Friends of Puerto Rico

What Friends of Puerto Rico does

Friends of Puerto Rico is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social impact organization founded in 2015 and headquartered in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, with additional operations in San Juan, Washington, D.C., and Las Marías. The organization operates a multi-program economic development platform spanning youth entrepreneurship (SEEDS, PIONERAS, ESCALERA), adult workforce training (Capacity Building, AI en Acción), small business development (RESPOND, Metro Women's Business Center, Aguadilla Business Center), and signature advocacy events (Capitol Hill Summit, Mujer Capital). It serves a long tail of beneficiaries — children and adolescents in public schools, women entrepreneurs, small business owners in western Puerto Rico, and agricultural communities — all of whom access programming free of charge.

Revenue mechanics blend four streams: tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations; competitive federal grants (notably a $600,000 U.S. Department of Commerce / EDA award and SBA funding for the Metro Women's Business Center); foundation grants from partners including Fundación Ángel Ramos, Fundación Liberty, NALCAB/Truist, Merck, and Chick-fil-A ($75,000 True Inspiration Award); and social enterprise product sales through the Café Ama Love coffee brand (launched 2019, Walmart distribution since 2022), with 100% of proceeds funding SEEDS scholarships. The Panorama Farm agritourism site in Las Marías generates supplementary revenue via eco-lodging and tours while serving as the origin point for Café Ama Love. Go-to-market is event-driven and partnership-mediated rather than sales-led, with delivery concentrated at the organization's two physical business centers and through municipality partnerships in Aguadilla, San Sebastián, and Las Marías.

The platform architecture is best characterized as an integrated ecosystem in which federal designations (SBA, EDA), institutional partnerships (UnidosUS, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Banco de Desarrollo Económico), and the self-funded Café Ama Love loop create a defensible operating position. Key dependencies include grant renewal cycles (the Commerce Department grant materially affects near-term solvency), the founder-led leadership structure (Angelique Sina as Founder and President), and continued federal policy engagement via the Capitol Hill Summit. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; its core "product" is curated programming and convening power rather than software.

Name

Friends of Puerto Rico

Legal name

Friends of Puerto Rico

Website

https://friendsofpuertorico.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Friends of Puerto Rico is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that delivers youth entrepreneurship, women-owned business support, small business development, and STEM programming to underserved communities across Puerto Rico, funded by federal grants, foundation awards, donations, and its Café Ama Love social enterprise coffee brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Economic Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Entrepreneurship & Impact Business (EDAMAHAK), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Youth entrepreneurship programs
• Small business development
• Women business centers
• STEM education initiatives
• Nonprofit economic empowerment

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Friends of Puerto Rico operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund its programs including SEEDS, ESCALERA, PIONERAS, and RESPOND.
2. Café Ama Love Product Sales: The organization sells specialty coffee products through its Café Ama Love social enterprise, with 100% of proceeds supporting the SEEDS youth entrepreneurship program. Products include 2oz bundle, 8oz whole bean, 5lb whole bean, and 8oz ground coffee.
3. Government Grants: Friends of Puerto Rico receives federal funding from agencies including the U.S. Department of Commerce ($600,000 investment) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support small business development programs like RESPOND.
4. Foundation and Corporate Grants: The organization receives grants from foundations including NALCAB ($15,000 award with Truist Foundation support), Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award ($75,000), Fundación Ángel Ramos, and Fundación Liberty to support specific programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Friends of Puerto Rico is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers economic development programs including youth entrepreneurship (SEEDS), STEM education for girls (PIONERAS), university preparation (ESCALERA), and small business resilience support (RESPOND). It also operates the Metro Women's Business Center and Aguadilla Business Center, and runs social enterprises Café Ama Love (coffee brand) and Panorama Farm (agritourism) whose proceeds fund programming.

Product overview

Friends of Puerto Rico operates as a multi-program nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) that functions as a platform-plus-programs architecture, combining social enterprise products, direct-service programs, physical business centers, and signature events to drive economic development across Puerto Rico. The core product portfolio centers on four interconnected pillars: (1) Youth & Workforce Programs — SEEDS (youth entrepreneurship), ESCALERA (university preparation), PIONERAS (girls in STEM), and Capacity Building (job readiness); (2) Social Enterprise — Café Ama Love (ethical coffee brand) and Panorama Farm (agritourism/eco-lodge), which generate funding for programming; (3) Small Business Development — RESPOND (resilience and recovery), Metro Women's Business Center, and Aguadilla Business Center providing technical assistance, mentorship, and capital access; and (4) Signature Events — the Capitol Hill Summit and Mujer Capital that connect Puerto Rican stakeholders with policymakers and financial institutions. All programs contribute to the organization's overarching mission of economic empowerment and self-sufficiency for the people of Puerto Rico.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SEEDS Youth Entrepreneurship Program A youth entrepreneurship program equipping public school students with business creation, financial literacy, technical skills, communication, and mentorship to launch micro-businesses, often using Café Ama Love coffee sales as seed funding.
• ESCALERA College Preparation Program A program that prepares high school students for university transition through campus visits, mentorship, college application guidance, and FAFSA and scholarship support.
• PIONERAS STEM Program for Girls A STEM-focused program for girls and young women in public schools providing mentorship, hands-on workshops, and experiences to increase representation in STEM careers.
• RESPOND Small Business Resilience Program A small business resilience and recovery program providing technical assistance, mentorship, and specialized training in digitalization, financial management, operational efficiency, and access to capital for businesses in western Puerto Rico.
• Metro Women's Business Center An SBA-partially-funded business center in San Juan providing free technical assistance, mentorship, training, and capital access events for women entrepreneurs in Puerto Rico.
• Café Ama Love Coffee A premium, ethically sourced Puerto Rican coffee brand sold through an online shop and retail; 100% of proceeds fund the SEEDS youth entrepreneurship program and scholarships.
• Panorama Farm Agritourism An agricultural farm in Las Marías, Puerto Rico offering eco-lodging, cultural immersion experiences, conservation education, eco-tourism, and hosting the GROW Fellowship for changemakers.
• Capacity Building and Job Readiness Enhancement A workforce development program offering workshops, training modules, and eBooks to help job seekers build resumes, connect with recruiters, and develop professional skills, including a 4-webinar series on Resume Builder tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 people impacted in 10 years of operation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NALCAB (National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2024Friends of Puerto Rico was selected as one of twenty nonprofits to receive a $15,000 award from NALCAB with Truist Foundation support. This partnership helps the organization navigate federal funding systems and assist other organizations in accessing capital for underserved communities.
• Unidos UScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPioneras en STEM is an UnidosUS program implemented by Friends of Puerto Rico to increase access to STEM careers for young people. The program aims to improve graduation rates and Hispanic representation in STEM fields.
• Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UPR for student health initiatives and collaboration on university outreach programs including campus tours at UPR Mayagüez for Escalera program participants.
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for Capitol Hill Summit, bringing together Members of Congress and Puerto Rican leaders for economic development discussions and advocacy.
• SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBA funding partially finances the Metro Women's Business Center operated by Friends of Puerto Rico, providing business development services to women entrepreneurs.
• Banco de Desarrollo EconómicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuerto Rico's economic development bank participates in Mujer Capital events connecting women entrepreneurs with financing options and capital access opportunities.
• Panorama FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgritourism destination in Las Marías owned by Friends of Puerto Rico that cultivates Café Ama Love coffee and provides STEAM education through butterfly conservation programs.
• Municipios de Aguadilla, San Sebastián, y Las MaríascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partners collaborating on RESPOND program delivery, providing local venues, community outreach, and coordination for small business development workshops.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UnidosUS: Large Latino civil rights and advocacy organization that operates programs in education, workforce, and economic empowerment — already a partner of Friends of Puerto Rico through PIONERAS. Comparable as a Hispanic-focused nonprofit combining federal advocacy with direct service programs.
• National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB): Network of Latino-focused CDFIs and economic development nonprofits. Partner of FOPR with shared federal funding navigation mission and similar community asset-building focus across Hispanic communities.
• Hispanic Federation: National Latino nonprofit providing economic empowerment, education, and civic engagement programs across the U.S. Closely comparable as a Hispanic-focused nonprofit operating multi-program economic development and youth services with strong federal and corporate funding relationships.
• Aspira Association: National Hispanic nonprofit focused on youth education, leadership development, and STEM access. Comparable to FOPR's PIONERAS and ESCALERA programs that target educational and career pathways for Latino youth.

Emerging players

• DreamSpring: Community development financial institution (CDFI) providing small business lending and support to underserved entrepreneurs, including Hispanic and women-owned businesses. Comparable business model to FOPR's RESPOND and Mujer Capital programs that connect small businesses with capital.
• Grameen America: Microfinance nonprofit providing small business loans and support to women entrepreneurs in underserved U.S. communities. Comparable to FOPR's Metro Women's Business Center and RESPOND programs that target women entrepreneurs and small business access to capital.

Broad incumbents

• Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility: National Hispanic nonprofit connecting corporations with Latino communities through workforce, education, and economic inclusion programs. Comparable in connecting Hispanic-serving nonprofits with corporate and federal funding streams.
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI): Hispanic-focused policy and leadership nonprofit tied to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Comparable to FOPR's Capitol Hill Summit as a Hispanic advocacy organization operating both D.C.-based policy convenings and direct-service programs.

Regional players

• Asociación de Industriales de Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico business and industry association supporting economic development, workforce training, and small business growth. Comparable as a Puerto Rico–focused organization running economic empowerment and small business development programs on the island.
• Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico's primary community foundation funding economic development, education, and youth programs on the island. Most directly comparable in geography, scale, and program mix to FOPR's nonprofit operations in Puerto Rico.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/friendsofpr
• Facebookfacebook.com/friendsofpuertorico
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-of-puerto-rico

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Friends of Puerto Rico