THE GREATER GOOD FOR NOSARA

In small communities, it’s common to find touching causes: a family in need, a difficult situation, a story of resilience. This spirit of solidarity has shaped Nosara for decades, supporting dozens of families, animals, educational projects, and community efforts.

But Nosara is no longer a small community. In 24 years, its population has tripled; in the last five, housing has doubled. Today, more than 60 social organizations compete for funding each year, while problems grow more complex, interconnected, and costly. The population is diverse, marked by cultural differences, language barriers, and limited perceptions that influence how we give and what we prioritize.

In this context, the traditional model of philanthropy—focused on emotional, one-off causes—is no longer enough. Not because those causes don’t matter, but because they fail to address the scale of the challenges affecting thousands of people in Nosara today. And most of these issues, as well as the organizations working on them, lack communication budgets—meaning solutions and opportunities to help often remain invisible.

This is why the Nosara Census 2024 arrives at such a decisive moment: it is the most important tool we have to redirect support toward the common good and toward solutions that are structural, sustainable, and long-term.

The Multiplying Effect of the Common Good

A private scholarship may cost $14,000 and benefit one student.That same investment can help fund the salary of a teacher serving 540 students, or pay a year of housing for educators who cannot afford to live in Nosara. Same amount of money, radically different impact.

Giving for the common good means multiplying impact.

But it also requires more effort: supporting a School Board or the Red Cross involves paperwork, approvals, and public processes. It’s not as simple as sending a quick payment. It requires time, follow-through, and people willing to sustain the work.

And those people are exhausted. Many community leaders serve on two, three, or even four committees at once, sacrificing rest, family time, and personal life to keep essential services running: water, health, education, safety. As the population grows, so does the pressure on these teams.

As we enter a season of sharing and giving, we offer a brief overview of the challenges, ongoing solutions, and key efforts where your support can create a multiplier effect for thousands of people who need it.

Where Are the Main Challenges According to the Census?

1. Health and Emergency Services

Needs: Expanding EBAIS services, creating a dedicated Nosara Health Area, increasing 24/7 ambulance coverage, sustaining the Red Cross Committee, and building a new Red Cross station. Contacts: Michael Fonseca (Health Committee), José Astorga and Carlos Mendoza (Nosara Red Cross).

2. Public Education

Every public school has its own School Board. Priority projects include infrastructure improvements, teacher retention, and developing a technical high school.Key data: One-third of 17-year-olds are not in school; 70% have at least one year of educational delay. Contacts: School Boards of each public school and the Liceo Bocas de Nosara.

3. Public Safety

Rising crime levels and the need for more officers and coordinated agencies (Migration, Municipality, Traffic Police, Drug Control). Critical issue: Police patrol vehicles can take up to six months to repair, leaving the community without coverage.Contact: Police Chief Olger Briceño.

4. Environment and Water Management

Sustainable solutions require a deep understanding of social dynamics to regulate, enforce, and regenerate ecosystems. We cannot address environmental issues without also protecting the community—and finding that balance requires technical work already underway.

How to Get Involved

If you care about health, education, safety, or the environment, you can contact us and we’ll connect you directly with the local teams leading these efforts.And if you are passionate about data and research, you are welcome to join us in building evidence-based solutions.

Thanks to the participation of thousands of families, Nosara now has—for the first time—the foundations to build a sustainable, informed, and representative future.

Your support can multiply impact. Join us in strengthening the common good.

Donate here: www.amigosofcostarica.org/affiliates/conoser