Feminist News and Information
WEEKLY NEWS // APRIL 4, 2025
// FROM THE DESK OF CHANTAL BONITTO, DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY, WOMEN'S FUNDING NETWORK
Affirmation at Skoll: Together, We Are Unstoppable
Dear Colleagues,
Today marks the close of the Skoll World Forum, a global gathering of social entrepreneurs and changemakers committed to advancing bold solutions to pressing global problems. Held annually in Oxford, the Forum attracts leaders across sectors to share ideas, forge partnerships, and accelerate systemic change.
In Oxford, people with shared values gathered—not just at the Forum, but in spaces it inspires—to reconnect, be inspired, and reflect on how we address growing threats to women, girls, and gender-expansive people worldwide.
Rather than despair, we found solidarity.
Collective Future Fund, me too., Justice for Migrant Women, FreeFrom, G4GC, the Children’s Rights Innovation Fund, and the Women’s Funding Network co-hosted a strategy day focused on strengthening global efforts to end gender-based violence. Together, we affirmed the truth that those most impacted by violence are also those driving change. Yet Collective Future Fund’s data shows that only 1.6% of philanthropy addresses gender-based violence, with even less reaching women and girls of color or trans communities.
In her wisdom, WFN President and CEO, Elizabeth Barajas-Román, stressed the importance of having WFN members represented at this pivotal gathering. At our strategy table, we discussed the role of intermediaries, the need for better coordination, and the imperative to evolve our structures to embrace diverse experiences.
One powerful question shifted the room: what can we rely on beyond funding? The answer was clear—each other.
As I approach six months as Director of Philanthropy at WFN, I’ve witnessed the strength of our community. WFN members consistently choose connection, collaboration, and transformation. We don’t just survive; we grow stronger and more resilient.
As we look toward Feminist Funded ’25, let’s hold onto this spirit of solidarity. Together, we are ready. Together, we are unstoppable.
In solidarity,
Chantal Bonitto
Women's Funding Network
Director of Philanthropy
Feminist Funded ‘25 registration is officially open
Presented by the Women’s Funding Network, Feminist Funded '25 is the largest gathering of global leaders in feminist philanthropy, working to co-create a more just, equitable, and safer world for all. Join to celebrate 40 years of remarkable collaboration and action.
September 10-11, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Pre-Conference Policy Action Day on September 9, 2025
Don’t wait—Early Bird pricing ends May 1*
*Subject to change based on availability
News from WFN
2025 WFN MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Our network thrives on the strength and diversity of our members. We’re grateful to Women's Foundation of Boston for renewing their WFN membership for 2025.
WFN’s 2024 members have been emailed 2025 membership renewal information. If you were expecting communication on membership renewal but haven’t received anything—or if you have questions about membership or would like additional information—please contact us.
WFN members enjoy exclusive access to discounted pricing for Feminist Funded ’25, so join or renew today.
From Executive Orders to Federal agency restructurings, recent decisions by the new U.S. Administration have already had significant implications for girls, women, and non-binary people domestically and across the world. Please join the Women's Funding Network for a webinar to learn about the most recent developments in U.S. feminist foreign policy and international relations, including tariffs, the future of USAID, and the challenges facing immigrant women and migrant workers.
Moderator: Elizabeth Barajas Román, President and CEO, Women's Funding Network
Panelists:
- Carine Jocelyn, Founder, Haitian Women's Collective
- Summer Lopez, Interim Co-Chief Executive Director, PEN America
- Dalissa Vargas, Interim Chief Development Officer, Justice for Migrant Women
April 16, 2025 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. EDT | Register here
News from WFN Members
MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rise Up will select a group of 25 local civil society leaders from Kenya to participate in its Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator training program to advance gender equity and justice in girls’ education from July 14-19, 2025 in Nairobi. Visionary leaders based in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, or Machakos Counties are eligible to apply by April 14, 2025.
To mark International Women's Day this year, the Canadian Women's Foundation partnered with The Globe and Mail to present Thriving at Work: Prioritizing Women's Mental Wellness. Watch the recording to hear some of the most pressing issues facing women and gender-diverse people in the workplace, and how organizations can foster supportive environments.
Over half of women and gender-diverse people in Canada have reduced their online presence to avoid abuse, harassment, and discrimination. But it shouldn’t have to be this way. Canadian Women's Foundation created Reclaim Your Digital Space, a free online course. Build skills and knowledge in digital media literacy with facts, resources, interactive scenarios, and actions to take away.
MEMBER EVENTS
The Texas Women’s Foundation has partnered with American Association of University Women to offer free salary negotiation webinars. These webinars have trained more than 190,000 women to successfully advocate for themselves with confidence to negotiate for better benefits and pay.
April 17, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CDT | Register here
May 15, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. CDT | Register here
Join the Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee for Women’s Night at the Theater—Espejos: Clean. Don’t miss this magical, thought-provoking performance, directed by Juliette Carrillo, described by critics as “dazzling” and filled with “stunning performances”.
April 22, 2025 | 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. EDT | Register here
Rise Up’s Evening of Impact will take place at The Progress in San Francisco. Hear from inspiring Rise Up leaders who are driving transformative change in their communities while enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Connect with changemakers and support Rise Up’s bold vision for gender equity and justice.
April 30, 2025 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. PDT | Register here
Join The New York Women's Foundation for The Celebrating Women® Breakfast. It's more than just an event—it’s a powerful moment of connection and renewal, in a world where reaching equity feels like an uphill battle.
May 14, 2025 | 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. EDT | Register here
Opportunities and Resources
Bridging the Climate-Gender-Health Nexus: A Funder's Starter Guide, developed by Panorama Global, aims to inform and inspire funders to invest at the intersection of climate-gender-health. This resource seeks to inform and inspire greater investments in the climate-gender-health movement, especially as funding for sexual and reproductive health rights and climate initiatives continue to face challenges and cuts globally.
The Roosevelt Institute is hiring for a Director, Corporate Power and Financial Regulation. To learn more and apply, click here.
What We're Reading
A Win for Repro Rights: Alabama Can’t Charge Activists Helping Patients Get Out-of-State Abortions — Mother Jones
Sudan: Sexual violence used as weapon of terror against women and girls — UN News
What We're Watching
During a House Democratic Leadership press briefing on Tuesday, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) was asked about the SAVE Act, which would require voters to present proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
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