What’s Ahead for US Philanthropy and Cuban Arts and Culture

I’ve now taken [to Havana] two groups of foundations that are interested in Cuba. Some people are just visiting because they’re curious and want to see what’s going on without really having the intention of doing anything. We’re trying to do better screening, because everyone’s time is very valuable. And I think Cubans who are dealing with all this onslaught of people are also looking at how to decipher what’s real and what’s not.

What I’ve been trying to do with the funders that we take down there is that there are already a whole series of projects and priorities that have been established. So rather than starting projects from scratch, [I’ve been encouraging them to] look at what’s already in place, has been approved, and is part of what the priorities are, and to see how they can help support those. I think that’s the way to get in.