Trustworthy or Not: Trust, Generosity, and the Role of Community Foundations in Mexico

Families who achieve success often feel a profound urge and even a responsibility to give back. Whether through philanthropy or social investment, they are moved to contribute to the well-being of their communities. But once that desire takes root, a difficult question arises: To whom can I entrust my generosity so that it is used wisely and has real, lasting impact?

This is not a rhetorical question. In Mexico’s current climate — where international cooperation has declined and civil society is viewed with deep suspicion by the federal government — it is a practical and urgent one. Donors want to help. But they need clarity, confidence, and partners they can trust.

As Carmen Garza T., former board chair and co-founder of Fundación COMUNIDAR in Nuevo León, once said: “La pregunta es si estas organizaciones de la sociedad civil son confiables o no.” [The question is whether these civil society organizations are trustworthy or not.]

And then she offered an answer from her personal experience:

“Por eso COMUNIDAR, como fundación comunitaria en Nuevo León, está aquí para brindar esa confianza: acompañamos a las familias y a las empresas, y conocemos muy bien al sector social. Facilitamos las conexiones entre donantes y causas.” [“That is why COMUNIDAR, as a community foundation of Nuevo León, is here to provide that confidence: we accompany families and businesses, and we know the social sector very well. We facilitate connections between donors and causes.”]

Community foundations like COMUNIDAR can play precisely this role. They are local institutions, rooted in their communities, with deep knowledge of the civil society landscape. They translate generosity into long-term social investment.

Trust is not just a nice-to-have — it is the foundation upon which real change is built. As Agustín Landa observes, “Another key strength of community foundations lies in their ability to cultivate and maintain trust within their communities. Their close connection to the local area, deep understanding of its challenges, and familiarity with its people allow these foundations to build collaborative and trustworthy relationships.” That trust becomes the essential glue that connects donors and community actors, enabling not just individual projects, but long-term, collective impact.

“[T]rust becomes the essential glue that connects donors and community actors, enabling not just individual projects, but long-term, collective impact.”

Over the past two years, I’ve co-led a research project on how families with financial resources in Mexico are connecting — or could connect more — with community-rooted philanthropic organizations. We interviewed nearly 50 family donors, civil society leaders, and experts. While their perspectives varied, one theme was clear: families are ready to give, but hesitant to do so without trusted guidance.

This is where community foundations can — and increasingly do — play a vital role. Our research identified five opportunities to deepen that role and strengthen the bridge between generous families and local civil society:

Craft a compelling message about what community philanthropy is and why it matters. Many families still don’t know what a community foundation does. Those that do are often surprised by how flexible and strategic these institutions can be.
Identify and support ambassadors — respected peers who can open doors and extend invitations. We heard again and again from donors who said, “I got involved because a friend brought me in.”
Build and share narratives of trust and impact. In a national context where skepticism toward civil society is widespread, community foundations must demonstrate credibility, transparency, and results — through both data and human stories.
Convene learning spaces where families can reflect and grow together. We saw this firsthand at events co-organized with COMUNIDAR, EGADE, and IFEM. Donors came with an abundance of curiosity, energy, and goodwill. They wanted to talk about what works, what doesn’t, and how to do better.
Expand the culture of generosity beyond traditional elites. Several foundations have developed programs that engage young people, local employees, and everyday givers. This is essential for building a long-term philanthropic culture.

In this moment — when international cooperation is retreating and the national administration remains skeptical of independent civil society — the responsibility to lead falls increasingly on those closest to the ground: families, community leaders, and trusted local institutions. It is not enough to hope that generosity will find its way. We must build the bridges that connect generosity to impact — and that begins with trust.

This is a call for shared leadership — not transactional giving, not one-time campaigns, but enduring commitments between those who have resources and those who have roots in the community. And in doing so, it brings us back to the original meanings of two vital words:

Philanthropy, in its deepest sense, is the brotherly and sisterly love of humanity — a feeling that inspires solidarity and generosity.

Community is more than a geographic location; in its fullest sense, it is a commitment to place that carries with it a profound sense of connection.

When these words come alive — when philanthropy is matched with trust, and community carries with it a sense of belonging — something powerful happens. We begin not just to give, but to build. We begin not only to ask whether civil society organizations are confiables o no, but to create the conditions in which trust can flourish.

That is the work of community philanthropy. And it is work that generous families across Mexico are uniquely positioned to advance — together.

This blog was originally published in Spanish in LEGADO (Legacy), the magazine of the Instituto de Familias Empresarias (IFEM) at the Escuela de Graduados en Administración y Dirección de Empresas, Tec de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico. You can view the original Spanish version here or browse the full issue here. Special thanks to Dr. María Fonseca Paredes, director of the IFEM.

Trustworthy or Not: Trust, Generosity, and the Role of Community Foundations in Mexico

Report // Connecting Community and Family Philanthropy in Latin America: Mexico

Comunidad y Familia: Translating Philanthropy Across Borders

Mexican President Targets U.S. Philanthropy, but It’s Mexican Civil Society That Could Take the Hit