We work with emerging private sector companies to fund their social enterprises and organize our projects with the strong participation of the private sector. One of our goals is to establish and strengthen Cuba’s philanthropic ecosystem. Over the long-run, such an ecosystem will enable the participation of private individuals and foundations and, more broadly, the private sector in addressing economic and social challenges and opportunities in ways consistent with Cuba’s history and future prospects.
We support Cuba’s entrepreneurs in response to the state´s recognition of the private sector´s vital role in the economy. In particular, we support micro-, small- and medium-sized entities (MIPYMES) as permitted by U.S. law, in three ways. First, we purchase from private sector companies goods and services we need for our operations and projects. Second, we provide donations and knowhow to private sector companies in relation to social entrepreneurship projects led by them, such as entrepreneurship training programs, dance studios for children and sports programs for children with special needs. Third, we look for opportunities to meet and mentor entrepreneurs to address sector-specific or general business issues.
We identify, fund and otherwise facilitate projects aimed at protecting, restoring and promoting Cuba’s natural environment. Our work aims to protect Cuba’s natural patrimony for its present and future generations.
Cuba’s cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is a source of national pride and international acclaim that must be preserved for the benefit of its people and the world. Our view of culture is dynamic, timeless and diverse. It includes historic, colonial-period buildings; slave burial grounds; the literature of Cuba’s finest poets; the historic impact of baseball from a social and economic perspective; mid-modern architecture; contemporary music and dance.
We believe in the many positive aspects of competitive sports: promoting health, discipline, team-work, self-esteem, leadership and community pride. We look for opportunities to collect and distribute – through the private sector — new and used sports equipment and apparel to young male and female athletes of varying degrees of abilities. Where possible, our youth sports programs are tied to social development goals, such as environmental protection and financial literacy.
We support academic exchange programs among researchers and students between Cuba and the US and other countries, particularly involving areas of study that support social and economic development. Research and education are at the heart of development activities and outcomes. The ability to engage in knowledge transfer across boundaries promotes engagement and understanding with multiple positive effects for everyone involved, including through the creation of a global network that fosters collaboration.
Completed Projects
Presentation of plaque in Santa Clara commemorating Alejandro “El Caballero” Oms’s 130th birhday.
Academic Symposium in Havana commemorating the 160th anniversary of baseball’s arrival in Cuba and the commemoration in Matanzas of the 150th anniversary of the first official game played in the Palmar de Junco.
Financial support for the launch of independent OtroLado Dance Company’s DENTRO production in December 2024, resulting in their winning the Villanueva Critics Prize.
Financial support to the Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas for their women entrepreneurs programs.
Financial and strategic support for Cultural Impact Journeys, a non-profit promoting natural preservation and cultural history that works exclusively with the private sector. The inaugural journey is based on the book “Biography of a Cimarron” (run-away slave).
Financial support for JazzEmprende, a major conference focused on the intersection of entrepreneurship and Cuban and international jazz.
Commissioning of a custom-designed shoulder bag (Bandolera PCL) made with recycled material by one of Cuba´s leading apparel companies.
Partial financial support for an outstanding and promising first-year Cuban music student.
Completed Projects
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The Cuba Foundation is a New York State not-for-profit corporation dedicated to fostering development initiatives that directly help the Cuban people. Our mission is powered by your generosity. We are a fiscally sponsored project of Give2Cuba, a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises funds in the United States, provides humanitarian and other assistance to Cuba, and supports philanthropic groups, such as us, with important administrative services. Donors who wish to fund the work of the Cuba Foundation do so by donating to Give2Cuba through the donation box on this page. As required by law, Give2Cuba shall provide donors with a record of their contributions. Such donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law. Join our journey. Your donations matter.