The New York Women’s Foundation® funds organizations and programs within the five boroughs of New York City that have developed strategies to move low-income women and girls towards long-term economic security.

In particular, we focus on the following areas:

Community Organizing & Advocacy

The Foundation supports organizations and programs aimed at changing policies and/or systems in order to promote and protect the rights of women and girls in a long-term and sustainable way. Consideration is given to programs that are determined by and responsive to their constituents. The Foundation recognizes that there are a variety of strategies for achieving systemic change, such as: community organizing, leadership development, policy advocacy and analysis, media outreach, coalition development, litigation, and public education.

Economic Security & Justice

The Foundation supports organizations and programs that enable low-income women and girls to achieve and sustain economic security and/or that advance economic justice. Consideration is given to programs that are committed to ensuring equal access to education, employment, financial and other resources, as well as to dismantling barriers to opportunity and participation. Programs should provide or have strong linkages with quality supportive services, such as: childcare, substance abuse treatment, transportation, housing, and physical and mental health support or other identified needs.

Health & Sexual Rights

The Foundation supports organizations and programs that recognize and promote health as a fundamental right and necessity for achieving and sustaining individuals’ complete mental, spiritual, political, economic, and social well-being. An organizing principle of the NYWF® funding in this area is that, as women, girls, and transgender individuals become informed about and take control of their health, they are better able to advocate on their own behalf and those of their families and communities. Preference is given to groups that emphasize peer education and outreach, organizing, advocacy, and/ or policy work, rather than solely the provision of direct services.

Positive Development of Girls & Young Women

The Foundation supports organizations and programs for low-income girls, young women and transgender youths (preschool to age 21) that emphasize healthy development. Preference is given to programs that instill young people with confidence and a strong sense of self by providing them with a safe space separate from other programming; continuity and structure; sense of group membership; and opportunities to develop competencies through participation in a range of activities specifically designed to develop skills needed for a healthy adult life. The Foundation is also interested in youth-led organizations that are engaged in organizing and advocacy work related to issues that affect their lives and those of their communities.

Safety

The Foundation supports organizations and programs that are working to eradicate gender-based violence and create safe communities. Consideration is given to programs that address the immediate needs of women and girls, who suffer from abuse, through the provision of services, as well as to programs that work to create long-term systemic changes that can combat violence through community education, organizing and advocacy.