HISTORY OF PROJECT SALVADOR

Project Salvador began in 1986 with the work of a Dominican priest, Father Jim Barnett, who worked in a poor neighborhood in San Salvador.  Father Barnett organized a group of young people who made crafts for sale in the United States to help alleviate their poverty.   Since these humble beginnings Project Salvador has funded over 100 development and material aid projects and has worked with as many as 30 different artisan groups who market crafts in the United States.  Since 1993 funding has focused on empowerment projects which provide Salvadorans with long-term skills and are organized and managed from the grassroots.  A team of 4 Salvadorans in El Salvador determine the projects to be funded each year.  Recently funded projects include: organizing and training young people, teaching marketing skills to women who sell their wares in the public markets, literacy training, and providing scholarships to poor rural students who can't afford to attend elementary or high school.

Project Salvador has received tax exempt status under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is incorporated in the State of Colorado.  In addition to its Board of Directors the organization has an advisory team in El Salvador composed of Salvadorans who identify projects for funding and monitor ongoing projects.  Project Salvador operates with an annual budget of approximately $85,000.