ANF is a 501 c (3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1992 to help the neediest sectors in Nicaragua by strengthening medical assistance, increasing educational attainment, building safe shelters, providing clean water solutions,  promoting economic opportunity, and delivering humanitarian aid  to impoverished communities all over Nicaragua.

As a mission-driven organization that mobilizes and focuses international and local resources for development, ANF promotes collaboration and strategic alliances among the local private sector, public sector and civil society to solve community problems.  

ANF’s general objective is to build sustainable communities by delivering basic human needs through our network of more than 2,800 organizations in Nicaragua.

 

ANF began with the desire of three people, Alfredo Pellas Jr., Theresita Pellas and Leon Pallais s.j. to do something to eliminate the poverty plaguing Nicaragua. With this vision in mind, they invited American and Nicaraguan professionals to join in their efforts to improve the living conditions of Nicaraguans in need.

In 1992, ANF was born and was awarded non-profit tax status under IRS code 501 (c) 3 less than one year later. In its first year of operation, ANF distributed 17 ocean freight containers of food, medicine, educational materials and clothes valued at US$2.5 million. Since then, the number, value, and quality of donations secured and distributed by ANF has grown, as does the number of organizations and individuals that benefit from its support.

In 1998, the organization experienced tremendous growth and challenges.  That October, Hurricane Mitch devastated Central America, destroying homes, communities and families. In response, ANF distributed 273 containers of food, medicine, clothes and other aid valued at US$53.2 million, more than double the amount of aid it had provided the previous year. At the same time, ANF expanded its approach to include cash investments for sustainable development projects including the construction of homes, installation of potable water, and training programs.

In 2001, Asociacion Nicaraguense Americana (ANA), a subsidiary of ANF registered as a Nicaraguan non-profit, was named as affiliate of United Way Worldwide. 

Today, ANF continues to work harder than ever for the poor in Nicaragua, utlizing the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals are a guide. In 18 years, ANF has gone from a dream to an important reality in the fight against poverty in Nicaragua. Since its inception, ANF has shipped over 3,500 ocean containers of aid valued at over $581.9 million supporting approximately 2,864 local organizations and constructing more than 12,300 homes for impoverished families.