Latanya Mapp Frett

In May 2021, a unique collaboration among NGOs, feminist funds and corporate investors launched a pooled fund to find better ways of creating partnerships that support solutions to problems affecting women’s health, safety and economic resilience in communities tied to supply chains. The Fund advances emerging approaches to decolonized philanthropy, by providing flexible funding to women’s funds, women-led organizations, and feminist leaders — trusting these groups’ local knowledge and expertise. This event will share the Fund’s learning after two years of operationalizing trust-based giving that shifts decision-making power, builds connections with feminist organizations, and advances system change and real-time, non-extractive learning.

Organizer: United Nations Foundation’s Universal Access Project (on behalf of the Resilience Fund for Women in Global Value Chains)

In the face of persistent attacks on women’s rights, grassroots feminist activists and social movements are increasingly indispensable, but 99% of foundation grants and official development assistance (ODA) do not reach feminist movements or women’s rights organizations. This plenary discusses the urgent need for an inclusive feminist approach to funding that redistributes power and resources. Led by organizations from low- and middle-income countries the session will feature insights from funders, philanthropists, NGOs, and frontline advocates. Together, we will examine the obstacles and barriers within the system, redefine leadership, and how to transform funding dynamics. This plenary aims to inspire funders, activists, and organizations to harness their collective power and join in solidarity to contribute to a more just distributed funding ecosystem.

Opening: Aline Joyce Berabose, CEO LUNA

Moderator: Andalusia Knoll Soloff, multimedia journalist based in Mexico City, co-founder of the journalist organization, Frontline Freelance México which advocates for freelancers rights and press freedom.

Panel – The problems: Funds not reaching the organizations that need it the most; how to reach the groups and focus on

• Francoise Moudouthe, CEO of African Women’s Development Fund
• Latanya Mapp Frett, CEO of the Global Fund for Women and author of The Everyday Feminist
• Bettina Baldeschi, CEO of International Women’s Development Agency
• Faith Kaoma, We Trust Youth Coalition

Fireside Chat – Philanthropy of the future- how to catalyze funds; what’s next; what’s changing, partners and collective action-networks and mobilizing

• H.E. Toyin Ojora-Saraki, Founder of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa
• Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe Title holder and Philanthropist
• Mona Sinha, Board of Directors, Women Moving Millions
• Tulika Srivastava, Co-Chair of Prospera-the International Network of Women’s Funds and Vice Chair of the Board of Women Deliver