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Welcome
The Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) is dedicated to advancing the Latino community through public policy, community organizing, education, and cultural projects.
Our Mission
The mission of the Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) is to empower immigrant communities to be full participants in the social, political, economic, and cultural life of the United States and their home country. We accomplish this work by uniting, strengthening, and expanding our member organizations to better advocate, preserve and share their cultural traditions and help improve the lives of families and friends in their country of origin.
Vision
We envision a fair and inclusive America where immigrant communities have a voice, access to the Citizenship process and the ability to preserve their cultural identity.
Focus
The union of organizations within COFEM has contributed to the development of a bi-national agenda that addresses critical matters facing Latino immigrants in the United States and Mexico. Through an extensive planning process, COFEM has defined specific themes, priorities, and needs of greatest impact and interest to the Latino immigrant community in California. As a result of this planning process, COFEM has identified a strategic focus in five main areas: education, health, civic participation, bi-national economic development, and organizational development.
2025-2026 MADS
Application is now closed!
Thank you for your interest in the MADS Scholarship. The application period has officially closed.
The MADS Scholarship supports first-generation college students, regardless of immigration status, who demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and a commitment to community involvement. This year, the scholarship awards were:
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$500 scholarships for students attending a Community College
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$1,000 scholarships for undergraduate students attending a four-year College/University
Although applications are now closed, you can still support future scholars by making a donation. Your contribution helps us continue investing in the education and success of immigrant and first-generation students.
Please check back for updates on future scholarship opportunities.
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Our Story
The Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) is a community-based umbrella organization comprised of groups of people who share ideas and participate in efforts to create opportunities for Latino immigrants in North America, specifically in California. The overarching purpose of the organization is to ensure equality of opportunity for members of the Latino community.
COFEM represents 11 organizations (or “Federations”), which include people from specific states of the Mexican Republic. These federations help to nurture enduring cultural values through broad support to the Mexican community at the bi-national level. Through projects of economic and social development, strategic civic participation, and cultural and social events (e.g., "charreadas") and cultural weeks, the federations have strengthened their bases. The federations' sponsored events link thousands of immigrants in a very important way, celebrating the rich Mexican culture and traditions and organizing Latinos in North America. These federations have the opportunity to wield significant political power through their growing memberships.
Founded a little more than 30 years ago, the federations that comprise COFEM can organize and mobilize the Latin American immigrant community on a large scale. This provides COFEM with a foundation to develop a bi-national agenda that takes into account the origin towns in Mexico and focuses on improving the economic and social conditions of these Latino immigrants.
