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Pan American Development Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$46.8M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.2M

Pan American Development Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $46,831,031 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 368 grants (2023)
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $200,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Latin America and the Caribbean (27+ countries)
  • Founded: 1962 by the Organization of American States (OAS)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via Requests for Applications (RFAs)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.padf.org/

Grant Inquiries: grants@padf.org

Grant Opportunities Page: https://www.padf.org/grant-opportunities/

Headquarters: Washington, DC

Field Offices: Colombia, Haiti, Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay

Overview

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) is a non-governmental, non-political organization established in 1962 by the Organization of American States (OAS) in partnership with the public and private sectors. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, PADF has worked in every country in Latin America and the Caribbean over its 63-year history, helping more than 15 million people across 27 countries. The foundation receives funding from diverse sources including individuals, corporations, multilateral organizations (World Bank, UN, Inter-American Development Bank), and governments. In fiscal year 2023, approximately 85% of PADF's support came from the Colombian Government, USAID, and other major donors. PADF operates through a partnership model with communities, governments, civil society, and the private sector to deliver tailored, innovative solutions that address pressing challenges throughout the hemisphere.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

LEAD Program (Leveraging Effective Application of Direct Investment)

  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $200,000
  • Description: Business plan competition for small and medium enterprises in Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Matching Requirement: Grantees must match the grant amount
  • Application Method: Competition-based
  • Recent Funding: $13 million program implemented with USAID support (2012)
  • Additional Support: Winners participate in business and investment seminars at Columbia University

Royal Caribbean Group Grants (RCL Grants)

  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $75,000
  • Description: Invitation-only program supporting businesses in Caribbean ports served by Royal Caribbean Group
  • Eligibility: Businesses operating since before March 2020 with established service relationships to Royal Caribbean
  • Application Method: By invitation only, rolling basis
  • Permitted Uses: Loan repayment, operating expenses (rent, equipment, insurance), employee retention/payroll, business survival activities

General Grant Opportunities

  • Application Method: Requests for Applications (RFAs) posted on rolling basis
  • Process: Organizations browse and download RFAs from grant opportunities page
  • Contact: grants@padf.org for inquiries

Funded Programs Include:

  • Environmental and recycling projects (e.g., Caribbean Plastics Recycling Project)
  • Disaster preparedness and climate resilience programs
  • Economic development and workforce training
  • Security and governance initiatives
  • Ocean conservation and blue economy projects

Priority Areas

PADF focuses on three main strategic pillars:

1. Humanitarian Assistance

  • Life-saving emergency relief and disaster response
  • Support for vulnerable communities facing migration flows
  • Infrastructure and housing improvements
  • Health services upgrades

2. Economic Development (Promote Sustainable Livelihoods)

  • Private-sector investment and workforce development
  • Small and medium enterprise support
  • Technical training programs
  • Self-reliance and sustainability initiatives
  • Addressing un- and under-employment
  • Climate change adaptation for agricultural communities

3. Security and Governance (Advance Rights and Justice)

  • Combating organized crime and trafficking in persons
  • Improving governance systems and processes
  • Supporting at-risk youth
  • Combating gang activities and violence
  • Inclusive and accountable governance
  • Democracy strengthening and civil society capacity building
  • Community-driven development

Regional Focus: Priority regions include Mexico and the Northern Triangle, the Caribbean, and Andean countries in South America.

What They Don't Fund

Based on available information, PADF does not explicitly list exclusions. However, their focus is clearly on:

  • Organizations and projects operating in Latin America and the Caribbean (not outside the hemisphere)
  • Programs aligned with their three strategic pillars
  • Partners capable of sustainable, community-driven approaches

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Katie Taylor, Executive Director: Brings expertise in global development and strategic leadership from her previous roles at USAID and her own consulting firm
  • Dr. Elizabeth Fox, Chief Program Officer
  • Nadia Cherrouk, Chief Administrative Officer

Board of Trustees

  • Alexandra Aguirre, President of the Board (effective October 1, 2021)
  • Board Composition: Executive Board of Trustees with Honorary Members, elected Board Officers, and an Advisory Group featuring ambassadors and sector leaders
  • Recent Trustees (joined February 2021): Judy Brown, Julianne Canavaggio, Stephen Donehoo, and Dante Ramos - seasoned executives providing strategic leadership

Country Leadership: PADF maintains regional directors across Paraguay, Ecuador, Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico, ensuring local knowledge and relationships guide program implementation.

Organizational Philosophy: PADF emphasizes "flexibility to adapt to real needs" while maintaining "neutral, committed, and deeply human" engagement. Leadership prioritizes sustainability through community participation, leadership development, and shared responsibility in project design.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

PADF uses a Request for Applications (RFA) system for most grant opportunities:

  1. Monitor Grant Opportunities: Visit https://www.padf.org/grant-opportunities/ regularly to review active RFAs
  2. Download RFA Documents: Each opportunity has detailed application requirements, eligibility criteria, and instructions
  3. Submit Application: Follow the specific instructions in each RFA document
  4. Contact for Questions: Email grants@padf.org with inquiries about grant opportunities

Important Notes:

  • Most opportunities operate on a rolling basis rather than fixed deadlines
  • Some programs are invitation-only (such as the RCL Grants program)
  • The invitation to apply does not guarantee a grant award
  • Only one application per organization is typically permitted for specific programs

RCL Grants Timeline Example (invitation-only program):

  • Evaluation begins April 30 on rolling basis
  • Final deadline: October 8
  • Pre-selected applicants advance to verification phase
  • Selected recipients provide supporting documentation (bank statements)
  • Grant disbursement follows verification
  • Recipients must submit impact report within two months of receiving funds

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines vary by program and are detailed in individual RFA documents. Decision time is not publicly standardized across all programs.

Evaluation Criteria (based on RCL Grants model):

  • Business history and operational viability
  • Impact of external challenges (e.g., COVID-19, natural disasters)
  • Strategic importance to community
  • Business scale and revenue
  • Community impact potential

Success Rates

With 368 grants awarded in 2023 from total giving of $46.8 million, the average grant size was approximately $127,000. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies vary by program. For the RCL Grants program, only one application per business is permitted during each application cycle. For other programs, policies would be specified in individual RFA documents.

Post-Grant Requirements: Programs like RCL Grants require recipients to submit impact reports (typically 2-3 pages with 3-5 photographs) within two months of receiving funds, documenting fund usage and program outcomes.

Application Success Factors

Partnership Approach: PADF emphasizes its role as a collaborative partner rather than just a funder. Executive Director Katie Taylor's background at USAID suggests the organization values development expertise and strategic alignment with international development best practices.

Community-Driven Focus: PADF prioritizes projects with strong community participation, local leadership development, and shared responsibility in project design. Applications should demonstrate how the project empowers local stakeholders rather than imposing external solutions.

Sustainability Emphasis: Successful applications demonstrate long-term viability and sustainability. The LEAD program's matching requirement (grantees must match $50,000-$200,000 grants) reflects this priority for organizational capacity and commitment.

Demonstrated Impact: With recent projects like the Caribbean Plastics Recycling Project (training hundreds of waste collectors and collecting over 2,300 tons of plastic since 2022), PADF values measurable, tangible outcomes that can be documented and reported.

Alignment with Strategic Pillars: Applications must clearly align with one or more of PADF's three focus areas: humanitarian assistance, economic development/sustainable livelihoods, or security and governance/rights and justice.

Geographic Considerations: PADF maintains field offices in nine countries (Colombia, Haiti, Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay) and prioritizes regions including Mexico and the Northern Triangle, the Caribbean, and Andean countries. Local presence and regional knowledge are valued.

Flexibility and Innovation: PADF describes its approach as emphasizing "flexibility to adapt to real needs" and "tailored, innovative solutions." Applications should demonstrate adaptability and creative problem-solving rather than rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches.

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • Environmental: Fundación Circular in Ecuador received support to create regulation for integral management of solid waste at the municipal level in Riobamba, including grassroots recyclers
  • Disaster Preparedness: Taiwan-funded program prepared coastal Belize residents for extreme weather; University of Belize offered GPS tracking and mapping courses through partnership
  • Climate Resilience: USAID/OFDA-funded program enhanced drought resilience for ~9,000 vulnerable farmers in Guatemala's 'Dry Corridor' across municipalities of Sanarate and Sansare
  • Ocean Conservation: ABOPS project (funded by Inter-American Development Bank since 2020) works with Haitian coastal communities to decrease ocean-bound plastic while creating blue economy job opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Monitor the RFA page regularly: PADF operates on rolling deadlines, so opportunities may appear at any time. Visit https://www.padf.org/grant-opportunities/ frequently and consider signing up for notifications.

  • Demonstrate regional expertise and local partnerships: With 63 years of hemisphere experience and field offices in nine countries, PADF values applicants with deep local knowledge, community relationships, and culturally appropriate approaches.

  • Emphasize co-creation and sustainability: PADF's philosophy centers on "shared responsibility in project design" and community participation. Show how your project empowers local stakeholders and will continue beyond the grant period.

  • Align clearly with strategic pillars: Explicitly connect your project to one or more of PADF's focus areas (humanitarian assistance, economic development, or security/governance) using their language and framework.

  • Prepare for matching requirements or cost-sharing: Programs like LEAD require significant matching funds ($50,000-$200,000), indicating PADF values organizational capacity and shared investment in project success.

  • Quantify expected impact: With examples like "2,300 tons of plastic collected" and "9,000 farmers supported," PADF values concrete, measurable outcomes. Include specific targets and monitoring plans.

  • Contact grants@padf.org early with questions: PADF provides an email contact for grant inquiries, suggesting they welcome pre-application dialogue to ensure alignment and answer questions about fit.

References

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