About Magis Americas

Our Organization

Magis Americas is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to expand the availability of quality education and vocational training for people living in marginalized and impoverished communities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Through this mission we seek to combat poverty and exclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean by enabling disadvantaged populations to join the social and economic mainstreams of their societies. Today over 100 million people in this region live on less than $3 per day-that's about $1,000 per year. One of their greatest needs is for high-quality education that will enable them to secure well-paying jobs, thereby supporting their families and contributing to their communities.

In pursuit of this mission, Magis Americas' role is to mobilize financial and other resources from philanthropists, foundations, corporations and international agencies and to channel these resources to highly effective programs such as Fe y Alegría network and its 2,600 schools and training centers located in 16 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Magis Americas also seeks to provide support for civil society projects sponsored by the Society of Jesus in Latin America.

Our Name

“Magis” (pronounced màh-gis) is a Latin word that means “more and better.” The name signifies our efforts to provide more education of a higher quality to children and youth throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Our Programs

Magis Americas assists the Fe y Alegría network of schools and training centers in Latin America and the Caribbean to prepare and submit applications for funding of its programs to North American donors. Magis Americas serves as an intermediary between the Fe y Alegría grant receiving organizations in 16 countries and the US foundations, private donors, and corporations.

Magis Americas has prepared a catalogue of over 30 projects from 16 countries that are in need of additional funding. Donors are encouraged to fund Fe y Alegría programs directly.

Historically Magis Americas has also initiated and facilitated action partnerships between Fe y Alegría and international agencies and private corporations such as the World Bank and Microsoft, Inc. The partnerships facilitated by Magis Americas were aimed at introducing better methods of teacher training, curriculum development, school management, performance monitoring and community involvement in both Fe y Alegría schools and in public schools serving poor communities throughout the region.

Magis Americas actively engages agencies and private companies to participate in action partnerships.