Download our Report
“Lighting the Way: a Report for Philanthropy on the Power & Promise of Feminist Movements” and learn how you can be part of a growing community of philanthropists investing in these powerful movements for social change.
An Excerpt from the Report’s Executive Summary
Women, girls, and nonbinary people have faced systemic oppression for centuries. And too often, other forms of discrimination—racism, ableism, classism, and more—compound gender inequality. We see the impact across all issue areas, from education to disaster relief and from health to climate change.
Our research makes us excited about the power of feminist movements to address systems of oppression and realize the transformative change donors seek. Led by people with lived experience of the gender power imbalance and other injustices, feminist movements challenge the compounding factors of discrimination, taking an intersectional approach to address our most intractable problems.
Shake the Table and The Bridgespan Group teamed up to understand how we can better connect global philanthropy with feminist movements. We conducted 43 conversations with high-net-worth individuals, institutional funders, and leaders of feminist movements and funds.
This report offers practical ideas for all philanthropists, including those whose core focus is not gender equality. Our recommendations include:
01. Understand the power structures that shape our homes, communities, and systems.
02. Re-examine risk. Recognize the greatest risk is not investing in the feminist leaders and organizations that are actively tackling systemic injustice—and facing well-funded opposition.
03. Fund feminist funds, which are primary supporters of feminist movements.
04. Shift your practices. Expand your sourcing beyond your close-in network, and ensure your diligence practices aren’t screening out feminist movements. Fund across the ecosystem and provide long-term general operating support.
05. Measure what matters to movements. The multifaceted work of movements will likely require a range of measures. Work with grantees to define success—and allow them to pivot as needed.
