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** APRIL 13, 2021
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Dear Colleagues:

There is no question that the past year forced us to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime moment of global disruption to create new pathways to accomplish our missions. We recently shared our key take-aways for our sector, among them, that we must not only use every tool we have at our disposal, but that we must also change the rulebook ([link removed]) on how those tools are used.

The rules on how we move grant funds were a good start. However, to rebuild a thriving economy centered on the dignity and agency of marginalized genders in communities of color – we must also approach our investments with a bold gender lens strategy.

What exactly is gender lens investing — and why is it so crucial now, more than ever before? Simply put - gender lens investing is a way for individuals and organizations to align their values and commitment to dismantling an inequitable system with their money.

Many of you know Tuti Scott, Founder of Changemaker Strategies ([link removed]) , former board member and once-fellow at WFN. Her latest book, ‘Moving Money for Impact: A Guide to Gender Lens Investing ([link removed]) ,' is launching today on the WFN website. For philanthropists, board members, and investors of all genders who seek to make “money moves that matter,” this guide is an introduction to gender lens investing that came about largely in response to questions and needs expressed by the WFN community.

“We need to use the solutions and opportunities in all areas where money is being moved to apply a gender and social inclusion lens to our giving, investing, spending, consuming and savings,” said Scott in a recent interview with WFN. “We need to move from the why to the how. If not now, when.”

The book features several members of WFN who are leading the way when it comes to gender lens investing. Texas Women’s Foundation was the first to adjust its investment strategy ([link removed]) with a gender lens, leading to 100% of its financial assets being invested in a gendered impact portfolio. This yielded strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. Teresa Younger, President and CEO of the Ms. Foundation for Women, asked a crucial question when she took the helm — “are our assets in the foundation’s endowment in sync with its mission?” This led to a game-changing process where the organization has more than doubled their investment, reinvesting millions in their grantees ([link removed]) as a result of this gender-lens investing strategy.

I am proud to be part of a network of leaders who are using money to change the rules on who gets to have, and wield, power. By increasing women’s access to capital, funding women's businesses, and/or empowering women to be investors and movers of capital, you are creating a new vision for our collective future. Thank you for all you do.

Yours in Solidarity,

Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network
President & CEO
Click here to check out the full interview with Elizabeth and Tuti ([link removed])
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The guide, Moving Money for Impact; A Guide to Gender Lens Investing ([link removed]) , is now available on the WFN website. The guide itself is free, as the content is on Creative Commons and all contributors agreed to share their material. WFN proudly amplifies resources created by our members, for our members and our sector.

The Women's Funding Network sends our condolences to the family of Daunte Wright ([link removed]) . We stand in solidarity against white supremacy and call for an end to its legacy of state violence perpetrated by police officers’ extrajudicial killing of brown and black people. We support liberating resources and shifting power to marginalized genders in communities of color so that we can all thrive in equity and justice.


** What We're Reading

R ([link removed]) eality is Horror Enough ([link removed])

by Roxane Gay

P ([link removed]) hilanthropy is Still Underfunding Black Liberation ([link removed])

by Robin Beck and Malachi Garza
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** WFN EVENTS
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[link removed]
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE ([link removed])
VIEW OUR PAST WEBINAR ([link removed])

WFN Members:

We are launching four Peer Communities organized around issues we heard the most interest in from our conversations with you over the last year.

For the following peer communities, please email Jessica Dimas (mailto:[email protected] ) !
• Communications and Development
• Advocacy and Public Policy
• Research
• Equity and Justice learning group


** WFN MEMBER NEWS
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The Women's Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation have released the second phase of their Black Women’s Economic Mobility project. Conducted by the University of Cincinnati Economics Center, this report is an examination of Black women’s employment status in Cincinnati region and offers specific policy recommendations to improve outcomes.

[link removed]
Chester County Fund for Women and Girls hosted its first Champions of Change Summit: Bringing All Voices to the Table ([link removed]) . Inspired by the annual Champions of Change Event recognizing an individual and company for their commitment to practices that align with women's economic advancement and equity, the summit united previous honorees of the Corporate Champion of Change Award and Gladys Black 'Woman of Distinction' Award for a dialogue and panel discussions on best practices in diverse and inclusive leadership.

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The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is seeking a new Investments Associate with three to seven years of investment experience to help invest and manage the Foundation’s portfolio. To learn more, click here ([link removed]) .

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The Funders' Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP) has released A Blueprint for Philanthropic Census Engagement ([link removed]) , which includes Census Bureau milestones and concrete examples of ways funders can engage and invest in census work throughout the decade.

Join the Democracy Funders Collaborative Census Subgroup and FCCP’s Funders Census Initiative (FCI) for their Forum on Funder Recommendations to the US Census Bureau ([link removed]) . Participants will hear initial findings and recommendations on strategies and implementation issues. Then, participants will have an opportunity to share -- verbally and in writing -- what worked, what can be improved for the 2030 Census and other surveys, and recommendations to inform the Bureau’s ongoing engagement with philanthropy.

April 16, 2021
2:00pm EST
Register here ([link removed]) .
[link removed]

In recognition of the critical role affordable, accessible high-quality child care plays in the advancement of women’s economic status, The Women's Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) is offering 100 free passes to our community to watch Through the Night ([link removed]) , a powerful documentary featured in this year’s Women+Film festival ([link removed]) . Following the film, in a pre-recorded interview, WFCO President & CEO Lauren Y. Casteel will speak with the beloved child care providers featured in the film.

WFCO has 100 free passes for our community to watch the film. Passes are available on a first come, first served basis. From April 13 – 18, you can watch Through the Night on your own device and time.

To unlock and watch Through the Night, click here ([link removed]) .
Use code: WFCO21

#WomenFunded’21 is coming! Please SAVE THE DATE for September 23, 2021

We are seeking community input and volunteers to join the 2021 Conference Committee. Please indicate your interest HERE ([link removed]) . This committee will work together with WFN staff and event managers to design the virtual gathering this fall.


** OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
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Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) is hosting a webinar, State of Play: Local, National, and Intersectional Responses to Addressing Anti-Asian Violence and Building Durable AAPI Immigrant Power ([link removed]) , which aims to share the narrative, policy, and solidarity efforts addressing anti-Asian violence, and strategize around building durable AAPI Immigrant power across the country.

April 21, 2021
11:00am-12:00pm PST
Register here ([link removed]) .
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In partnership with VoteRunLead, The Skoll World Forum will be talking with frontline leaders from both Georgia and Minnesota who are offering real solutions forward about large-scale voter suppression in Georgia and continued police violence in Minnesota.

Gender, Race, and Systems in American Politics ([link removed])
April 14, 2021
3:30pm PT
Register here ([link removed]) .
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Join The Early Childhood Funders Collaborative (ECFC) and the Raising Child Care Fund for their virtual event, Getting to a National Yes on Health Care: ([link removed]) What can EC Funders Learn? ([link removed]) , where they will discuss with key players in funding and organizing the movement that led the passage of the
Affordable Care Act and the preservation of the ACA through multiple attacks to repeal it.

April 15, 2021
3:00-4:00pm ET
Register here ([link removed]) .

[link removed]
Grantmakers for Girls of Color supported a number of organizations engaged in participatory research with girls and gender-expansive youth of color, to document and help us better understand how they have experienced the past year. To learn more about their research, click here ([link removed]) .

[link removed]

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has released a new report, "What are women’s empowerment collectives and how are they helping women weather COVID-19?" ([link removed]) .

Check out their newest blog post, "Prioritizing gender equality can help us build back stronger from COVID-19. Here's how." ([link removed])

[link removed]
The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) has released a new report, Out of Work, Taking on Care: Young Women Face Mounting Challenges in the “She-cession ([link removed]) , which shows that longstanding inequities in access to quality jobs and affordable care, along with uneven caregiving responsibilities, create unique challenges for young women of color in the pandemic recession.

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The Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA), in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF), released a new report, "Converging Epidemics: COVID-19, HIV & Inequality," ([link removed]) which highlights how marginalized communities have been impacted by COVID-19 in the U.S. and globally, and what their key evolving needs have been as the pandemic has progressed.

[link removed]
Equis Labs released the first phase of their 2020 Post Morten Analays ([link removed]) , where they find that the coronavirus pandemic may have helped drive former President Donald Trump's surprising increase in support from Latinos last November. To learn more, click here ([link removed]) .

[link removed]

Grantmakers in Health is hiring for a new Program Director. A normal day at GIH will find you conducting policy research and data analysis, planning meetings and webinars, fielding surveys, writing articles and reports, and managing networks and learning communities.

To apply, click here ([link removed]) .


** WEEKLY READ
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What happens when women hold many of the jobs controlling the U.S. economy? We're about to find out. - Reuters ([link removed])

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New research explores exactly how the addition of female executives shifts companies' strategic approach to innovation. - Harvard Business Review ([link removed])
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Bobbi Brown, Ginni Rometty and other CEOs share their advice for the next generation of women leaders. - CNBC ([link removed])

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Experts say that women's role in terrorism has been underestimated and overlooked. - ABC News ([link removed])
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New research finds that a universal child-care system would not only help many of those out-of-work employees get back into the workforce, but would also dramatically increase the lifetime earnings and security of women across the country. - CNBC ([link removed])

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How can we design safer cities for women? Read more here ([link removed]) .
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WATCH: Melinda Gates speaks about how we can recover from the COVID-19 pandemic quickly, sustainably and equitably.
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** Browse the New WFN Website!
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