About Us

Our philanthropy advances justice for women & families.

“Radical generosity is the type of philanthropy we practice at The New York Women’s Foundation. It’s a philanthropy that knows problems and solutions live in the same place. That people living the issues know the answers.”

—Ana L. Oliveira, President & CEO

WHO

WE ARE

Since 1987, The New York Women’s Foundation has advanced a dynamic philanthropic strategy based on the fundamental reality that, when women and gender-expansive people thrive, their families and communities also thrive. Our work is rooted in gender, racial, and economic justice, and The Foundation is among the largest women-led grantmaking organizations in the world.

HOW

WE WORK

Early investment sets the stage for community leaders to flourish. Our philanthropic approach means engaging on day one and taking a chance on women-led strategies before others do. We trust our grantee partners know the solutions for their communities best. By breaking down barriers and facilitating conversations at the deepest level, The Foundation develops a nimble approach to continued support and sustaining forward progress.

HOW

WE WORK

Early investment sets the stage for community leaders to thrive. Our philanthropic approach means engaging on day one and taking a chance on women-led strategies before others do. We trust our grantee partners know the solutions for their communities best. By breaking down barriers and facilitating conversations at the deepest level, The Foundation develops a nimble approach to continued support and sustaining forward progress.

HOW WE DEFINE

WOMEN

When we say women, we unequivocally mean cis and trans women. As a gender justice funder, we are also inclusive of all other gender-oppressed individuals, including non-binary and gender-expansive people. We celebrate that our community includes a diverse spectrum of gender identities and expressions.

Guided by Women

Our approach is derived from the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our team.
Meet Our Team

OUR HISTORY

Our philanthropy is rooted in trust, and we believe in the power of community. Often the first or largest investor, The Foundation has a history of identifying and funding emerging leaders and organizations—and establishing support for long-term success.

1986

Gloria W. Miliken recruits Helen LaKelly Hunt, Joan Melber Warburg, Alice Cardona, Betty Terrell-Cruz and others to found a philanthropic organization to be run by women for women. 

1988

The Foundation awards grants totaling $50,000 to 4 grantee partners at the first Celebrating Women Breakfast.

1990

The Foundation’s unique volunteer-based participatory grantmaking model, The Allocations Committee, known today as the Grants Advisory Committee, is created.

1997

Over $500,000 is distributed to 23 grantee partners.

2001

9/11 Disaster Relief Fund raises and distributes nearly $700,000 to support nonprofits working with women.

2006

Over 50 grantee partners are awarded $1.65 million. The Foundation launches the Circle of Sisters for Social Change to enable socially conscious women to harness their resources and networks to support social change philanthropy in NYC.



2009

RISE-NYC! (Respond, Inspire, Solve, Engage) partnership launched in response to the recession, increasing grantmaking by 20 percent.



2011

The Foundation awards $4 million to 77 grantee partner organizations. New York Women’s Foundation releases its first gender budget analysis report, A Harder Struggle, Fewer Opportunities.

2012

The Initiative Against Sex Trafficking of Minors is launched. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Founder Secretary of State, is honored with the Century Award at the Celebrating Women Breakfast. New York Women’s Foundation launches Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery Fund.

2014

The Foundation releases Blueprint for Investing in Women Age 60+, the first report from The Voices from The Field series.

2015

The Foundation distributed $6 million to more than 90 grantee partners. The Foundation increased impact through Prosperity Together, a first of its kind partnership with 27 public U.S. women’s foundations and the Women’s Funding Network.



2016

The NYC Fund for Girls and Young Women of Color distributes $2.1 million to 28 non-profit organizations throughout the five boroughs, all dedicated to cultivating the leadership and welfare of young women of color. 



2017

The Foundation awards $8 million to over 80 grantee partner organizations. The Foundation celebrated its 30th Anniversary.



2018

The Foundation launched The Fund to Support the Me Too Movement and the Justice Fund to address gender-based violence and to end mass incarceration and support alternatives that promote justice and safety.

2019

The Foundation invested $700,000 in The Justice Fund, with a specific focus on the closure of Rikers Island and supporting local criminal justice reform.

2020

The Foundation rapidly responded to the COVID-19 crisis and supported the movement for racial justice by launching the 2020 Resilience-NYC: COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, spearheading the Trust Black Women campaign, and deepening investments in grantee partners committed to racial justice.

2021

By the end of 2021, The Foundation reached a significant milestone by surpassing $100 million in grantmaking since its founding 35 years ago, marking the support and deep partnership with more than 500 grantee partners.

2022

In response to attacks on abortion access and reproductive freedom, The Foundation deepened investments in protecting abortion rights and ensuring even more liberatory reproductive justice futures.

FINANCIALS

We focus on all women, girls, and gender-expansive people who advance community-based solutions for change.

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