The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation in Menlo Park, California, has announced grants totaling $44.9 million to 175 nonprofit organizations, including $4.5 million to nonprofits in Mexico through its newly established Global Development program.

In this round of funding, the foundation awarded $6.2 million in grants to education programs across the country, including $1.5 million to the Santa Cruz-based Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning to support research focused on improving teacher quality in elementary and secondary education; $12.3 million in support of environmental initiatives, including grants to a number of grassroots organizations working for clean air in low-income California communities; and $520,875 through its Philanthropy program, which supports organizations that conduct research, educate donors, and provide a variety of tools to advance the field of philanthropy. The foundation also awarded $5.3 million through its Performing Arts program, $8.4 million through its Population program, and $1.3 million through its Regional Grants program, which supports disadvantaged communities in the Bay Area.

In October 2004, the foundation established its Global Development program to support organizations working to alleviate poverty in the developing world. According to foundation officials, the program's evolving strategy will include a focus on supporting a vibrant civil society in Mexico by supporting the development of local philanthropic organizations. To that end, the foundation awarded $175,000 to FECHAC (Fundaci�n del Empresariado Chihuahaense), an organization based in Chihuahua, Mexico, that provides resources and assistance to community-based organizations.