Compassion Beyond Borders Foundation
Providing education, health, and hope for children and families in Latin America
Where We Work
Transforming lives in Central, South America and beyond
In the dusty villages of Rio Grande and Estelí, poverty relentlessly steals opportunities from children. These towns, deeply connected to founder Gema Gallo Gagné’s Nicaraguan roots, are the heartbeat of the Children’s Beyond Borders Foundation (CBBF)’s mission.
Gema’s mother was born and raised in these villages, making them personal and pivotal in the organization’s efforts to bring about change.
“Every child and family deserves access to learning, hygiene, and hope.”
Gema Gallo Gagné
Founder & Advocate of Compassion Beyond Borders Foundation
About founder
The journey of Gema Gallo Gagné
Gema Gallo Gagné immigrated to the United States at age eight, an experience that shaped her resilience and her lifelong commitment to helping children facing hardship. In 2006, she founded a childcare business serving low-income families — the beginning of nearly two decades of work in early childhood education. Her family’s roots in rural Nicaragua, and her mother’s own childhood there, remain the heart of why she founded Compassion Beyond Borders Foundation: to give children in the villages her family comes from the same chance at opportunity she was given. Gema splits her time between South Florida and Quebec, Canada, drawing on her faith and her professional expertise to help break cycles of poverty across Nicaragua and rural Latin America.
Challenges
Families have to choose between food and school
“In Nicaragua, a 2012 UNICEF survey of schools in low-income municipalities found that 74% lacked soap and 75% relied on students’ own families to supply basic hygiene materials — with only 8% of schools having any budget of their own for these supplies. Honduras faces similar gaps: as of 2019, only 68% of schools had even a basic water service, according to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. For families already stretched thin, even small school-related costs are a real burden.”
$ 6.85
Nearly one in two Hondurans lived on less than US$6.85 per day in 2019
62.9%
of Honduran households lived in poverty in 2024, with 40.1% in extreme poverty.
CBBF’s mission and vision
CBBF is dedicated to bringing hope to these children by providing access to schooling and essential hygiene resources.
Expanding CBBF’s reach across Latin America
Gema and her team plan to expand their reach, transforming despair into dignity. From her roots in Central America to the world’s forgotten corners, CBBF is committed to making a difference, one child at a time.
$50 program pricing
$50 provides a child with a complete kit of school supplies and personal hygiene items.
Our programs
Initiatives that change lives
With a donation of just $50, you’ll help provide a child with a complete kit of school supplies and personal hygiene items.
Our reach
From local communities to the region
Beginning in Central America, in the villages where Gema and her mother grew up, we aim to transform lives one child at a time. Our efforts extend to other regions such as Honduras, Haiti, Guatemala, and Venezuela, where families receive limited support.
As our foundation grows, we plan to expand our reach, impacting more lives across Latin America.
Join us in our mission to rewrite futures
Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of children and families who need it most. Use #EducationForAll and #HygieneHeroes to spread the word and become part of this transformative journey.
#EducationForAll
#HygieneHeroes
Meet the team
The faces behind the mission
Swipe to explore more team members
Gema Gallo Gagné
President & Chief Executive Officer
Mayling Hernandez
Vice President
Isabelle Gagne
Corporate Secretary; Chair, Canada Fundraising Committee
Aleska Coo Hernandez
Director of Marketing; Canada Program Director
Open
US / Global Fundraising Chair
Our work
Welcome to the beginning of something great…
We may not have years of project photos yet, but we have a promise:
To carry your compassion directly to communities in need.
Be a founding partner. Help us start something that matters!
With your help, we will soon have stories to tell
We will have photos of children in new schools, families with access to clean water, and communities celebrating new opportunities. This isn’t just our work; it’s our collective effort to build a better world, one family at a time.
Join us
Join our community of compassion
At Compassion Beyond Borders, our work is only possible because of the support of our incredible community. Every contribution, whether big or small, helps us build a more compassionate world for families across Latin America. We invite you to be a part of our mission.
Individual supporters
Our work is powered by people like you. Whether you give a one-time gift or become a monthly supporter, your generosity provides direct, life-changing support for families in need.
Corporate and foundation
partners
We partner with businesses and foundations that share our commitment to creating lasting change. Together, we can create scalable programs and amplify our impact.
Volunteer and in-kind donors
Time and resources are just as valuable as financial support. If you can’t give money, you can still help by donating goods or offering your skills to our team.
Frequently asked questions
What is Compassion Beyond Borders Foundation?
Compassion Beyond Borders Foundation (CBBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to transforming despair into dignity for children living in extreme poverty. We provide access to quality education and essential hygiene resources, clean water, and health resources — one village at a time — in underserved regions across Latin America.
When and why was CBBF founded?
We were founded in 2025 by a group of individuals (many of whom are now board members) who have personally seen or experienced poverty. United as strangers with the same burning desire to help, we created CBBF to give children the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty through education and basic dignity.
Where do you work?
Across rural Latin America, millions of children in underserved villages lack consistent access to schooling, hygiene, and basic support. CBBF is building direct partnerships — starting in Honduras and Nicaragua — to change that, one community at a time.
Are you a registered nonprofit? Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes! Compassion Beyond Borders Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are fully tax-deductible in the United States. Our EIN is available upon request.
Who leads the organization?
Gema Gallo Gagne serves as our Executive Director. Our board is composed of passionate individuals, many of whom have lived the very challenges we fight against.
How much of my donation actually helps children and families?
90% of every donation goes directly to programs that provide education and hygiene resources to children and families. Only 10% is used for necessary administrative and fundraising costs.
Will I receive a tax receipt?
Yes! You will automatically receive a tax receipt by email immediately after donating online. For checks or other methods, we mail receipts within 7–10 business days.
Can I make a monthly/recurring donation?
Absolutely — monthly gifts are the most powerful way to create lasting change. You can set up or modify recurring donations anytime through our website.
Do you accept stock, cryptocurrency, or Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) gifts?
Yes! We gladly accept gifts of stock, cryptocurrency, and donations from Donor-Advised Funds. Please email Info@FoundationCBB.org for instructions.
Are your financials transparent?
We are committed to directing the large majority of every donation toward direct program support. As a new organization, our audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 will be posted here as soon as they are available.
What exactly do you provide to children and families?
We deliver school supplies, uniforms, scholarships, hygiene kits, menstrual health products, clean water solutions, and basic healthcare items — everything a child needs to attend school with dignity and stay healthy.
How do you choose which villages to help?
We partner with trusted local leaders and community members who identify the children and villages in greatest need. Every project begins with listening to the community.
How can I see the impact of my donation?
We regularly share field updates, photos, children’s stories (with permission), and annual impact reports on our website and via email. Follow us to see the smiles you help create!
How can I volunteer?
We offer both in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities:
- In-person mission trips to Latin America (packing parties, construction, teaching, medical support)
- Virtual opportunities (fundraising, translation, graphic design, grant writing, social media)
To get started, fill out the volunteer interest form on our website or email us.
Are there age requirements for volunteering?
In-person trip participants must be 18+ (or 14+ when accompanied by a parent/guardian). Virtual roles are open to passionate individuals of all ages.
Can my company or group volunteer together?
Yes! We love hosting corporate and community group volunteer days and mission trips. Contact us for custom opportunities.
How do I get in touch?
Email: Info@FoundationCBB.org | Phone: 786-427-3411
News and stories
Latest articles, press releases, market research, and more—direct from our brokers and research team.
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I Took My First Mission Flight Back to Nicaragua and bought over 200 Backpacks … and I was Terrified
I cried in the airport bathroom before takeoff. They weren’t “pretty” tears. They were ugly, shaking, “what-if-I-fail-these-kids” tears. This wasn’t a vacation; this was the moment I finally stepped forward to keep a 20-year promise I had made to myself and my roots.
What’s happening
Watch us throughout our missions!
Contact Us
How can you help?
Please click on the most relevant service category and fill out the form to contact us.