Since it was founded in June 1998, PROLEAD has awarded a total of over US$3.3 million in grants to more than 60 organizations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

PROLEAD grants provide financial resources to local organizations that promote greater participation and leadership of women in politics in their communities and in the oversight of public policies. PROLEAD's priorities include strengthening nongovernmental organizations, networks, women's coalitions, public institutions, and educational and research organizations with a special focus on encouraging efforts that reach indigenous peoples, Afrodescendants, minorities and young women.

In order to reach smaller, decentralized organizations in the region and to develop a model for sustainability, PROLEAD has awarded intermediary grants to more than half a dozen women's organizations that, in turn, transfer the majority of the funds to local organizations. The intermediary organizations also give technical assistance to the subsequent beneficiaries as needed, and facilitate networking and the sharing of experiences and lessons learned among the groups.

PROLEAD has received generous donations from the governments of Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada, as well as collaboration from international agencies such as the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Organization of American States/Inter-American Commission on Women (OAS/CIM).

PROLEAD aims at funding projects in which:

• potential impact is great
• approach is innovative
• design can be replicated elsewhere
• best practices can emerge and be disseminated

• Social auditing
• Training
• Research
• Public education
• Advocacy
• Coalition building
• Legislative reform