Impact

 

Women First focuses our funding on Economic Justice. We support grassroots and community- based organizations led by women and trans people that work towards increased access to economic opportunities through community-led solutions that address systemic barriers. Women First has awarded over 4M USD in grants, supporting 700+ projects empowering women and girls globally.

 
 

92%

of our grantee partners are under resourced, with an annual operating budget below $50k

150k

women, girls and trans people were collectively impacted by our partners economic justice work, in 2022 alone

100%

of our grantee partner’s organizations are led by Women and/or Trans People

95k

committed to each grantee partner through Women First’s long-term funding approach

88%

we are a first or early funder for most of our grantee partners

68%

of the groups we fund are emerging and were founded 5 years ago or less

 

Economic Empowerment for Women, Girls, and Trans People

 

Women First is working alongside its grantee partners toward this common goal. We recognize the important work being done across other priority areas, like sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence, and climate justice. However, economic empowerment was the number one priority among grantee partners we consulted in the development of our grantmaking model. Women First also has several decades of experience working with partners in this field.

 
 
 

The Challenge

Women First envisions a world in which gender equity prevails, but we know this future won’t be possible unless women, girls, and trans people can participate equally in the economy. 

Despite their enormous contribution to economies, these groups remain disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination and exploitation. Women are more likely to work in insecure, low-wage jobs; have less access to economic assets such as land and loans; and have less influence over economic and social policies. Women and girls also take on the bulk of unpaid care work, leaving them less time to pursue economic opportunities.


 

Our Approach

According to UN Women, “women’s economic empowerment includes women’s ability to participate equally in existing markets; their access to and control over productive resources, access to decent work, control over their own time, lives and bodies; and increased voice, agency and meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels from the household to international institutions.”

Our thematic focus is similarly holistic in its approach, and supports grantee partners to work towards outcomes in three domains:

  • Power and Agency

    • Outcomes like improved self-confidence and greater awareness/use of rights and resources

  • Economic Advancement:

    • Outcomes like improved business and finance-related knowledge/skills/practices, and increased profits and savings

  • Enabling Environment: 

    • Outcomes like changes in social norms, laws, and policies