Welcome
Lago Alianza (formerly the Lake Chapala Study Group) was founded to strengthen and connect nonprofits in the Lake Chapala region. We strive to bring people and organizations together, creating a network of support that amplifies the impact of local initiatives. By fostering collaboration, sharing resources, and building capacity, we aim to ensure that nonprofits thrive and continue to serve the diverse needs of our community.
OUR WORK
Lago Alianza works alongside nonprofit organizations in Lakeside who are committed to strengthening their internal capacity so they can better serve their communities — today and over the long term.
Lago Alianza is not a membership organization, does not charge dues, and does not fundraise in competition with the nonprofits we work with. Our aim is to offer useful tools, learning opportunities, and selective collaboration for organizations that find value in this kind of support.
We provide practical capacity-building and support for local nonprofits that want to work more sustainably.
- Training & consulting
- One-on-one nonprofit
- Quarterly gatherings
- Peer exchange and problem-solving
- Identify funders and assist in development of a strategic approach that supports nonprofit financial sustainability
- Cross-organization partnerships with a clear mutual benefit support
If this sounds like a good fit for your organization, please contact us to start the conversation.
News & Updates
Upcoming Events and Training for You!
Coming Soon!
Nonprofit Resiliency Assessment
Invitations will be sent out soon for groups to pilot this initiative.
Lago Alianza Newsletter
Lago Alianza produces a periodic newsletter with distribution to our email list. If you would like to receive our newsletter via email, please let us know here.
A Lago Alianza Founder’s Manifesto
Important Lessons I've Learned About Nonprofits
Running a nonprofit teaches us quickly that good intentions are not enough. Mission without structure exhausts people. Passion without discipline burns out organizations.
Spotlight on: Salto Mentoría
Nonprofit Spotlight: Wise Girls
Building on a Decade of Impact
More than 1,000 girls along the Lakeside corridor, from Jocotepec to San Pedro, still need access to accurate, age-appropriate menstrual education.
For many, menstruation remains surrounded by misinformation, embarrassment and cultural taboos. Niñas Sabias/Wise Girls was created to change that by giving girls the knowledge, confidence and practical tools they need to understand and manage menstruation with dignity.
To date, the program has reached more than 10,000 girls through over 500 workshops, while training more than 200 Wise Girls Educators across 13 countries. Its sustainable menstrual kits are produced and assembled locally, and the program has established work in Jalisco, San Miguel de Allende, Chihuahua and Costa Rica, with expansion being developed in Baja California and Colombia.
Now the focus is on strengthening the organization behind that impact.
Wise Girls is seeking support through The Chapala Nonprofits Donor Advised Fund and CAF America for a 12- to 18-month institutional strengthening process that would support the sustainable relaunch of the program throughout the Lakeside area. The goal is not simply to hold more workshops, but to build the infrastructure needed for long-term success, including a strong Board of Directors, committees, volunteers, ambassadors, educators, community partners, donor relationships and systems capable of supporting continued growth.
Community engagement will take place through a new campaign called Full Circle, bringing people together through small gatherings and other outreach activities. These gatherings will introduce people to the need for menstrual education, share the history and impact of Wise Girls, and invite supporters to participate as donors, volunteers, hosts, ambassadors, partners or collaborators.