When nonprofits share power, we multiply impact: Lessons from GreenLatinos and USCAN

What kind of impact can nonprofits unlock when we center trust-building and resource-sharing? Mark Magaña, Founding President and CEO of GreenLatinos, calls that–and networks like USCAN–a "force multiplier."

In this interview, Mark explains how GreenLatinos—a national network of Latino/a/x environmental advocates—has made its partnership with the US Climate Action Network (USCAN) essential to its success. He shares his deeply moving personal motivations as a father, emphasizing that we are the last generation with the power to address the climate crisis and secure a stable legacy for our children.

Don’t have 8 minutes? Here are some of Mark’s biggest takeaways: 

1. The climate crisis is a generational moral imperative.

Mark Magaña’s dedication to climate work is profoundly personal, driven by his role as a father. 

• He views the current moment through the lens of legacy, stating that we are the "first generation to feel the worst effects" of climate change and the "last generation to be able to do something about it."

• Confronting climate change will take the same level of sacrifice, strength, and bravery our parents and grandparents showed so that "our children and their children are better off." 

2. GreenLatinos: A Network for Climate Justice

GreenLatinos operates as a national network of Latino/a/x environmental, conservation, and climate justice advocates committed to mutual support and collective action.

• They focus on building trusted relationships and sharing resources, information, and access to amplify the advocacy work being led by Latino/a/x communities across the country.

3. Collaboration is a "force multiplier."

Mark describes the partnership between GreenLatinos and USCAN as a "force multiplier," meaning their combined effort achieves results far greater than the sum of their individual parts.

• The relationship is built on a core foundation of "collaboration, trust building, [and] resource sharing."

• USCAN helps GreenLatinos catalyze the local work of their members–from Colorado and Illinois to New Mexico–into national and even global momentum on climate action.

• The partnership provided essential support for GreenLatinos staff to attend the recent climate negotiations in Brazil and keep up with key information.

4. Frontline advocates urgently need resources.

There is a severe need for financial support among organizations doing essential work on climate action and conservation. 

• Many members of the network are "completely under-resourced and doing this work on pennies on the dollar."

• Mark points out that while their commitment is important and admirable, if they were "resourced well, imagine what they can accomplish."

To echo Mark’s words: "We are the first generation to feel the worst effects of it and the last generation to be able to do something about it."

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