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
I Have Changed My Story
In 2016, Vista Hermosa Foundation started funding the Ugandan organization Watye Ki Gen in hopes to reconcile and restore relationships for children born in captivity during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgence.
Joyful Service
On Saturday, March 12th, the RISE scholars gathered to hear the needs of their community along with a few other members of Broetje Family Trust, including interns. I showed up not knowing what to expect, and what was meant to be weekend work turned into a day filled with love and joy.
Got Milk?
One of the first classrooms of education that I attended was held in the milk parlor of a small dairy farm my parents owned. Twice a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, “in sickness and in health” (whether he felt like it or not), my father had to see that the cows on that farm were milked.
An Opportunity to Take
Nataly Romero is a middle schooler at NELA. She aspires to be a writer and journalist when she grows up. When she shared this academic goal with her teacher, Mrs. Hedlund coordinated for Nataly to job shadow writers at Broetje Family Trust.
A “Leo” Among Us
Stories can provide powerful guidance for the way we live and work. They can change minds and hearts. The original story of Leo is held in high distinction at Broetje Family Trust.
A Book in the Making
Haiti Partners, Vista Hermosa Foundation partner since 2009, is producing a book written in Haiti-Creole with a translation to English, to tell the story of their school created with the philosophy of servant leadership.
Open the Door
Years ago, in honor of the opening and dedication event for the new chapel built at Vista Hermosa community, my brother sent a drawing he had sketched. Have you ever felt like the rider in the drawing?
The Power of Encouragement
It all started with what I thought was a simple lesson about encouragement. How can we use our words to build others up?
Philanthropy With Heart
Humanitarianism is a form of altruism that contributes to the ‘public good’. While young, I found these ideologies foreign. Aside from my family’s giving practices, philanthropy felt undefined. This changed in the in the eighth grade…
¡Alza tu voz!
Over the last few months, leaders of a community-driven advocacy initiative have come together to have grassroots conversations about the foundational and overall goals of the Tri-Cities immigrant and refugee community. I sat with facilitators, Adriana Davila, Antonio Escalera, and Ivone Guillen to hear their hopes and vision for the future as they listen and guide peers…