The history of women's programs of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education is outlined, giving information on the kinds and scope of proposals received. Funding patterns are explained, and general and specific program areas are discussed: counseling programs, recognizing prior learning, integrating curriculum and career needs, materials for women's studies, and nonsexist institutions. The overview reveals promising efforts to solve problems in postsecondary education that have significance for all learners, not just women. Women's projects constitute an unusually promising approach to system improvement by having brought to the fore and begun to solve important educational and social problems. (MSE)