Created in 1962 through a unique agreement between the Organization of American States (OAS) and the private sector, the Pan American Development Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization 501(c)(3) that creates public-private partnerships to assist the least advantaged people in Latin America and the Caribbean. Having worked in every country in the region, PADF engages community-based groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), national, state, and municipal governments, and the private sector in the process of implementing appropriate solutions for sustainable development. Through these partnerships, we seek to achieve excellent and lasting programmatic impacts in creating economic opportunities, promoting social investments, strengthening communities and civil society, and preparing for and responding to natural disasters.

PADF has three main areas of work:

PADF facilitates a range of projects and activities to assist low-income families and communities find employment, create microenterprises and small businesses, manage their farmlands more sustainably, and pursue economic activities that lead to more prosperous futures. Partnering with the private sector, we work to improve education, health, and other social systems in impoverished areas. PADF has been a leader in corporate social investment strategies and engaging the private sector in sustainable partnership models that provide win-win approaches for all stakeholders.

Decentralization from national to municipal governments is occurring throughout the region, encouraging new service delivery models, strengthening ties between local governments and their citizens, and encouraging the development of civil society — an integral component of any democratic society. Local governments and NGOs now have a much greater responsibility to address the protection and development needs of their communities. For 45 years, PADF has worked through local NGOs and municipal governments to implement social and economic development programs and initiatives that foster democratic participation and practices.

PADF is the nongovernmental disaster relief arm of the OAS, able to mobilize immediate relief funds from corporate partners, reconstruct and rebuild after initial needs are met, and train communities on how to be better prepared and protected for the next major event. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, PADF works closely with municipal leaders, community organizations, companies, and civil defense agencies to identify the highest priorities of the affected communities, mobilize the business sector, and deliver programs and resources with the greatest positive impact.

The OAS provides duty-free entry of relief supplies to affected communities and works with PADF to ensure they are delivered where most urgently needed. PADF is a trustee and implementation partner of the Inter-American Disaster Mitigation Network, a mechanism created by the OAS, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Pan American Health Organization to ensure institutional coordination and information-sharing in vulnerability reduction, disaster response, prevention, and reconstruction.