FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is gender justice?
We define gender justice as the systemic redistribution of power, opportunities, and access for the benefit of people of all genders through the dismantling of harmful structures like patriarchy, homophobia, and transphobia. Similar to terms like racial justice and climate justice, it signifies an intersectional approach thatcenters the needs, experiences, and leadership of people most impacted by discrimination and oppression. Learn more about gender justice.
Why does Global Fund for Women support movements?
Broad-based social movements are one of the most effective mechanisms to create and sustain long-term social transformation. Under our new FY21-24 Strategic Plan, we are doubling down on our mission to provide more money, resources, and decision-making power to movements and shift power toward women, girls, and marginalized people worldwide. Our movement-led approach drives our grantmaking, fundraising, communications, partnerships, and internal operations. Learn more about our approach.
What is your track record of success?
Global Fund for Women was founded in 1987 by Anne Firth Murray, Frances Kissling, and Laura Lederer. Recognizing a lack of resources for women's human rights causes worldwide as a key barrier to the improvement in the status of women, they decided to establish a new foundation to raise money for women's human rights organizations around the world.
Since then, Global Fund for Women has made over 12,000 grants to 5,000+ women-led organizations and gender justice groups in 176 countries. We have provided more than 220 organizations with seed funding to spur their growth during their first year of operations. We have supported feminist movements and grassroots organizers to end civil wars, get female Presidents elected, and secure laws giving new protection to millions of people. Learn more about our history.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, when you make a donation to the Global Fund for Women without receiving goods or services in return, you can deduct it from your taxes. When you give, we will provide you with an acknowledgment by mail or email showing the amount of your tax-exempt donation and our tax ID number.
How do you ensure that my gift is well spent?
We exceed the standards set by the American Institute of Philanthropy and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. These institutions recommend that the program expense to total expense ratio be between 60 and 65 percent. Every year more than three-quarters of the money we raise goes to grants and program services. That includes funds that go directly to gender justice groups and movements as well as our rigorous due diligence process. The remaining quarter of our budget is invested in our staff and used for increased fundraising. We invest in fundraising so that we can award more grants, which we have done every year since our founding.
Can I designate my donation to a specific organization?
According to US tax laws, you may not designate your donation to be given to a specific women's organization abroad. Global Fund for Women’s feminist funding approach is built on flexibility and trust. Whenever possible, we provide unrestricted funding so that organizations can use our support however they may need it. That is just one way we try to shift power from a top-down, donor-led philanthropic approach to a movement-led approach.
Is it cost effective to support grassroots movements?
Yes! Grants to grassroots groups and activists working for equality and justice prove to be one of the most effective uses of financial resources. They deliver support to the people who know how to solve problems at the community level. Small grants are given directly to local leaders who know how to get things done.
Do you pay your Board of Directors?
No, they volunteer their time.
Who funds Global Fund for Women?
We couldn't do this work without individual contributions like yours. Donations from individuals account for nearly three-quarters of our annual income. Small donations add up. We believe that real philanthropy means each and every one of us can make a difference. Learn more about our financial information.
I don't have money to give. What else can I do to help?
In order to transform power and privilege for a few into equity and equality for all we need contributions of all kinds: time, talent, and resources. Learn more about other ways to get involved.