June 23, 2009
Grants for Women and Girls Grow Faster Than Other Foundation Giving, Study Finds
By Holly Hall
Giving by grant makers who specifically focus on helping women and girls has grown more rapidly in recent years than giving by all foundations, according to a new study released today by the Foundation Center and the Women’s Funding Network.
From 1990 to 2006, the latest year for which data are available, grants directed at women and girls grew to $2.1-billion, a 223-percent increase after inflation. Meanwhile, foundation giving overall grew by 177 percent after inflation, to $39-billion in 2006.
As a share of all foundation grant making, grants to benefit women and girls reached a high of 7.4 percent in 2000 and 2003 and has hovered between 5 and 6 percent since 1990.
A closer analysis of 55 women’s funds, established specifically to benefit women and girls, found that their grants increased by 24 percent, to $35.6-million, from 2004 to 2006,while foundation giving overall grew by 14.8 percent in the same period.
The 55 women’s funds have also seen double-digit fund-raising gains in recent years. In 2006, they raised $101-million, up from $72-million in 2004, a 31-percent increase after inflation. Their assets also grew by 17.4 percent, from $215-million in 2004 to $270-million in 2006.
Since 2006, women’s funds have continued efforts to step up their fund raising. For example, in 2007 the Women’s Funding Network, which represents 145 women’s funds worldwide, announced a campaign to raise $1-billion in gifts of $1-million or more from individuals. That campaign has raised $180-million to date.
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We are a New York based not-for-profit group…working with Woman who survived the Holocaust the Nazis wrought upon the Jewish people. We would like to be a part of your organization. What are the steps required to do so…
— Silvia Preval Jun 23, 03:41 PM #
This story is missing an important “Who.”
That would be Helen LaKelly Hunt, largely responsible for the rise of women’s funds worldwide.
Helen and her sister, Ambassador Swanee Hunt, are the founders and first funders of the Women Moving Millions initiative that surpassed its initial goal of $150 million raised in gifts of $1 million and above.
Congratulations to Helen, Swanee, Christine Grumm, Tracy Gary, and the other pioneering women philanthropists who are making history with this unprecedented outpouring of women’s gifts going to help women and girls.
To Silvia Preval’s question, go to the Women’s Funding Network website (http://www.womensfundingnetwork.org) and you can learn how your fund can qualify to participate.
My own gift is going to the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which joined the WFN recently.
— Ruth Ann Harnisch Jun 23, 04:39 PM #
FFAWN- Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now INC. Is an organization created to inspire women from all walks of life to gain the confidence and skills they need to reach their individual potential.
We accomplish our mission to empower and encourage women by shaping and supporting programs that foster education, career development, strong self esteem, and personal growth.
We would like to receive more information and updates regarding funding opportunities and so forth. Please keep us informed on what is available.
Our website is WWW.FFAWN.ORG
— Mari Jun 23, 05:32 PM #
this is great but what’s missing is the equity issue. women’s funds only account for 7.4 percent of total giving! women’s funds are increasing but total grant money given to organizations with missions to specifically address women and girls still lags behind. without women’s funds the inequity would be even worse. we are no where near parity when it comes to funding organizations working for women.
— sheri Jun 23, 11:54 PM #
How do I find a grant writer so I may access the available grants? Where do I find a grant writer that has a high success rate?
thanks for any help!
— Elizabeth Case Jun 24, 12:38 PM #