with people from all walks of life across the world. It’s been an amazing opportunity working in 3 countries with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I especially enjoyed working with young adults who are making a major transition in…
WELCOMING EVERYONE
Monday morning, Rachel was sitting in her office when she noticed an elderly woman gently walk into the Collegium with the help of a walking stick. Rachel went out to greet her. Earlier in the week, Rachel had sent an employee around the neighborhood to drop off Collegium café brochures. The woman’s grandson had given…
FATHERS DAY AT THE COLLEGIUM CAFE
Fathers don’t get the credit they deserve! I believe the role they play in shaping a child’s life is equally as important as a mother’s role. That is why I was excited to do something to honor them. At the Center for Sharing, we did something similar to what we did on Mother’s day. Starting…
JOSIAS DEL CID
As I was walking through the Collegium one day, a little boy looking extremely adorable reading something happened to catch my eye. Sheer curiosity made me walk towards him. He was reading a brochure of the evening program that we have at the Collegium every day. I asked him for his name and he replied…
A DRIVE TO CHIAWANA
Antonio has been a wonderful servant of God, sincerely serving the Center for Sharing for many years. A couple of weeks ago he was working in the Collegium around 7:15am. A boy who appeared to be around 15 years old approached him and asked Antonio if he could take him to his school because he…
IAN’S DREAM
The word ‘Collegium’ is defined as a place where people come to share great ideas. And Ian Robertson is a dreamer! He recently came to visit us at the Collegium. At 80 years of age, he is, like a good prophet, crying out against the forces that seek to crush and disconnect people on the…
WHEN PATIENCE AND SOME THINKING WAS NEEDED
One day, Rachel was involved in a conversation with Jsayvian a little boy aged around 10 years old. They were talking about teachers and the role that they play in shaping the life of a student. Rachel shared that it is important to express our love and gratitude to teachers, in return for all they…
MOTHERS DAY 2018
Mother’s Day in the United States is annually held on the second Sunday of May, or May 10 for those who come from Mexico. It celebrates motherhood and is a time to appreciate mothers and mother figures. Many people give gifts, cards, flowers, candy, and a meal in a restaurant or other treats to their…
EVERYONE COUNTS
I was sitting in the café about 8am, reviewing some emails while waiting for my bagel with bacon, when a woman stepped over to my table and asked if I had a few minutes. I told her I did, so she sat down. She was dressed in many layers of warm clothing, and told me…
Fit, Fine and over Fifty tour of the Broetje Orchards and Center for Sharing
Recently a group of 25 members well over the age of 50 came together for lunch at the Collegium after a tour of Broetje Orchards. They are the “Fit, Fine and Over Fifty Club” (FFOFC) which brings together adults to promote their physical, intellectual, and social health. The group consists of more than 300 members…