Introducing Theory of Change Makers- a high-impact nonprofit incubation program in Latin America

Hi everyone,

We’re thrilled to announce Theory of Change Makers, a one-year program incubating high-impact social interventions in Spanish-speaking Latin America.

Our goal is to launch new organizations that implement proven, evidence-based interventions, carefully adapted to their local contexts.

The program includes:

• 6 months of intensive training, including cause prioritization, theory of change, cost-effectiveness analysis, contextual feasibility and adaptation, financial modeling, implementation planning and piloting.
• 6 months of follow-up, as participants continue implementing their pilot interventions with continued accountability and mentoring support.

We’ve curated a list of cost-effective interventions based on research from organizations such as GiveWell, J-PAL, Open Philanthropy, Rethink Priorities, Founders Pledge, IPA, 3ie, Charity Entrepreneurship, D-Prize, and others. 

With our guidance, participants select one intervention, adapt it to their context, and begin building locally.

Thanks to funding from Open Philanthropy facilitated through the Meta Charity Funders, our first cohort is about to begin—and applications are now open! 

• Link to the program details (in Spanish): (https://bit.ly/Programa_ImpactCatalyst)
• Link for program registration (in Spanish) - open until 6th of July: (bit.ly/ImpactCatalyst_aplicación)

If you know someone in Spanish-speaking Latin America who could be a fantastic nonprofit founder, please send them this information.

🌎 Why regional and language-based alternatives are important

Language access unlocks talent: Working with evidence-based tools is challenging enough—doing it in a second language can exclude highly capable talent. By offering training in Spanish, we reduce barriers and empower more people to lead.

Implementation happens locally: Our participants work in their own countries. They know the systems, the culture, the needs, and networks, which speeds the adaptation process and increases contextual fit.

Founding is more affordable in the Global South: Lower living costs mean founders need less to start and grow, which improves the long-term cost-effectiveness of their interventions.

🌍 Why we need strong allies from the Global North 

Because capital still flows from the Global North—and we need allies to help channel it to high-impact projects in the Global South.

Because English remains the language of knowledge, and we need continued high-quality research and communication from global hubs of expertise.

Because we’re all in this together. Solving the world’s most pressing problems is the objective—and strengthening the global ecosystem helps us get there faster.

🔧 How you can get involved

We’re looking for people who believe in this mission and want to help. We are thinking 3 ways people can get involved/volunteer:

1. Are you a founder or implementer of a proven intervention?

Our participants would benefit immensely from your experience. Even a single session can meaningfully shape the trajectory of their projects. We’ll prep well and make the most of your time.

2. Do you have subject-matter expertise?

We’re especially looking for mentors (in English or Spanish) with experience in:

• Cost-effectiveness modeling in new contexts.
• Researchers working on promising interventions in the Global South, particularly Latin America (we will know more about the specific interventions soon).
• How can we leverage AI into nonprofit launching and intervention piloting / implementation.
• Effective Altruists that speak Spanish — regardless of your domain, we want our participants to connect with the broader EA community in the region.

3. Can you support our upcoming crowdfunding campaign?

Our program includes piloting each intervention on a small scale during the first 6 months. Participants will need financial support to further implement those pilots afterward. We will launch a campaign and would love support in areas like:

• Strategy: Campaign planning, milestone setting, platform selection
• Content creation: Narrative development, copywriting, visual storytelling
• Video production: Scriptwriting, filming, editing, motion graphics
• Marketing: Organic promotion, social media strategy
• Campaign management: Coordinating assets, updates, donor engagement

Even one-time advice or collaboration in any of these areas would make a big difference.

This will be our first opportunity to explore how effective giving resonates in the region—admittedly through the lens of very early-stage organizations. Still, it offers a valuable first glimpse into how much interest evidence-based, EA-aligned nonprofits can generate locally. That’s why we want to approach this campaign with intention and strategic planning from the very beginning.

🌱 The organization behind this 

The Laboratory of Social Entrepreneurship is a think tank based in Latin America that exists to support social impact professionals and social organizations to become more results-oriented, cost-effective, and sustainable. We bring structure, tools, mentorship, and evidence to the people committed to solving some of the world’s most pressing problems. 

I started the Laboratory with one simple conviction: the world needs more high-impact social organizations—and more support for the people brave enough to build them and for the professionals that work for them.

We believe that rigor and love are not opposites—they are allies. That technical excellence and moral commitment must walk together if we want to create a more just, sustainable, and dignified world.

Final thoughts

I will be posting updates in the forum about the program’s progress. Please reach out if you have recommendations, feedback, or even moral support. It takes a village! 

Let’s find ways to help talented people build the solutions their communities deserve.

Thank you for reading. 

Warmly,
Verónica
Founder, Laboratory for Social Entrepreneurship

 

 📩 Please reach out at [email protected]