Looking Ahead:
Our Next Strategic Chapter

Dear Partners and Friends of the Luis von Ahn Foundation, 

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The Luis von Ahn Foundation was founded in 2021, and as we near the end of our first strategic plan (2021–2026), I want to share some of what we have learned, where we are heading next, and what this means for the Foundation's work moving forward.

We began our work with a commitment to a future where all Guatemalans are equally valued, can thrive, and are able to fully exercise their human rights. Our passion for this vision has only grown.Up to now, we have focused on four areas: Conservation of Nature, Women’s Rights, Democracy and Citizen Participation, and Education. We believe each of these areas, and others, plays a critical role in an inclusive and prosperous Guatemala.

Guatemala is full of organizations committed to the public good—nearly 15,000 of them—and we have been honored to partner with and fund 35 of the very best, investing nearly $20 million directly since our founding. We are proud of what we have built together with our partners and the broader ecosystem over these five years. Through these relationships, we have gained a deeper understanding of Guatemala’s challenges, opportunities, and strengths. We are equally inspired by the impact that organizations and leaders across the country have had in strengthening communities and expanding opportunities for Guatemalans. To everyone who has walked with us: thank you. 

Over the past several months, we undertook a process to better understand Guatemala’s needs, opportunities, and possibilities for the years ahead. We are grateful to the many grantee and foundation partners who shared their perspectives with us.

One lesson stood out clearly: lasting change depends on leadership. Across every issue we have worked on, we have seen the difference that committed, ethical, and capable leaders make in strengthening organizations, communities, and institutions.

These reflections have helped shape our next strategic chapter. After much reflection, our board and I believe that we can make our greatest contribution by focusing our resources more deeply on strengthening the leadership that Guatemala needs to thrive. While the challenges facing Guatemala are many, we believe that effective leadership can strengthen progress across all of them. Our 2027–2032 strategy will invest in young leaders who reflect Guatemala’s diversity and who are committed to building a more inclusive and prosperous future for the country. Our strategy will intentionally create pathways for historically marginalized populations, including women and Indigenous women, across our investments. 

We will invest in leadership, at least initially, through three primary mechanisms:

• Funding secondary education institutions that put historically underrepresented students on the path to university and leadership.

• Funding leadership accelerators focused on professionals across sectors who represent the next generation of changemakers.

• Providing a platform for elevating the work of exemplary Guatemalan leaders.

We will publish grantmaking criteria for the first two mechanisms in the coming months and continue to grow the Premio Luis von Ahn as a platform for the third.

Beyond grantmaking, we will continue working to strengthen connections, learning, and collaboration across our network. Throughout our strategic planning process, many partners emphasized the value of stronger connections across organizations, opportunities to learn from peers, and access to evidence and shared knowledge. We hope to contribute by supporting these forms of collaboration and helping leaders learn from one another.

As we learn what it takes to cultivate leadership, we will collect and share evidence, build a network across our portfolio, and share both promising practices and lessons learned.

As we move forward with our next strategic plan, we remain committed to the organizations that have been our partners over the past five years. We recognize that strategic shifts can create uncertainty, and we are working closely with our grantees to ensure the transition is thoughtful, transparent, and responsible.
 

This strategic shift reflects our belief about where the Foundation can make its greatest contribution in the years ahead. It is informed by the work, leadership, and insights of the many organizations, leaders, and partners who have shaped our first five years. While our strategy is evolving, our commitment to learning, collaboration, and a more inclusive and prosperous Guatemala remains unchanged. We are grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and look forward to continuing to learn from and collaborate with many of you in the years ahead. 

Luis
 

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