In March of 2018 the Global Greengrants Fund published the first ever benchmarking report looking at philanthropic funding in support of women and the environment, Our Voices, Our Environment: The State of Funding for Women and the Environment.
A resounding call to action for women and the environment, the powerful report was a collaboration between Global Greengrants, Prospera International Network of Women’s Funds, the Wallace Global Fund, and the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA).
The report asked that funders capitalize on a moment of significant opportunity and great urgency to ensure a healthy planet for all. The study showed that women are at the forefront of environmental action locally and globally. Funders are providing more than $100 million each year to support the intersection of women and the environment which is resulting in impact but that is still less than 0.1% of foundation grants and 0.2% of foundation dollars overall, leaving a vast opportunity for funders large and small.
The “Our Voices, Our Environment” report also highlights the importance of partnerships between larger foundations and women’s funds (frequent Channel grantees through our Strengthening Women’s Funding Movement Focus Area). Global Greengrants and Prospera successfully promote movement building and generate greater visibility and resources for women-led environmental initiatives through joint research, donor advocacy, technical assistance, and learning opportunities. One of the ways that this partnership has mobilized more resources is by amplifying grassroots women’s voices on the frontlines of environmental movements, and promoting regional partnerships with women’s funds and regional grantmaking advisors for Global Greengrants. These partnerships with women’s funds allow for support to reach grassroots groups that may not have the capability to apply for larger funding. In fact, staff from Channel grantee partner Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism (UAF), formerly known as Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights, contributed to the powerful report.