Our Story, and a New Global Grant
The Western Highlands of Guatemala, stretching down to the lowlands known as “Boca Costa” is home largely to Mam-speaking indigenous Mayan people and displaced communities who have been relocated. There, children and families experience malnutrition, illiteracy, and a lack of access to basic services at rates higher than in most other areas of Guatemala. In 2017, several Rotary Clubs came together to make positive change in the region, and soon, dozens more had joined. The “Guatemala THRIVE” initiative was born.
Since then, Rotarians have come together with local communities to address the root causes of poverty in this high-need rural region. They’ve done it cohesively through a series of Global Grants focused on lasting solutions for healthcare and education. Designed from the outset to be sustainable (as you can read below) all these projects are still going strong! Their impacts have exceeded what we had envisioned, as collectively, they now serve more than 28,000 people in 62 communities.
These efforts have significantly improved health and empowered higher education across the region. And now, as unemployment hovers at 80%, our next challenge is clear: Design a large-scale Community Economic Development effort that gives newly healthy and educated youth and families the choice to thrive, safe at home in their villages.
Based on a thorough community assessment, this new understanding has fueled our newest Global Grant, “THRIVE AT HOME.” We invite you to learn more about this ambitious effort, which is being fulfilled by 17 Clubs across 12 Rotary Districts!
With the private sector taking on an increasing role in international development, there has never been a better time to partner for good.
Sincerely yours,
Marco Herrera, Quetzaltenango Rotary Club
Leslie Baer Dinkel, Huntington Beach Rotary Club
Newest Rotary Global Grant (Submitted February 2026)
Focus: Community Economic Development
"Thrive At Home"
Keeping Families Together by Creating Economic Opportunities in Underserved Rural Guatemala
International Sponsor: Villa Park Rotary Club
Cooperating Organization: Local Hope-Xela AID
What Are The Goals of The Grant?
We will create a comprehensive Economic Development Hub: “Centro de Desarollo Economico de San Martín Sacatepéquez” (CDE)
Through public/private partnerships, CDE will (1) Establish successful anchor businesses in a rural region, including a large-scale manufacturer, to provide jobs in a rural region, (2) Develop new small businesses, and (3) Provide training that will propel job-seekers and entrepreneurs to success. (4) Improve wages and conditions for farmers to significantly increase retention among this prominent segment of the local workforce.
We will develop living-wage jobs for 500 people and provide affordable health care and support services for them and their families, benefiting 2,500 people in the first three years. At five years, we will have created living-wage employment for 2,000 people and created access to affordable health care for 10,000 in the region.
Why is this effort needed?
“I didn’t want my mother to die on a dirt floor.”
Although Diego intended to stay in the U.S. for just three years, it took him that long just to pay off his debt. It took another three years of hard labor in factories, slaughterhouses and construction work to earn enough money to finally build a home for his mother in Guatemala. Ten years have now passed. Although Diego’s dream is to return home, he is now supporting his mother, sister, and nephews, and has no employment opportunities back in his village. He’s stuck.
There are thousands of young men and women like Diego. THRIVE AT HOME will help to change this by bringing fair-wage employment to Diego’s village and an entire region in the Guatemalan Highlands and southwest to the sea.
A Vision for the Economic Development Hub
Funding Model, and Our Commitment to Sustainable Program Design and a Clean Environment
Public-private partnerships will be key to this grant’s success:
The Rotary Global Grant for Community Economic Development will provide micro-credit, vocational training, support for entrepreneurs, leadership training, support for community capacity building, workspace, and will provide sorely needed resources for the farming community, the region's most prominent work force.
The Cooperating Organization will support this Rotarian effort locally at rural sites, including reporting, and will provide health, education and social services for project participants and their families.
Additional Partners will select anchor businesses, provide entrepreneurial mentoring, host internships, identify and/or provide additional training resources, and will participate in new building construction if needed.
DOING WHAT’S RIGHT – As with our past successful Global Grants, this effort will ensure businesses and structures are environmentally conscious. Further, the outcomes will be fully sustainable at the end of the grant period.
Our Partners to date:
Rotary Clubs
- Anaheim Hills Rotary, CA
- Avalon Rotary, CA
- Boise Rotary, ID
- Chattanooga Breakfast Club, TN
- Clayton Rotary, GA
- Corvallis After 5, OR
- Fullerton Rotary, CA
- Greater Bend Rotary, OR
- Guatemala La Reforma, GUA
- Huntington Beach Rotary, CA
- Quetzaltenango Rotary, GUA
- LaGrange Rotary, GA
- Laguna Beach Rotary, CA
- Lake Oswego Rotary, OR
- Los Al/Seal Beach Rotary, CA
- Mission Viejo Rotary, CA
- Newport-Irvine Rotary, CA
- Palo Alto Rotary, CA
- Paso Robles Rotary, CA
- Placentia Rotary, CA
- Ponte Vedra Rotary, FL
- Portland Metro Rotary, OR
- Rotary e-Club of the West, CA
- Russell Rotary, KS
- San Clemente Rotary, CA
- Signal Hill Rotary, CA
- Tigard Rotary, OR
- Villa Park Rotary, CA
Rotary Districts
- Rotary District 4250 (Guatemala/Central America)
- Rotary District 5100 (Northwestern Oregon)
- Rotary District 5110 (Eastern Oregon and Northernmost California)
- Rotary District 5170 (Northern California)
- Rotary District 5240 (Central California)
- Rotary District 5320 (Southern California)
- Rotary District 5400 (Southern Idaho)
- Rotary District 5680 (Kansas, Oklahoma Panhandle)
- Rotary District 5930 (South Texas)
- Rotary District 6110 (Central U.S.)
- Rotary District 6780 (Eastern Tennessee)
- Rotary District 6790 (Northeast Florida)
- Rotary District 6900 (Central and Southwest Georgia)
- Rotary District 6910 (North and Northeast Georgia)
- Rotary District 7710 (Triangle Region North Carolina)
- The Rotary Foundation (TRF)
Create An Economic Development Hub
10 Guiding Principles
Anchor Businesses will have a track-record of success and the potential for a large workforce.
A Commitment to Fair Business Practices will be required of all business participants.
Micro-funding and Favorable Leases will attract and support existing and new businesses.
Investor Panel will select anchors and new business opportunities.
Entrepreneurial and Vocational Training, Mentoring, Incubation and Internships will be integral to the Economic Hub.
Broadly Inclusive This effort will support farmers, men, women, youth, special needs adults and returning migrants.
Support Extended Family The grant will scale up local healthcare, educational support and social services.
Sustainable Design Leased workspace and repayment of micro-funding will fuel new business development.
Eco-Accountable Businesses and Facilities will meet high standards for environmental protection.
Post-Grant Growth The project will continue to incubate and launch businesses supporting the economy of the region.