View source for Inter-American Foundation

{{Short description|U.S. government agency}}
{{Infobox organization
| image                    = Inter-American Foundation Seal 2021.png
| caption                  = Inter-American Foundation Seal
| formation                = 1969
| type                     = [[Foreign aid|Foreign assistance agency]]
| headquarters             = [[Washington, DC]], United States
| leader_title             = President & CEO
| leader_name              = Sara Aviel
| name                     = Inter-American Foundation
| size                     = 
| budget                   = $60.83 million ([[Fiscal year|FY]] 2024)<ref>{{cite web|title=Agency Profile: Inter-American Foundation|url=https://www.usaspending.gov/agency/inter-american-foundation?fy=2024|publisher=USAspending.gov|date=May 15, 2023}}</ref>
| abbreviation             = IAF
| website                  = {{url|www.iaf.gov}}
}}
The '''Inter-American Foundation''', or '''IAF''', is an independent agency of the United States government that funds community-led development in [[Latin America]] and the [[Caribbean]].  It was created through the [[Foreign Assistance Act]] of 1969<ref name="Foreign Assistance Act of 1969">[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/290f-], Foreign Assistance Act 1969</ref> as an alternative to traditional foreign assistance that operates government-to-government on a much larger scale.  The IAF receives its funds through annual appropriations by [[United States Congress|Congress.]] Until 2019, the agency also received annual reflows from the Social Progress Trust Fund<ref name="Social Progress Trust Fund">[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/1942-], Social Progress Trust Fund</ref> administered by the [[Inter-American Development Bank]] consisting of repayments on U.S. government loans extended under the [[Alliance for Progress]] to various Latin American and Caribbean governments. Since beginning operations in 1972, the IAF has awarded more than 5,800 grants worth more than $957 million.<ref name="IAF Annual Report">{{Cite web|title=Reports • Inter-American Foundation|url=https://www.iaf.gov/what-we-do/publications/reports/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Inter-American Foundation|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Beginnings==

With his articles in [[Foreign Affairs]] and his book The Engines of Change, Harvard professor [[George C. Lodge]] significantly influenced the intellectual climate that led to the passage of the IAF's enabling legislation. Most notably, Lodge wrote that poverty was the greatest threat to U.S. interests in the Americas. In “U.S. Aid to Latin America: Funding Radical Change,” which appeared in Foreign Affairs in July 1969.,<ref name="U.S. Aid to Latin America: Funding Radical Change">[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/24094/george-c-lodge/us-aid-to-latin-america-funding-radical-change], U.S. Aid to Latin America: Funding Radical Change</ref> he urged creation of an “American Foundation [to] find and fund the engines of change which work directly to revolutionize Latin American social and political structures.” Lodge was appointed to the IAF's founding board of directors in 1971.<ref name="George C. Lodge Bio">[http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/2349.html], George C. Lodge Bio.</ref>

Representative [[Dante B. Fascell]] (D-Fla.) was the architect of the legislation to establish the Inter-American Social Development Institute (ISDI),<ref>{{Cite web|title=The IAF in the Making • Inter-American Foundation|url=https://www.iaf.gov/content/50th-anniversary/the-iaf-in-the-making/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Inter-American Foundation|language=en-US}}</ref> which would later be renamed the Inter-American Foundation. The ISDI represented a redesigned form of foreign aid to channel development assistance directly to grassroots and civil society groups in developing countries.<ref name="Dante B. Fascell Bio">[proust.library.miami.edu/findingaids/index.php?p.], Dante B. Fascell Bio</ref> Congress designed the agency with a unique characteristic: gift authority, the ability to accept and channel contributions to its grantees: “[The IAF] may accept money, funds, property, and services of every kind by gift, device, bequest, grant, or otherwise, and make advances, grants, and loans to any individual, corporation, or other body of persons, whether within or without the United States of America, or to any government or governmental agency, domestic or foreign, when deemed advisable by the Foundation in furtherance of its purposes."<ref>{{Cite web|title=22 U.S. Code § 290f - Inter-American Foundation|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/290f|access-date=2021-07-19|website=LII / Legal Information Institute|language=en}}</ref>

According to the [[OECD]], The United States’ total official development assistance (ODA) (USD 55.3 billion, preliminary data) increased in 2022, mainly due to support to Ukraine, as well as increased costs for in-donor refugees from Afghanistan. ODA represented 0.22% of gross national income (GNI). <ref>{{cite web|url= https://oe.cd/il/dev-coop-us | title = OECD Development Co-operation Profiles| access-date= 4 October 2023}} </ref>

Congress enacted a bill with bipartisan support on December 30, 1969, that established ISDI as Part IV of the Foreign Assistance Act.<ref>{{Cite web|title=govinfo|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/STATUTE-83/STATUTE-83-Pg805|access-date=2021-07-19|website=www.govinfo.gov|language=en}}</ref> On September 21, 1970, the Senate confirmed the candidates for the board of the agency: Augustin Hart, Jr., George C. Lodge, [[Charles A. Meyer]], John Richardson, Jr., and John A. Hannah. Another two candidates were added on October 17, 1970: Governor Luís A. Ferré and Charles W. Robinson.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Schiff|first=Bennett|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rBznezSyTgwC|title=The Inter-American Foundation's First Three Years, 1971-1973|publisher=Inter-American Foundation|year=1974|pages=87}}</ref> The board's first act was to commission a study of development assistance headed by Irving Tragen to develop the agency's model.<ref name=":0" /> On March 16, 1971, William M. Dyal was sworn in as the agency's first Executive Director, and the agency officially began operating.<ref name=":0" /> The agency had received the $50 million designated in its initial authorization from other foreign assistance agencies by June 28, 1971.<ref name=":0" />  

In his Second Annual Report to the Congress on United States Foreign Policy on February 25, 1971, President Nixon set forth the administration's vision of the agency as follows:  <blockquote>“The need is for innovative ideas and programs, particularly from non-governmental sources, which are more directly responsive to social problems as perceived by the people of the region. To meet this need, we created in 1970 the Inter-American Social Development Institute. Directed by a board with a majority from the private sector, the new Institute will provide funds primarily to non-governmental organizations in the U.S. and Latin America--such as universities, credit unions, and foundations--to help them share their expertise.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=Second Annual Report to the Congress on United States Foreign Policy. {{!}} The American Presidency Project|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/second-annual-report-the-congress-united-states-foreign-policy|access-date=2021-07-19|website=www.presidency.ucsb.edu}}</ref></blockquote>On August 3, 1971, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a legislative amendment changing the name of the agency from the Inter-American Social Development Institute to the Inter-American Foundation.<ref name=":0" /> In 1973, the IAF partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank to use up to $10 million annually in regional currencies from the U.S. government-funded Special Progress Trust Fund, an arrangement that was periodically renewed through 2019.<ref>{{Cite book|title=They Know How...|publisher=Inter-American Foundation|year=1991|pages=10–11|lccn=77-71236|orig-year=1977}}</ref>  

The IAF has had a low profile because of its comparatively small budget.  However, during the mid-1980s, the IAF received some national attention when it became a political battleground for President [[Ronald Reagan]] and Congressional [[U.S. Democratic Party|Democrats]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lodge|first=George C.|date=1983-12-17|title=Opinion {{!}} A NEW REAGAN ERROR ON LATIN AMERICA|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/17/opinion/a-new-reagan-error-on-latin-america.html|access-date=2021-07-19|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Clines|first=Francis X.|date=1983-12-28|title=ADMINISTRATION SCORES A QUIET COUP|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/28/us/administration-scores-a-quiet-coup.html|access-date=2021-07-19|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Mission statement==
The IAF's enabling legislation can be found at 22 U.S. Code § 290f: "It shall be the purpose of the foundation, primarily in cooperation with private regional and international organizations, to

# strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding among the peoples of this hemisphere;
# support self-help efforts designed to enlarge the opportunities for individual development;
# stimulate and assist effective and ever wider participation of the people in the development process;
# encourage the establishment and growth of democratic institutions, private and governmental, appropriate to the requirements of the individual sovereign nations of this hemisphere.” ''—Part IV, Section 401(b), Foreign Assistance Act of 1969''<ref>{{Cite web|title=[USC02] 22 USC 290f: Inter-American Foundation|url=https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=Inter-American+Foundation&f=treesort&fq=true&num=7&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title22-section290f|access-date=2021-07-19|website=uscode.house.gov}}</ref>

The guiding principle of the Inter-American Foundation is responsiveness to the ideas of organized people who are willing to invest and risk their own resources. Today, the agency defines its mission as follows: to identify, support, and partner with underserved people, their enterprises, and grassroots organizations to create thriving communities.<ref name="iaf.gov">{{Cite web|title=Strategic Plan • Inter-American Foundation|url=https://www.iaf.gov/about/strategic-plan/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Inter-American Foundation|language=en-US}}</ref> According to the IAF's Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, its investments in communities in Latin America and the Caribbean serve U.S. interests by expanding economic opportunities, enhancing peace and security, strengthening democratic governance and combating corruption, and unlocking private, public, and community resources for grassroots development through partnerships.<ref name="iaf.gov"/>

==Grant program==

The IAF funds initiatives received in response to its call for proposals from grassroots groups and the organizations that support them in Latin America and the Caribbean. Projects are selected for funding on the basis of merit rather than by sector. Successful applicants receive between US$25,000 and US$400,000. The average length of grant is approximately four years. IAF grantees are required to contribute in cash or in kind resources toward the success of their projects and are encouraged to mobilize resources to continue their impact after their IAF funding has ended. The IAF does not accept proposals presented or directed by individuals, government entities, for-profit organizations, or organizations outside the country in which the project is located. The IAF also does not fund proposals for purely religious activities, research activities exclusively, only construction and equipment, charity or welfare projects of any kind, or projects associated with political parties or partisan movements.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|title=Apply for Grant • Inter-American Foundation|url=https://www.iaf.gov/apply-for-grant/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Inter-American Foundation|language=en-US}}</ref>

The IAF looks for the following in a project it funds:

# Inclusivity: Projects should involve many community voices in developing, carrying out, and evaluating the project, including those who will benefit from the project; and engage partners in local government, the business community, and other civil society organizations.
# Use of community resources: Projects should include counterpart resources like money, land, supplies, infrastructure, labor, and office, storage, and meeting space; and identify a path to become sustainable after the IAF grant ends.
# Focus on results: Projects should impact the community in a positive and measurable way, show potential for strengthening all participating organizations, and enhance participants’ capacity to govern themselves.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

==Fellowship program==

The IAF has periodically supported academic field research on grassroots development since 1974, providing fellowships to doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers, master's degree candidates and, between 1991 and 1995 a few outstanding Latin American and Caribbean grassroots leaders awarded the Dante B. Fascell Inter-American Fellowship to pursue independent study.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Inquiry at the Grassroots: An Inter-American Foundation Fellowship Reader|publisher=Inter-American Foundation|year=1993|editor-last=Glade|editor-first=William|pages=viii|asin=B000K9A5UQ|editor-last2=Reilly|editor-first2=Charles}}</ref> As of April 30, 2024, the IAF is funding fellowships in partnership with the Social Science Research Council.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fellowships • Inter-American Foundation|url=https://www.iaf.gov/get-involved/fellowships/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Inter-American Foundation|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Leadership==
The Inter-American Foundation is governed by a bipartisan board of directors appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Six members are drawn from the private sector and three from the federal government: employees of agencies of the United States concerned with inter-American affairs, the United States Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, or the Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank. A president, appointed by the board, serves as the Inter-American Foundation's chief executive officer. The current President & CEO is [[Sara Aviel]].<ref name="Adams-Allen Press Release">[https://www.iaf.gov/content/headline/inter-american-foundation-announces-new-president-ceo/], Inter-American Foundation Announces New President & CEO</ref>  Previous presidents have included [[Paloma Adams-Allen]] (2017–2021), Robert Kaplan (2010–2017), [[Larry Leon Palmer|Larry Palmer]] (2005–2010),<ref name="Palmer Press Release">[http://www.iaf.gov/news_events/news_releases_en.asp?news_year=2005], IAF’s New President Begins (Larry Palmer)</ref> David Valenzuela (2000–2005), George Evans (1994–1999), [[Bill K. Perrin|William Perrin]] (1990–1994), [[Deborah Szekely]] (1984 to 1990),<ref name="Szekely Bio">Szekely Bio: {{cite web|title=Deborah's Life|url=http://www.rancholapuerta.com/home/history-vision/deborahs-life.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501171150/http://www.rancholapuerta.com/home/history-vision/deborahs-life.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2012|date=n.d.|access-date=December 14, 2019}}</ref> Peter Bell (1980–1983), and William Dyal (1971–1980).

===Board of Directors===
The board of directors is composed of nine members, appointed by the [[president of the United States]] with the consent of the [[United States Senate]]. Of these, six members are appointed from private life, and three members from among officers and employees of U.S. agencies concerned with inter-American affairs or either the U.S. Executive Director or Alternate Executive Director of the [[Inter-American Development Bank]]. All members shall be appointed on the basis of possessing an understanding of and sensitivity to community level development processes. No more than five members may be affiliated with the same political party. Members are appointed to terms of six years, but they may continue to serve on the board until a successor is confirmed.<ref name="USC">{{USCode|22|290f}}</ref>

The President designates one member to serve as chairperson and one member to serve as vice chairperson. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum.<ref name="USC" />

===Current board members===
The current board members as of September 27, 2024:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iaf.gov/about/board-and-advisory-council/ |title=Board of Directors |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=IAF.gov |publisher=Inter-American Foundation |access-date=September 27, 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Position
! Name
! Group
! Party 
! Assumed office
! Term expiration
|-
! Chair
| {{sortname|Eddy|Arriola}}
| Private life
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{dts|2012|03|29}}
| {{dts|2016|10|06}}
|-
! Vice chair
| {{sortname|Juan Carlos|Iturregui}}
| Private life
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{dts|2015|11|19}}
| {{dts|2020|06|26}}
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|J. Kelly|Ryan}}
| Government employee
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{dts|2012|03|29}}
| {{dts|2012|09|20}}
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Luis A.|Viada}}
| Private life
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{dts|2015|11|19}}
| {{dts|2018|09|20}}
|-
! Member
| ''Vacant''
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
! Member
| ''Vacant''
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
! Member
| ''Vacant''
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
! Member
| ''Vacant''
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
! Member
| ''Vacant''
| 
| 
| 
| 
|}

===Nominations===
President [[Joe Biden|Biden]] has nominated the following to fill seats on the board. They await Senate confirmation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/quick-search/nominations?wordsPhrases=Inter-American+Foundation&wordVariants=on&congressGroups%5B0%5D=0&congresses%5B0%5D=118&nomCivil=on&nomOther=on&pnNumbers=&nomineeNames=&positions=&organizations=&stateTerritories%5B0%5D=any&nominationAction=&dates=datesReceivedInSenate&dateOperator=equal&startDate=&endDate=&dateIsOption=yesterday |title=Quick Search Inter-American Foundation |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=Congress.gov |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=September 27, 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Name !! Group !! Party !! Term expires !! Replacing
|-
| {{sortname|Liliana|Ayalde}} || Government employee || {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || {{dts|2026|06|26}} || {{sortname|Juan Carlos|Iturregui}}
|-
| {{sortname|Marcela|Escobari}} || Government employee || {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || {{dts|2026|09|20}} || {{sortname|Adolfo A.|Franco}}
|-
| {{sortname|Julio|Guity-Guevara}} || Private life || {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || {{dts|2028|10|06}} || {{sortname|Eddy|Arriola}}
|-
| {{sortname|Maria Fabiana|Jorge}} || Private life || {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || {{dts|2028|09|20}} || {{sortname|Hector E.|Morales}}
|-
| {{sortname|Brian A.|Nichols}} || Government employee || {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || {{dts|2024|09|20}} || {{sortname|J. Kelly|Ryan}}
|}

==Publications==

Detailed information on grassroots approaches to working with underserved communities can be found in the IAF's annual report<ref name="IAF Annual Report"/> and in its archived journal, ''Grassroots Development''.<ref name="Grassroots Development Journal">{{Cite web|title=Grassroots Development Journal • Inter-American Foundation|url=https://www.iaf.gov/what-we-do/publications/grassroots-development-journal/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Inter-American Foundation|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.iaf.gov Inter-American Foundation] official website
* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/inter-american-foundation Inter-American Foundation] in the [[Federal Register]]
* [[Sourcewatch]], [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Inter-American_Foundation Inter-American Foundation]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:International development agencies]]
[[Category:Independent agencies of the United States government]]