When discussing the scalability of nonprofit organizations, gender-based violence (GBV) organizations are often overlooked. This neglect is not due to a lack of demand or impact, but rather a gap in how the sector is funded and perceived. Currently, only 2% of philanthropic funding goes to women and girls, with private philanthropy contributing a mere $100 million to $150 million annually toward gender-based violence globally.
This narrow slice of support is woefully inadequate considering the pervasiveness of gender-based violence and its widespread impacts. In reality, gender-based violence organizations serve as lifelines for survivors, and their work is not only critical, but scalable. The sector is ripe for growth and innovation — if only the philanthropic world would invest accordingly.
The pervasiveness of gender-based violence
Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive yet underfunded crises in the United States. Statistics paint a grim picture: 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Over 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and 1 in 4 men (28.5%) have faced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. These numbers reflect a crisis that touches all communities, crossing socioeconomic, racial and geographic boundaries. Despite these staggering statistics, gender-based violence work remains significantly underfunded and is not viewed as “scalable” by many in the philanthropic sector.
At Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, where I serve, we’ve witnessed firsthand the rising demand for services. Our housing program saw a 157% increase in new clients served when comparing July 2023 and July 2024. Similarly, our economic empowerment program saw a 175% increase, and our counseling program experienced a 120% rise in clients when comparing the same time period. These trends indicate that demand is only growing, and without proper funding, we will be unable to meet the needs of survivors in the months and years ahead. This is not unique to our organization — gender-based violence organizations nationwide are seeing similar spikes in demand, underscoring the need for sustainable growth.
The funding gap: a glass ceiling for gender-based violence organizations
One of the key reasons why gender-based violence organizations have struggled to scale is their overwhelming reliance on government funding. With little access to private philanthropy, many organizations hit a glass ceiling in building the capacity needed for growth. This does not mean that their programs are not scalable, replicable or resilient. It simply means that the current funding structures limit their potential.
Government funding, while essential, often comes with restrictions that limit innovation and flexibility. It also tends to be project-based rather than providing the core, unrestricted support that organizations need to scale. Philanthropy, on the other hand, could fill this gap by investing in the long-term capacity of gender-based violence organizations, allowing them to innovate, expand, and meet the growing needs of their communities.
Addressing gender-based violence is future-building work
Another barrier to scaling gender-based violence organizations is the misconception that this work is not “future-building.” There is a prevailing sentiment that our work is just a matter of responding to immediate needs, rather than the kind of funding investment that produces a lasting ripple effect into the future.
At its core, the movement to address gender-based violence is about healing intergenerational trauma, breaking cycles of abuse, and fostering healthier, more resilient communities. Addressing trauma today has a direct impact on the future, unlocking the potential for survivors and their families to lead safe, productive lives.
Trauma caused by violence ripples through families and communities, impacting generations. By investing in gender-based violence prevention and intervention, we are not just addressing the immediate needs of survivors; we are laying the groundwork for healthier future generations. This work is as essential to community development as education, healthcare and economic empowerment programs. Yet it is consistently undervalued.
When gender-based violence work is not positioned and invested in as future-building, it sends a dangerous message: that survivors don’t matter. We would never approach education or youth development with this mindset, yet the same level of urgency is often absent when it comes to investing in survivors of gender-based violence.
A call to philanthropy: scaling gender-based violence work
If the demand for gender-based violence services is pervasive across all communities in the United States, why isn’t this sector positioned as scalable and investable in the same way that reproductive justice, after-school youth development or charter schools are? By failing to elevate gender-based violence work to this level of urgency and importance, we are ignoring the needs of millions of survivors and perpetuating cycles of trauma and violence.
Philanthropy has a critical role to play in changing this narrative. Gender-based violence organizations are already doing the hard work on the ground. They are innovating, adapting, and responding to an ever-growing need with limited resources. What they lack is the flexible, long-term funding that would allow them to scale their efforts and reach more survivors.
Philanthropic investment in gender-based violence organizations could transform the sector, allowing for the expansion of housing, counseling, legal, and economic empowerment programs. It could enable organizations to develop new models for prevention and intervention, expand their reach into underserved communities, and create sustainable systems of support for survivors.
Moreover, this is not a zero-sum game. Philanthropic dollars invested in gender-based violence prevention and intervention have ripple effects throughout society. By investing in survivors, we are creating safer, more stable communities. We are reducing the economic costs associated with violence, from healthcare expenses to lost productivity. And we are ensuring that future generations grow up in environments where violence is not the norm.
It is time for philanthropy to recognize gender-based violence organizations as scalable and invest accordingly. These organizations are building the future by addressing intergenerational trauma and creating safer, healthier communities. The work is vital, the demand is clear, and the opportunity for impact is immense.
If we fail to scale gender-based violence organizations, we are failing survivors and the communities that depend on them. The time for action is now. Let’s break the glass ceiling and invest in a future free from violence.
Kavita Mehra is a feminist and survivor of violence. She currently serves as the executive director of Sakhi for South Asian Survivors and is a co-founder and board member of South Asian SOAR. A proud New Jersey native, Mehra resides in Jersey City with her life partner and son.
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