Network News: February 2010

Connect With the Global Movement in Denver

Online registration is now up and running for our 2010 Conference -- Investment, Influence, Impact: Seizing the Moment.

Gretchen McComb recently joined Women's Funding Network from Women's Foundation of Colorado, where she was executive director for four years. Gretchen attended our annual conferences as an ED and says the meetings are a great refresher for women's fund leaders!

"Conference is a great way to learn about the great work that is being done by funds throughout the World. I always walk away with specific ideas that can be implemented back at our organization. It provides tremendous intellectual stimulation and emotional camaraderie, and is well worth attending!"

Now is a great time to take advantage of Early-Bird Rates and seize the moment by registering online!

Click here to get details on program schedule, rates and hotel information.

Help Us Change the Face of Philanthropy!

We invite you to submit nominations for Women's Funding Network's Changing the Face of Philanthropy Awards, which celebrates and honors individuals and or organizations among our global network who are leaders in philanthropic support of women and girls. Do you know of someone who inspires, challenges and serves as a model for others to become part of social change philanthropy?

Click here to submit your nominations. Please send your nominations by February 5!

Margot Franssen Joins Our Board

We are excited to welcome Margot Franssen to Women's Funding Network's Board of Directors. Margot has worked passionately and effectively to bring women's issues to the forefront of the Canadian public's consciousness and is a trail-blazing member of the Women Moving Millions donor community. Margot brings her experience as a leader in the philanthropic community, expertise in the corporate sector, and her experience as Board Co-Chair of the Canadian Women's Foundation to our Board and to the broader network.Read more about Margot.

Announcing Two New Leadership Cohorts!

In the past three years, there has been growing recognition and acceptance of the strategy of investing in women and girls by thought leaders, corporations and organizations around the world. To thrive and grow, we must seize this opportunity and capitalize on this increased interest by forging new partnerships and securing robust new financial resources to make sure the current interest does not fade away as merely a trend. We must:

Invigorate and expand leadership at all levels of the movement
Strengthen organizations that promote women-led solutions
Position women's fund leaders at tables of influence where their expertise and vision will be embraced
Fuel a more powerful push to achieve economic and social justice for all

To spearhead this work, we are launching two new leadership cohorts that provide structured space for groups to come together over a period of time to learn from each other, create a shared vision and agenda for the women's funding movement and initiate action.

Bridge Builders: A Next Generation Leadership Cohort.

Building upon the success of Voices on the Horizon, Women's Funding Network is launching this cohort of staff, board, donors and strategic grantee partners who demonstrate a commitment to sustaining and growing the women's funding movement and are actively developing their skills and leadership capabilities. Participants in the year-long program will receive training intended to develop personal leadership skills and practical experience for leadership in a women's fund as well as best practices for movement building. Customized peer coaching exchanges, case studies, and practical applications will assist cohort members in putting the principles learned in the training program into practice. Peer network support will provide tangible and intangible benefits for cohort members, hopefully well after the program concludes. This program will:

Build the leadership of the women’s funding movement and deepen engagement of next generation leaders including: donors, grantee partners, staff and Board members;
Raise the of profile of next generation leaders;
Promote inclusion throughout the women’s funding movement;
Leverage the ideas and influence of next generation leaders to move women’s funds agenda forward; and,
Position next generation leaders at tables of influence and action where they will advocate for women led-solutions.

Click here to apply for this cohort!

Donor Activist Cohort

A unique opportunity for donor leaders to realize, harness and capitalize their power to balance the world. Goals of this cohort include:

Hone and amplify the voices of donor leaders by positioning them at tables of influence to promote a collective message and policy agenda;
Build the confidence and experience of donor leaders to identify and lift up their voices and transform their personal stories as cultivation tool that expands the women’s funding movement’s donor base; and
Deepen donor leaders’ engagement throughout the movement by promoting partnership with Women’s Funding Network, women’s funds and other donor leaders to build and share their knowledge, expertise and influence in a way that ignites broad-based social change around the world.

Taking the lessons learned from past cohort and leadership trainings, including Women of Color International Development Incubator, Women Raising Millions and Cultures of Giving initiative, Women's Funding Network is working together with experienced consultants, donor leaders and women's fund executives to design and launch the donor activist cohort in the summer of 2010. Begin thinking about whether you may have a donor who would be interested in this cohort. Recruitment will begin in the spring of 2010.

For more information on Women’s Funding Network’s leadership initiative, please e-mail Amy Zucchero.

Showcase Your Fund's Unique Perspective at Conference!

Help us create a fun and festive atmosphere at conference this year by making a table centerpiece showcasing your fund’s unique region, culture, history, or impact. Centerpieces will be on display for the duration of the conference in one of our general session plenary rooms. Click here for more information and e-mail Megan Jones to reserve your spot today!

Scaling Up Your Board's Fundraising

One of the main responsibilities of a Board member is to fundraise but this duty seems daunting to some. Former Women's Sports Foundation leader and fundraising consultant Tuti Scott outlines seven qualities that determine an organization's success at raising money that you can share with your Board: http://www.imaginephilanthropy.com/articles/Qualities-of-a-good-fundraiser.htm.

Tuti's work over the years has shown that relationships are one of the main foundations for solid fundraising. Building long standing, honest and open relationships with potential and existing donors is one of the most important ways for Board members to support and grow women's funds. You can share the following resources with your Board members to encourage them to hone their roles as leading advocates for your fund:

Have you read Kathy LeMay's "The Generosity Plan" yet? This practical guide to philanthropy helps readers discover what inspires them to improve the world.

Special Event - Engaging Philanthropy to Promote Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

February 22, 2010 3:00 - 6:00 PM, United Nations Headquarters, New York

Join the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon for this gathering of foundations, private sector companies, and civil society representatives. For more information, please click here.

Job Openings and Upcoming Events

Learn about events you can support and attend by going to our Events Page.

Go to the Jobs Page to see the latest openings at member funds.

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