The report, “Accelerating Change for Women and Girls: The Role of Women’s Funds” published in 2009 is based upon a research conducted by the Foundation Center and the Women’s Funding Network to understand the increased interest in providing funding for women and girls and how this has been leading to a positive impact on communities.
As the study mostly covered those grantmakers which were also members of the Women’s Funding Network, their guiding principles included investing in women and women-led solutions; investing in women is like investing in a family and thus ultimately benefiting the community and the society. Social change is integral to women’s funding as transformation of systems and practices are essential for women’s empowerment.
“To accelerate social change, women’s funds seek to engage their constituents at multiple levels, beyond purely financial involvement. For example, well over half of member funds surveyed participate in community, national and/or international leadership in collaborative efforts or networks; serve as staff, board members, or advisors for other organizations, public commissions, or taskforces; conduct research on the status of women and girls; and provide thought leadership on key community issues.
In examining the grantmaking practices of US-based women’s funding, it has been found that the majority of grants awarded by the women’s funds were less than $10,000 in the year 2006. The area of “human rights” received the largest grant allocation, which included women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights and other human rights activities.
The study also found that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ranked as both the top funder overall and the top international funder for women and girls.
The report is available at this link.
