“Radical generosity is the type of philanthropy we practice at The New York Women’s Foundation. It’s a philanthropy that knows problems and solutions live in the same place. That people living the issues know the answers.”
—Ana L. Oliveira, President & CEO
Since 1987, The New York Women’s Foundation has advanced a dynamic philanthropic strategy based on the fundamental reality that, when women and gender-expansive people thrive, their families and communities also thrive. Our work is rooted in gender, racial, and economic justice, and The Foundation is among the largest women-led grantmaking organizations in the world.
Early investment sets the stage for community leaders to flourish. Our philanthropic approach means engaging on day one and taking a chance on women-led strategies before others do. We trust our grantee partners know the solutions for their communities best. By breaking down barriers and facilitating conversations at the deepest level, The Foundation develops a nimble approach to continued support and sustaining forward progress.
When we say women, we unequivocally mean cis and trans women. As a gender justice funder, we are also inclusive of all other gender-oppressed individuals, including non-binary and gender-expansive people. We celebrate that our community includes a diverse spectrum of gender identities and expressions.
Our approach is derived from the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our team.
We focus on all women, girls, and gender-expansive people who advance community-based solutions for change.
Our philanthropy is rooted in trust, and we believe in the power of community. Often the first or largest investor, The Foundation has a history of identifying and funding emerging leaders and organizations—and establishing support for long-term success.
Gloria W. Miliken recruits Helen LaKelly Hunt, Joan Melber Warburg, Alice Cardona, Betty Terrell-Cruz and others to found a philanthropic organization to be run by women for women.
The Foundation awards grants totaling $50,000 to 4 grantee partners at the first Celebrating Women Breakfast.
The Foundation’s unique volunteer-based participatory grantmaking model, The Allocations Committee, known today as the Grants Advisory Committee, is created.
Over $500,000 is distributed to 23 grantee partners.
9/11 Disaster Relief Fund raises and distributes nearly $700,000 to support nonprofits working with women.
Over 50 grantee partners are awarded $1.65 million. The Foundation launches the Circle of Sisters for Social Change to enable socially conscious women to harness their resources and networks to support social change philanthropy in NYC.
RISE-NYC! (Respond, Inspire, Solve, Engage) partnership launched in response to the recession, increasing grantmaking by 20 percent.
The Foundation awards $4 million to 77 grantee partner organizations. New York Women’s Foundation releases its first gender budget analysis report, A Harder Struggle, Fewer Opportunities.
The Initiative Against Sex Trafficking of Minors is launched. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Founder Secretary of State, is honored with the Century Award at the Celebrating Women Breakfast. New York Women’s Foundation launches Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery Fund.
The Foundation releases Blueprint for Investing in Women Age 60+, the first report from The Voices from The Field series.
The Foundation distributed $6 million to more than 90 grantee partners. The Foundation increased impact through Prosperity Together, a first of its kind partnership with 27 public U.S. women’s foundations and the Women’s Funding Network.
The NYC Fund for Girls and Young Women of Color distributes $2.1 million to 28 non-profit organizations throughout the five boroughs, all dedicated to cultivating the leadership and welfare of young women of color.
The Foundation awards $8 million to over 80 grantee partner organizations. The Foundation celebrated its 30th Anniversary.
The Foundation launched The Fund to Support the Me Too Movement and the Justice Fund to address gender-based violence and to end mass incarceration and support alternatives that promote justice and safety.
The Foundation invested $700,000 in The Justice Fund, with a specific focus on the closure of Rikers Island and supporting local criminal justice reform.
The Foundation rapidly responded to the COVID-19 crisis and supported the movement for racial justice by launching the 2020 Resilience-NYC: COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, spearheading the Trust Black Women campaign, and deepening investments in grantee partners committed to racial justice.
By the end of 2021, The Foundation reached a significant milestone by surpassing $100 million in grantmaking since its founding 35 years ago, marking the support and deep partnership with more than 500 grantee partners.
In response to attacks on abortion access and reproductive freedom, The Foundation deepened investments in protecting abortion rights and ensuring even more liberatory reproductive justice futures.
Advance Justice For Women
