The Global Fund for Women works with a large network of Advisors based in the countries where we make grants. Most Advisors are activists on various women’s rights issues in their own countries or region.

Advisors inform GFW about the status of women’s rights and women’s organizations in their countries and, often, regionally. They help GFW staff gain a better understanding of the context within which local women’s human rights groups are operating in their own countries. Advisors act as ambassadors, reaching out to marginalized groups to provide information about GFW and our grantmaking. They provide their guidance and support on a voluntary basis.

Advisors provide guidance on our grantmaking strategies and priorities and play a key role in giving input on the groups that the Global Fund is considering for funding. Positive endorsement from an advisor is necessary for before giving a grant to a group. In our commitment to an inclusive and informed decision making process, we usually seek input from several advisors, as well as grantees and other contacts in the region. This input is crucial to our process. All final grant decisions are approved by the Global Fund Board of Directors and GFW’s Executive Team, balancing input from our advisory network, our grantmaking staff’s efforts to prioritize marginalized populations and regions, and the amount of money the Global Fund has available for grantmaking.

GFW Advisors by Region