Why Cross Border Cultural Exchange (CBCE)?

CBCE was established as an Arizona nonprofit corporation and an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity in 2024 following a conversation between Arizonans interested in supporting the State of Sonora's Comisión Estatal para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos y Comunidades Indígenas   (State Commission for the Development of Indigenous Towns and Communities) efforts to raise funds and in-kind contributions for Sonora´s indigenous groups.  During those discussions and meetings that followed in Arizona and in Sonora, it was decided that two charitable organizations would be established, one in Arizona and one in Sonora, that would serve indigenous communities in conjunction and coordination with CEDIS through the ¨service lines¨ below.

Unlike many nonprofits, CBCE is staffed by people who have already had successful careers and do not need to make a living from the company and by other passionate volunteers.  CBCE is dedicated to covering its costs only and providing the maximum benefit to its cause.  You can participate with the confidence that your efforts and contributions will provide the greatest benefit to the cause of cultural preservation.

Everything we do is aimed to contribute to allowing the people to remain in their towns and communities rather than having to detribalize and move to the the cities or the United States for the Mexican citizens.  Providing opportunities for the youth to remain near their elders is the key to cultural preservation.  In some cases, where severe cultural loss has already occured, we are focused on developing frameworks for reclaiming cultural heritage.

Service Lines

Charitable Direct Support:  The Foundations

Cultural Exchanges:  Bringing People Together

Cultural exchanges take place in two frameworks:  

• grant and program funded group exchanges between the three countries

•  extended stays in indigenous communities in conjunction with direct support funding to improve lives in the communities (like short-term Peace Corps work or Church programs)

Indigenous Product Marketing and Sales

Education, Advocacy, and Limited Lobbying

CBCE works to increase visibility of indigenous issues through offering non-credit courses, providing speakers, materials, and media, and meeting with decision-makers in the various levels of government to solve the many problems facing these communities.