Project Corazón, Incorporated

It is important to us that we co-create expectations for our partnership together. To do so, gather with our partner teams to review our values, what we ask of our partner teams, and what they ask of us in return. Mutual accountability and shared power in this process is deeply important to us, and it is reflected in the creation and adherence to our annual partnership agreement. If you have questions about this agreement (and, in particular, what our partner teams ask of us), please do not hesitate to ask.

We establish clear expectations of one another – expectations that hold us accountable to one another and to our larger community. Understanding the due diligence necessary in nonprofit governance, we ask the following of our partner teams:

• Transparency: Our partner teams must be transparent in their program planning, implementation, evaluation, and financial record keeping. Project Corazón, Incorporated requires that partner teams submit annual reports that include 1) detailed records of their annual expense reports and copies of receipts, and 2) program outcome reports with photo evidence on previously agreed upon objectives.  (Note: photo evidence need not include identifying features of program participants, out of respect for individuals’ privacy). Similarly, Project Corazón, Incorporated will be transparent with their partner teams on decision making related to programming and finances. 
• Community-driven approach: Our partner teams must have an in-depth knowledge of the community’s needs and priorities, and demonstrate a commitment to incorporating the voices of community members in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of their projects and programs. Project Corazón, Incorporated requires that annual reports wherein the partner team demonstrates how community voice was incorporated into their work. Examples may include reports from community meetings, key stakeholder interviews, and focus groups with community members on the charitable project. This criterion mirrors Project Corazón, Incorporated’s “Community-First” value that prioritizes the voices of community members in program and project development.
• Established track record with PC Team: Prior to establishing a PC partner team, members of our Project Corazón, Incorporated team must have extensive knowledge and experience of the area of work.  This may include having spent significant time working directly in the area, having established research in the area, or other possibilities that result in having knowledge of community needs and strengths, relevant stakeholders, and challenges of community development work in the area. These criteria are met at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
• Hand-in-hand approach: While playing a supportive role to their work, our team is actively involved in program planning, implementation, evaluation of program progress and financial spending. In addition to annual reports, a Project Corazón, Incorporated team member may visit the sites of the program to ensure transparency of program and finances, and provide assistance (as applicable) in program implementation. These site visits may occur multiple times a year at the discretion of the Board of Directors and Executive Director.
• Ongoing Evaluation: Partnerships are renewed annually based on progress towards goals and requirements based on evaluations. Partnerships can be discontinued at any time if any of the above criteria are not being met. Renewal or discontinuation of a partner team is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.