Grassroots Women-Led Change

Advocates for feminist, community-driven approaches to climate and energy policy through narrative change and by linking grassroots climate solutions to global finance systems to influence policy reform.

Advocates for the inclusion of frontline activist perspectives in international policy discussions, particularly within the United Nations system, and amplifies grantees' work through media engagement and online content.

Produces content including a 60-second introduction video and documentation of the impact of COVID-19 on women globally to highlight the work of frontline partners and build public awareness.

Funds grassroots women's rights organizations with strong leadership and proven track records by regranting 90% of every donation as unrestricted general operating support. Has re-granted over $9 million to frontline activists across 30 countries, including partner organizations working to end female genital mutilation, support survivors of gender-based violence, and advance climate and energy justice.

Operates targeted grant funds such as the Efua Dorkenoo Fund to End FGM and the Gloria Steinem Equality Fund to End Sex Trafficking, providing financial support to grantees working on focused issues including ending female genital mutilation in six African countries and combating sex trafficking across 14 countries.

Runs a global crowdfunding platform that enables individual donors from 64 countries to directly support frontline women's rights organizations, expanding the donor base to 2,072 contributors since 2011.

Enhances the organizational infrastructure of grantee partners by reviewing audited financial statements and maintaining regular communication to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

Provides funding and logistical support to enable women from conflict-affected countries to participate in peace processes and high-level policy discussions at the United Nations and other international forums, including support for The Women’s Forum on Afghanistan to organize dialogues during the UN Commission on the Status of Women and UN General Assembly.

Became a founding member of GROOTS International and helped establish the Huairou Commission in the 1990s. Organized a 1992 student and parent boycott at Eastern District High School that led to reduced overcrowding, increased security, more teachers, and expanded counseling programs.

Converted three former Greenpoint Hospital buildings into thirty-three units of affordable housing for women, known as Neighborhood Women Houses, to support women’s stability and community leadership.

Operates the Swinging Sixties Community Center & Small World Day Care Center, providing services for seniors and children. Offers programs for older adults through the Swinging Sixties center and helped establish daycare centers in NYC neighborhoods by securing funding and facilitating service grants.

Provides programming and services supporting physical, emotional, and mental well-being in the local community. Oversees food distribution to residents three days per week.

Develops a platform and archive to document training models, track learning outcomes, and share resources across grassroots women’s networks, supporting ongoing capacity building and peer learning.

Provides education, supportive services, and empowerment programs for women, particularly low-income women, to organize, lead, and influence community change. Includes intergenerational mentoring, resource pooling, and leadership development through the Neighborhood Women Living and Learning Center.

Implemented early initiatives including a neighborhood-based College Program, a Center for the Elimination of Violence in the Family, CETA employment programs, and National Urban Housing Conferences. These foundational programs supported education, employment, safety, and housing advocacy for women.

Hosts international exchanges at James Weldon Johnson Houses for United Nations visitors, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, to promote global dialogue and elevate grassroots women’s voices in international forums.

Operates a global peer learning center and delivers face-to-face and virtual leadership workshops, academies, and exchanges to build practical skills and foster peer learning among grassroots women leaders. Implements and continuously revises the Leadership Support Process Training (LSP) model first developed in 1979.

Implements projects to adapt and localize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to community contexts. Established a working group with board members, UN Foundation staff, Pratt Institute scholars, and community leaders to apply SDGs to local planning. Hosts an interactive public installation on the SDGs with a focus on violence against women.