What We Do
The Action Fund
The Action Fund Initiative lets us, as progressive women funders, pool our resources and have a much bigger and longer-term impact than if we were funding individually.
In response to a growing concern that the progressive movement in America was lacking the cohesion necessary to make systemic social change, WDN members launched the WDN Action Fund. Through the WDN Action Fund, members leverage their power for change by working and funding together.
Our Concept
Significant, sustained, and strategic funding builds an effective progressive movement that will catalyze systemic social change.
Our Focus
We set a goal of raising $250,000 per year for four consecutive years for each funding cycle. We concentrate on four areas through the following targeted grant-making initiatives:
- Think Tanks
- Communications/Media
- Leadership Development
- Research
Our Process
Any WDN member can participate in the WDN Action Fund with a minimum pledge of $5,000 per year, for four consecutive years. Based on criteria set by an advisory committee that consists of WDN members, the President & CEO, the Director of Programs, and outside consultants, the committee selects a group of finalists after a structured process, and then conducts site visits.
Proposals are analyzed based upon their fit with our Request for Proposals, the soundness of the approach, the capacity of the organization to deliver on its plans, and the group's demonstration of its ability to assess the context, opportunities, and complexities involved in the endeavor. WDN Action Fund donors evaluate the chosen finalists and vote to select a final grantee. The entire WDN membership is invited to participate in all activities related to the WDN Action Fund.
The WDN Action Fund is in its third granting cycle, making a commitment to women’s leadership development in the progressive movement. The grant will be awarded in the spring of 2009.
Grant Awards To Date
|
| Focus | Grantee | Number of Donors | Timeframe |
| Action Fund 1 | Think Tank | 33 | 2005- 2008 | |
| Action Fund 2 | Media | 39 | 2006 - 2009 | |
| Action Fund 3 | Leadership Development | To Be Determined |
| 2009 - 2012 |
Recent Documents
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