PLATINUM2023

Common Hope

Fighting Poverty with Diplomas

St. Paul, MN   |  http://www.commonhope.org

Mission

Common Hope promotes hope and opportunity in Guatemala, partnering with children, families, and communities who want to participate in a process of development to improve their lives through education, health care, and housing.

Ruling year info

1987

Executive Director

Mrs. Shari Blindt

Main address

1410 Energy Park Drive Suite 4

St. Paul, MN 55108 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

Godchild Sponsorship Corporation

EIN

41-1560297

NTEE code info

International Development, Relief Services (Q30)

Educational Services and Schools - Other (B90)

Health (General and Financing) (E80)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Register now

Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

According to international development indicators, educational opportunities in Guatemala are the lowest in Latin America. Access to education is limited due to the cost of uniforms, school supplies, enrollment fees and transportation costs. Families with limited economic resources often make the difficult decision to have their child leave school because their families depend on them to start working to contribute to the household income. In Guatemala only 18.6% of people graduate from high school and have limited opportunities to be able to break the generational cycle of poverty. Absent Common Hope’s support to help students stay enrolled and progressing in school, most of our students would be among those who do not continue their education beyond primary school.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Education

Our education program helps students attend pre-primary, primary, and secondary school, vocational school, and university. We also provide extra educational support like tutoring, library access, and extracurricular youth development activities. And, we partner with local public schools to help them reach new standards of excellence.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

Our health care program includes basic health care, preventive health care education, dental care, prenatal education, a pharmacy, nutrition and lab services, and community health fairs.

Population(s) Served
Families

Our housing program provides opportunities for affiliated families to earn a house through sweat equity hours. In addition, families can work to earn a stove, latrine, cement floor, and utilities such as water, drainage, and electricity.

Population(s) Served
Families

Our Family Development Program strives to create stable family systems. To accomplish this we offer social work support, job placement services, parenting education, counseling, support groups, and social workers who work closely with each family to identify goals and formulate a plan to succeed.

Population(s) Served
Families

Where we work

Awards

Dignitas Humana 2010

St. John's School of Theology-Seminary

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of program graduates

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Education

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Educational opportunities in Guatemala are among the lowest in Latin America with only 18.6% of the population graduating from high school. The graduation rate for Common Hope students is 60% or more.

Number of children who have access to education

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Context - describing the issue we work on

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

With more than half of the population living below the poverty line our education program works to remove barriers by providing books, uniforms, school supplies, tuition, and transportation.

Total Population Served

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Family Development

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

A child’s ability to show up and do well in school depends on the wellbeing of the entire family, which is why we provide health care, housing and family development programs to the entire family.

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

The fundamental belief that access to education is an opportunity for families to break the generational cycle of poverty IS the heart of Common Hope’s work. It is a fabric of support systems in education, health care, housing and family development designed to remove the barriers that prevent children from graduating from high school. Through Common Hope’s comprehensive approach families received access to programs and interventions that provide families with the tools they need to support the educational process we believe will break the cycle of poverty, but will also create a stronger, more sustainable community for generations to come. Common Hope supports more than 9,000 children and adults through our comprehensive programming model in 27 communities in Guatemala.

For 37 years, Common Hope has successfully delivered our mission to promote hope and opportunity in Guatemala. All of our programs work towards the long-term goals that students will (1) graduate high school or a vocational equivalent, (2) develop critical thinking skills, and (3) possess the confidence, compassion, and organizational skills that will enable them to be multipliers of our work and agents of change.

Common Hope’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, guided by our mission, purpose, and principles, focuses on relevance, our operating model, and strategic relationships. This planning period the Paths to Distinction include:

1) Positioning and relevance to students and families: The environment in Central Guatemala where we work has evolved and changed over the last several years. We want to refresh and upgrade our organization to meet the changing needs of our students and families and ensure our continued relevance.

2) Optimize Operating Model: Common Hope has operated for the past 35+ years with an operating model that has evolved over time but maintained the same structural elements of a non-profit based in MN, helping families in Guatemala. As we position the organization for continued relevance for the next 35+ years, CH leadership would like to refresh our operating model, ensuring that it is optimized for delivering on our mission. We want to create a unified, functional operating model that is aligned culturally and that elevates local voices ensuring the space to dream, strategize and deliver on our mission.

3) Strategic Relationships: Common Hope's work is based on relationships. To connect needs and resources, we must gain trust and inspire compassion. Through listening, understanding, and incorporating all of our stakeholder (students, families, and donors) voices we intend to strengthen our current relationships and build new relationships in areas where opportunity exists.

1. Educational Program Support, prevention, and tutoring offered to all affiliates (Current Educational Support Program). Expand programs to support post-graduation student skills. Including the Language (English) competency program, and graduate preparation and mentorship programs
2. Determine our relevance for families through Social Work and Scholarship surveys and propose modifications to our position if needed
3. Design and create an institutional Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system and start implementation.
4. Ensure that our applications, information, and communications are accessible, used and facilitate streamlined technology and communications.
5. Redefine Board of Directors governance (roles and accountability) and representation of stakeholder voices, including the CH Strategic Planning Committee. Redefine the leadership structure for the organization, succession planning, EMT accountability, define roles, responsibilities through the implementation of accountability charts.
6. Partner with families in need in the Central Region of Guatemala (States of Guatemala, Sacatepéquez, and Escuintla) and maintain a Social Work to family ratio of no more than 1 to 100 families,
7. Formalize current and new counterpart relationships in Health, Housing, and Education
8. Explore ways to bolster engagement between Sponsors and Students to ensure continued program relevance and communication exchange
9. Expand relationships with donors and diversify funding.

Common Hope has been a strong and well-respected presence in Guatemala since 1986, and we have a well-established track record for accomplishing our goals and managing our programs. We have built a broad foundation of support, with the involvement of local schools, communities, governmental and non-governmental organizations. Our capable and committed staff is highly attuned to the local communities served, and 98% of in-country staff is Guatemalan.

Programmatic advances and innovation were possible because of our loyal donors and dedicated staff. Our mission is carried out by more than 8,000 active supporters, many of whom provide smaller, regular gifts over long periods of time. These recurring gifts make up nearly 42% of our annual revenues. This stable base of financial support enables us to make long term commitments the families we serve.

Common Hope has a well-established track record for accomplishing our goals and managing our programs. During the last three years, an average of 81% of donations have gone directly to programs. For 11 consecutive years, Common Hope has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, a charity watchdog that measures for financial health as well as organizational transparency and accountability. Only 2% of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive this “exceptional” designation. Our rating means that our ability to allocate resources toward programs and services, while minimizing overhead and fundraising expenses, and our level of transparency and accountability with our donors, continues to exceed industry standards. Common Hope also meets all standards of the Charities Review Council.

For 37 years, Common Hope’s comprehensive approach has provided education, health care, housing and family development programs that make it possible for children to attend and stay in school. Despite the fact that only 18.6% of the population in Guatemala complete a high school education, Common Hope has supported more than 3,000 students through graduation.

Programmatic achievements include:

EDUCATION: Common Hope helped provide pre-primary, primary, secondary, and university education for 3,200 students in 2022, supporting tuition and fees, books and supplies, shoes and uniforms. We celebrated 212 graduates who earned their high school diploma. Distance learning services continued and the education support team continues to provide in-person and virtual homework help and tutoring. Equipment was upgraded in all four computer labs and Common Hope promoted STEM initiatives including a small robotics program.

FAMILY DEVELOPMENT: Common Hope partnered with 1,959 families to provide resources and tools to improve their lives. In 2022, 360 new families were welcomed into the program. Through a long-term relationship with a Common Hope social worker, families identified goals, obstacles, and created their own family development plan. Food security, health and safety, and emotional support services were provided as a direct result of identified needs.

HEALTH CARE: Common Hope’s medical and dental staff and volunteers conducted a total of 10,294 consultations with patients at our clinics in 2021. Health care services included examinations, lab tests, x-rays, medications, surgeries, mental health services and dental care. Much-needed upgrades were made to the dental clinic in Antigua. Clinic staff provided treatment and education for specific health issues endemic to the area, including diabetes and hypertension for 1,904 patients chronic disease patients. We partner with other organizations to provide health and dental care at our San Rafael, San Miguel Milpas Altas, and New Hope sites.

HOUSING: Since the Housing Program began, approximately 1,150 homes have been built for families in need including 22 in 2022. The housing program will continue to offer home improvements including gutters, glass windows, retaining walls, bunk beds, stoves, new roofs, and amongst others. Innovation and strategic partnerships will be driving forces in order to meet existing needs.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We act on the feedback we receive

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently

Financials

Common Hope
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Common Hope

Board of directors
as of 02/01/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mark Ruff

Nancy Norling

Nancy Norling, D.D.S.

John Bruellman

Showdown Displays

Joe Hammell

Mark Ruff

Cheri Broadhead

Totino Grace High School

Carlos R. Cruz

University of Minnesota

Danell Gibbins

Jellycat

Davor Grgic

Chris Osgood

Great Northern Equipment

Vince Walker

Diane Kozlak

Cindy Sattler

Marlene Lopez Ibarra

Katie Sullivan

Bill Wagner

Milton del Cid

Becky Stumpf

AbeTech

Skip McCowan

Gordon & Rees LLP

Kendall Bishop

UnitedHealth Group

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes