At The New York Women’s Foundation®, we work together to transform the conditions of poverty and to create an equal and just future for low-income women and girls. Our work is rooted in a tradition of educating women of all means about how we can help each other by engaging as activist philanthropists. It is this singular commitment of women helping other women that sets The New York Women’s Foundation® apart from more traditional philanthropic organizations.

As activist philanthropists, we understand that no gift is too small to make a difference; that we can accomplish more by coming together to leverage our collective financial and intellectual resources; and that working to eradicating poverty means that we must give strategically to affect long-term systemic change.

At the Foundation, you will find women from all walks of life. Our board of directors, staff, and committee volunteers are a diverse and remarkable team working toward common goals. The Foundation leadership includes women of different ages, economic backgrounds, and ethnic origins who bring with them a wealth of perspectives and skills. Our supporters are generous with their time, resources, and ideas, actively working to improve the lives of women and girls.

When we act together to raise money in order to fund women leaders and women-led organizations, we are creating positive change in the lives of women, girls and communities as activist philanthropists.

At the Foundation, we work “close to the ground.” Not only are we well-versed in our understanding and approach to the complexity and the inter-connectedness of the issues that impact women’s lives, we work closely with our grantee partners, incorporating their wisdom and their “front-line” expertise into our grantmaking strategies.

Everyone can become involved in the Foundation’s work as an activist philanthropist.

As a public philanthropy, our grantmaking relies on contributions. Our diverse philanthropic partners help us raise money and spread the word for others to join us. A donor to the Foundation may be an individual whose gift of $10 represents the full capacity of her charitable contribution. Or it may be one of New York’s leading business or legal institutions whose donation demonstrates to its clients and the community that the business supports women’s economic independence. A donation may come from someone of substantial resources who underwrites a grant or initiative, makes a planned gift, or contributes to our endowment; or it may be the collective gift of a giving circle or other affinity group.

The common theme among all of these contributions is the choice to make a difference in one’s own community, and the ability of the Foundation to leverage these collective resources. Our strategic philanthropy ensures that grants go to women helping women build independent lives with living wages, and create safe, healthy communities.

In 2011, the Foundation will award $4 million to more than 60 organizations in New York City. General operating, program–specific, and capacity–building grants support strategic areas: anti–violence and safety; economic security; health, sexual rights and reproductive justice. We are often the first institution to offer significant support to community–based nonprofits serving women and girls. Over the past 24 years, we have developed mastery in identifying and supporting innovative and effective organizations and programs working for broad, positive change for women and girls

Our participatory grantmaking process engages a diverse range of women’s voices and perspectives. Our staff, along with Grants Advisory Committee volunteers, visits over 70 organizations throughout the City. Partnering with volunteer teams, “the eyes and ears” in the community, our knowledgeable staff brings their expertise in community needs, nonprofit management, and gender analysis to make strategic funding recommendations.

The Foundation has thrived on this vision of combining hands-on philanthropy with community-driven projects. By asking our supporters to engage in our grantmaking process, we build partnerships among women who have the resources to give, women who can teach us more about our neighborhoods, and women who are overcoming the challenges of poverty.

As The New York Women’s Foundation’s grantee partners encourage their constituents to become self-reliant, we help organizations become increasingly sustainable and effective. In addition to general operating and program-specific grants, we support grantee partners’ leadership and organizational development through strategic capacity building grants and assistance that enable them to build their infrastructure and learn strategies for growth.

The New York Women’s Foundation® supports a wide range of activities that promote and protect the rights of women and girls. In addition to funding programs that seek to create systemic change for all low-income New Yorkers, the Foundation also mobilizes its network to act in support of policies that enable women and girls to live economically secure, safe, and healthy lives. We convene public forums and issue briefings to raise awareness and address issues of concern.

Involvement with The New York Women’s Foundation® can be a life-changing experience. We encourage women to join in helping our communities grow strong, and we honor many for their courage, commitment, and passion. Our annual Breakfast is an event unlike any other in New York City, drawing together thousands of guests to applaud the achievements of remarkable leaders in philanthropy, community-based work, and women’s rights.

• Our Celebrating Women® Award is given each year to a woman whose significant achievements have influenced the lives of—and provided a role model for—women and girls.
• Our Vision Award acknowledges and praises strategic philanthropy.
• The Century Award is a unique award presented to a woman whose social activism and work on behalf of women has spanned many decades.
• Our Neighborhood Leadership Awards, given at our annual fall Neighborhood Dinner, recognize women who have committed their lives to neighborhood-based work on behalf of women and girls.
• The Stepping Up Award, given at our Fall Dinner is presented to women or men who serve as roles models and who demonstrate courageous leadership, vision and commitment to creating a just New York City.

The Foundation’s endowment is invested in companies that “do well by doing good” – they have women in leadership positions and have strong policies for women employees.