Community News: Highlighting Our Members
July 17, 2020

Elizabeth Headshot

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you would agree that the Women’s Funding Network is equally about what you get, what you give, and what we share. It’s about how we show up for one another again and again. Stepping up to support one another and stepping forward when it really counts — each of us contributing in our own way, but always together — builds something greater than ourselves: a powerful, indefatigable funding movement for equity and justice.

Today, I am asking you to take even greater action to support the network to help make all of us stronger. I invite you to nominate yourself or another member you admire to serve as part of the Women’s Funding Network board of directors.

I wouldn’t be asking for this commitment if it weren’t important. I know each of you face seemingly endless demands on your time. But we are living in unprecedented times when it’s possible to meet abject oppression with brave resistance.

Indeed, I’ve seen that this is how each of you are meeting this moment. I am inspired by the many ways that women’s funds and foundations have been the first responders and essential workers in philanthropy. Our network continues to come together to draw strength, expertise and innovative ideas from one another; to take on new challenges amid the dual crises of COVID-19 and systemic racism; to ensure that Black and indigenous women, girls, and gender non-conforming persons of color are represented at the tables of power; to hold philanthropy accountable to our network’s guiding values of solidarity, learning, empowering and enabling each other to lead, challenging oppressive norms and power, abundance, resourcefulness, gratitude, integrity, sustainability, generosity, interdependence, honesty, and courage.

We need the most innovative thinkers in philanthropy to join the board so we can be our strongest at this time. Because there is so much to do, so much at risk. Now is the time when we must strengthen our network so it can strengthen all of us.

Please consider joining us.

Yours for equity and justice,
Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network
President & CEO
WFN BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATIONS
POLL RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK:
Do you have a Women's Fund in your immediate community?
Yes: 70%
No: 30%

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The WFN Board of Directors is seeking nominations from the membership to join the governing body for a three-year term starting in September 2020. Please nominate one of our members who you know will bring forward the leadership, knowledge, and enthusiasm for our shared gender and racial justice mission, and work with the staff to better serve and support this fantastic community. You can find the link to a brief nominating form here ([link removed]) .
WFN MEMBER INITIATIVES
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Washington Area Women's Foundation has produced and curated anti-racism resources here ([link removed]) , and is taking a look at racism in philanthropy in a recent publication "Closing the Gap in Funding for Women and Gender-Expansive People of Color." ([link removed])

OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
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The Open Society Foundations announced they will investing $220 million in emerging organizations and leaders building power in Black communities across the country. “It is inspiring and powerful to experience this transformational moment in the racial justice movement. We are honored to be able to carry on the vital work of fighting for rights, dignity, and equity for oppressed people the world over started by our founder and chair, George Soros." - Patrick Gaspard, Open Society Foundations’ President

Recipients of this set of investments range from emerging groups to more established forces for civil rights. For more information, click here ([link removed]) .
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Introducing the Children Thrive Action Network: Defending and Supporting America’s Children in Immigrant Families

The Early Childhood Funders Collaborative ([link removed]) and Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees ([link removed]) invite funders to join us to learn about the new Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN)
([link removed]) . The mission of CTAN is to defend and support children in the United States in mixed-status immigrant families by engaging service providers and advocates at the national, state, and local levels who work directly with or on behalf of children in immigrant families.

July 22
12pm-1pm PT / 3pm - 4pm ET
Registere here ([link removed]) !
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The Surdna Foundation has released a new report ([link removed]) : "Celestial Navigation: How to Fund Culture Change in the U.S." which lays out recommendations for funders to anchor the emerging field of art and social justice.
WEEKLY READ
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The horrific killing of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen has created a #MeToo moment for military women. - New York Times ([link removed])

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In the middle of a public health crisis, the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to overturn the Affordable Health Care Act, which is dangerous, especially for women. - New York Times ([link removed])

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With the extra pressures of the "second shift" being put on women during the pandemic, will women have to work harder? - BBC ([link removed])

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In South Africa, the "war on women" did not step when the country went into lock-down over COVID-19. The country still continues to face a gender-based violence problem. - CNN ([link removed])

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She the People, a national advocacy group, says Joe Biden's presidential campaign is falling short out on its outreach to women of color. - USA Today ([link removed])

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At the 2020 Girl Up leadership summit, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, urged young women to "push" humanity in a "more inclusive" direction. - BBC ([link removed])

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Read a piece ([link removed]) from Melinda Gates about the pandemic's toll on women. "As policymakers work to protect and rebuild economies, their response must account for the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women."

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At Girls With Impact ([link removed]) , teen girls from 40 states completed the nation's only live, online entrepreneurship academy for girls.

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WATCH: On Tuesday, the United Nations hosted, "Women Rise for All," a virtual gathering of influential women from across different regions, sectors and generations, to examine how their leadership is shaping pandemic response and recovery that benefits all people.

If you have a story to share, please email Megan at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
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