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OVERVIEW

For more than sixty years, the Tinker Foundation has promoted economic and social development in Latin America by supporting “people, projects, and ideas.”

Tinker realizes its mission by providing funding to civil society organizations – among them nonprofit entities, research institutes, and universities – working to address the region’s most pressing challenges. The organizations we support use Tinker resources to test promising ideas, extend the impact of proven models, and bring together stakeholders to solve problems in new ways.

As one of a small number of private foundations focused on the entire region, we believe Tinker has a particular responsibility and opportunity to support the exchange of knowledge and approaches within and beyond Latin America. For that reason, we encourage comparative and collaborative work, and support grantees to learn from others’ experiences.

FOUNDATION HISTORY

Edward Larocque Tinker (1881-1968) created the Tinker Foundation in 1959 in memory of his wife, father, and grandfather. He partnered closely with the Foundation’s first President, Martha Muse, a visionary and trailblazing leader in her own right, to bring it to life. A recipient of PhDs in literature from the University of Paris and the University of Madrid, Dr. Tinker devoted his life to exploring Hispanic culture in Latin America and building relationships with artists, writers, and policymakers.

The first major program initiated by the Foundation, the Tinker Visiting Professorships, embodies his interpersonal approach. Five universities were endowed with funds to host prominent Latin American scholars, artists, and practitioners on campus. In 1979, the Foundation introduced its Field Research Grants program, which enabled graduate students in U.S. universities to gain early research experience in Latin America. At its 40th anniversary in 2019, more than 9,000 graduate students from 45 universities around the U.S. had participated, and many pursued careers focused on Latin America in the academic, non-profit, and public sectors. Today, the program has evolved into the Tinker Field Research Collaborative, which is designed to deepen students’ field research experience and create a learning community among the selected Centers.

These programs reflect the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to promoting research about Latin America, fostering academic exchange, and investing in promising leaders across the hemisphere.

With time, the Foundation’s approach has evolved to address key issues more directly in the region through grantmaking to institutions. The Foundation’s initial programs included demographic education and information, social science research, community development, and higher education.

In recent years, the Foundation has directed more of its grants to civil society organizations based in Latin America responding to and investing in the vision of local actors who are charting a path forward for their countries and region. One notable example has been Tinker’s support for the Latin American pro bono legal movement over the last twenty years, championed by Tinker’s second President, Renate Rennie. As part of that initiative, Tinker provided support to lawyers and advocates across the region who seek to strengthen access to justice by mobilizing the talent and time of the private bar in their countries.

Today, the Foundation’s Institutional Grants are focused on democratic governance, education, and sustainable management of natural resources.

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors is composed of distinguished leaders from academia, business, and the nonprofit sector who share a passion for and deep knowledge of Latin America. They provide strategic oversight to the organization that informs our grantmaking. In addition, Board members serve on various committees – executive, finance, audit, and governance – to ensure compliance and effective execution of the Foundation’s duties.

Isabel Aninat

Caroline Kronley

Vicente M. León

Katherine Lorenz (Secretary)

Tatiana R. Martins

Luis Oganes, Ph.D.

Shannon K. O’Neil, Ph.D. (Chair)

Arturo C. Porzecanski, Ph.D.

Susan L. Segal (Treasurer)

Bradford K. Smith

Eugene Zapata Garesché

LEADERSHIP AND STAFF

Leah Bloom

Grants Manager

Meg Cushing

Associate Director

Caroline Kronley

President

Emilio López

Program Officer

Stephanie Miller

Director of Finance and Administration

GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIALS

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Address
Tinker Foundation
55 East 59th Street, Suite 21C
New York, New York 10022

For General Inquiries
tinker[at]tinker[dot]org

For Media Inquiries
Caroline Kronley
ckronley[at]tinker[dot]org

CONTACT US

If you have a question about applying for funding, about employment, or regarding the work of the foundation, email relevant staff directly. For general inquiries as well as feedback on your experience as an applicant or grantee, you may submit your message below. We will respond to queries and comments in five business days.

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