In the past three decades, the U.S. government has spent a great deal of time and money advancing women’s empowerment, particularly for women in conflict zones and transitional countries. However, the U.S. government has not acted alone, private aid for women has paralleled the U.S. government’s increasing attention. And while government aid for women has remained flat during the past decade, private aid and particularly American foundation funding has continued to rise. This presentation by Dr. Patrice McMahon will thus examine the growing role of American foundations in advancing women’s empowerment focusing on gender initiatives in conflict and post-conflict regions.