In commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I thought I would highlight a few prominent Hispanic / Latino organizations you should follow on social media and support in any way possible. Though hundreds of organizations are doing great work and supporting incredible causes, I have just chosen my top seven for this post.
The term Hispanic or Latino (or the more recent and inclusive term Latinx) refers to a person’s culture or origin—regardless of race. Hispanic Heritage Month was first introduced in California in 1968 to recognize the contributions of the Hispanic community that had gained momentum throughout the 1960s.
The following Hispanic / Latino organizations based in the United States serve the nation all year around and deserve enormous respect and consistent backing.
Association of Latino Professionals for America – ALPFA is a national nonprofit organization established in Los Angeles, California in 1972. Its mission is to empower and develop Latino men and women as leaders of character for the nation, in every sector of the global economy. The organization provides members with scholarships, career fairs, networking events, and mentorship opportunities. ALPFA currently has over 116,000 professional and student members across the country.
Hispanic Federation – The Hispanic Federation is the nation’s premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. Founded by a small group of visionary Latino leaders in New York City in 1990, HF empowers Hispanic communities and strengthens Latino institutions through work that focuses on education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and environmental justice.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund – HSF empowers students and parents with the knowledge and resources to complete higher education while providing support services and scholarships to as many exceptional students, HSF Scholars, and Alumni as possible. HSF strives to make college education a top priority for every family across the nation. Since 1975, HSF has awarded over $500 million in scholarships to more than 65,000 Scholars.
Latino Victory – Latino Victory is an organization dedicated to building political power in the Latino community so that the voices and values of Latinos are reflected at every level of government and in the policies that drive our country forward. It was co-founded by Eva Longoria Bastón and Henry R. Muñoz III in 2014 and accomplishes its work through three entities: Latino Victory Fund, Latino Victory Project, and Latino Victory Foundation.
League of United Latin American Citizens – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), founded in 1929, is the oldest and most widely respected Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States of America. Its mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health, and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States and Puerto Rico.
UnidosUS – Since 1968, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and who share a desire to make our country stronger. UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves as the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels.
Voto Latino – Voto Latino is a civic engagement organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. Through innovative digital campaigns, culturally relevant programs, and authentic voices, it shepherds the Latinx community toward the full realization of its political power. The organization was co-founded in 2004 by Rosario Dawson and Phil Colón.
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to all my fellow Latinos!
