Eleven Years of Friendship: Celebrating Nonprofit Alliances and Saying Goodbye to a Dear Colleague

Today we want to tell a story about friendship the kind that grows between organizations that show up for one another, year after year.

Since Hearts of Gold Foundation was founded in Cuenca in 2013, we’ve partnered with more than 50 organizations across Ecuador. 3 have walked this road with us since our earliest years: NOVA, CETAP Lucy, and Fundación El Arenal.

For us, alliance has never meant just being friendly online. It has meant sharing knowledge, training, and services openly, without keeping score proof that nonprofits can build each other up instead of competing for scarce resources.

Not every chapter has been easy. Together we’ve faced tight budgets, uncertain years, and crises alongside the families we serve. When COVID tested every organization’s strength, we leaned on our alliances and friendship.

This past Friday, September 11th, we gathered for a special reason: our dear friend Maribel, Executive Director of Fundación El Arenal, said goodbye to her role. El Arenal continues its work, but Maribel is stepping down. We looked back on shared memories, embraced, and thanked her for all she has given.

For 11 years, Maribel walked hand in hand with Hearts of Gold. Her passion and love for the community will stay with us. She isn’t leaving our story she’ll continue as an unconditional friend to NOVA, CETAP Lucy, and Hearts of Gold.

Thank you, dear Maribel, for your generous heart of gold. And thank you to every partner organization for proving nonprofits can stand together, not alone.