The Central America Donors Forum (CADF) is the premier space for civil society, philanthropy, government and business to discuss priority issues in Central America, expand networks and advance development, equity and justice in the region.

Since 2010, Seattle International Foundation (SIF) has hosted CADF annually in cities across Central America. Over three days, CADF offers a variety of panels, workshops and networking opportunities to address challenges in the region, create a shared vision and promote collaboration across sectors.

Each year, CADF brings together hundreds of leaders and experts from more than 20 countries, and receives support from dozens of organizations committed to developing Central America.

Seattle International Foundation‘s (SIF) mission is to champion good governance and equity in Central America through rule of law and a robust civil society. We are guided by a vision of just, peaceful, and prosperous societies in Central America.

Our vision strengthens SIF’s interventions in Central America, and more specifically in northern Central America —Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras— and Nicaragua. We focus on these neighboring countries, with growing economic, political, social and cultural interdependence with the US, to increase the efficiency, impact and sustainability of our efforts.

For more information about SIF, please visit our website here.

Each year, the CADF agenda focuses on select priority issues facing the region. Previous strategic issue areas have centered conversations on migration, rule of law, equity, climate change, good governance, gender and much more.

To read about the CADF 2023 theme and tracks, please visit the CADF 2023 page.

Addressing development issues in Central America requires a common understanding of regional issues and a shared agenda for action. However, despite advances in recent years, funders, grantmakers and philanthropists tend to operate in silos. In achieving this shared agenda—particularly in the midst of a global pandemic—connecting with others has never been more challenging, and opportunities to expand professional networks remain limited.

Furthermore, the Central American region is not a funding priority for U.S. based philanthropy. According to a report on U.S. Foundation Funding for Latin America released at CADF, just 6% of all international grant dollars from large U.S. foundations went toward Latin America, with the rest awarded largely to other regions such as Western Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Under 1% of all international grant dollars was directed toward Central America, with the majority of those funds awarded to organizations located outside of the region.

In the short-term, CADF aims to spark conversations that influence philanthropy to better serve Central America. The CADF space is an opportunity to build an inclusive, peer-learning network while exchanging information, knowledge, tools and resources. The agenda is designed to inform and enhance the strategic giving and investing of funders, as well as elevate the voices of underrepresented groups and experts.

In the long-term, CADF strives to mobilize funding and resources to Central America via co-investment of projects and initiatives. Throughout CADF and during the year thereafter, Seattle International Foundation (SIF) and partners coordinate a common agenda for development across sectors and affect narratives established by the status quo. As a unique convening for multiple types of funders, CADF contributes to the decolonization and democratization of philanthropy in the region.

Yes. Nearly all sessions include English or Spanish simultaneous interpretation. The majority of sessions will take place in Spanish, and attendees may find each session’s language in the online and printed agendas. Approximately 85% of attendees are bilingual speakers.

At the typical in-person conference, roughly 300-500 attendees participate in CADF. Over 80% of participants are senior-level leaders. Since the first event in 2010, CADF has convened over 5,000 leaders to explore philanthropy’s role in supporting and amplifying solutions to intersecting crises in Central America.

Between September 25-27, 2022 in San José, Costa Rica, 692 leaders from civil society, philanthropy, government and business participated in CADF 2023. To read through the CADF 2023 highlights, please visit the CADF 2023 Report page.

Seattle International Foundation (SIF) namely provides CADF updates via its invitation-only newsletters and social media pages.

If you are interested in joining our invitation-only mailing list, please reach out to Seattle International Foundation (SIF) via the Contact page.

CADF 2023 will take place on September 25-27 in San José, Costa Rica.

CADF 2023 will take place in San José, Costa Rica for the first time in the event’s history. The CADF 2023 venue is the Costa Rica Marriott Hacienda Belen.

For more information on this year’s venue, please visit the Participate page.

CADF 2023 will be an in-person event. 

Yes. We will offer simultaneous interpretation for nearly all sessions at CADF 2023.

Visit the CADF 2023 Agenda page to view this year’s agenda.

Seattle International Foundation is no longer accepting session proposals for CADF 2023.

Seattle International Foundation is no longer accepting site visit proposals for CADF 2023.

At this time, we are unable to accommodate individual speakers.

A searchable list of attendees by name, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and countries of work is available on the Attendees page.

Yes. Sponsorship opportunities to support CADF 2023 are now available.

Sponsors support the sustainability of CADF while increasing recognition of their work in Central America and connecting with senior-level leaders. A variety of sponsorship opportunities and benefits are available for organizations of all types and sizes.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please visit the Sponsorship page and reach out to Seattle International Foundation via the Contact page.

Sponsorship opportunities are available until two weeks before the event. However, we are best able to feature the support and participation of sponsors that join us at least one month before CADF. We encourage interested organizations to reach out early via the Contact page.

CADF is an invitation-only event. If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Seattle International Foundation (SIF) via the Contact page.

CADF is a curated and invitation-only space for changemakers, senior-level leaders, experts and voices from underrepresented groups. Attendees come from diverse backgrounds and sectors, including philanthropy, business, government, media, multilateral organizations, NGOs, academia and more. Our goal is to bring together leaders in decision-making positions to enact change in Central America.

If you fit this profile and are interested in participating, please reach out to Seattle International Foundation (SIF) via the Contact page.

To register for CADF 2023, please visit the registration page via Eventbrite. A passcode is required to access the registration page. The passcode can be found in Seattle International Foundation’s most recent newsletter to invited guests.

The cost to attend CADF 2023 is $575, but we offer discounts to individuals who purchase their tickets in advance.

See the CADF 2023 ticket sales schedule below:

–  $460 | until May 18 (20% discount)

–  $489 | until July 6 (15% discount)

–  $518 | until August 24 (10% discount)

–  $546 | until September 7 (5% discount)

– $575 | beginning September 8

Yes. If you are coordinating the registration for a group of 5 or more individuals from one organization, please reach out to Seattle International Foundation (SIF) via the Contact page for more information regarding group discounts.

For organizations purchasing 5 tickets or more, we can accept payment via wire transfer. For more information, please reach out to Seattle International Foundation (SIF) via the Contact page.

No. We only offer full admission tickets for the entire three days of the event.

Tickets include access to all CADF sessions, including: panels, workshops, site visits, networking events, cultural events, three networking lunches and coffee breaks. Breakfast sessions are included on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please note that dinners and invitation-only private roundtable sessions are not included in the cost of this ticket.

Yes. For more information, please reach out to Seattle International Foundation (SIF) via the Contact page with your registration confirmation number and any specific information you need included in the invoice.

Attendees may receive a full refund on or before August 28. Partial refunds are available for tickets canceled between August 29 and September 10. Registrants canceling on or after September 11 will not receive a refund. Attendees may also transfer their ticket to another member of their organization.

For more information, please read our Refund & Cancellation Policy page.

Sessions with limited capacities, such as breakfast sessions, lunch sessions and site visits, do require registration. To sign up for sessions with limited capacities, attendees must first register for CADF 2023 via Eventbrite and then register for individual sessions via Google Forms.

Seattle International Foundation (SIF) will contact attendees beginning Thursday, August 31 to confirm acceptance and waitlist statuses in these limited sessions.

Seattle International Foundation (SIF) will contact attendees beginning Thursday, August 31 to confirm acceptance and waitlist statuses in these limited sessions.

After reviewing our Refund & Cancellation Policy, please reach out to Seattle International Foundation (SIF) via the Contact page for more information regarding a refund or ticket transfer of your ticket.

No. CADF typically features approximately 150 speakers each year. As such, we are unable to provide free tickets to speakers. Nonetheless, speakers receive a 20% discount to participate in CADF.

Yes. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we have limited free and discounted tickets available.

To apply for a free or discounted ticket, please fill out the CADF 2023 scholarship application form.

Yes. For more information on attending as a member of the press, please reach out to Seattle International Foundation (SIF) via the Contact page for more information regarding our press pass options.

If you have any questions about your registration information, please reach out to Seattle International Foundation (SIF) via the Contact page.

Yes. Discounted rooms for the following rates at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belén are now available.

–  Single: $197.00 USD + taxes

–  Double: $217.00 USD + taxes

Click here to book your discounted room via the Marriott’s website. Both discounted and regularly priced rooms are available until sold out.

Yes. Free on-site parking is available for all CADF attendees. Valet parking is also available for $10.

Yes. At CADF 2023, all attendees have access to a free networking app, Whova, where you can view the agenda, post to a community message board and reach out directly to other participants.

No. As of April 1, 2022, Costa Rica is open to tourists, and does not require vaccines, testing, masks, social distancing or implement other travel and gathering restrictions. We nonetheless recommend reviewing the country entry requirements from your point of departure, connection and return

For more information, please visit the Covid-19 & Health Information page.

While the majority of CADF attendees will arrive from countries that do not require a visa, we recommend checking with your government’s official websites to determine if you need a visa, qualify for exceptions or must follow certain public health requirements.

Additionally, Sherpa is a useful guide to getting the right travel documentation and understanding up-to-date travel requirements.

No. At CADF 2023, SIF has decided to follow the health guidelines established by the Costa Rican government. As of April 1, 2022, Costa Rica is open to tourists, and does not require vaccines, testing, masks, social distancing or implement other travel and gathering restrictions.

SIF encourages—but will not require—CADF 2023 attendees to be fully vaccinated and wear masks. Leading up to CADF 2023, SIF will continue to monitor guidelines set forth by the Costa Rican government and communicate any changes with our audience.

For more information, please visit the Covid-19 & Health Information page.

No. Seattle International Foundation (SIF) maintains a strict no-solicitation policy at CADF. We strive to provide participants with learning and networking opportunities in a distraction-free environment, free from the dynamics of solicitation from grantseekers.

For more information, please read our Code of Conduct page.

SIF has decided to follow the health guidelines established by the Costa Rican government. As of April 1, 2022, Costa Rica is open to tourists, and does not require vaccines, testing, masks, social distancing or implement other travel and gathering restrictions.

SIF encourages—but will not require—CADF 2023 attendees to be fully vaccinated and wear masks. Leading up to CADF 2023, SIF will continue to monitor guidelines set forth by the Costa Rican government and communicate any changes with our audience.

For more information, please visit the Covid-19 & Health Information page.

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In alignment with Seattle International Foundation (SIF), CADF advances inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) every day—in our mission, team, and community.

Our history is rooted in the idea that philanthropy thrives when it encompasses a deep richness of backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences. Today, in the face of Central America’s most complex and urgent challenges, diversity is among our strongest assets. In achieving our mission, a wide range of ideas and perspectives is key to developing models and solutions that include everyone.

From the inside out, SIF advocates for the participation of all people and works to ensure a sense of belonging for all those with whom we work. We achieve this by acknowledging our implicit biases and, through honest conversation, we identify opportunities for growth and healing. To dismantle these biases, SIF fosters a culture of self-reflection, collective care and celebration of our team and our partners. ​

We value and model transparency, respect and a strong commitment to anti-racism, decolonization, feminism and social justice. We strive each day to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone—employees, grantees, partners, and all our community—feels empowered to show up as and grow into their full, authentic selves. Inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility drive this work forward.