The Ayala Foundation (AFI) is a charity group started by the Ayala family to help improve the lives of Filipinos. It was created in 1961 and focuses on helping communities become self-sufficient and proud of their culture by working in areas like education, leadership, and arts.
Over the years, AFI has launched many programs, such as providing quality education to kids from poor families and preserving Philippine history and culture through museums. They also help communities recover from disasters by giving cash aids and other types of support to the people and for the young leaders in the community to become future role models.
What is the AFI?
Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), established in 1961 by Col. Joseph McMicking and Mrs. Mercedes Zobel-McMicking, is one of the country’s pioneering corporate foundations. As the social development arm of the Ayala group, it focuses on creating communities that are productive, self-reliant, and proud of their Filipino identity. AFI addresses developmental needs in areas such as community and leadership development, arts and culture, and corporate citizenship.
Originally known as Filipinas Foundation, the organization was inspired by the Science Act of 1958 to engage in science, education, and community projects. After being renamed Ayala Foundation in 1990, it expanded its reach nationwide, partnering with various sectors to enhance its impact. Today, AFI continues to adapt to the evolving needs of society, striving to contribute meaningfully to national development.
History
Ayala Foundation, originally established as Filipinas Foundation in 1961 by Col. Joseph McMicking and Mrs. Mercedes Zobel-McMicking, has played a key role in Philippine social development. In 1990, it was renamed Ayala Foundation to reflect the Ayala group’s commitment to addressing societal needs. Over the years, the foundation launched several impactful initiatives, including the Iraya-Mangyan program in 1991, the opening of the Filipinas Heritage Library in 1996, and the establishment of CENTEX Manila in 1998. Ayala Foundation also introduced the Ayala Young Leaders Congress in 1999 and continued its cultural and educational efforts, such as the 2015 “Gold of Ancestors” exhibit in New York. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2021, the foundation reaffirmed its dedication to national development with the reopening of the Ayala Museum.
Logo
The AFI logo has a simple, modern design with two main parts: the foundation’s name and a unique graphic symbol.
- Graphic: It features a blue symbol with lines that look like an “A” repeated. This design shows how the foundation connects and works with different communities to make a big impact.
- Colors: The logo uses blue for trust and reliability and orange for energy and creativity.Â
- Text: The name “Ayala Foundation” is written in orange, standing out against the blue symbol, showing the foundation’s clear and effective approach.
In short, the logo shows the foundation’s values of teamwork, trust, and vibrant community work.
Mission
“Understanding community realities and engaging people in the change process. Acting as catalyst for inclusion to bridge community and business aspirations. Building and nurturing partnerships with public and private groups, civil society, and Ayala to achieve impact, scale, and sustainability for everyone involved.”
Vision
“We envision communities where people are productive, creative, self-reliant, and proud to be Filipino.”
Core Values
AFI operates to achieve its vision while being guided by the following values:
“We have a deep love of country.
We believe in shared prosperity.
We are creative and innovative.
We act with integrity.
We strive for excellence.
We collaborate and work as a team.”
Powers and Functions
The AFI serves as the social development arm of the Ayala Group of Companies, focusing on enhancing the quality of life in communities across the Philippines. Established in 1990, the foundation aims to create self-reliant, productive, and proud Filipino communities by addressing various social challenges through targeted programs.
- Community Development: Implementing programs that promote sustainable livelihoods and improve living conditions in underserved areas.
- Leadership Development: Offering initiatives like the Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) to nurture future leaders and instill a sense of social responsibility.
- Arts and Culture: Supporting cultural programs and institutions, such as the Ayala Museum, to promote Philippine history and heritage.
- Corporate Citizenship: Engaging in partnerships and volunteerism to foster a culture of empathy and active citizenship among Ayala employees and stakeholders.
- Education Initiatives: Running programs like thAe Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX) to provide quality education to children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Disaster Resilience: Developing frameworks for disaster preparedness and response to help communities withstand natural calamities.
- Support for Indigenous Communities: Implementing integrated development programs for indigenous groups, focusing on education, health, and livelihood.
Through these initiatives, the Ayala Foundation aims to contribute significantly to national development and the overall well-being of Filipino communities.
Organizational Structure
Ayala Foundation operates as the social development arm of the Ayala Group of Companies, guided by a Board of Trustees that sets its strategic direction and ensures good governance. The leadership includes a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and President, who oversee the foundation’s activities. Program implementation is managed by specialized teams focusing on areas like education and sustainable livelihood, working directly with communities to address their needs. The foundation partners with government agencies, nonprofits, and private companies to enhance its impact. A robust monitoring system tracks the progress of programs, ensuring they meet their goals and contribute to Ayala Group’s sustainability efforts.
Benefit
The AFI has long been helping the Philippines through its different programs. By focusing on areas like community development, leadership, culture, education, and disaster preparedness, the foundation has made life better for many people across the country in ways such as:
- Better living conditions in poor communities through projects that create jobs and improve daily life.
- Training future leaders by teaching young people to be responsible and care about their communities.
- Promoting Philippine culture by sharing the country’s history and art through the Ayala Museum.
- Encouraging empathy and community service among Ayala employees and partners through volunteer programs.
- Providing quality education to children from low-income families with programs like CENTEX.
- Improving disaster preparedness so communities can handle emergencies better.
- Supporting indigenous groups with programs that focus on education, health, and jobs.Â
Through these efforts, the Ayala Foundation helps build a stronger and more developed Philippines.
Coverage
The AFI helps people and communities across the Philippines by running different programs that tackle social challenges. Here’s how they make a difference:
- 4Ps Families: AFI helps families in the government’s 4Ps program by teaching them skills like gardening, waste management, nutrition, and money management to improve their lives.
- Students and Teachers: Through programs like CENTEX, AFI supports students from low-income families and trains teachers to give better education in areas that need it most.
- Indigenous Communities: AFI works with indigenous groups to improve their education, health, and job opportunities, while also helping to keep their culture alive.
- Youth Leaders: AFI runs leadership programs like the Ayala Young Leaders Congress to train young people to be future leaders and make a positive impact in their communities.
- Disaster-Affected Communities: AFI helps communities hit by natural disasters by providing the support they need to rebuild and prepare for future challenges.
- Cultural institutions and Artists: AFI promotes Philippine arts and culture through programs and institutions like the Ayala Museum, giving local artists a platform to showcase their work.
Through these efforts, the Ayala Foundation helps create stronger, more resilient communities across the Philippines.
Programs and Services
Ayala Foundation contributes to the nation’s development by creating programs that address the changing needs of communities across the Philippines. Here’s a list of their programs and services:
1. Arts and Culture
- Ayala Museum: A leading museum in the Philippines that offers interactive exhibits on Philippine history, art, and culture, including the country’s first digital gallery and the iconic Diorama Experience.
- Filipinas Heritage Library: A digital research hub preserving Philippine history and culture, offering access to rare books, historical collections, and a variety of multimedia resources.
2. Community Development
- El Nido, Palawan: Programs in this area focus on sustainable livelihood, education, electrification, and healthcare, benefiting all 18 barangays in El Nido.
- ProFuturo: A digital education program providing technology and resources to improve learning outcomes for children in vulnerable environments.
- Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro: An integrated community development program that helps the Iraya-Mangyan community preserve their weaving traditions while improving education and health.
3. Corporate Citizenship and Volunteerism
- Disaster Resilience: A program aimed at building communities that can withstand disasters through prevention, preparedness, and response initiatives.
- Volunteerism: Encourages Ayala employees and partners to participate in volunteer activities that address social and environmental challenges.
4. Leadership Development
- Atletang Ayala: Supports Filipino athletes aiming for the Olympics while offering them professional career opportunities within the Ayala group.
- Ayala Young Leaders Congress: A leadership summit for top student leaders across the Philippines to develop their leadership potential and commitment to nation-building.
- CENTEX: Provides quality education for bright but economically disadvantaged students, enhancing their skills through academic and extracurricular programs.
- Filipino Young Leaders Program: An immersion program that reconnects young Filipino-Americans with their heritage and promotes their engagement in community and national development.
- Leadership Communities (LeadCom): A youth development program that teaches leadership and project management skills through community-based projects.
- U-Go Scholar Grant: Grants for young women in low-income countries to pursue higher education, with Ayala Foundation as the implementing partner in the Philippines.
Video: AFI Courtesy Call to DSWD
As a philanthropic organization, AFI partners with agencies to carry out their mandate. In this video, watch as AFI pays a courtesy call to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD):
Summary
The Ayala Foundation (AFI) is a group that helps communities in the Philippines by focusing on education, leadership, culture, and disaster preparedness. They create programs that support low-income families, students, young leaders, and indigenous communities. Through these efforts, AFI aims to build stronger, self-reliant, and proud Filipino communities.
Contact Information
To learn more about the AFI and its programs and services, you may want to reach out to them directly via the following contact information:
Ayala Foundation Inc.
Main Office Address: 8F 111 Paseo Building, Paseo de Roxas corner Legaspi Street, Legaspi Village 1229, Makati City, Philippines
Contact Number: (632) 7759 8288 (Tel), (632) 8813 4488 (Fax)
Email Address: info@ayalafoundation.org
Official Website: https://www.ayalafoundation.org
Official Social Media Pages
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ayalafoundation/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayalafoundation/