Dozens of studies published in the last ten years have reached the same conclusion: so-called “universal” programs do not help women and girls nearly as significantly as gender-specific programs.

And yet, still only 7% of philanthropic dollars nationwide go to programs that support women and girls.  Clearly there is a major gap between need and funding. Women's Fund helps to close that gap by making grants to programs that ensure all women and girls have the right to equality, safety, opportunity and self-determination in every aspect of their lives.

Women’s Funds

One of the many ways that women began to address the issue of empowerment was through the development of Women’s Funds and a national network of such funds called the Women's Funding Network. Prior to 1985, there were only a handful of funding organizations that focused on women and girls including the Chicago Foundation for Women. Soon cities including Boston, Atlanta and others followed suit and by 1990 there were 60 Women’s Funds raising 5.6 million dollars. Currently, approximately $25 million in grant funds are distributed annually by Women's Funds throughout the U.S.