Feminist News and Information

WEEKLY NEWS // SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

// A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO

The Power We’ve Built, The Future We Claim

Dear Colleagues,

For four decades, WFN has stood as a powerful connector and amplifier of women’s funds and gender justice leaders across the globe. What began as a bold idea—to raise resources by us, for us—has grown into a resilient, global ecosystem of over 120 members. In 2023 alone, our Feminist Funded attendees catalyzed over $10.7 billion in funding, distributed through 18,510 grants that reached more than 11,187 organizations worldwide.

WFN is our collective power in action. Together, we’ve done what once felt impossible:

We’ve helped women’s funds scale their impact [[link removed]] from local initiatives to global movements [[link removed]].We’ve secured transformative investments [[link removed]] in the leadership of women, girls, and gender-expansive people—often in places and moments where others refused to look. [[link removed]]We’ve pushed philanthropy to evolve [[link removed]]—toward trust, toward equity [[link removed]], and toward justice.And we’ve done all of this in a political landscape that has grown increasingly volatile and hostile to gender rights worldwide.

Across four decades, one thing is clear: through WFN, our members strengthen their fundraising, amplify their advocacy, and scale their programs—turning shared purpose into sustained impact.

Our time in D.C. next week will be a moment to honor the past, strategize for the future, and continue to build a network that’s both fearless and sophisticated. Thank you for joining us. [[link removed]] The power we’ve built over 40 years is only the beginning—the future we claim starts now.

In solidarity,

Elizabeth Barajas-Román

Women's Funding Network

President & CEO

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

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

News from WFN NEW MEMBERS

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

Ana BarretoSindy Benavides

If you have questions about joining as a new member or renewing your 2024 membership, please contact us [mailto:[email protected]].

News from WFN Members MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Women and girls of all identities are still at a critical disadvantage when it comes to representation in the classroom, access to internet, informed school counselors, reproductive education, and more. The Women's Foundation for the State of Arizona created a Back to School Equity Checklist and Resource Guide [[link removed]] with simple, actionable steps to take to make a real difference for young people in your community.

Read NewMexicoWomen.Org's 2024 Year in Review [[link removed]], which illustrates their grantmaking and programmatic efforts which expanded last year to meet growing needs. In 2024, they redistributed over $1 million—a 26% increase from 2023.

Read Rise Up’s 2024 Annual Report [[link removed]], a powerful celebration of what they've accomplished to advance gender equity and justice around the world. This year’s report marks a major milestone, as they reflect on 15 years of impact and look ahead to Rise Up’s next chapter.

Check out Elluminate's report, The Collective 5-Year Impact Report: Elluminate’s Leadership Advancement Program [[link removed]]. The report captures the findings of an independent evaluation of the first five years of The Collective, their signature leadership program.

NewMexicoWomen.Org has shared the updated Healthy Masculinities Toolkit 2nd Edition [[link removed]]. Created in collaboration with 17 organizations across New Mexico and shaped by community feedback, it invites you to explore gender, reimagine masculinities, deepen consent in relationships, and consider nonviolent approaches to relationships and community building. The toolkit is available in English and Spanish.

MEMBER EVENTS

Register for free to join the Kentucky Foundation for Women at the Mellwood Art Center in Louisville, KY, to honor the artists [[link removed]] who work to create the world we want to live in. Come together to tell stories, create, and connect.

September 28, 2025 | 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. EDT | Register here [[link removed]]

Celebrate 30 years of the Vermont Women’s Fund as they welcome Reshma Saujani and Myra Flynn to The Flynn’s stage for their Annual Celebration 2025 [[link removed]]. Catch up with old friends, make new connections, and enjoy light refreshments and a cash bar after the show.

September 30, 2025 | 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. EDT | Register here [[link removed]]

Register for Power of the Purse [[link removed]], benefitting the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA). This year's luncheon will honor three outstanding women for their contributions in business, philanthropy, and public service. Reserve your seat and support WFA’s mission to ensure economic security for Arkansas' women and girls.

October 1, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CDT | Register here [[link removed]]

The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade’s Raise The Bar [[link removed]] is back with Serious Fun for a Serious Cause. Esteemed judiciary, members of the bar, related business professionals, and elected officials and survivor leaders will gather for this signature, annual event.

October 9, 2025 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. EDT | Register here [[link removed]]

Join the Women's Foundation of Boston for an unforgettable evening [[link removed]] celebrating the power of girls' education. All-girls learning environments allow girls to thrive, free from stereotypes and full of possibilities. This night will spotlight their impact through stories from grant recipients.

October 22, 2025 | 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. EDT | Register here [[link removed]]

The Iowa Women's Foundation has announced that their keynote speaker at the IWF Annual Luncheon [[link removed]] is Anne Nizzi Clark, founding director of the Caitlin Clark Foundation. Hear about Anne’s story and how to ignite confidence, open doors, and learn from the next generation of women and girls.

November 5, 2025 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CDT | Register here [[link removed]]

Join Texas Women's Foundation for their Ruby Anniversary Luncheon [[link removed]] as they celebrate their 40-year legacy of impact and recommit to creating new opportunities for the 14.7 million women and girls who call Texas home. Their event features actress and 15-time Primetime Emmy Award Nominee, Christine Baranski.

November 14, 2025 | 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. CDT | Register here [[link removed]]

Save the date for G4GC’s 2026 Convening: Rooted [[link removed]]. In intergenerational wisdom and collective action, folks will come together in person in Charlotte, North Carolina, to continue vital collective work.

May 13-15, 2026 | Register here [[link removed]]

Opportunities and Resources

Register for CHANGE Philanthropy's Unity Summit [[link removed]] in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Gather, as funders, organizers, and community leaders, to strengthen movements, increase investments in communities, and advance strategies for building power, solidarity, and justice in philanthropy. Members of WFN can indicate their membership to receive a discounted ticket price while supplies last.

October 27-30, 2025 | Register here [[link removed]]

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research is redesigning their website and is seeking thoughts and feedback to help ensure the new IWPR website meets your needs. This survey [[link removed]] should take less than five minutes.

What We're Reading

'No-one comes for us': The women trapped in Afghanistan's mental health system — BBC [[link removed]]

Stephanie Shirley, Who Created a Tech World for Women, Dies at 91 — The New York Times [[link removed]]

What We're Watching

After struggling to find doctors who properly treated her own menopause symptoms, Joanna Strober created Midi Health, a virtual clinic designed for the millions of women navigating this significant life transition. She gives her Brief But Spectacular take on revolutionizing women's health care.

Have a story to share?

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

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