Fall 2013 A semi-annual report from Women’s Funding Network offering a closer look at the latest learning, work, and impact within our global community of more than 150 women’s funds and foundations Unlocking Women’s Economic Potential In June, Women’s Funding Network launched Women & the New Economy, a series of convenings to explore patterns, practices and partnerships that affect women and girls in today’s changing economic landscape. At two-day gatherings in the Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast United States, we are bringing together women’s funds and foundations to discuss questions such as: Each convening creates an intimate space for changemakers within the women’s funding community to connect with peers, meet new partners, and learn about the latest research and practices. With the support of our donors and partners such as U.S. Trust and Ford Foundation, Women’s Funding Network brings dynamic speakers to each event and also provides lodging, travel, and other expenses for attendees. By making the experience more accessible, we have engaged more than 100 attendees across the convenings. This shared learning often sparks new strategies and deeper relationships, on everything from grantmaking at the local level to collective action as a region. Many participants discover that women’s funds and foundations in neighboring communities are working toward common goals. Through the power of our Network, they see the potential to collaborate on strategies and pool their connections and funding for bigger impact. Comments from leaders who joined us: How are shifts in resources, access, and economic stability influencing women’s paths? What new economic realities are shaping the role of philanthropy and social change? As these shifts demand more creativity and resilience, how can we work collectively and across sectors to re-imagine the work of change? What: Three regional convenings across the United States focused on women’s economic security and the role of women-led philanthropy in shaping it. Who: Over 100 leaders from women’s funds and foundations, representatives from partner organizations, and speakers from Pew Research Center, Harvard, National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, and other leading organizations. Why it matters: Over 80% of grants within the women’s funding community are directed to women and girls with low to no income. Through shared learning and collective action, those grants are invested more strategically and connected to new resources and partners for bigger impact. “ Thank you all for leading the way for the women’s funding movement and creating spaces where we can share experiences, ideas and knowledge. ” “ Really enjoyed the intimacy of a group of this size and the opportunity to make genuine connections with colleagues across the region. ” “ Great generator of thought around our approach to grant-making and grant-seeking. Feel we can be more effective with both after this. ”
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Fall 2013 A semi-annual report from Women’s Funding Network offering a closer look at the latest learning, work, and impact within our global community of more than 150 women’s funds and foundations
Unlocking Women’s Economic Potential In June, Women’s Funding Network launched Women & the New Economy, a series of convenings to explore patterns, practices and partnerships that affect women and girls in today’s changing economic landscape. At two-day gatherings in the Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast United States, we are bringing together women’s funds and foundations to discuss questions such as:
Each convening creates an intimate space for changemakers within the women’s funding community to connect with peers, meet new partners, and learn about the latest research and practices. With the support of our donors and partners such as U.S. Trust and Ford Foundation, Women’s Funding Network brings dynamic speakers to each event and also provides lodging, travel, and other expenses for attendees. By making the experience more accessible, we have engaged more than 100 attendees across the convenings.
This shared learning often sparks new strategies and deeper relationships, on everything from grantmaking at the local level to collective action as a region. Many participants discover that women’s funds and foundations in neighboring communities are working toward common goals. Through the power of our Network, they see the potential to collaborate on strategies and pool their connections and funding for bigger impact.
Comments from leaders who joined us:
How are shifts in resources, access, and economic stability influencing women’s paths?
What new economic realities are shaping the role of philanthropy and social change?
As these shifts demand more creativity and resilience, how can we work collectively and across sectors to re-imagine the work of change?
What: Three regional convenings across the United States focused on women’s economic security and the role of women-led philanthropy in shaping it.
Who: Over 100 leaders from women’s funds and foundations, representatives from partner organizations, and speakers from Pew Research Center, Harvard, National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, and other leading organizations.
Why it matters: Over 80% of grants within the women’s funding community are directed to women and girls with low to no income. Through shared learning and collective action, those grants are invested more strategically and connected to new resources and partners for bigger impact.
“ Thank you all for leading the way for the women’s funding movement and creating spaces where we can share experiences, ideas and knowledge. ”“ Really enjoyed the intimacy of a group of this size and the opportunity to make genuine connections with colleagues across the region. ”“ Great generator of thought around our approach to grant-making and grant-seeking. Feel we can be more effective with both after this. ”
At a time when past gains on reproductive health and justice continue to be threatened, philanthropy is just one essential ingredient to social change. Tough issues often call for action and partnerships in addition to the power of the purse.
That is why Women’s Funding Network launched Raising Leaders, Raising Millions in 2011 with support from the Packard Foundation. Over two years, the initiative has helped raise large gifts for reproductive justice and engage a diverse group of women philanthropists as changemakers on reproductive health issues.
This September, we marked the culmination of the project with a donor retreat, co-hosted with Women Donors Network. More than 25 donor activists joined us in New York City to strengthen their knowledge of reproductive health issues and equip themselves to take action. Speakers from Fenton Communications, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Ultraviolet, and other leading organizations shared messages, tools, and case studies that are driving change.
As a result, donors said they felt equipped to be even savvier philanthropists, and they were energized about the other roles they can play in advancing reproductive health.
Engaging Donors as Change Agents
A Letter from our CEOThe end of the year is traditionally considered a season of giving, but at Women’s Funding Network, I am encouraging us to also think about it as a season of gratitude.
In these last few months of the year, we are creating space to refl ect on our accomplishments. As we do, naturally our thoughts turn to our donors, members, and other partners whose support has fueled those accomplishments.
So I want to sincerely thank you for being an important part of Women’s Funding Network.
Thirty years ago, in the beginning, the women’s funding movement was a gathering of about 20 leaders who were convinced that philanthropy and social change needed to more fully recognize and include women’s voices.
Today, Women’s Funding Network is a growing community of more than 150 women’s funds and foundations spanning more than 25 countries.
As we recognize our 30th anniversary in 2014, it is exciting to see that the values that seeded our early work – shared learning, collective action, a common vision – continue to be the values at the heart of our Network going forward.
Working with supporters like you, we are engaging more communities, rallying new voices, and building fresh learning experiences and tools to create the next chapter in our global movement.
It is because of leaders like you that the women’s funding movement is thriving.
In the last few months alone, I have witnessed incredible moments of innovation, learning, and sharing among our Network. Some of those stories are captured in this Impact Report. From our offi ces in San Francisco to our member funds on the other side of the world, I am thrilled to see the richness of insight, advocacy, leadership, and change our Network is driving and how it all shapes the women’s funding movement.
On behalf of the board and staff of Women’s Funding Network, please accept heartfelt thanks for your commitment to improving the lives of women and girls. I hope our paths will cross soon as we work together to create the next chapter in the women’s funding movement.
With gratitude,
Michele Ozumba, President & CEO
Our efforts to strengthen the Network in 2013 have led us to reach new audiences, collaborate with more organizations, and bring new benefits to members:
Our efforts to strengthen the Network in 2013 have led us to reach new audiences, collaborate with more organizations, and bring new benefits to members:
We are now a referral partner of TrustLaw Connect, a program from the Thomson Reuters Foundation that links social enterprises and NGOs with top law firms around the world offering pro bono legal assistance. Members of Women’s Funding Network are now eligible for fast-track access to free legal assistance.
In September, we hosted a screening of Inequality for All, which looks at the widening income inequality through the lens of economic policy expert Robert Reich. More than 50 people joined us, and Michele Ozumba, President and CEO, led a discussion with one of the film’s producers.
In September, Michele Ozumba joined Women Moving Millions and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University in presenting to about 250 participants on a webinar hosted by U.S. Trust. Michele spoke about current trends that are shaping women-led social change.
Women’s Funding Network is an outreach partner for Let Girls Lead, an event to be hosted by the International Museum of Women on November 19 in San Francisco.
Growing the NetworkStrengthening the movement
Our Network spans more than 25 countries on six continents, with over 150 women’s funds and foundations connected in a movement for change. So far in 2013, we have welcomed eight new members:
Catapult
Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund
Connecticut Community Foundation
Fonds Pour Les Femme Congolaises
Women’s Philanthropy Network Fund of the Community Foundation of Collier County
Women’s Fund of Greater Omaha
The United Nations Foundation
Women and Girls Development Fund of the San Antonio Area Community Foundation
memberS
PartnerS
We continue to build our Board of Directors to reflect the diversity of our Network and the strength of the women’s funding community. We were excited to welcome three new board members at our October meeting:
Julie Abrams Investor, Board Director, and
Entrepreneurial & Social Sector Growth Consultant
Roslyn Dawson Thompson President & CEO, Dallas Women’s Foundation
Member of Women’s Funding Network
Laura Garcia Coudurier Head of Analysis & Institutional
Strengthening, Semillas Member of Women’s Funding Network
board
Engage more communities and new voices – so that our Network continues to reflect the diversity and power of the women’s funding movement.
Equip women-led changemakers with fresh insight and tools – so that they can do the work that matters most for women and girls, with resources that match the need.
Lift our own voice as a field-tested, forward-thinking social change organization – so that our experience benefits other organizations and our impact is sustained.
Make a gift today at womensfundingnetwork.org.
Will you join us? We are on a journey to strengthen, connect, and amplify women-led social change. By investing in Women’s Funding Network now, you become an even closer partner in the work. You will be engaged in our Network’s shared learning and stay connected to the movement through updates like this one. Just as we benefit from your gift, we hope you will benefit from our insight on women’s issues and social change.
Women’s Funding Network is the largest philanthropic network in the world dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. As a network of more than 150 women’s funds and foundations in over 25 countries, we champion a vision that a better world for women and girls is a better world for all.
In 2014, our Network will celebrate its 30th anniversary. It’s a seminal moment to embrace changing times and envision the next generation of this movement. That’s why we’re seeking visionary partners to join us as we:
Help us create the future of women-led change.
505 Sansome Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111, USATel 415.441.0706 [email protected] womensfundingnetwork.org
Follow us @womensfunding Like us facebook.com/womensfundingnetwork
To learn more about how our work can connect with your own journey as a changemaker, contact us at (415) 441-0706 or [email protected].
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