Welcome to the weekly newsletter from the Women's Funding Network.
WEEKLY NEWS // FEBRUARY 1, 2022
// A LETTER FROM THE VICE-CHAIR OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our History is Our Future
Today marks the beginning of Black History Month (BHM) in the U.S. and Canada, a time to celebrate the achievements of Black men and women in North America.
Suzanne B. Peters, the Vice-Chair of the Women's Funding Network's Board of Directors, shares her reflections as a Black woman in America, the intersection of race and gender, and calls for philanthropic partners across the globe to ensure “herstories” of Black women are told in this week's featured guest piece.
"As a Black woman, I reflect on the importance of Black History Month in terms of lessons learned and how they shape the future. Like the story of the Sankofa bird, who flies with its feet facing forward and its head looking back – there is value in learning from the past, bringing it to the present, and building the future. We must learn about and acknowledge the dark history of slavery, segregation, and discrimination, but we also must arm ourselves with the knowledge of the lasting positive impact and legacy of many great Black leaders across the globe. Our history is our future."
- Suzanne B. Peters. WFM Board of Directors, Vice-Chair
Welcome to the WFN Team
Join us in welcoming two new members to the WFN Team.
Kinisha Holland serves as WFN’s Operations Associate, where she brings a high level of administrative assistance and skilled support to our growing organization, board of directors, and global leadership.
Mirenda Meghelli serves as Senior Manager for Policy and Programs, managing day-to-day programs and projects, overall program systems, and policy work that helps our members advance the sector for gender and racial equity.
WFN Membership Renewals
We know that our network is only as strong as the people who are a part of it. Join us in appreciating our latest 2022 new and renewing members. If you have questions about membership or would like additional information, contact us.
- Canadian Women's Foundation
- Funders for Justice
- WNY Women's Foundation
- Women's Fund of East Tennessee
- Women's Fund of Greater Fort Wayne
- Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee
- Muadi Mukenge
- Rise Up
WFN Member News
The latest episode of Alright, Now What?, the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s podcast, discusses The State of Gender Justice. Paulette Senior, President and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, and a WFN Board member, recently wrote about this topic in The Hill Times, saying, “We need gender justice pursued at a level, pace, and sophistication Canada has not yet known.” In this episode, Paulette gives us deeper insight into what’s so concerning about the state of gender justice today and where we need to go.
Opportunities and Resources
The Environmental Grantmakers Association, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders, Blue Sky Funders Forum, and Trust-Based Philanthropy Project are pleased to invite you to a 4-part learning series on cultivating trust-based philanthropy to guide your organization’s practices, culture, structures, and leadership. The series is open to staff, board members, and trustees of grantmaking entities. Register here.
Hispanics In Philanthropy recently updated their Latinx Funders platform with data from 2013-2018, which confirmed that Latinx communities continue to be significantly underfunded by the philanthropic sector, despite making up 18.5% of the U.S. population. To read the full report, click here.
Gender IDEAL recently released the results of their pilot report, Using Data to Advance Workplace Norms on Gender, where they found that 58% of companies have taken steps to eliminate gender-bias from their recruitment process, which demonstrates a commitment to building gender-inclusive teams.
As the giving circle movement continues to grow, Philanthropy Together is excited to shine the spotlight on giving circles around the world. Are you having a record year in membership? Just awarded your first grant? Organized a volunteer day? Tell them about it!
Charity Navigator announced the launch of the Global Giving Circle Directory, which allows you to search for a giving circle by distance and/or cause area. Check out this quick video to see how the Global Giving Circle Directory work in action, as Emily Schaefer, Grapevine's Director of Content and Community, walks through how to use the new resource.
What We're Reading
With the decision by Justice Stephen G. Breyer to retire, Biden is expected to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court — The New York Times
A reproductive-rights activist explains the realities of abortion for Latina women. — The New Yorker
Women who experienced financial hardship as a result of the pandemic were also more likely to be abused by their partners, according to an Australian study.. — The New York Times
What We're Watching
WATCH: Sexual harassment in the military is now a crime.
