Alma Diaz-Carrion

Alma N. Díaz-Carrión is the Programs Manager of the CDBG-DR Programs awarded to the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (PRCF). The foundation started its programs in 1985 and celebrates 39 years of philanthropic work supporting communities through the increase of community capital. One of the CDBG-DR Programs is the Small Business Incubators and Accelerators Program (SBIA) that provides training services and mentorship to people with business ideas, or owners that want to accelerate their business. Alma identifies resources and mentors for program participants and evaluates the economic development promoted inside the communities with the creation of these businesses. A total of 91 program participants from all the municipalities of Puerto Rico completed the SBIA program.

Prior to joining PRCF, Alma worked as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Monte Azul Foundation, where she provided the strategic vision to the startup organization and support to the Executive Director in launching the first nonprofit programs: The Academy of Sustainable Agriculture & Innovation and the Energy Justice Program. The Academy trained and incubated beginning farmers. She was also in charge of the Grants Funding Strategy focused on applying to federal or local grants and establishing relations among Puerto Rican foundations and nonprofit partners.

Alma worked as Disaster Recovery Specialist for the US Small Business Administration (SBA) federal agency, serving as the first point of contact to business owners, individuals, and nonprofits, seeking pertinent information and assistance for COVID-19 disaster funding opportunities. She also worked with FEMA as Program Specialist of the first Hub for Philanthropic Engagement established after Hurricane María, promoting financial support efforts that complied federal regulations through dialogue and collaboration with the national and international community.

Alma has provided grant writing support for private foundations and community organizations that secured billions from diverse sources.  

She has graduate studies in Nonprofit Management from The George Washington University (GWU) and holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus. She is currently doing a M.A. in Economics at the same university.