Feminist News and Information

WEEKLY NEWS // FEBRUARY 13, 2025

// FROM THE DESK OF SARA KEILHOLTZ, DIRECTOR OF DATA AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS, WOMEN'S FUNDING NETWORK

Public Data in the U.S.: Access and Transparency at Risk

Dear Colleagues,

There is perhaps no better evidence of the power of demographic data than the number of strategies in Project 2025 aimed at reducing access to it and undermining public confidence about it.

Here are just a few key examples:

Eliminating key demographic data collection efforts by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on race and gender in the workplace (pg. 581).Limiting National Institute for Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research on gender identity (pg. 462).Politicizing federal data collection by replacing career statisticians at the Census Bureau with political appointees at the director and management levels (pg. 679) and eliminating community advisory committees deemed “hostile to conservative interests” (pg. 666), reducing the budget and eliminating annual surveys (pg. 680).Pre-emptively gerrymandering representation in congress by adding a citizenship question to the 2030 Census—likely leading to severe undercounts of immigrant communities in a time of heightened fear, while shifting Census outreach efforts to favor conservative areas. (pg. 680)Rolling back recent improvements to race and ethnicity questions that would have created a more representative count such as allowing people to multi-select race and ethnicity along with the inclusion of Middle Eastern/North African as an ethnic identity (pg. 680).Removing American Community Survey (ACS) questions deemed “too intrusive,” (pg. 680) while at the same time pushing for more intrusive federal data collection on abortion, requiring states to report detailed information on abortion procedures (pg. 455).Filing a lawsuit against the state of Illinois over SB2930 [[link removed]] a new state law that promotes board transparency for nonprofits that regrant more than $1M.

WFN’s specific area of work to expand public access to demographic data through community-built projects [[link removed]] may seem like a low priority amid the past two weeks in the U.S. which have included immigration raids at schools and churches, sudden freezes in lifesaving aid, and the purges in the federal workforce that target already institutionally marginalized populations.

But in response to these threats to public transparency and accountability, it is more important than ever for funders and donors to invest in alternative public data infrastructure to track and mitigate the impact of the U.S. Administration’s policies while also supporting targeted communities and grassroots organizations working to advance social justice. We are grateful for the infrastructure that Candid has built to allow nonprofits and foundations to publicly access demographic data in a way that is standardized, shared with consent, and freely accessible.

That’s why we encourage all nonprofits and funders in the U.S. to join 77,000 nonprofits who have already shared demographic data about their organization’s staff, leadership, and board through their GuideStar/Candid profile [[link removed].], and work towards operationalizing it as an annual process. This small action helps all of us understand the contours of the social sector landscape we are working in and track the impact of our efforts to advance equity and justice for all.

My hope is that we will be able to see in the data that philanthropy responded to this moment not with fear, but with rapid response funds, abundantly resourcing targeted communities with no strings attached.

Onward,

Sara Keilholtz

Women's Funding Network

Director of Data and Strategic Insights

You're Invited RSVP [[link removed]] to be the first to hear about ticket sales for Feminist Funded '25, presented by the Women's Funding Network. The 2023 conference was a sold-out event. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss.September 10-11, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Pre-Conference Policy Action Day on September 9, 2025 RSVP for Feminist Funded '25 Here [[link removed]]

Calling all changemakers! Women's Funding Network is accepting proposals for Feminist Funded ’25 [[link removed]], the largest global gathering of feminist philanthropy leaders. Submit your ideas on themes like economic justice, feminist advocacy, and reproductive justice by February 17 at 5:00pm EST. Let’s co-create transformative solutions for gender justice. Learn more and apply here [[link removed]].

Questions? Email us [mailto:[email protected]].

Have a story to share? We want to hear from you.

Submit content for the newsletter here [[link removed]].

News from WFN NEW MEMBER & 2025 WFN MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Our network thrives on the strength and diversity of our members [[link removed]]. Please join us in welcoming to the network new WFN member Noel Pacarro Brown.

Please also join us in appreciating WFN members who have renewed for 2025:

Anu KumarAurora Women and Girls FoundationFondo Centroamericano de Mujeres (FCAM)Global Fund for WomenKerry GardnerMegan RadavichMetrowest Women's FundNewMexicoWomen.OrgRise UpSarah VaillTexas Women’s FoundationVidaAfrolatinaWashington Area Women's FoundationWNY Women's FoundationWomen’s Foundation of the SouthWomen's Fund of Greater Fort WayneWomen's Fund of Western Massachusetts

If you have questions about membership, please contact us [mailto:[email protected]].

WFN ANNOUNCEMENT

Last week's How the Care Movement is Organizing Against Devastating Federal Tax and Budget Cuts [[link removed]] webinar with Care for All with Respect and Equity (CARE) Fund, Economic Opportunity Funders, Tax Equity Funders Network, and Women’s Funding Network brought together experts to share strategies and resources with funders. Access the webinar recording, slides, and additional materials here [[link removed]].

News from WFN Members MEMBER EVENTS

In light of the activity coming from the current administration, many are feeling a lot of uncertainty. The Women's Foundation of Oregon invites you to a special presentation [[link removed]] by the Oregon Department of Justice. Learn what Oregon’s sanctuary laws do and do not say, as well as the services and resources available to targeted individuals and their families.

February 20, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PST | Join here [[link removed]]

Join The Women's Foundation of Colorado and bestselling author of “Democracy in Retrograde,” Emily Amick, for an interactive Chat4Change [[link removed]] to help you find your fit in civic engagement. Learn how to escape the hopelessness spiral in 2025, discover your civic personality, develop a personal mission statement, and create an action plan that matches your strengths. In-person and virtual options are available.

March 4, 2025 | 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. MST | Register here [[link removed]]

Come participate in Bold and Brave Day of Advocacy [[link removed]] in Nashville, hosted by the Tennessee Women’s Fund Alliance (Women's Foundation for A Greater Memphis, Women's Fund of Greater Chattanooga, Women's Fund of East Tennessee, and Women's Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee). Join to learn how to build a more just, equitable, and inclusive Tennessee for all women and girls.

March 11, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EDT | Register here [[link removed]]

Join the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts for a webinar [[link removed]], featuring Amy Jamrog, Founder and CEO of The Jamrog Group. Learn about the top ten mistakes people make with their money and how to avoid them.

March 12, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EDT | Register here [[link removed]]

Opportunities and Resources

Join Funders' Committee for Civic Participation in Montgomery, Alabama for the Funders’ Committee Annual Convening [[link removed]]. This convening is an opportunity for the philanthropic community to come together in a powerful and historic setting, united in our shared commitment to strengthening democracy, civic participation, and the philanthropic sector.

June 10, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT | Register here [[link removed]]

Read this article by Anna Wadia, Saving Medicaid – and Our Democracy [[link removed]]. Learn about the 2025 tax and budget debate, and how it will test the United States' values and priorities, determining the kind of society we will live in and how each of us will contribute to its realization.

The Aspire Women's Book of Business seeks to recognize women business owners who are making their mark in their communities through economic impact. Nominate an organization that serves the public at large and deserves recognition for its outstanding efforts to uplift and invest in women, women business owners, and entrepreneurs. Learn more and nominate someone here [[link removed]].

What We're Reading

Trump jolts African healthcare — women will pay the price — The Fuller Project [[link removed]]

What We're Watching

Just one day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning biological males from participating in women’s sports the NCAA followed suit, also barring transgender women from competing in women’s college athletics. The decision has upset many in the transgender community, including Schuyler Bailar, the first openly transgender NCAA Division 1 swimmer.

Have a story to share?

We want to hear from you. Submit content for the newsletter here [[link removed]].

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