Dear Friends of FSD,

Terrific news! Following nearly a year of planning and development, The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International has awarded a grant towards microlending programs that FSD will administer for our partners in Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua.

The grant is being matched by local Rotary Clubs in Mobile, Alabama and Managua, Nicaragua, which will amount to $84,090 in total funding. FSD is initiating an RFP process for partners to select which partner small loans programs will receive funding over two cycles. The granted programs must meet FSD’s community-based, sustainable development criteria and adhere to CGAP’s client protection standards.

This triumph marks an enduring union between our organizations and would not have been possible without the tireless effort of FSD staff, the thoughtful generosity of the The Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Clubs, and the cooperative coordination between all parties involved. All of us at FSD send our special thanks to Don Baker of FSD and Michael Chambers of the Rotary Club for the proposal development—and we look forward to sharing news of our partner’s efforts in Ciudad Sandino in the time to come.

To further fund our international development projects and sustainability training programs, we are delighted to announce the inauguration of FSD’s Corporate Engagement Program (CEP). Our development team will be reaching out to socially conscious companies and investment firms in the Bay Area and beyond—and so can you. Please share our CEP pdf with your employer, and let us know of any targets you feel are strong.

Looking for a vacation where you can get as good as you give? One that allows you to revel in the local culture while giving back to the community? On our upcoming Traveling Giving Circle trip to Salta, Argentina, you certainly will. Join us in this charming colonial capital from October 14-24. There, you’ll observe development projects in progress, then confer with fellow travelers and select the most deserving—or urgent—ones to fund.

Last—but very much not least! I’m delighted to share this video about FSD’s work produced by our superintern, Stephanie Easton. Stephanie, a UCLA graduate who studied art history in Rome, has crafted a video with equal parts style and substance—and a whole lot of heart. We think you’ll enjoy watching it on our youtube channel, FSDInternational.. Please help us share this wonderful creation via social media to one and all.

As always, your individual donations are hugely appreciated. When you GIVE, you immediately become part of a community’s defining moment—and help lay the groundwork for its long-term success.

Very best from all of us at FSD,