WEEKLY NEWS  //  NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Dear Colleagues,

The war between Israel and Hamas has forced us, especially an organization far removed from the frontlines, to take a second look at what we believe. 

I am reminded that belief is the product of a series of concentrated inputs from those closest to us when we are struggling, afraid, or in pain. We seek those we trust to help make sense of the unthinkable and give us a North Star when we find ourselves afloat in a dark sea.

That’s why WFN joins our movement sister, Prospera International Network of Women’s Funds, in their call “to listen to our common humanity and exercise feminist politics of care.” 

Our North Star is solidarity with the peacemakers, the mothers and life sustainers, and the lovers of justice and humanity - despite humanity’s imperfect struggle toward progress. 

Yet questions remain. Can condemnation live alongside compassion? Can silence live alongside love? 

In the answers to these questions, we look for words; inadequate and imprecise because the answers are in the heart, in the pit of the stomach, in the lump in the throat as we watch, as we hear, as we learn. 

Thank you for joining us in looking beyond easy answers and the safety of indifference. Thank you for standing up when groups and governments leverage hate and fear to justify violence against innocents and children. No one deserves terror, rape, or to see their family murdered. No one deserves the despair and grief of war. 

In these times I’m even more grateful that feminist movements have been both comfort for the weary and catalysts for peace in conflict areas around the world including Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – both of which still need our support and attention. Thank you for doing your part for our collective political project toward justice and liberation for all.   

Until peace, yours,

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

Feminist Funded ‘23 main stage sessions are now online. Catch up on these thought-provoking discussions or revisit your favorite moments, now available on YouTube at youtube.com/@womensfunds. This historic four-day event brought together top experts in gender equity and philanthropy, addressing crucial issues from reproductive justice to feminist funding and the role of masculinity in feminist movements. Renowned speakers like Jennifer Klein, Tarana Burke, Justina Machado, Sasheer Zamata, and many more joined the conversation. 

News from WFN

THEIR SECRET SAUCE PODCAST

In the latest episode of Their Secret Sauce, Jasmine Anouna welcomes guest of the month Jacquelyn Ogorchukwu Iyamah. Jacquelyn and Jasmine discuss dealing with social media overwhelm as a creator leading social change communities/education online, how to intersect seemingly polar identities, journaling exercises to embed more play into everyday life, and how 'Design as a tool for liberation' is an invaluable concept for social impact leaders. Listen to the podcast here.

News from WFN Members

MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please join us in thanking outgoing Shadhika Executive Director My Lo Cook for her leadership and join us in welcoming Ankita Jhaveri into her new leadership role as Interim Executive Director. Read more about Shadhika’s leadership transition as well as messages from My and Ankita here.

Women’s Foundation California released their 2023 Annual Report. This report illustrates the work of their incredible community partners and WFC’s commitment to a shared vision of health, prosperity, and safety for all.

The David & Lucile Packard Foundation is hiring for a Program Associate, Environment & Science (Climate), and a Program Analyst, Civil Society and Leadership.

The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga is seeking an Executive Director. Read the job description here and learn how to apply here.

MEMBER EVENTS

Women's Foundation of the South invites you to Crescendeaux, their year-end fashion show party with a purpose. By joining WFS for Crescendeaux: A Carnival of Culture, you'll be supporting the innovation and boundary-pushing achievements of women of color designers from across the South, while also helping WFS fulfill its mission to build the health, wealth, and power of women and girls of color in the US South.

November 4, 2023 | 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. CDT | Register here

Join Purposeful, AWID, WHRDMENA and The Palestinian Feminist Collective for Political Solidarity & Feminist Teach-Ins: Palestinian Voices and Feminist Resistance. These conversations will centre feminist indigenous perspectives and community approaches based on lived realities and collective organizing, and unpack the reality of what’s happening, and how folks can meaningfully and urgently contribute to counter-narrative and political solidarity. Sessions will be in Arabic and English, with live language interpretation in French and Spanish, Sign Language Interpretation, and real-time closed captions.

November 6, 2023 | 2:00-3:30 p.m. UTC | Register here 

In conjunction with the launch of the latest report Thrive As They Lead: Advancing the Infrastructure to Support Black Women Leaders in the D.C. Metro Area Nonprofit Sector, Washington Area Women's Foundation invites you to join a conversation to discuss ways community can accelerate the development to better nurture and empower Black women and Black gender-expansive leaders across the Washington metropolitan area.

November 9, 2023 | 12:00pm-1:00pm EST | Register here

Join Texas Women's Foundation to hear an insightful conversation with the leaders of Poetic and Ignite and moderated by XIX Society Co-Chair Candice Hill. The conversation will take a deeper dive into the ways innovation has played a significant role in philanthropy, and how these organizations have evolved to meet the needs of women and girls in our communities.

November 10, 2023 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. CST | Register here

Opportunities & Resources

Echoing Green is accepting applications for their 2024 Fellowship program. They are looking for early-stage social entrepreneurs who reflect the communities they serve and bring deep knowledge of the issues their communities are facing. Applications are due by 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday, November 2, 2023. To learn more, click here.

Join Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities (WGNNC), a funder collaborative focused on supporting workforce development in Native Nations and communities, for an upcoming webinar. Attendees will hear from Indian Country policy and data experts about specific policy and data issues and the ways their organizations can help Native nations and communities address them.

December 7, 2023 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. EST | Register here

The Nellie Mae Education Foundation is hiring for a Chief Financial Officer. To learn more about the position, click here.

The Feminist Leadership Hub is a virtual, community-driven, peer learning platform centered around Feminist Leadership. It’s a space where civil society practitioners can share and access resources, exchange experiences and ideas, and connect with peers in their region or working on similar topics. Find updates about the project and sign up to join the waiting list for the hub here.

What We're Reading

What We're Listening To

This episode of Justice Ain't Cheap is co-sponsored by Women's Funding Network (WFN) and Funders for Reproductive Equity (FRE).

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