Lourdes Inga

Of Quechua heritage from Peru, Lourdes Inga was born in Lima and has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years. A career in philanthropy culminated in her joining the board of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP). She now serves as Executive Director.

Early in her career, Lourdes worked for a women’s organization that really informed the way philanthropy should support grassroots efforts. She then went to work for The Christensen Fund, where she spent quite a few years working alongside Indigenous colleagues. Her guiding focus was to make sure that the foundation valued and supported Indigenous peoples’ knowledge and voices and the way they have for centuries lived in harmony with the environment.

When asked what about the mission of IFIP most excites her, Lourdes responded, “I’m excited every day because our role is not just to educate funders, but more so influencing philanthropy and influencing the funding community. That means that we get to have conversations with funders about the importance of changing the practice of investing in Indigenous organizations. At the same time, I’ve also been having conversations with Indigenous people and Indigenous organizations that are working to advance their rights. Bringing this message of the importance of supporting these people is one that I’m excited about.

Lourdes is on the Board of Saphichay, an indigenous-led organization that re-awakens indigenous identity, knowledge, and traditional practice in the Mantaro Valley of Peru. She has served on multiple boards and advisory roles including as founding Board Member of EDGE Funders Alliance and former Board Member of Grantmakers without Borders.