The Inter-American Foundation, an independent U.S. Government agency, was created by Congress in 1969 to channel development assistance directly to the organized poor in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IAF has carried out its mandate by responding with grant support for the most creative ideas for self-help received from grassroots groups and nongovernmental organizations. It also encourages partnerships among community organizations, business and local government directed at improving the quality of life for poor people and strengthening democratic practices. The IAF is governed by a board of directors appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. A president, appointed by the board, serves as the Inter-American Foundation’s chief executive officer, managing a group of employees based in Washington D.C.
