In 2020, the Women’s Funding Network, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, set out to establish a new initiative to invest in 9 different women’s funds and foundations across the country who were experimenting with place-based models to increase economic mobility for women and their families. The Women’s Economic Mobility Hub to supports the work of women’s funds and foundations working on the frontlines of economic mobility within the US.
Representing 5 regional and 4 states, each fund or foundation was focused on improving economic opportunities for women in their communities. The goal of this pilot program was to provide lasting advancements in economic mobility and workforce development and to provide research that can support leadership for the next phase of change in community services, philanthropic practices, and policy development.
Over the last few months we have had the opportunity to sit down with the leaders of each of these Hubs to find out what the participation in this initiative has meant for them and how it has impacted their programs and organizations. We are honored to share our video series, one for each Hub, and tell the story of what we have learned about the power of women’s funds and the incredible way that they leverage funding as connectors, innovators, and strategic investors.