Intercambio receives $2M grant

In 2023, Intercambio submitted and application for the Yield Giving award. The local nonprofit organization competed against 6,353 applicants and was selected as one of the 250 to receive a $2 million award.

Yield Giving is an initiative launched by MacKenzie Scott that provides financial awards to nonprofit organizations “whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources,” according to a news release from Intercambio.

Intercambio brings English learners and community volunteers together to build language skills and confidence and create life-changing connections. 

The $2 million award is unrestricted funds which will allow the local nonprofit to continue connecting students and volunteers, increase the quality of access of students and change more lives, according to a prepared statement from Intercambio.

“We are incredibly grateful to Yield Giving, Lever for Change, a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and MacKenzie Scott for recognizing our work as a community-led, community-focused organization creating substantial impact,” stated John Lopez, chief executive officer, in a prepared statement. 

The nonprofit hopes to use its newly acquired resources to accelerate its 2024-26 strategic plan by increasing marketing efforts, establishing a Boulder County conference, enhancing volunteer recruitment, garnering partnerships, revising educational materials and tactics and becoming for financially sustainable. 

“It is true that Intercambio is for and of the community, and we owe our success to many, many individuals and organizations who have helped us reach this important milestone,” Lopez said.