Network News: December 2009
A Future, Not A Past Campaign Shares Their Latest Research and Methods
Like so many of the systemic problems that women's funds are helping to dismantle, the issue of child commercial sexual exploitation in the United States is extraordinarily complex. Violence, gender inequality, poverty, race, and a lack of awareness contribute to this growing problem. The trafficking and sexual exploitation of girls is often perceived by the general public and in the media as primarily an international issue associated with places like Bangcok and Cambodia. In reality it is an epidemic in the U.S., occurring in cities, rural areas and the suburbs. Due to this misconception, the vast majority of funding for anti-trafficking programs is directed to women and girls who come from countries outside of the U.S. However, studies show that between 200,000 and 300,000 U.S. born children are at risk for commercial sexual exploitation within the U.S. each year. The average age at which girls first become victims of prostitution is between 12 and 14 according to the U.S. Justice Department. Building on almost ten years of advocacy efforts, The Atlanta Women's Foundation partnered with the Harold and Kayrita Anderson Foundation and the Juvenile Justice Fund to start A Future, Not a Past . This statewide campaign aims to stop the prostitution of girls in Georgia by building a barrier between children and those who seek to harm them through commercial sexual exploitation. Through data collection, they were able to show the scope of the issue in their state and ignite the engagement of community, civic leaders and policy makers to become strategic partners and allies in addressing this issue.
Member Spotlight: Women's Funds Leading the Way Against Child Sexual Exploitation
Women's funds across the United States are leading the fight against child sex trafficking in their communities. This month's member spotlight showcases the work of just a few of these funds. The Minnesota Women's Foundation has made the trafficking of women and girls a cornerstone of their grantmaking to advance women's safety and security. They have been working with their grantee partner Women of Nations in St. Paul, MN to educate the justice system, law enforcement, and policy makers about women's progression into prostitution in order to create a paradigm shift to understand prostitution as an act of violence against women. The New York Women's Foundation and the Ms. Foundation for Women are working to end child sexual exploitation with their grantee partner Girl's Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS). The women's funds work with GEMS to continue and enhance their direct services to sexually exploited young women and its outreach, education and awareness raising programs on the issue of sexual exploitation. The Dallas Women's Foundation recently hosted a successful screening of the documentary film Playgrounds as part of their efforts to raise awareness of child trafficking in North Texas.
If your fund is currently working on child exploitation, please let the Women's Funding Network know. Email Nancy Wan with your fund's information.
Women’s Funding Network Awards $25,000 to Member Funds
The Women’s Funding Network is proud to announce the recipients of $25,000 in Consumer Philanthropy Grants. Over the past year, member funds in partnership with Good Deeds have recycled over 40,000 cell phones generating almost $25,000 in revenue. Member funds were encouraged to apply for $2,000 - $5,000 grants for general operating support to continue supporting women-led solutions. Priority was given to funds that have dedicated time and resources to the consumer philanthropy imitative and are investing in strategies to build economic security for women and their families. The Women’s Funding Network was able to award grants of $2,500 - $3,000 to all nine member funds who applied. Congratulations to:
- Chester County Fund for Women and Girls
- Maine Women's Fund
- Women's Foundation of California
- Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis
- Women's Foundation of Minnesota
- Women's Foundation of Southern Arizona
- Women's Fund of Rhode Island
- Women's Fund of Western MA
- Women's Funding Alliance
For more information on our continuing cell phone recycling program, please visit www.womensfundingnetwork.org/take-action/actions/recycle-your-cell-phone-to-create-change or email Amy Zucchero.
Stay on Top of the News Stories and Issues Impacting Women
With the expanding plethora of news sources from 24/7 cable networks to blogs and twitter it can be more difficult than ever to find the news stories impacting your work. The Women's Funding Network's Daily News Roundup consolidates the latest headlines on women's economic security, leadership, philanthropy, education and more into one easy-to-scan source. This is a great resource to hear the latest information on the issues that matter to women's funds. Email Megan Jones to subscribe to the daily news roundup or visit our daily news roundup webpage any time to access a full archive of news articles.
United by Faith: Building a Better Future for Women and Girls
January 26-27, 2010 at The Fairmont Dallas, Texas
Through inspirational speakers, group reflections and strategic conversations, United by Faith: Building a Better Future for Women and Girls will explore the values that unite us across faiths and sectors and the actions we can collectively take to improve the lives of women and girls in communities across America. If you are currently involved in or are interested in forming an interfaith partnership in your community this conference is for you! Learn more at:www.womensfundingnetwork.org/Women-Faith-and-Poverty-Initiative
EARLY REGISTRATION SPECIAL: Register by December18th to get a second representative from your organization to participate for FREE!
Registration fee is $175
Registration and hotel group rate deadline is January 8th
Please contact Nicole Regalado at nregalado@womensfundingnetwork.org for information about scholarships.
Be a 2010 Conference Ambassador!
Last year, Women's Funding Network hosted a new-to-conference meet and greet happy hour that received overwhelmingly positive reviews. This year, to capitalize on the success of last year's event and to be even more intentional about our conference engagement efforts, we are forming a member-led 2010 Conference Ambassador Taskforce. Conference Ambassadors will lead member engagement efforts, including marketing and outreach as well as new-to-conference meet and greet activities. The task force will support planning efforts in the winter and spring of 2010.
Participation Requirements:
- Attended a past Women's Funding Network Conference
- Commitment to attend the 2010 conference
- Participate in committee conference calls tentatively scheduled for:
- February TBD
- March TBD
- Must be available and willing to conduct phone outreach as needed.
- Must commit a total of 10 hours to committee activities
Emerging leaders, board members and staff from communications, development, and program departments are encouraged to apply. If you are interested in becoming a 2010 Conference Ambassador contact Nicole Regalado at nregalado@womensfundingnetwork.org.
