U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently awarded 12 new grants to Filipino civil society organizations as a part of its Philippine-American (Phil-Am) Fund at the Gateway Tower in Quezon City.

The signing was witnessed by USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria D. Steele, Judy Araneta-Roxas, President of the Gerry Roxas Foundation, Monette Parado, Executive Director of the Gerry Roxas Foundation, Eugenio Gonzales, Chief of Party, Phil-Am Fund, and Leonardo Matignas, Jr., Senior Partner from SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV).

USAID’s Phil-Am Fund is a five-year, Php960 million ($24 million) grant-making facility that provides opportunities for local civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Philippines to innovate and develop new solutions for the country's development challenges. The project is implemented by the Gerry Roxas Foundation with SyCip Gorres Velayo Co. as its management advisory partner.

“Today we will award 12 grants to new local partners doing exciting work promoting bio-diversity, improving basic education, combatting trafficking in persons, and stimulating economic growth,” remarked Director Steele. “The Phil-Am Fund reflects the United States Government’s commitment to development by bringing in new ideas and promoting reform.”

GRF President Judy Roxas added “Today marks another milestone in the work of Gerry Roxas Foundation as a grant-making facility. Our commitment is to make the process inclusive and broad-based while we continue to embrace integrity, service and excellence in our mission.”

The U.S. Government launched the Phil-Am Fund on September 30, 2013. When GRF opened the solicitation cycle, nearly 500 organizations representing a broad diversity of causes from all over the country submitted concept papers. With this ceremony, a total of 26 grants have been awarded to date.

The project supports the goals of the bilateral Partnership for Growth, a key initiative of the White House, to achieve broad-based, inclusive and resilient growth in the Philippines.

The grant recipients are Bidlisiw Foundation, Tambayan Children Center, Filamer Christian University, Mabuwaya Foundation, Maguindanao Development Foundation, Nagkakaisang mga Tribu ng Palawan, Philippine Eagle Foundation, Roxas Foundation, Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Foundation for Information Technology Education and Development, Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives, and Resources for the Blind.