For over six decades, the Tinker Foundation has promoted economic and social development in Latin America. It realizes its mission by funding civil society organizations, including nonprofits, research institutes, and universities, that work on the region's most pressing challenges. These organizations use Tinker resources to test ideas, expand proven models, and foster new problem-solving collaborations. Tinker emphasizes the importance of knowledge and approach exchange within and beyond Latin America, supporting comparative and collaborative work.
The Tinker Foundation's Institutional Grants program is designed to facilitate policy and practice changes that substantially enhance the quality of life for people in Latin America. This program underscores the importance of research, innovation, and the scaling of effective models across three critical areas: Sustainable Resource Management, Education, and Governance. Specifically, the grants focus on sustainable habitat and resource management that includes the socio-economic factors influencing the welfare of local communities. The main themes addressed by the projects include promoting sustainable management practices across various sectors, and ensuring equitable access to clean and secure water supplies. Projects aiming for funding should prioritize innovative and locally driven solutions for resource management, policy development, and community engagement to tackle issues like water scarcity, sustainable agriculture, and effective conservation practices.