The Strachan Foundation

Since I arrived in 1993 to Costa Rica close to financial independence, the Strachan Foundation was structured so that more than  50% of anything I earned went directly to the Foundation. Itwas created to continue the legacy of social service of my missionary grandparents, parents, aunt, and uncle, as well as to honor their memory. 

Initially, 20% of the money I earned for the Foundation and any income earned on the endowment was distributed the following year as charitable grants to NGOs we supported, while  80% was invested in an endowment. 

In 1996, my wife Sandy become the Executive Director of the Foundation.  A niece, Andrea Dyrness, did an educational survey of Central America that identified a number of innovative educational programs to support.  Sandy, given her overseas experience in development work, was quickly in demand for consulting services to the small local NGOs we tried to help.    

In 2002 as the foundation budget grew, Sandy hired Miguel Tello as Executive Director.  Shortly thereafter we reorganized the Board with representatives from the third and fourth generations of the Strachan Roberts family.  Processes and systems were formalized.  The grant budget grew until by 2010 virtually 100% of income was being spent.   Miguel during his tenure as Executive Director added a number of other support services for our grantees, including an annual seminar.      

 For more information visit the Strachan Foundation website.

2006 Strachan Foundation 12 Yr Report 
This report describes the motivation, the focus of grants, many of the grantees, processes and governance during the early years of the Foundation including the first years of Miguel´s tenure.
(15 pp)

2002 – 2017 Strachan Foundation Report
This report updates to cover 15 years of activity under Miguel´s direction.  It includes a distillation of what we feel we have learned and has worked for us in the management of the Foundation.
(14 pp)