dear friends,
In 2018 we amplified the voices of our members and allies, expanding our network and the broader movement for gender equity. We were a proud contributor to 50/50 Day - a global initiative that promotes a gender-balanced world. With 36,334 live events in 62 countries and 700,000 views of the live stream programming, the message was shared far and wide. In May, we took the stage at the United State of Women (USOW) Summit - an incredible gathering of 5,000 women committed to gender equity - to showcase our newly launched Women Entrepreneurs Resource and Community Space (WERC Space). Convening our tremendous network of change-makers and leaders of the women’s funding movement is always exhilarating and we took three opportunities to do so. At our Women + Money Summit we explored all things related to women-led grantmaking, including how to ensure racial equity is incorporated into programs for women’s economic security. In partnership with Feminist.com and the Center for the Study of Men and Masculinities, we co-hosted the Women and Men As Allies Summit. The dynamic dialogue with over 75 men and women leaders on reproductive rights, workplace equity, men’s violence against women, and gender equity in sports, was much-needed and enthusiastically received. Finally, at our Women + Power Summit in September, we convened 50 women’s foundation executives from the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Together we committed to increased collective action and supporting increased diversity within our leadership ranks. Meanwhile, through our Two Generation Advocacy Cohort and Learning Lab we connected 25 women’s foundations to re-shape policies that move women into middle wage jobs and build financial resources. Major advancements have been made in Arizona, Colorado, Alabama, and Texas. Convening leaders fuels our movement, and provides the necessary time and space to strategize and collaborate. I hope you enjoy reading more in this report.