Semillas

Mission

The mission of Semillas, which means "seed"; in Spanish, is to empower women. Women in Mexico are empowered when we know and can defend our human rights. As Mexico's only women's foundation, Semillas makes grants to women's organizations to protect reproductive rights and health, win freedom from violence, gain labor rights, and achieve economic autonomy through income generating activities.

Programs

Semillas has two main programs: the Programa Donativos Semilla – Seed Grant Program (PDS) – identifies and funds projects created and directed by women in themes such as: human rights; gender violence; reproductive rights; sexual diversity; labor rights; economic autonomy; and institutional strengthening. The Programa de Desarrollo de Recursos - Resource Development Program (PDR) raises funds from individula an institutional donors, while promoting a culture of investment in social change.

Funded Projects on GlobalGiving

Labor Rights for Women in Mexican Factories	Indigenous women's business training in Mexico	Labour Justice for Maquila Workers in La Laguna	Indigenous women's business training in Mexico
Health education for rural Oaxacan women	Promoting Education for Indigenous Girls in Mexico

Personnel Overview

Emilienne de Leon - Executive Director
Before becoming Executive Director in 2000, Emilenne worked as a consultant to NGOs in the areas of institutional development, strategic planning, and evaluation methodologies. She has advised Espiral, S.C., which provides technical assistance to NGOs, and serves on the boards of the Mexican NGO Movimiento Ciudadano por la Democracia, and the U.S.-based Women's Funding Network.

Maria del Carmen Morales - Grantmaking Coordinator
Carmen joined Semillas in November 2000 as Project Coordinator for Semillas' Seed Grant Program. Carmen's degree is in Group Intervention Socioanalysis, and she has worked as a consultant in institutional development for Espiral, S.C., and with groups participating in income-generating activities. Carmen has spent her career working with grassroots organizations in popular education efforts.

Margaret Schellenberg - Resource Development Consultant
As a part-time consultant with Semillas since 1998, Margaret secures funds from international donors and agencies. She has created development process for other Mexican NGOs, and served as executive director of the FEMAP Foundation in El Paso and Cd. Juarez. Margaret has a Master of Arts in Inter-Disciplinary Latin American Studies, and spent 20 years as an activist on the Mexico-U.S. border.

Personnel Statistics

Emilienne de Leon,
Executive Director
Founded in 1990
Employees: 16
Volunteers: 2