Consulate General in New York and NaFFAA NY Build Capacity of Filcom Orgs through Nonprofit Workshop
Ambassador Mario L. De Leon, Jr. (Ret.) (left), Mr. Clifford Robin Temprosa (center), and Ms. Alyssa Trinidad (right) lead discussions during The Filipino Nonprofit Leadership Playbook workshop, sharing practical strategies on grant readiness, nonprofit governance, financial management, and social entrepreneurship to strengthen Filipino American organizations. (Photos by Nikka B. Arenal)
NEW YORK, 26 April 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York, in partnership with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) New York Chapter, successfully hosted The Filipino Nonprofit Leadership Playbook workshop at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall.
The workshop gathered around 70 participants representing Filipino organizations from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Designed to build stronger and more sustainable Filipino community organizations, the event addressed the challenges that many Filipino-led nonprofits face in accessing public funding and strengthening their organizational structures.
Participants from Filipino organizations across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts actively engage during the open forum, raising questions and sharing experiences during The Filipino Nonprofit Leadership Playbook workshop. (Photos by Nikka B. Arenal)
In her welcome remarks delivered on behalf of Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, Vice Consul Cathe Ryne Denice S. Aguilar highlighted the broader spirit of the initiative, stating, “Leadership is not only about building organizations. It is about empowering communities to find and raise their voice.” She emphasized that building strong organizations is not merely an internal goal, but a pathway toward empowering the broader Filipino community to thrive, grow, and remain connected for generations to come.
The workshop featured in-depth sessions led by Ambassador Mario L. De Leon, Jr. (Ret.), Mr. Clifford Robin Temprosa, and Ms. Alyssa Trinidad. Mr. Temprosa, Director of Public Policy for NaFFAA New York, discussed strategies for navigating the complex public funding landscape and preparing grant-ready organizations. He highlighted the importance of strategic planning, internal capacity-building, and aligning organizational goals with funding opportunities.
Ms. Alyssa Trinidad, Treasurer of NaFFAA New York, provided practical insights on nonprofit financial management, emphasizing the importance of financial transparency, compliance practices, and the development of internal controls and financial reporting systems to ensure organizational sustainability and credibility with funders.
Ambassador De Leon, drawing on his extensive leadership experience, discussed strategies for strengthening nonprofit governance, managing leadership transitions, and ensuring organizational resilience over time. He also shared best practices in strategic planning, capacity building, and board development to help nonprofits transition into funding-ready and professionally managed institutions.
Vice Consul Cathe Ryne Denice S. Aguilar delivers her welcome remarks at The Filipino Nonprofit Leadership Playbook workshop, underscoring the importance of building strong organizations to empower Filipino communities for generations to come. (Photo by Nikka B. Arenal)
The facilitators also explored strategies for marketing, communications, and social entrepreneurship, encouraging participants to use digital storytelling, partnership development, and social enterprise initiatives to amplify their visibility and diversify revenue streams beyond traditional grants.
Participants praised the highly practical, culturally grounded, and interactive approach of the workshop. Many expressed strong interest in future learning opportunities, including a specialized follow-up workshop focusing on program design, evaluation frameworks, and scaling initiatives. END
