Dedicated to the funding of direct social assistance and cultural preservation projects in Puerto Rico and worldwide.
Our purpose is the application of philanthropy to financially support direct social assistance efforts among forgotten communities with particular focus on the improvement of the living, educational, and physical wellbeing of those most in need. Entirely committed to raising the living conditions of those less fortunate, Gaudium et Spes works very closely with community and religious leaders to identify humanitarian projects to fund, with a preference for those who assist in the eradication of child poverty. Likewise, Gaudium et Spes provides assistance in the preservation of the historical and cultural patrimony of Puerto Rico and beyond.
Entirely run through the volunteering of experts and professionals, Gaudium et Spes’ main objective is to see Puerto Rico and its communities restored economically and socially.
Gaudium Et Spes Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, certified by the Department of the Treasury of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a tax exempt charitable organization pursuant to Section 1101.01 of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code and the United States Internal Revenue Services pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, making all donations to the foundation tax deductible in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States of America, as well as, as an approved non-profit corporation listed on the List of the Special Joint Commission of Legislative Funds for Community Impact of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Legislature making it eligible for all donations required under Act 22 of 2012 and Act 60 of 2019.
THE STORY
Through the past several years Puerto Rico has suffered from devastating hurricanes, earthquakes, a pandemic and a decades long economic depression. This has led to the deterioration of many of the charitable structures that provided much needed assistance to our communities, a problem that was exacerbated by a constant and steady decrease in government aid to these very worthy causes.
Moved by these conditions, our group of private sector members created this foundation with the goal of providing private sector solutions to this great humanitarian need.
Values
Generosity and People
We believe in generosity as a means for change, and putting people above profit.
Donor Focused
It’s important that we know the intentions and dreams of our donors. We are committed to donor and client accountability, while not compromising quality and our standard of excellence.
Efficiency and Dedication
We want to do everything we can to help donors achieve their goals and maximize their generosity.
Our Board
Rafael Rovira
Rafael is a Director and Co-Founder of the Gaudium et Spes Foundation. He is a capital member at the law firm Fernández Cuyar Rovira & Plá LLC located in San Juan, which emphasizes its practice on corporate structuring, estate planning and asset protection services for high-net-worth individuals. Rafael is focused on the management of the foundation’s operations, as well as, legal and tax compliance.
Christian Sobrino
Christian is a Director of Gaudium et Spes Foundation . He is Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of a mortgage lending institution with presence in throughout the United States and its territories. He previously practiced corporate and transactional law independently and in the corporate departments of leading San Juan-based law firms. During 2017-2019, Sobrino served as chief fiscal officer of the Government of Puerto Rico and held numerous high-level posts within the Executive Branch.
Raul Vidal y Sepulveda
Raul is a Director of the Gaudium et Spes Foundation. He is a partner in Omnia Economic Solutions, LLC an economic development firm consulting for Forbes 100 corporations, High Net-Worth Individuals, and Government entities on site-selection, tax strategies, and public policy. In 2021, Raul was appointed to the Board of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company by Governor Pedro Pierluisi to assist in the development of Puerto Rico’s economy. Previously, Raul has served as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico, and was the first Puerto Rican to be invited to the prestigious WEF Davos conference. In 2022, H.M. King Felipe VI made Raul a Knight Commander with Star of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic.
Mikel Eguia
Mikel is a Director and Co-Founder of Gaudium et Spes Foundation. He is the Chairman of Empresas Eguía CRL, a financial holding company based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His professional experience includes international corporate transactions, private equity and venture capital investments, and advisory services to high net worth individuals and institutions. Mikel is particularly active in the foundation’s capital raising and operational development efforts.