Why a Women’s Fund

Despite dramatic advancements in recent decades, women are still far more likely than men to be homeless, to live in poverty, to be unemployed or under-employed, to face violence, and to suffer inadequate housing and healthcare. And women today bear disproportionately the burdens of working and taking care of children, husbands, and parents, in the community and at home.

Although programs and services that address the needs of women and girls benefit families, communities, and our society as a whole, less than 7% of national foundation budgets each year go to causes specifically earmarked for women and girls. Yet women control 51% of the nation’s wealth and make 83% of all consumer purchases.

The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham puts the decision-making power in the hands of women in order to change the face of philanthropy. At The Women’s Fund, we award grants solely to programs that meet the unique needs of women and girls.

OUR NETWORK

The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham is part of a global network of women’s funds—more than 175 around the world. All women’s funds operate with the knowledge that women and girls hold unique solutions to our world’s challenges. Women’s funds see women as the cornerstone of a safe, just, and healthy society.

The Women’s Funding Network, of which the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham is a member, is a membership organization for women’s and girls’ funds across the globe. The Women’s Funding Network enables collective actions, solutions, and knowledge sharing among member funds, offering the tools, the clout, and the connections to help women and girls develop and thrive.

Our goal is to increase the financial resources available to programs for women and girls NOW and in the future.