LATIN AMERICA WORKING GROUP EDUCATION FUND
Action at Home for Just Policies Abroad
aka LAWGEF | Washington, DC | www.lawg.org
LAWGEF's mission is to ensure that U.S. policies advance human rights, peace, and social, environmental, and economic justice in Latin America and the Caribbean. To achieve this mission, LAWGEF works with coalition partners and allied organizations to educate policymakers and the public and to mobilize a broad, diverse, and powerful grassroots base that can influence U.S. policymakers to achieve change.
Ms. Lisa Haugaard
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Payment Address
International Address
LAWG, 2029 P Street NW Suite 301
International tel:
Donation Payable
Legal name of organization: Latin America Working Group Education Fund
EIN for payable organization: 11-3657128
Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (R01)
Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (W01)
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
U.S. influence over events in Latin America and the Caribbean may be waning or less direct than in the past, but U.S. foreign policy still has a substantial impact on political and economic affairs in the region, including security and drug policy, environmental approaches, and human rights. Changes in U.S. immigration policy have an outsize impact, particularly on Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Harsh immigration and refugee policies and security and counternarcotics policies that do not sufficiently take human rights into account can have a negative impact on Latin America and the Caribbean. On the other hand, U.S. policies that actively support human rights, defend human rights defenders, promote conflict resolution, combat corruption, protect the environment, and address the roots of forced migration can have a positive impact.
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Defend the Rights of Migrants and Refugees
Our "Defend the Rights of Migrants and Refugees" campaign encourages approaches that address the root causes of migration and defends the rights and dignity of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons. Currently we are focusing on restoring access to asylum, upholding the rights of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees to seek international protections, and encouraging an understanding of the roots of the Central American migration and refugee crisis.
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
People of Latin American descent
Promote Peace
Our "Promote Peace" campaign supports conflict resolution, civilian-led governance and public security, inclusive and transparent governance, and humanitarian rather than military assistance, and diplomacy and dialogue as solutions to conflict. Currently this campaign includes a focus on promoting human rights, racial justice, and ending the conflict in Colombia and expanding diplomacy and dialogue between the United States and Cuba, as well as promoting violence prevention and rights-based approaches to citizen security in Central America and Mexico.
Victims and oppressed people
Uphold Justice, Defend the Defenders
Our "Uphold Justice, Defend the Defenders" campaign encourages accountability and an end to impunity for human rights violations and corruption, with an emphasis on defending human rights defenders and advocating for victims' rights. We support indigenous, Afro-descendant, LGBTI, women, and other defenders In Latin America to as they defend their rights.
Ethnic and racial groups
Support Economic, Land, and Environmental Rights
Our "Economic, Land, and Environmental Rights" campaign defends the rights of indigenous, Afro-descendant, and other excluded or vulnerable communities to organize for their rights, including economic, land, and environmental rights.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
In the next five to ten years, LAWGEF aims through public education and advocacy to accomplish:
Greater respect for migrants' and refugees' human rights on the part of U.S., Mexican and northern Central American authorities;
Improved human rights and anti-corruption policies in the Northern Triangle of Central America;
Greater emphasis on humanitarian and development assistance, rather than military aid, in overall U.S. aid to the Western Hemisphere;
Greater U.S. support for the rights of human rights defenders and environmental defenders in Latin America;
Steady U.S. support for implementing peace accords and protecting human rights in Colombia.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
LAWGEF accomplishes its goals using the following strategies:
Bringing Latin American human rights activists to speak to U.S. policymakers and the public;
Working jointly with Latin American civil society activists for change;
Informing policymakers, providing analysis and recommendations on key human rights topics;
Engaging U.S. citizens to take action in favor of human rights;
Mobilizing broad coalition efforts in support of our goals.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
LAWGEF's principal capabilities are:
Bringing together a broad coalition
Collaborating with Latin American human rights partners
Skilled policy analysis
Long-standing relationships with policymakers
Ability to involve and engage citizens and activists throughout the United States through social networks, e-alerts and interaction
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Over our history, we led collective efforts to shift U.S. policy from war to peace in Central America and are doing the same today in Colombia. We helped to set U.S. policy towards Cuba on a path towards normalization of relations and freer travel and exchange between our nations. LAWGEF helped pioneer and enforce the use of human rights conditions on military aid to Latin America. We are key players in ensuring disaster and reconstruction assistance after hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. We have encouraged a greater emphasis on humanitarian, sustainable development, and human rights assistance rather than military aid. We played a role in encouraging an end to the separation of migrant families. We remain committed to our long-term goal of ensuring U.S. policies towards Latin America and the Caribbean support peace, protect the environment, and promote human rights.
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Bernice Romero
Norwegian Refugee Council USACouncil
Adriana Beltran
Seattle International Foundation
Annalise Romoser
Joe Perez
J. Perez & Associates
Brian Finnegan
Solidarity Center
Alaide Vilchis Ibarra
Value Our Families
Shaina Aber
Acacia Center for Justice
Board leadership practices
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/25/2023
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
The organization's leader identifies as:
White/Caucasian/European
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Heterosexual or Straight
Person without a disability
Email contact information
Financial trends metrics for five most recent years 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016*
Financial statements for 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015
Letter of Determination
Officer and/or Employee data for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
Contractor and/or Paid Preparer data for 2020, 2019, 2018
Board of Directors data for 2023
*with the ability to download the data for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016