Feminist News and Information
WEEKLY NEWS // JUNE 8, 2023
// A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO
A Letter from Our President & CEO
Dear Colleagues,
In creating a more equitable way to give, over the past several years, many of you have been part of giving circles. Giving circles are also part of the DNA of women’s funds, who popularized this way of giving. I’m a big fan: these collective giving models are laboratories of democracy. They are intersectional, trust-based, and innovative ways to get marginalized genders the capital they need to make lasting social change. Yet despite their growth, not everyone in the philanthropic sector has embraced, or even heard of, giving circles.
I was honored to write about giving circles for Alliance, a magazine for worldwide philanthropy and social investment, to bring this concept to a wider audience. In the piece, I make a case for why giving circles are an equitable way forward, and I was able to cite research from WFN board member Adriana Loson-Ceballos as well as case studies from WFN members Chicago Foundation for Women and How Women Lead. Hopefully your stories will help inspire more people to join a giving circle and more organizations to add them to their programming. In addition to your local women’s fund, you can find resources about giving circles at Philanthropy Together, our partner and friend in this work.
Thank you for being part of this important work. Together, we’re creating a future where everyone can thrive.
In solidarity,
Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network
President & CEO
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR FEMINIST FUNDED '23
We look forward to connecting with you at Feminist Funded 23: Rising, the largest convening of gender-focused philanthropy, dedicated to creating a more just, equitable, and safer world for all.
WFN News & Events
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 Women's Foundation of Alabama and Women's Foundation California who have renewed for 2023. If you have questions about WFN membership or would like additional information, please contact us.
Please join us in welcome new WFN member Samantha Karlin and Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha.
WFN Member News & Events
MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Foundation is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Designer & Brand Coordinator to join their Communications team. This newly created role works across all of the Foundation’s channels and digital presence (including social media, email, and website) as well as fundraising events, campaigns, and more. Learn more and apply here.
Paulette Senior, President & CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation, was featured in The Philanthropist Journal in a piece about motherhood. To read the full piece, click here.
“Philanthropists need to value, listen to, and care for mothers and caregivers as people, centring their humanity beyond their care work.”
The Haitian Women's Collective is entering a strategic planning phase in 2023 that will allow them to develop a new, separate entity focused on establishing a Fund for Haitian Women. They are seeking a Development Consultant with successful international development experience to begin developing a framework. Click here for more details and information on how to submit a proposal.
One of philanthropy’s most committed advocates for inclusivity and diversity, Lauren Casteel has led the Women’s Foundation of Colorado since 2015. Inside Philanthropy discusses her career trajectory, why funders should take risks, and more.
The Fund for Women and Girls announced the launch of CivicG+ (formerly GirlGov Chester County), an advocacy program for young women and gender expansive youth, grades 10-12. This civic engagement leadership program runs from September through April, and focuses on education, empowerment, and advocacy. Participants will engage with peers, women in leadership, elected officials, and government employees through various activities throughout the year during monthly meetings and events.
MEMBER WEBINARS & WORKSHOPS
Learn more about Funders for Justice (FFJ) statement of solidarity with the three members from the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, call to action and invite to a two-day funder learning experience that connects philanthropic leaders directly with on-the-ground organizers based in Atlanta and nationally.
For more than 33 years, Pro Mujer has provided underserved women in Latin America with the tools they need to reach their full potential and are pioneers in fostering gender lens investing (GLI) in Latin America. GLI Forum LatAm is the first event in Latin America focused on promoting gender lens investing as an effective way to drive equality and economic development in the region. Save the date for GLI Forum 2023: October 17-19 in Medellín, Colombia - a preliminary agenda will be available soon.
Join a conversation with writer Claire Jean Kim and Colorlines Publisher Dr. Charlene Sinclair. Claire and Charlene will draw from new research to explore the positionality of Asian Americans relative to anti-Blackness and how this positionality is weaponized to reinforce structural anti-Blackness. They will also highlight ways that we can create new narratives to destabilize and effectively fight anti-Blackness, and the harm it perpetuates, to ensure shared prosperity, opportunity, and equity. This event is co-organized by the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund and Colorlines, and co-sponsored by Groundswell Fund, Groundswell Action Fund, National AAPI Power Fund, California Black Freedom Fund, Four Freedoms Fund, and the RISE Together Fund.
June 13, 2023 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT. Register here
Opportunities & Resources
Trans and gender non-conforming communities are under attack; philanthropy can and must act now. Join Funders for LGBTQ Issues and Grantmakers for Southern Progress for a funder briefing to hear about current initiatives and victories across the field and to learn strategies for deepening partnerships with LGBTQ movements. Register here. #OnlyForwardTogether
The Conrad Prebys Foundation in San Diego, CA is hiring for two positions: Director of Programs and Director of Learning. This is a consequential and exciting time to join the Foundation given the launch of a three-year period of learning, growth, and evolution as an organization.
This August, the Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) and The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund are partnering for Black Philanthropy Month to showcase the invaluable work and contributions of Black women philanthropists who embrace diverse
expressions of generosity to make the world a better place. The third annual Black Women Give Back List will feature 10 incredible philanthropists who use their time, talent, treasure, testimony, and/or ties (aka the 5 Ts) to make a difference. Do you know a woman or girl who should be on the Black Women Give Back List? Nominate them today! Submissions are due by June 30.
Check out the Nonprofit Financial Commons, where you can access on-demand peer advice, webinars and full courses, discussion forums and a searchable collection of resources.
Are you an education, youth, or community leader committed to advancing racial equity in public education within the New England region and looking for opportunities to hone and amplify your voice? Then consider applying for the Nellie Mae Education Foundations Speaker Bureau. They are seeking individuals who are leading efforts to dismantle structural racism while building and implementing more equitable solutions in our education system to be a part of their next cohort. To learn more, click here.
Join The Funders Network for the Inclusive Economies 2023 Meeting: Pathways to Power & Prosperity from June 28-29 in Atlanta to deepen understanding of systemic challenges to opportunity, examine effective and equitable funding strategies and explore collaborations that drive change. This gathering will bring together funders from across the U.S., as well as Atlanta practitioners, advocates and frontline community leaders. To learn more and register, click here.
What We're Reading
What Should Kamala Harris’s Role Be Now? — The New York Times
Feminist Foreign Policy Lessons On The Iraq War Anniversary — Inkstick
Most New Presidents at Top Research Universities Are Now Women. — The Chronicle of Higher Education
What We're Watching
This 'Vangina' set out to deliver menstrual products across the U.S. to communities in need. Here’s how @isupportthegirls348, the org behind the idea, is expanding awareness about period poverty.
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