Fundación Avina

What Fundación Avina does

Fundación Avina is a Latin American philanthropic foundation founded in 1994, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, that drives sustainable development through collaborative grantmaking and capacity-building. The organization operates across approximately 35 countries through 14 legal entities registered in 10 countries and a staff of over 150 people in 15 countries, working through six program areas: Biomes, Climate, Democracies, Inclusive Circular Economy, Labor Innovation, and Water. Its core methodology is "CollaborAction," a proprietary work model refined over 30 years of practice that serves as the operational framework for orchestrating multi-stakeholder initiatives bridging grassroots communities with global policy forums.

Avina does not generate commercial revenue; instead it functions as a philanthropic intermediary, channeling "social investments" (grants) to partner organizations. In 2024, it disbursed USD 16.67 million across 625 social investments to partners operating in 36 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. Over its 30-year history, the foundation has directly disbursed approximately USD 495.70 million to roughly 13,200 initiatives, working with 55 co-investors and a network of more than 5,000 allies and 8,000 partners. Funding is sourced from a diversified mix of global foundations (Open Society, Ford, Hewlett, Skoll, Laudes), multilateral climate funds (Green Climate Fund, FRLD), corporate foundations (Coca-Cola Foundation, Walmart Foundation, Target Foundation), and bilateral aid agencies (EU, Swiss SDC, IDRC).

The organization maintains a closely held ecosystem of wholly-owned operating entities—WTT (Pan-Amazon climate solutions) and IKATU Ventures (social innovation ventures)—that extend its programmatic reach. Avina holds distinctive regulatory credentials: it is the first Latin American civil society organization accredited as a regional entity of the Green Climate Fund, and is accredited to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), positioning it as a privileged channel for multilateral climate finance into the Global South. Governance is exercised through a board that includes indigenous and environmental leaders (Txai Suruí, Valmir Ortega) and former ministers (Paula Moreno, Julio Madrazo), with Gabriel Baracatt appointed Chairman in July 2024 and Valeria Scorza named CEO in 2024.

Name

Fundación Avina

Legal name

Fundación Avina

Website

https://avina.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fundación Avina is a Latin American philanthropic foundation founded in 1994 that channels social investments across approximately 35 countries through six program areas (Biomes, Climate, Democracies, Inclusive Circular Economy, Labor Innovation, and Water), disbursing USD 16.67 million in 625 grants in 2024 via its proprietary CollaborAction methodology and a network of 5,000+ allies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic foundation services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Finance Funds & Green Investment Facilities (BPADACAH), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Philanthropic foundation services
• Social investment grants
• Sustainable development programs
• Collaborative impact funding
• Climate action philanthropy

Headquarters

HQ city

Panama City

HQ country

Panama

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Social Investment Disbursements: Fundación Avina operates as a philanthropy foundation that provides grants (referred to as social investments) to partner organizations. Financial support is provided to partners for development of projects, initiatives, events, or actions within the framework of priority programs. In 2024, they disbursed 16.67 million USD in 625 social investments to partner organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fundación Avina is a non-profit philanthropic foundation that channels social investments (grants) to partner organizations working on sustainable development across Latin America and the global South. Its core service is the application of a proprietary CollaborAction methodology to identify, co-fund, and accompany partner organizations running initiatives in biomes, climate action, democracy, inclusive circular economy, labor innovation, and water access. In 2024, Avina disbursed $16.67 million USD across 625 social investments to partners in 36 countries through direct invitations and open calls.

Product overview

Fundación Avina operates as a unified platform for collaborative impact in sustainable development, organized around three strategic pillars (Climate Action, Democratic Innovation, and Just and Regenerative Economy) and six program areas: Biomes, Climate, Democracies, Inclusive Circular Economy, Labor Innovation, and Water. The foundation's core methodology is its proprietary CollaborAction work model, developed over 30 years of experience. Supporting infrastructure includes an Online Complaint Submission System for stakeholder feedback and an open Library (Biblioteca) for sharing knowledge resources. The organization does not offer a commercial technology product but rather functions as a philanthropic foundation that channels social investments, facilitates collaborative processes, and builds capacity among allies across Latin America and the global South.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CollaborAction Work Model A proprietary collaborative work methodology developed over 30 years of experience, serving as the foundation for all of Fundación Avina's programs and grantmaking to drive systemic changes in sustainable development.
• Climate Program A grantmaking and convening program bringing visibility to local voices in global climate agendas, prioritizing nature-based solutions, climate justice, and equity through coordination between local and global stakeholders.
• Biomes Program A program focused on improving quality of life for vulnerable communities across biomes through public policy advocacy, on-the-ground solutions, and capacity building for environmental conservation.
• Democracies Program A grantmaking and convening program promoting democratic innovation, citizen participation, and reducing power asymmetries so vulnerable populations influence decisions affecting their lives.
• Inclusive Circular Economy Program A program promoting inclusive circular economy models, innovative business approaches, and value networks that foster inclusive recycling, urban resilience, and sustainable development in cities and the rural-urban continuum.
• Labor Innovation Program A program creating conditions for decent work characterized by inclusive, equal, and non-discriminatory practices through engagement with businesses, workers, and participatory movements.
• Water Program A program guaranteeing the right to safe water for all through democratic water governance models emphasizing community management and citizen participation.
• Online Complaint Submission System A web-based system allowing individuals to report misconduct, concerns, or complaints related to Fundación Avina's projects, code of ethics violations, or environmental and social harms via online forms, email, phone, or mail.
• Avina Library (Biblioteca) A digital knowledge repository containing shareable reference materials, guides, reports, and documentation produced with allies and local communities across all program areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• 16.67 million USD disbursed in 625 social investments to 36 countries in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MapBiomascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in MapBiomas network helping to deepen and expand land use monitoring across multiple countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and others.
• Redes ChacocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-stakeholder platform bringing together approximately 300 organizations including civil society, business groups, and government agencies to position South American Chaco on a global level.
• Voces por la Acción Climática Justa (VAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance promoting just, equitable, and solutions-oriented agenda integrating social and economic rights into climate action. Partners include Akina Mama wa Afrika, Slum Dwellers International, SouthSouthNorth, Hivos, WWF-Netherlands.
• NDC PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps implement actions required by governments including development of Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Paraná Delta in Argentina and technical assistance in Bolivia.
• Resilience HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual and physical space mobilizing resilience and adaptation action. Official headquarters of Race to Resilience campaign representing 1,500+ non-state actors. Avina leads in Latin America and Caribbean since 2022.
• BASE Initiative (Building Approaches to fund local Solutions with climate Evidence)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes local communities' access to climate finance. Partners include Brainforest, Forest Trends, GFLAC, Hivos, Pawanka, Reos Partners, Skoll Foundation, UNU-VIE.
• ImpulsouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance promoting South-South collaboration to increase climate action knowledge. Operates in Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Madagascar, Niger, Uganda, Zambia. Partners include IDRC, UNU-VIE.
• Marajó ResilientecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative strengthening climate adaptation in Marajó Archipelago through traditional agroforestry systems. Partners include Instituto Belterra, ConexSus, IEB, with Green Climate Fund financing.
• ProClim-ARcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral cooperation between Argentina and Germany through International Climate Initiative (IKI). Addresses landscape restoration, resource efficiency, sustainable transportation, climate governance.
• Águas de MarajócoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot project mapping and implementing water solutions in Marajó Archipelago. Focuses on potable water and agroforestry systems. Partners: IEB, Instituto Belterra with Coca-Cola Foundation and GWC funding.
• Escenarios HídricoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-sector platform founded in 2016 led by Fundación Chile, Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano, and Fundación Avina to promote just water transition in Chile by 2050.
• Aliados por el AguacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance fostering healthy watersheds and increasing community access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Operating in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. Funded by Coca-Cola Foundation.
• Lazos de AguacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater initiative operating in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay. Part of regional effort to improve water access and sanitation.
• Latitud RcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromoting inclusive recycling systems throughout Latin America. Partners include IDB, Coca-Cola Latin America, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Dow Chemical, Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Recicladores.
• Resilient CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrengthening urban resilience through innovative business models. Partners: Resilient Cities Network, IDB Lab, Citi Foundation. Operating in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina.
• Indela (Iniciativa por los Derechos Digitales en América Latina)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital rights initiative led by Fundación Avina, Luminate, and Open Society Foundations with Ford Foundation and IDRC support.
• SURGE AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting social change initiatives in Mexico. Partners: Open Society Foundations, Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Hewlett Foundation.
• ReversocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative civic journalism project in Argentina coordinated by Chequeado and AFP to fight disinformation during electoral campaigns.
• Democracias en PazcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-stakeholder dialogue initiative in Colombia. Partners include La Paz Querida, Justa Paz, Viva la Ciudadanía, UNDP, Reconectando, Universidad Javeriana de Cali.
• ARROPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting labor reform movement in Mexico following Laudes Foundation exit. Maintaining C&A portfolio and managing complementary fund for civil society organizations.
• PERIPLOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-stakeholder initiative improving conditions for agricultural workers. PERIPLO Mexico with Walmart Foundation; PERIPLO Chile with Casa de la Paz, Corporación La Morada.
• Iniciativa Clima y CuidadoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudying intersections between climate change and care work. Partners: IDRC, Oxfam Canada, UNRISD, Global Care Alliance. Operating in Mexico, Kenya, Ghana, Colombia, Argentina, Uganda, Brazil, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Peru, Ivory Coast.
• UNIDAS (Red de Mujeres por el Trabajo Justo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromoting decent work agenda for women in informal and precarious jobs in Mexico. Partners: European Union, Oxfam Mexico, Ethos, ProDESC.
• Sustainable LivelihoodscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrengthening economic systems in Central America. Partners: Target Foundation. Operating in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama.
• WINGSminorOthersGlobal philanthropy support network bringing Global South essence to global philanthropy space.
• Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN)minorOthersStrengthening knowledge on human rights and grantmaking practices.
• Global Alliance for Banking on ValuesminorOthersEffort to change banking system to be more transparent and support sustainability.
• Andes ResilientescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional project with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funding, facilitated by Helvetas-Fundación Avina consortium. Promoting climate adaptation in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru.
• ABRAMPA (Brazilian Association of Environmental Public Prosecution)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Attorney General's Office of Colombia and MapBiomas to strengthen cooperation between Public Prosecution Services to address environmental crimes.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Skoll Foundation: Global systems-change philanthropy investing in social entrepreneurs and Pan-Amazon climate solutions; already a core Avina partner (Skoll Foundation source:) but operates a similar grantmaking-plus-venture model that competes for the same co-investment opportunities.
• ClimateWorks Foundation: Climate-focused philanthropic intermediary that pools and channels grants across the global climate ecosystem; closest direct peer to Avina's GCF/FRLD intermediation model and climate-finance convening function in Latin America.
• Laudes Foundation: International grantmaker funding just transition, climate, and inclusive labor agendas — direct thematic peer to Avina's Labor Innovation and Just & Regenerative Economy programs; recently exited ARROPA (Avina's Mexico labor initiative), illustrating the structural funder role both organizations play.

Broad incumbents

• Rockefeller Foundation: Large US-headquartered foundation running multi-thematic global programs on climate, equity, and systems change; comparable in mission scope and ability to convene but operates with a substantially larger endowment and global footprint than Avina.
• Ford Foundation: Major US-based grantmaker with global programs on democracy, inequality, and rights; serves as both a co-funder of Avina initiatives (SURGE, Indela, Democracy at Work Fund) and a structural peer in the international grantmaking space.
• Open Society Foundations: Global philanthropy focused on democracy, rights, and civic space; recurrent co-funder of Avina-led initiatives, competes for the same civic-space and human rights funder pool, and operates with significantly larger multi-region grantmaking infrastructure.
• MacArthur Foundation: Large US-based grantmaker with significant global climate, rights, and inequality portfolios; comparable in operating model (program areas, network orchestration, MEL systems) and competes for the same top-tier global-foundation co-investment partnerships as Avina.
• Oak Foundation: International family foundation with thematic programs on environment, climate, human rights, and migration; comparable size and structure (multi-region grantmaking entity footprint, six-theme programmatic organization), making it a structural peer for Avina.
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC): Canadian Crown corporation funding research and applied work on climate adaptation, digital rights, and just transition in the Global South; a recurrent Avina co-funder (Indela, Impulsouth) and structural peer in grantmaking to global development partners.

Regional players

• Fundación Chile: Chile-based innovation and sustainability foundation co-leading the Escenarios Hídricos water initiative with Avina; operates a comparable orchestrator/grantmaker-plus-ventures model but anchored in Chile rather than Pan-Latin America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FundacionAvina
• Xx.com/FundacionAVINA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fundación Avina