 | President's Message...
Dear Members and Friends,
We're still here! During the off season, our offices remain open although on more limited hours, listed at the Newsletter bottom. We are hosting a Dine Around at Miguela, in Versalles, on Thursday, April 30, a Happy Hour at the new Whiskey Kitchen location in the Romantic Zone, at 4:00-6:00 PM on Friday, May 8, and a "Brunch Around" at Bixabeel Kitchen at 10:00 AM on May 15. Check for details below.
2026 IFC grants to education and social services nonprofits, recommended by the Education and Social Services Committees, were approved by the IFC Board in its April meeting. Details below!
We've created a new column called "IFC by the Numbers." In each issue we plan to share info about the IFC by the numbers. Please feel free to send me questions you may have about the IFC. We may answer them in the column.
You can use your member discount cards throughout the summer for discounts at IFC Preferred Providers. The Preferred Provider team led by Bob Nickerson continues to add new providers to our member discount list almost weekly.
The off-season is when we plan for the high season. We rely on our members and friends to field our many teams. In the IFC 2026 Survey you will receive soon, the many opportunities to volunteer are listed in the Supplemental Survey. The volunteer list is a great way to see all that we have going on. | I hope you're having a great Summer!
Peggy Nelson
IFC President | | | The IFC is awarding the following grants for the 2026 fiscal year:
Education: $377,000 pesos
- Instituto de Artes Musicales de Puerto Vallarta (IAMPV) - the Symphony and Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra
- ALAS Escuela del Canto after school singing and movement program
- Volcanes Kids Project to support the teaching team
- American School Leer y Creer program for purchasing books for Vallarta public school libraries
- Vallarta School for Girls for general operations
- Le Bib bilingual children's library
- Huichol Scholarship Fund scholarship for expenses for Huichol university students
Social Services: $535,000 pesos
- Dives en Misercordia for daily meals for 429 children and food baskets to vulnerable families
- RISE Children's Shelter for the nutrition program (food and formula for infants and growing children)
- Casa Hogar Cornejo Children's Shelter for essential daily operations and facility improvement
- Aid to Families of Children with Cancer for transport to Guadalajara for chemo and monthly food baskets
- LGBTQ+ Community Center for a mental health program
- Ejercito de Salvacion for lunches for 50-60 children and daily operations
- Vallarta Abuelos for their backpack and school supplies program
- Clinica de Rehabilitacion Vallarta Santa Barbara for speciiialized physical, language and rehab therapies to low-income
- Vallarta Cares to fund one day of food kitchen service per week for 5 months
- Pasitos de Luz for the hydrotherapy program for children with complex clinical muscular and mobility conditions
The Social Services committee proposed $535,000 pesos but due to budget constraints the Board approved $435,000 pesos. Subsequent to the IFC Board meeting, two anonymous IFC board members stepped up to donate $100,000 pesos toward the social services grants, enabling the IFC to give $535,000 pesos in social services grants for 2026. |  |  |
The IFC is a volunteer-led organization. Every program we offer and every grant we provide is made possible by people like you donating their time.
Did you know...
... The IFC has approximately 100 volunteers?
- 40 serve on our Trip Advisor award winning Home Tour Team (ranked in top 10% worldwide in 2025 and 2026!)
- 14 liaise with the Education and Social Services non-profits the IFC supports, and award grants
- 5 answer the phone, your questions and more at the IFC Clubhouse Front Desk during the high season
- 25 offer classes and lectures, and host games at the Clubhouse
- 7 create graphics, write copy, and more for the IFC Facebook posts, Newsletter, and event posters
- 11 helped with the IFC table at the 3 Hens & a Rooster Market during the 2026 season
There are many opportunities to make friends and for personal growth by volunteering with the IFC. Deborah Cole, IFC Volunteer Coordinator, will respond to your emails at volunteers@ifcvallarta.org |  | Dine Arounds Continue in the Spring and Summer
As we head into the quieter months, it’s the perfect opportunity to show some love to our newest Preferred Providers — support local, enjoy an incredible meal, and help these amazing IFC-supporting restaurants thrive through the low season.
For a great restaurant review, check out Confessions of a Dine Around Addict, in the Preferred Provider section, below.
If you haven’t made it to Miguela Vallarta yet, now is the time! This standout spot in Versalles opened recently and is already making waves with its creative take on traditional Mexican cuisine, from wood-fired dishes to bold, modern flavors. Miguela has generously offered a 15% discount on Food and Beverage; not applicable on special promotions.
|  | Whiskey Kitchen Happiest Hour ☀️🍹
The fun didn’t stop when high season ended! ☀️ There are still plenty of ways to connect with IFC friends and continue supporting our amazing IFC Preferred Providers all summer long.
Who’s in? 🙌 Reserve your spot: https://ifcvallarta.org/ | Brunch, Anyone? 😉
Join us for a laid-back Friday brunch at Bixabeel on May 15th starting at 10:00am. Nestled in a charming, cozy setting, Bixabeel is one of those hidden gems that makes you want to linger a little longer—comfortable atmosphere, thoughtful details, and the perfect spot to gather with friends.
|  |  | | We are sorry to report the passing of Steve Leopold, longstanding member, on April 7, in Puerto Vallarta. Steve was an avid bridge player and friends of many. He was born in 1944 in Milwaukee, WI. After graduating from Stanford University, he joined the Infantry Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in the US Army in May 1967. He was with the 5th Special Forces Group in South Vietnam from April 1968 until he was captured and taken as a prisoner of war on May 9, 1968. He was released after 1,762 days in captivity, March 5, 1973. Steve subsequently served as a representative in the Wisconsin State Legislature from 1977-1982. He is survived by three children. | | |  | | After serving as IFC President 2012-2015, chairing the IFC Education Grants committee, running the IFC English as a Second Language program for many years and serving as an IFC Board member throughout these years, Henry Golas announced he will be retiring from these roles. He will continue serving as the IFC liaison to RISE Children's Shelter and to ALAS Escuela del Canto, two IFC-supported non-profits. Henry also volunteers at the IFC Cleft Palate Clinics, held in the off-season.
Henry has been a key member of the IFC team for many years. We thank him from the bottom of our hearts for his dedication and service. Henry, we will miss you! | | | | The Instituto de Artes Musicales de Puerto Vallarta (IAMPV) is an umbrella organization for the Vallarta Symphony and the Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra. Both are supported by a grant from the IFC, which helps to purchase sheet music, instruments and lessons. Both have exciting upcoming programs. Please see details below. |  |  |  | Confessions of a Dine-Around Addict
Editor's Note: Recently we received feedback from IFC member Barbara Selvage on our popular Dine Around program. If you didn't participate this season, we encourage you to try it out next season. Discover new flavors of Vallarta while expanding your friend network.
Hi!
If you haven’t pulled the bell cord at Hacienda San Angel, you are missing out on one of the most beautiful experiences in Puerto Vallarta! 🔔✨
What a way to wrap up the International Friendship Club - IFC Puerto Vallarta Dine Around season!
The candlelight sanctuary set amongst sculpture, chandeliers, the shrine, and the terrace views, it’s easily one of our all-time favorite spots in PV. We "oohed and aahed" over the menu, eventually settling on some delicious light bites. Even as light eaters, Bob and I were blown away by the beet terrine and coconut soup—not to mention the mango smoothies!
The atmosphere was pure magic but the real highlight was the company, the flowing conversation, and the fantastic mariachi.
Note to self: A 9% phone battery is not enough for a place this beautiful! My lack of photos is just a testament to a day well-spent and a night fully enjoyed in the moment. It turns out being "unplugged" was the best way to enjoy the evening.
Huge thanks to the International Friendship Club for a wonderful season. Ending on this high note was perfection. Cheers to many more! 🥂♥️
Best, Barb Selvage |  | New App Showing IFC Preferred Provider Locations!!
How to Install | Five Reasons to Add the PPP Discount Map to Your Favorites (Mobile and Desktop)
1. Instant Savings While Out and About
Members don’t have to plan their day around the discount list. If they are walking through the Romantic Zone or Centro and feel like grabbing a coffee or lunch, they can simply tap the icon to see exactly which nearby businesses offer an IFC discount. It’s like having a local guide in their pocket.
2. No More Fumbling with Emails or Paper
Searching through old emails or carrying a printed list can be frustrating. By saving it as a "widget" (the home screen icon), the map is always in the same spot—right next to their camera or weather app. One tap opens it immediately.
3. Accuracy and Real-Time Updates
The discount program can change as new restaurants join or offers are updated. A printed list becomes outdated quickly, but the digital map is live. When the IFC team updates the list, the map on the members' phones updates automatically.
4. Easy Navigation
Since it is built on Google Maps, members can tap a business icon and then hit the "Directions" button. This is incredibly helpful for navigating the cobblestone streets of Puerto Vallarta, as it will give them walking or driving directions from their exact location.
5. Supporting the Mission
Using these discounts encourages members to frequent the businesses that support the IFC. This partnership is what helps fund the club’s vital programs, like the Aid to Families of Children with Cancer (AFCC) and local educational support. The more members use the map, the stronger the program stays! |  | 📍 How to Add the Member Preferred Provider Discount Map to Your Phone
To save the International Friendship Club (IFC) Member Preferred Provider Discount Map to a phone, you first need to open the link below. The club uses an interactive map to show where members can get discounts at local restaurants and shops.
1. Open the Link. Open the link by tapping the blue Preferred Providers Discount Map link above. It should open in your Safari browser (the blue compass icon).
2. Tap the "Share" Button. Look at the bottom of your screen for a square with an arrow pointing up. Tap it.
- Visual hint: It looks like this: [ ↑ ]
3. Tap "Add to Home Screen". Scroll down the list of options until you see "Add to Home Screen." It has a small plus sign (+) icon. Tap it.
4. Name and Save.
- A box will appear. You can name it "IFC Discounts" or "IFC Map."
- Tap "Add" in the top right corner
- Result: A new icon will appear on your home screen. You can now tap it anytime to see the map, just like a regular app.
For Android Users
1. Open the Link. Open the link by tapping the blue Preferred Providers Discount Map link above. It should open in your Chrome browser (the colorful circle icon).
2. Tap the "Three Dots". In the top right corner of the screen, tap the three vertical dots.
- Visual hint: It looks like this: ⋮
3. Select "Add to Home Screen". Find and tap the option that says "Add to Home screen."
4. Confirm and Add.
- A box will pop up. Type in a name like "IFC Map."
- Tap "Add."
- If another box pops up asking to "Add automatically," tap "Add automatically."
- Result: The map icon is now on your main screen. You may need to swipe left or right to find where it was placed.
Quick Tips for the Group:
- Using the Map: Once the map is open, users can tap on the individual pins (the little icons on the map) to see the name of the business and the specific discount offered.
- Presenting the Card: Remind your fellow members that they must show their valid IFC Membership Card before asking for the bill to receive the discount!
- Internet: Since Puerto Vallarta has many stone streets and thick walls, remind users to open the map while they are on Wi-Fi at home or at the club as the cell signal may be weak in certain neighborhoods like the Romántica or Centro.
|  | | OFFICE HOURS
May-June-July
Monday-Thursday
9:00am-1:00pm
August-September
Monday-Wednesday
9:00am-1:00pm
October - April
Monday-Friday
9:00am-1:00pm
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or enter on Calle Guerrero
Colonia El Centro, Puerto Vallarta
Jalisco, Mexico, 48300
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