MANAUS, formerly the Manaus Fund, is a social justice nonprofit that works in partnership with others to help create sustainable solutions to issues that further equity within our communities using the principles of community organizing and co-design. With MANAUS' involvement the Valley will invest in solutions designed for, with and by the most vulnerable communities.

In Portuguese, Manaus (our namesake) translates to "the meeting of waters" and the city of Manaus is positioned at the confluence between two major rivers and numerous tributaries. Individually, the dark waters of the Rio Negro and the pale sandy-colored Solimões River, come together to form the mighty Amazon River.

For miles, the two rivers' waters run side by side without much mixing, eventually forming the world's mightiest river and the continent's most impressive natural resource. We see our namesake as a nod to the importance and power of partnership, solidarity and collaboration.