Our Mission

Friends of Puerto Rico is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) social impact organization headquartered in Washington, DC, focused on mobilizing a network of partners to accelerate economic opportunities for the people of Puerto Rico. Friends of Puerto Rico is committed to the economic development of the Puerto Rican people through entrepreneurial initiatives, education, and creating opportunities for women and girls. Friends of Puerto Rico is an inclusive and caring organization of problem solvers dedicated to the creation of economic development through results-oriented initiatives focused on sustainability and self-sufficiency for the people of Puerto Rico and to those in Puerto Rican communities around the United States.

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Our Values

  • Inclusivity

  • Philanthropy and Accountability

  • Teamwork and Transparency

  • Problem Solvers

  • Entrepreneurial

  • Impact and Results Oriented


OUR U.N. ALIGNED GOALS


Our Story

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In 2015 a group calling themselves “Friends of Puerto Rico” came together to celebrate a special exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC on loan from its home at the Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico. In celebration of the exhibition, the ‘Friends’ were able to raise over $20,000 for renovations for the Museo de Arte de Ponce, as well as establish a fund that ensured free access to the museum for low-income students in Puerto Rico. That experience inspired our founders to continue their mission and to focus their efforts on creating economic opportunities for the Puerto Rican people by investing in education and entrepreneurship. 

In 2017, after the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria on the island, Friends of Puerto Rico was able to utilize their network to aid in the relief and recovery effort. Our organization was able to provide humanitarian aid in the form of one million pounds of food, water and medicine. In the aftermath of the storm, we helped rebuild businesses, schools and hospitals and even provided micro-grants to musicians who lost instruments and other equipment. During this time, Friends of Puerto Rico fully realized our potential to affect positive change on the island, both in the short term and for the future. 

Today, Friends of Puerto Rico creates entrepreneurial initiatives and educational opportunities through results-oriented programs focused on sustainability and self-sufficiency for the people of Puerto Rico. Since our founding, we have mobilized a passionate network of over 30,0000 donors and 50 partner organizations to create economic opportunities that support the people of Puerto Rico on the island, in Washington, DC and around the United States. 

Learn more about how we’re doing our work today here.


Sheryl Sandberg Featured Our Story: