A Strong Start for the Venezuela Rising Fund
June 18, 2026
Last month, the Rising Tide Foundation launched the Venezuela Rising Fund, a key component of the broader Venezuela Rising Initiative. Together with the Venezuela Co-Creation Forum, which will take place in Madrid this September, the fund seeks to support projects focused on the rebuilding of a free and prosperous Venezuela after decades of collectivist economic policies, institutional erosion, and authoritarian rule.
The response exceeded our expectations!
Thanks to the support of our local partners and their willingness to share the opportunity across their networks, our announcement of the fund reached communities throughout the country and the Venezuelan diaspora, generating significant enthusiasm and engagement. In just a few weeks, we have received more than 100 projects from individuals and organizations seeking to contribute to Venezuela’s free future.
What has been most encouraging is not simply the number of projects, but their diversity. Proposals have emerged across all six areas of focus of the fund: Return of Talent, Institutional Reform, Freedom of Press, Entrepreneurship, Education, and Economic Growth. Together, they reflect a wide range of ideas, experiences, and approaches applied to a shared goal: rebuilding the foundations of a free and prosperous society.
The response has also come from many different corners of Venezuelan civil society. Human rights advocates, educators, entrepreneurs, journalists, policy reformers, and members of the classical liberal community have sent their proposals.
One of our local partners captured this sentiment well when reflecting on the early response: “This truly made my day! It is wonderful to know that the announcement reached so many people from such diverse backgrounds. It’s beautiful.”
We could not agree more.
For us, this response is a reminder that rebuilding a free society is never the work of a single organization. It is the result of countless individuals choosing to invest their time, knowledge, and energy into creating something better. In the case of Venezuela, one conclusion is already clear: there is no shortage of talent, creativity, or commitment among those working to expand opportunity, strengthen institutions, and build a more prosperous society.
Beyond the project applications, we have also received messages of gratitude, encouragement, and support. Many have expressed appreciation for an initiative focused not only on funding projects, but also on creating opportunities for builders, entrepreneurs, reformers, and civil society leaders to learn from one another, collaborate and work together.
One lesson from these early weeks is clear: the construction of a free society begins long before institutions are reformed, indicators are moved, or policies are changed. It begins with people who are willing to step forward, collaborate, and turn freedom into action.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Venezuela Rising Fund, please visit our website here: https://www.risingtide-foundation.org/venezuela-rising-fund/