domestic violence. In the United States, leaders of the Coal Employment Project have responded to inquiries from women across the country who are interested in organizing to enter areas of employment previously denied to them, particularly highway construction.

Because it is so basic and all-encompassing, the employment and income category encourages staff members to compare results, strengthening the development of program strategy. It stimulates discussion about the success or failure of programs, as well as about the differences between one cultural and political context and another. One grant-making area that illustrates the usefulness of cross-cultural comparisons is women's crafts projects. In the United States and overseas, the Foundation and other funders have been drawn to craft activities for many reasons. For example, these activities engage large numbers of women in poor rural areas who earn their livelihood through crafts. Foundation staff members have learned, however, that almost without exception, crafts projects face problems of quality control, marketing, and credit, and they rarely provide stable, sufficient earnings for artisans. Through experience in projects around the world, the Foundation has increased its understanding of the risks entailed in promoting craft work to generate income. As a result, most crafts projects currently supported are part of the Foundation's work in cultural preservation and revitalization.