ABSTRACT
National Fund for State-Protected Natural Areas (PROFONANPE), Peru Without a tradition of charitable giving to environmental or other non-profit organizations, organizers had to look beyond in-country giving and rely on outside sources of funds, primarily debt-swaps (ECOFONDO, 1996). The lesson learned was that debt swaps are excellent opportunities for countries where there is great economic hardship. Debtswap proceeds, however, were restricted to certain activities and did not include the fund’s own operating costs. It is important to secure ongoing funding for day-to-day operations of the fund until income begins to accrue. Peru’s PROFONANPE has also demonstrated that small administrative bodies can run successful funds. In 1996, the permanent staff included only four personnel: a coordinator, accounting coordinator, secretary/assistant and driver/messenger.
