In 2011, Don Manuel Presents began his nonprofit journey with No More Tears/No Mas Lagrimas, supporting the first Boricua Afro Americano Parade and Festival. That same year, he founded Creating Dreams Movement and joined the Natural Leaders Initiative at Cornell Cooperative Extension. He has worked with the Kettering Foundation, served as a Tompkins County Human Rights Commissioner, and supported initiatives like Get Your Greenback and Streets Alive. In 2016, he helped nearly double the Community Foundation’s Spring grant cycle from $150k to a record high. He currently serves as Executive Vice Chair of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, Events Director for PRStrongWepa, and owner of Don Manuel Presents, LLC. A husband, father, and grandfather, Don Manuel believes in giving back and helping shape a better world. He’s honored to serve alongside a dedicated team supporting powerful community work.