Dear Colleagues,

The discovery of dozens of migrants – including children – who died in an uncooled semi-truck in San Antonio, Texas just days after pregnant people in the U.S. lost the right to bodily autonomy, has made me think about something Audre Lorde once said: Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the now.

The nature of our work is maddening. It’s about long-term change, but we don’t have the luxury of time. As we polish our infographics and test our logic models, we must never forget what’s at stake. Progress that is too slow kills.

That’s why, like you, I’m digging deeper each day to find the strength to do what must be done now. After connecting with WFN staff and our members, I feel heartened by the passion in this community and the brilliance of your ideas. I’m also inspired by the hardening of our collective commitment to resource independent feminist movements across the globe.

Thank you for joining us on a journey we may not see finished in our lifetimes. Thank you for doing what you can do now. 

Read more about the effort in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, and in our op-ed in Inside Philanthropy. And if you haven’t already, please sign this bold new philanthropic pledge to protect abortion access and reproductive justice. Nearly 200 organizations have signed on, and this is just the start. We will not stop until we reach freedom for all.

Yours with respect and gratitude,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network 
President & CEO

First, to all of the birthing and pregnant people in our community, we see you, we see your humanity and we will always fight for your rights and dignity. There is no shame in abortion, and we value your life and liberty.  

Second, it’s time to invest resources in our communities and people. This issue has been fought in the courts for over 50 years, and it’s time for philanthropy, movement groups, policymakers to invest in the people most impacted and the local solutions. Join us in making this commitment, sign the pledge.

A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities and Women's Funding Network are hosting a virtual funder briefing on July 6^th from 2-3pm focused on bringing attention to organizations that are engaged in combatting reproductive inequities and work to tread a collaborative pathway forward to amplify our shared call to action. The webinar aims to lift-up Black-led reproductive justice organizations and their collective response to Supreme Court and other state court decisions regarding Roe v. Wade. Register now to attend. 

WFN Member News

Thank you to Fondo Centroamericano de Mujeres - FCAM for renewing their 2022 WFN Membership, and a hearty welcome to Narda Mamou for joining WFN as our newest individual member. 

Transition News: WFN Communications Director, Ellen Moorhouse, is leaving the WFN team at the end of the week to pursue elected office. Join us in wishing her well on this next adventure, and in sharing our huge appreciation for all of her amazing work and leadership on the WFN team.   For any communications needs, reach out to Megan. 

The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation applauds the passage of SB 446, the “Workforce Behind the Workforce Act” which directs the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan to foster sustainable childcare opportunities for working families and businesses. Learn more about their 2022 legislative watch list here. 

As the only community foundation in the state focused on the advancement of women and their families, The Women's Foundation of Colorado is committed to working with their state's reproductive justice leaders to navigate this reproductive justice crisis. Check out these resources.

Opportunities and Resources

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) is bringing conversations on racial healing and racial equity to the Aspen Ideas Festival. La June Montgomery Tabron, WKKF President & CEO joins a discussion with Yamiche Alcindor, Washington correspondent for NBC News and the moderator for Washington Week, the Peabody Award-winning weekly news analysis series on PBS.

The session will be streamed online. All WKKF subscribers will receive the link to the livestream via email on Thursday.

June 30, 2022 | 2:30pm-3:15pm EST.

In partnership with the Directors Guild Producers Training Plan, Career Girls is hosting a free virtual event about the path to success as a director in the television and movie industry: Directing the Vision: Career Chat with the Directors Guild Producers. July 27, 2022 | 4:00pm PST | Register here.

Black Philanthropy Initiative is seeking a values-aligned partner or collaboration of partners to develop a second research report to be released digitally in August 2023. They will revisit local data captured in BPI's first report in 2018, Rethinking Philanthropy: An Exploration of Black Communities in Forsyth County, to assess where we are as a community and how we need to respond.

Check out the Request for Proposals to learn more about the project’s scope of work and deliverables. The deadline to submit an LOI is midnight, July 6.

As Sister Song has defined, Hispanics In Philanthropy (HIP) believes personal bodily autonomy is a human right. Their Call to Fund Grassroots Reproductive Justice Movement uplifts women and pregnant people, especially people of color, who already face barriers to access to reproductive healthcare, and calls for lasting investments. From advocacy to strategic funding to support health equity, there are many ways we can all step up to show our support.

This new tool from the Institute for Women's Policy Research, An Economic Case for Ending Harmful State Policies, seeks to capture the costs of reproductive health restrictions at the state level. Explore the impact of eliminating abortion restrictions on U.S. labor force participation and earnings growth in your state.

What We're Reading

What We're Watching

Women’s Foundation of the South has produced its first video in an impact series called Learn with Us. The video examines the maternal/child mortality crisis for Black people giving birth in Louisiana, by setting the table for a conversation with grassroots leaders.

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