Feminist News and Information

WEEKLY NEWS // OCTOBER 30, 2025

// FROM THE DESK OF JULIE MONTGOMERY, DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT AND STRATEGY, WOMEN'S FUNDING NETWORK

Honored to Be a Part of the WFN Team

Dear Colleagues,

I am honored to join the team as Director of Membership Engagement and Strategy.

Being the daughter of an immigrant mother and a mother myself makes this work deeply personal. The pursuit of gender equity and justice has been important to me since my childhood in the Philippines. It shapes how I see the world, raise my daughter, and show up for those around me.

My first introduction to this incredible network was at Feminist Funded ’25 [[link removed]], celebrating WFN’s 40th anniversary in Washington, DC. Being surrounded by 400+ leaders from around the world, each sharing their vision and impact, was deeply inspiring. It reminded me why networks like ours are so vital, because when people come together across movements, borders, and experiences, real and lasting change is possible.

As I step into this role, I am eager to connect with you to learn about your priorities, challenges, and opportunities. My goal is to ensure that every member feels supported, connected, and empowered. In the coming months, I will reach out to learn more about your work, goals, and how WFN can best serve you and strengthen our collective impact.

Your insights are invaluable in shaping the network’s future. Whether sharing successes, challenges, or simply introducing yourself, I would love to hear from you [mailto:[email protected]].

As we enter the 2026 membership renewal season, I hope you continue to be part of this remarkable alliance. If you are not yet a member, we warmly welcome you to join us. Learn more here [[link removed]] or contact me [mailto:[email protected]] if you’d prefer a call.

Being part of this community is both humbling and energizing. It reminds me that change is possible, and I’m honored to be a part of that change.

Warm regards,

Julie Montgomery

Women's Funding Network

Director of Membership Engagement and Strategy

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

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News from WFN Members MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join us in welcoming [[link removed]] Elisabeth Case as the Women’s Fund for Hawai‘i's new Executive Director. A fourth-generation Hawai‘i resident, Case was born and raised in the islands and has family ties to Kaua‘i, Maui, Hawai‘i Island, and O‘ahu. Leveraging her expertise in comprehensive fundraising, her approach emphasizes collaborating and connecting with Hawai‘i's diverse communities to understand the needs and promote resources available for all.

Applications are open for Boston Women's Fund's 2025–2026 Horizon Collective [[link removed]], a by-and-for leadership circle for women and gender-expansive leaders of color across Greater Boston. Over six months, participants can expect connection, reflection, and transformation. Applications close on November 3.

In an op-ed for Inside Philanthropy, Christina Gordon, the Women's Foundation of Massachusetts' Co-Founder and CEO, highlights the measurable impact and urgent need for prioritizing women and girls in philanthropy. Read the full piece [[link removed]] and explore the latest data and trends driving their work.

Urgent Action Fund, in collaboration with Women Enabled International, published an interactive report earlier this year, Activists From Strength: What You Need to Know to Be a Disability and Gender-Inclusive Funder [[link removed]]. It shares learnings from more than 35 activists and organizations fighting for gender and disability justice in 10 countries across Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The report is available in English, and now, Arabic and Russian.

MEMBER EVENTS

Join the Women's Foundation for the State of Arizona for a complimentary drink and appetizers while connecting with fellow advocates, leaders, and community members at their upcoming Huddle Up Advocacy Happy Hour 2025 [[link removed]].

November 6, 2025 | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. MST | Register here [[link removed]]

Research on well-being shows that happiness is a powerful force for empowerment, giving individuals the confidence and resilience to lead and thrive. Join the Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee for The Science of Happiness [[link removed]], featuring Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a leading researcher in happiness and well-being.

November 13, 2025 | 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. CST | Register here [[link removed]]

The Texas Women’s Foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary [[link removed]] with Christine Baranski, an Emmy, two-time Tony, Screen Actors Guild, Drama Desk and American Comedy Award winner, as its featured speaker. This year’s Event Co-Chairs are leaders who represent the Foundation’s four decades: Gail Griswold and Brenda Jackson (1980s), Laura Estrada (1990s), Helen Frank (2000s), and Shonn Brown (2020s). The Foundation’s 11 living Founders will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the Ruby Anniversary Luncheon.

November 14, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. CST | Register here [[link removed]]

Join How Women Lead for their Women's Leadership Retreat [[link removed]] in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This retreat is for women who crave connection, meaning, and a community of phenomenal women, are ready to ask & answer deep questions about next steps, and are eager to gain insight & inspiration from Puerto Rican women and culture.

January 29 - February 4, 2026 | Register here [[link removed]]

Opportunities and Resources

Join United Philanthropy Forum for a webinar from Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, for the launch of Giving in Numbers: 2025 Edition [[link removed]], celebrating 20 years as the unrivaled leader in benchmarking corporate social investments.

October 30, 2025 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EDT | Register here [[link removed]]

Join United Philanthropy Forum online for a high-impact day of expert-led strategy sessions, alliance building, and implementation planning at Philanthropy + Policy Institute 2025 [[link removed]]. Log on from wherever you are, and leave with expert-developed tools, strategic partners, and clear momentum to carry advocacy forward for years to come.

November 5, 2025 | Register here [[link removed]]

Economic Opportunity Funders and the Tax Funders Equity Network launched an open call for innovations [[link removed]] for an Ideas Showcase (March 26, 2026) at the 2026 Budget and Tax Briefing. They're seeking submissions for proactive, future-focused policy and program innovations in reimagining public benefits access and reimagining revenue systems. The submission deadline is November 7, 2025.

Read key findings from the Women's Philanthropy Institute's Women & Girls Index 2025 [[link removed]], the most comprehensive measure of charitable giving to women’s and girls’ organizations in the United States. The 2025 index presents updated data from 2022 and 2023, which provides near-current data and provides greater context than can be gleaned from a single year.

Home Depot stores have become sites of ICE raids, putting workers, families, and customers in danger. At the same time, Home Depot has partnered with Flock Safety, a private surveillance company that tracks vehicles and feeds data into police databases, reportedly accessed by ICE. This is a betrayal of community trust and a major data privacy risk. Zevin Asset Management has shared this letter [[link removed]] to Home Depot from investors with over $300 billion in assets, and asks organizations to consider signing. Read this relevant brief from Zevin Asset Management, Immigration: An Asset, Not a Liability [[link removed]].

What We're Reading

Finding My Way — Malala Yousafzai [[link removed]]

Japan has its first female prime minister, but not all women are celebrating — NBC News [[link removed]]

America's Most Powerful Women in Sports — Forbes [[link removed]]

What We're Watching

Looking to revolutionize diagnosis, treatment, and overall healthcare for women, Sheena Franklin emphasizes how empowering women through collective health data can combat inherent biases and create a more equitable and effective healthcare system.

Have a story to share?

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

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