Welcome to the weekly newsletter from the Women's Funding Network.
WEEKLY NEWS // MAY 3, 2022
// A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO
Feminist funders
will win the future.
Dear Colleagues:
Deep breaths my friends. We have important work ahead of us.
In order to create change and lasting impact, we need to apply feminist principles to grantmaking, advocacy, and power building. It is time for philanthropy to recognize the power of local women’s funds and gender justice funders as critical infrastructure in supporting grassroots ideas and leadership.
Last week I was humbled to join an inspiring line up of leaders at the Power+ Summit hosted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. The key takeaway from the summit included the need to work together, with added urgency, as we witness a rise of authoritarianism and attacks on democracy and further erosion of our bodily autonomy and rights.
In short, fund women’s funds AND their enabling ecosystem of feminist funding networks like WFN and Prospera. Bring women’s funds to the advocacy and progressive funder tables. Fund like a feminist: give people money and get out of the way.
As always, we affirm our support for the women, and gender expansive persons, of the global majority who have been leading the fight for liberty and justice under both insidious, and flagrant, tyranny.
Together, we will win the future.
In solidarity,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network
President & CEO
WFN Member News
Heera Devi, a new Rise Up Leader from Rajasthan, India, is determined to put an end to child marriage in her community. To learn more about her powerful story, click here.
Women's Fund of Rhode Island CEO Kelly Nevins and NAACP Providence Branch President Jim Vincent co-authored an opinion piece in support of voter registration expansions to help ensure robust democracy. Read their joint-oped.
Lutonya Russell-Humes, Director for the Women's Fund in Fairfield County's Community Foundation, wrote an editorial that highlights the work of The emme coalition, which connects women and girls with tools for their lifelong health and wellbeing. Learn more.
Please help us welcome Kim Andrews, the new Executive Director of The Fund for Women and Girls. To read more about Kim and the leadership transition, click here.
The New York Women’s Foundation has awarded the first recipients of its Brooklyn Economic Justice Project (BEJP) accelerator microgrants, distributing $45,000 to 11 organizations and individuals.
President and CEO of the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, Kelley Griesmer, participated in a meeting with members of the Ohio Legislative Children's Caucus recognizing Women's History Month by examining how the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a "she-cession."
This interview with The Women's Fund of Central Ohio President and CEO Kelley Griesmer and Andrea Seidt, Commissioner for the Ohio Department of Commerce, discusses the gender wealth gap and what it means for women.
Join Women’s Fund Miami-Dade virtually via Zoom webinar on Thursday, May 5 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. EDT/1:00-2:30 p.m. UTC for a powerful “10 Days of Connection” Impact Collaborative in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental illness (NAMI) on how we can best help recognize and help prevent suicide attempts by women and girls.
On Friday, May 13, 2022, at 7:30 AM, Women's Foundation of Alabama will host their annual Clearing the Path research showcase. Held in person and virtually, this year’s event will drive a community conversation about the economic impact of women on Alabama and what closing the gender-racial wealth gap will mean for Alabama’s economy.
The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation invites you to their 5th Annual Gala, with dinner, dancing, and the announcement of this year’s AmplifiHER awardee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
May 14, 2022 | Wentworth Country Club | Register here.
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, a new generation of young leaders are eager to deliver on the promise of peace and inclusive regional government. The Asia Foundation highlights the program in their latest episode of InAsia podcast, a bi-weekly in-depth, in-country resource for readers who want to stay abreast of significant events and issues shaping Asia’s development.
The Keene Sentinel published an editorial — citing the New Hampshire Women's Foundation's latest Gender Matters report — on how far New Hampshire has to go when it comes to representation in our judicial branch. To read the editorial, click here. New Hampshire Women's Foundation's CEO Tanna Clews also co-authored an op-ed in the NH Business Review that calls for sustainable solutions to the state’s child care crisis: New Hampshire businesses need sustainable solutions for childcare crisis - NH Business Review.
The Women's Foundation of Colorado is hosting a webinar, WFCO Gender-Lens Investing Webinar for Community. A presentation on The Foundation's goal to have 100% of our investable assets meet our gender-lens strategies by December 2023. Investment strategies include gender mandate strategies; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration; shareholder advocacy; and diverse investment managers. May 19, 2022 | 4:00pm MST | Register here.
Felicia Davis Blakley, President and CEO of Chicago Foundation for Women, joined host Ellee Pai Hong on Comcast Newsmakers: Women Emerging from the Pandemic Stronger to discuss the SHEcovery™ initiative to identify, uplift, fund and advocate for more equitable systems.
Opportunities and Resources
This June, HIPGive will celebrate the LGBTQI+ population by hosting its first-ever #OrgulloyPRIDE crowdfunding campaign. In collaboration with HIP’s Gender and Migration & Forced Displacement programs, this special campaign aims to support and help promote the initiatives of organizations committed to the defense and protection of the human rights of LGBTQI+ people.
Join the info session on May 11th at 10:00am CT.
The Disruptors 2022 Fellowship is now accepting applications. The five-month fellowship provides breakthrough opportunities to 10 LA-based screenwriters and provides skills, stipends, community, and professional and personal growth. Reach out to [email protected] with questions about the fellowship and follow @disruptorsfellowship on Instagram for updates.
The Alliance of State Advocates for Women's Rights and Gender Equality is re-issuing their groundbreaking report, Designed to Deceive: A Study of the Crisis Pregnancy Center Industry in Nine States, with an urgent warning about the role the newly expanded crisis pregnancy center (CPC) industry is poised to play in a post-Roe United States.
Register today for We Give Summit, where you'll learn and connect with giving circle members and supporters from around the world. Happening May 11-14 virtually, you'll hear from dozens of community leaders including PolicyLink Founder in Residence Angela Glover Blackwell, Echoing Green President Cheryl Dorsey, and Nonprofit Leader and Advocate Vu Le. To learn more, click here.
What We're Reading
Feminists Challenge Inaction At UN Summit — New Internationalist
Impact of inflation on economic security, women and families. — Every Child Thrives
What We're Watching
To celebrate International Women's Day, the Victorian Women's Trust, in partnership with Thrive By Five ran a discussion event with panelists Angela Jackson, Nyadol Nuon, Jacqueline Emery and Jay Weatherill, canvassing the issues of childcare reform and examining the current state of affairs in Australia.
A Note on Accessibility:
As we incorporate new communications assets, we strive to ensure that the platforms and tools that enable us to share content are accessible to the widest possible audience. We are committed to learning and growing in this area and appreciate any helpful guidance you have to share. Please reach out if you have any tips or requests to make your experience more accessible.
