Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - "If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble," said the comedian, Bob Hope, and he was serious. However, many, many people in Puerto Vallarta are very generous in their giving and they want to know their money is wisely used.

Last season, the International Friendship Club (IFC) gave away over 1.2 million pesos to local charities and programs in Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area. The club raises money every year from the community by running IFC Home Tours, collecting membership fees, and charging for lectures, bridge, movie night, etc., and they take the stewardship of this money very seriously.

Each CEO of a charity requesting the club's support must complete a "Request for Proposal" form (RFP). This form, once completed, shows the name of the agency, the contact's name and position, the phone, email and address of the agency, the objectives of the project to be supported, a description and the expected outcomes of the project.

The RFP also requires a detailed breakdown of how the money will be spent. A Final Report detailing the completion of the project must be received by IFC before the calendar year ends and failure to provide this may result in denial of future project funding.

A committee member is assigned responsibility for communicating with each particular charity or program and meets with their representatives to assess the necessity for funding. All members then meet as a committee and the committee decides how the basket of available funds is to be shared amongst those requesting support. The next season the committee ensures that all final reports have been received.

As an example, last season the Banderas Bay Women's Shelter completed a RFP. The description of the project states: "In May 2018 we are scheduled to open two external resource centres in Puerto Vallarta. The centres will provide professional services from psychologists, child psychologists, social workers and lawyers to women, men and children in situations of domestic violence. We are requesting that the International Friendship Club help us with the start-up costs of the centres."

The Outcomes of the Project states: "Short term success will be measured by the number of people who seek assistance at the centres. Long term success will be evaluated by using the Endireh Poll which provides us with valuable information about violence throughout Mexico." That is followed by a detailed list of beds, dressers, linens, computers, desks and chairs needed for the start-up.

IFC takes the responsibility of good stewardship seriously. The club members are dedicated to making life better in Puerto Vallarta for Mexicans who are suffering and we want to get the best available benefits for the money you give us in so many ways. If you would like to donate to IFC, please visit the clubhouse at the corner of Libertad and Miramar, or click HERE for more information and to make a donation online via PayPal.