Women & Girls Funding News
Most Recent
Gender-Based Violence Organizations Are Scalable: An Urgent Call for Philanthropy
With philanthropy contributing relative pennies toward addressing gender-based violence, guest author Kavita Mehra calls for funders to push through a glass ceiling limiting organizations’ growth.
Melinda French Gates’ Latest Move: An Open Call for Women’s Health
Previewed earlier this year, Pivotal Ventures’ open call is now live. It’s the latest step in the philanthropist’s expanding post-Gates Foundation efforts to “set an agenda that helps other women and girls set theirs.”
New Report: Less Than 2% of All Charitable Giving Goes to Women and Girls
Total giving to women and girls broke the $10 billion mark for the first time in 2021, according to a new report, but nonprofits serving women and girls still came in last among the 10 surveyed nonprofit categories.
Why a Key Women’s Foundation Is Ramping Up Its Support in the Midwest
After the success of its Ms. South program, the Ms. Foundation for Women has launched Ms. Midwest, aiming to go where underfunding of women and girls of color is most pronounced.
This Family Foundation Wants to Teach Tween Girls About Philanthropy Through Travel
The Marks Family Foundation’s Amy Dornbusch wants to use global travel and project visits to teach philanthropy to the next generation.
At the Ford Foundation, Sophia Bush Talks Philanthropy
We sat down with the “One Tree Hill” actor at Ford’s Free Future 2024 event this week to talk about how she found her activist voice, her passion for LGBTQ rights, and how she’s using her platform today.
Effective Altruism Needs a Gender Lens
Guest author Kate Grant, the founding CEO of Fistula Foundation, wants to shake up effective altruism by focusing on its gender inequality blind spot.
Headed by a Billionaire and a Movie Star, a Foundation Fights Gender-Based Violence
The Kering Foundation, affiliated with the French luxury goods company, is putting a star-studded focus on a deeply underfunded problem affecting women across the globe.
One in Three Women: These Funders Are Working to End Gender-Based Violence
Around the world, one in every three women experience violence in their lifetimes, but relatively few philanthropic funders prioritize the problem. Here are some key grantmakers who do.
Women of Worth: Actress Aja Naomi King Talks Philanthropy
As a brand ambassador for L’Oréal, King is using her platform to highlight the work of women grassroots nonprofit leaders. We connected with her to learn about her philanthropic journey and the brand’s Women of Worth grantees.
Setting a New Standard: Responsibly Transitioning Out of a Funding Relationship
The loss of a funding relationship can inadvertently destabilize the very movements funders aim to uplift. Guest authors Davina Rojas, Mayra Zamaniego and Sandile Ndelu discuss FRIDA’s strategy to mitigate against this.
“Truly a Crisis.” Backing Abortion Access and Support Two Years After Dobbs
The Brigid Alliance, a leading U.S. abortion support provider, has staunch backers in its camp, like the Bergstrom Foundation. But rising need dwarfs incoming resources, and philanthropy has yet to go all-in.
A Decade In, This Gender Justice Funder Collaborative Faces “Really Challenging Times”
Gender Funders CoLab has been around for a while, and counts plenty of big grantmakers as members. With women’s rights under threat in the U.S. and abroad, its message for the sector is especially relevant today.
Pivotal Ventures Is Working to Build Women’s Political Power. Here’s How
Since her break with the Gates Foundation, Melinda French Gates has been forcefully advocating for women’s political empowerment, a goal that’s playing out in her LLC’s evolving funding.
How One Corporate Foundation Is Backing Maternal Health in the U.S. and Abroad
The newly formed GE HealthCare Foundation is hitting the ground running with grants focused on the U.S. and on work in Kenya and Indonesia. Building and training the maternal health workforce is a priority.
“Philanthropy Is Our Best Kept Secret.” A Look at Women of Reform Judaism’s Giving
Women of Reform Judaism has a long history of philanthropic giving. Here’s a look at the organization’s latest round of grants, its recent move into DEI funding and how it has responded to the war in Gaza.
Pivotal Ventures Makes the Case for Why “Care Can’t Wait”
Melinda French Gates’ rapidly expanding philanthropy signaled its intention to continue strengthening U.S. infrastructure for care, “the work that makes all other work possible.”
Melinda French Gates Charts a Course for a “New Chapter.” Here Are Some Takeaways
As she departs from the Gates Foundation, Melinda French Gates is quickly ramping things up with a multifaceted, $1 billion commitment focused on women’s rights. What does this all tell us about how her giving might evolve?
How a Global Participatory Grantmaking Experiment in Seed Funding Took Shape
The Imago Dei Fund’s new Gender Equity Seed Fund has relied on a co-creation committee of participatory grantmakers to shape its work. Susan Barnett tells us how it all came together and what the process was like.
With a Big Commitment, Ford Looks to BUILD Gender and Reproductive Justice
The Ford Foundation’s BUILD Initiative continues to provide substantial, flexible funding and capacity building support for social justice organizations. UltraViolet, which promotes gender justice, is the most recent grantee.
With a New, All-Female Investment Committee, This L.A.-Based Funder Is Sending a Message
As part of its embrace of mission-aligned investing, the Goldhirsh Foundation recently appointed four women to lead a new investment team. It’s one of several impressive moves the funder has made in recent years.
Unlocking Girls’ Leadership Starts with Asking the Right Questions
Guest author Jayanthi A. Pushkaran shares how EMpower–The Emerging Markets Foundation has developed a participatory funding model in India that empowers girls as experts on their own lives.
This Michigan-Based Donor Advisor is Building a Firm Foundation for the Progressive Movement
Jason Franklin is founder of Ktisis Capital, a progressive philanthropic advisor serving individuals and foundations. Here, Franklin talks about the firm’s approach to social change — and the importance of standing on solid ground.
Multi-Year, General Support Is a Matter of Strategy for This Reproductive Rights Funder
The Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity, which channels funding from a number of big-name philanthropies, makes a point to prioritize flexible, long-term support as it funds in a rapidly evolving space.
A Love Letter to Philanthropy: In Solidarity, From a Friend Fighting for Abortion Access
Guest author Oriaku Njoku calls on philanthropy to step up its support for abortion funds, which are fielding a record number of calls as abortion seekers contend with an immensely hostile political climate.
“Portraits of Us”: A Celebration of Black Women in Philanthropy
We connected with philanthropy veteran Toya Nash Randall about her book project exploring the contributions of Black women in philanthropy, the ongoing challenges they still face, and the value of sisterhood.
This Women’s History Month, We Need More Funding – and More Optimism
Despite widespread fears over the impact of the new legal landscape on DEI-focused funding, here’s why guest author Elizabeth Barajas-Román is optimistic about the future for women and girls.
Groundswell’s Leaders on Funding Challenges for the Intersectional Reproductive Justice Movement
The staunch social justice funder is in a strong position, having raised $83 million toward a goal to move $100 million to reproductive rights work by 2025. But for the field, formidable funding challenges still stand in the way.
This Foundation Is Highlighting the Link Between Opioids and Maternal and Infant Health Risks
The Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) is supporting work to remove barriers to recovery and healthcare for pregnant women and new mothers with substance use disorder.
From Anti-Apartheid to Land Back, Deborah Santana Reflects on Years of Social Justice Giving
Deborah Santana is a lifelong activist and donor, including work at the Milagro Foundation with former husband Carlos Santana, and her own charitable fund Do A Little. Santana talks with IP about her past work and future plans.
