Dear Colleagues,

This time of year in the Northern Hemisphere is one where we pause and reflect. The Spring Equinox, a rebalancing of lightness and darkness. And across the world, this time has significance with celebrations of Easter (Christianity), Passover (Judaism), Holi (Hinduism), and Wesak (Buddhism), among others. The reality is that we are deeply affected by the balance of darkness and light from the sky, regardless of where we live or what we believe.

April 7th is also the International Day for Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda. This day is a reminder of the atrocities that occurred in 1994 and the importance of honoring the victims and survivors. As we reflect on the genocide in Rwanda, we also honor the role women have had in the recovery and rebuilding process. By enabling more women to take on leadership roles, and acting as equal decision makers within their communities, women-led groups have championed change. 

From their courage, a message: we look ahead not just to transition - but transformation. 

How does healing ourselves break us free from systematic oppression - and help us rise with our communities? How can we start this season with the intention to push ourselves to grow, to awaken new strengths and clear new paths? After being ground down by a cold and dark winter, how can we rekindle our hope–and keep reaching for the light?

Thank you for all you do in support of our movement today and everyday. 

In solidarity, 

Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network 
President & CEO

WFN Members

WFN Membership Renewals & New Members

Our network is only as strong as the people and organizations who are a part of it. Join us in appreciating our members who have renewed for 2023. If you have questions about membership or would like additional information, please contact us.

Delta Research and Educational Foundation
National Organisation for Women in Sport Physical Activity and Recreation (NOWSPAR)
 Sojourner Foundation
Victorian Women's Trust
Wallace Foundation
Women’s Foundation of Greater Saint Louis
Women International Leaders of Greater Philadelphia
Women Moving Millions
Women Win

New WFN Members
Please join us in welcoming new WFN members Anu Kumar, Paula Vasquez Alzate, SVP Cleveland, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana.

The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County is seeking a proven leader, with over 5 years of experience in all aspects of donor relations, philanthropic services, and communications, to join the Foundation in a newly created position. The Director of Philanthropy will identify and cultivate new fund holders and strengthen relationships with existing donors. In order to raise the visibility of the Foundation and community needs with key audiences, the Director of Philanthropy will communicate the Foundation’s impact across the region while building on the new strategic plan for the Foundation in 2023. To learn more click here.

The Ascend Fund is hosting their first virtual event of the year, “Mississippi Matters: A preview of the 2023 election and what it means for women’s representation." Mississippi is one of three Ascend pilot states and one of only four states holding legislative elections in 2023. Join them and their Mississippi partners, ACLU, Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, NEW Leadership Mississippi, and the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi, for a discussion about their work to build a more inclusive democracy, including efforts to achieve gender parity and racial equity in the state legislature.

April 19, 2023 | 3:00pm EST | Register here

Opportunities and Resources

Are you passionate about feminisms and Mesoamerican women human rights defenders? Do you have experience in the management of restricted funds for civil society organizations? Are you bilingual in Spanish and English? The Mesoamerican Women Human Rights Defenders Initiative (IM-Defensoras) is hiring for a new Project Management Officer. To learn more about the position, click here.

More than four decades into the HIV response, universal access to rights-based HIV prevention and treatment – the foundation to reaching the end of AIDS – remains a challenge. In the first months of 2023 alone, the state of Tennessee signaled it would no longer accept HIV funding from the CDC; 150+ state-level bills restricting the rights of transgender people were introduced in the U.S.; and now the Ugandan Parliament has passed a bill that will severely criminalize the LGBTQ and HIV community. With this as a backdrop, the 118th Congress convened with PEPFAR reauthorization and budget appropriations at stake this year. 

What can philanthropy do to leverage its voice and funding to address critical, emerging threats to the global response to HIV and AIDS?

Join Funders Concerned About AIDS for its first in-person convening since 2019 and lend your voice to this critical discussion.  

April 19, 2023 | 10:00pm-4:00pm | Register here

Gender Funders CoLab released a report on a feminist approach to streamlining grant applications and reporting: A Feminist Approach to Common Applications & Reports: Lessons from the Gender Funders CoLab. Learn more and download the report here.

What We're Reading

What We're Watching

It's been 100 years since the Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced in Congress, but it still hasn’t been added to the Constitution — here's how Reps Cori Bush & Ayanna Pressley hope to change that.

Have a story to share?

We want to hear from you. Email i[email protected]

A Note on Accessibility: 

As we incorporate new communications assets, we strive to ensure that the platforms and tools that enable us to share content are accessible to the widest possible audience. We are committed to learning and growing in this area and appreciate any helpful guidance you have to share. Please reach out if you have any tips or requests to make your experience more accessible.