IMPACT AND TRANSPARENCY
Philanthropy Built on Trust
Creating lasting impact requires more than generosity. It requires trusted partnerships, responsible stewardship, and a commitment to transparency every step of the way. At Amigos of Costa Rica, our impact model ensures that every contribution supports stronger nonprofit organizations, accountable fund management, and meaningful community change.
Our Impact Model
Our role extends far beyond facilitating donations. We connect philanthropic resources with trusted nonprofit organizations while
providing the systems, guidance, and oversight that allow those organizations to grow sustainably.
Our impact model combines:
Fiscal Sponsorship
Capacity Building
Donor Engagement
Financial Stewardship
Compliance & Transparency
Together, these elements help strengthen Costa Rica’s nonprofit ecosystem while ensuring every contribution creates measurable, lasting impact.
Fiscal Sponsorship
As a registered U.S. 501(c)(3), Amigos enables donors, foundations, and businesses to confidently support vetted nonprofit organizations throughout Costa Rica while receiving the tax benefits available under U.S. law.
Our team also provides guidance throughout the giving process, helping donors identify trusted organizations, manage charitable funds, and ensure resources are used as intended.
Understanding Amigos' Administrative Fees
Supporting trusted philanthropy requires more than processing donations. It requires financial oversight, nonprofit vetting, donor support, and the infrastructure needed to help organizations grow.
To make this possible, every donation made through Amigos of Costa Rica includes an administrative fee, separate from third-party payment processing fees. For most donations to fiscally sponsored organizations our fee is 3%.
This investment allows us to strengthen nonprofit organizations, provide fiscal sponsorship, maintain transparent financial stewardship, and connect donors with trusted community-led initiatives across Costa Rica.
Nonprofit Compliance & Transparency Process
Every nonprofit organization in our network participates in a structured compliance and reporting process designed to strengthen governance, increase donor confidence, and support long-term organizational growth.
By combining annual reporting, ongoing compliance, and capacity-building opportunities, we help nonprofit organizations operate with greater accountability while giving donors confidence that their contributions support trusted and well-managed organizations.
Affiliate Annual Reporting Process
Every affiliated nonprofit completes an Annual Report designed to promote transparency, measure organizational growth, and strengthen accountability. More than a reporting requirement, this process helps organizations reflect on their progress, identify opportunities for improvement, and communicate their impact more effectively.
The Annual Report includes information on organizational governance, programs, beneficiaries, financial stewardship, fundraising activities, volunteer engagement, and key accomplishments. This information helps Amigos provide better support while giving donors greater confidence in the organizations they choose to support.
The reporting process focuses on six key areas that help measure organizational health, accountability, and impact:
Financial Performance
Annual budget, financial results, and stewardship of funds received through Amigos.
Programs & Community Impact
Programs delivered, outcomes achieved, and beneficiaries served throughout the year.
Governance & Compliance
Organizational updates, required documentation, and compliance with Costa Rican government standards.
Fundraising & Partnerships
Fundraising activities, strategic partnerships, volunteer engagement, and community collaboration.
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Key organizational challenges, achievements, and insights that help guide future growth.
Goals & Future Priorities
Strategic objectives, funding needs, and organizational priorities for the coming year.
What Our Affiliate Organizations Say
We are grateful for the incredible work Amigos of Costa Rica does in support of nonprofit organizations across the country. In our case, 13 years of partnership have enabled us to raise funds in the United States and transform them into meaningful investments in education, healthcare, community development, and emergency response throughout Guanacaste, benefiting thousands of children, youth, and adults.”
Creciendo Juntos,
Affiliate Annual Report 2025
Our experience working with Amigos of Costa Rica has been extremely positive. We deeply value the trust, transparency, and ongoing support you provide to grassroots organizations like ours.”
Animales de Asís,
Affiliate Annual Report 2025
250+
Costa Rican nonprofits supported, working across education, conservation, health, and community development.
$50M+
Philanthropic Funds Managed: Responsibly distributed to community-driven projects.
7
Provinces Reached: Impact across all of 7 Provinces of Costa Rica
70,000+
Donations Processed
Transparency Badge System
Our Transparency Badge System celebrates organizations that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to good governance, transparency, organizational development and impact.
Rather than ranking nonprofits, badges recognize meaningful milestones that help donors better understand each organization’s level of development and compliance
Organizations are evaluated across
three key areas:
Financial Stewardship
Responsible financial management, budget oversight, and transparent use of funds.
Governance
Strong leadership, organizational policies, board engagement, and compliance
Impact
Program outcomes, beneficiaries served, measurable results, and long-term impact.
Four Badge Levels That Recognize Growth
Performance across these three evaluation areas determines an organization’s Transparency Badge level. As nonprofits continue strengthening their practices and meeting key milestones, they progress through four badge levels.
Seed
Early-Stage Participation
Sprout
Building Strong Foundations
Sapling
Consistent Growth
Tree
Leading Through Action
By recognizing progress rather than perfection, our Transparency Badge System helps strengthen nonprofit organizations, build donor confidence, and foster a culture of accountability that benefits communities across Costa Rica.