News

a picture of a pile of stickers that say "this is Ohlone land" in large white block letters

Sogorea Te’ Is Growing a Just Future by Looking to the Past

December 2, 2021 /

Sogorea Te’ Land Trust envisions a Bay Area in which Ohlone language and ceremony are an active, thriving part of the cultural landscape, where Ohlone history is taught, and where intertribal Indigenous communities have affordable housing, social services, cultural centers, and land to live, work and pray on. When the Spanish touched down on the […]

Funding the Frontlines: $1.75 M Grantmaking Update

November 18, 2021 /

We are proud to share an update about our collective grantmaking. At WDN we are moving $1.75 million in funding to 17 impactful organizations that are building power where it is so desperately needed.  Thanks to the collective investment of this network, we are able to continue mobilizing critical funding to support the work of […]

Voter Formation Project Is Changing How We Mobilize Voters

November 18, 2021 /

In October we hosted Change How We Mobilize Voters Digitally, a webinar featuring Voter Formation Project (VFP). WDN is a proud funder of VFP. Founded by Tatenda Musapatike, VFP’s innovative digital mobilization and organizing strategies push back against voter suppression efforts and make it easier for communities of color to vote. Here we’ll share more […]

Meet Our Three New Board Members: Suhad Babaa, Ellie Friedman & Nadia Ismail

November 17, 2021 /

Suhad Babaa (she/her/hers) What led to your interest in joining the WDN Board? I was told once that no matter what you do, you should make sure you do it with good people. Those that I have come to know in WDN’s community – its leadership and staff, members and importantly, its partners – are […]

Highlights from WDN Connect: Shine On

November 12, 2021 /

WDN Connect: Shine On crackled with energy. Over the span of three days, we heard from leaders who are shaping a new vision for action, rebuilding our democracy, and continuing to push philanthropy to respond to the moment. Take a look at highlights from our conference! Opening Keynote With Kat Vellos: We Should Get Together […]

photo of Donna Hall. She wears brown glasses, a blue sweater, and a black shirt and smiles at the camera in front of a black background.

Beginning a Thoughtful Leadership Transition

October 18, 2021 /

Next August, I will complete 20 years of service and leadership at WDN, four of them including our c4 arm, WDN Action. That’s quite a run! After a great deal of soul searching, I’ve decided to retire at the end of December 2022 as President and CEO. I know deep in my heart that it’s […]

Grantee Spotlight: Following Indigenous Leaders

October 6, 2021 /

Image credit: Indigenous Environmental Network “I commit to doing all I can to protect the sovereignty and autonomy of my body and those of my community. As an Apache and Pueblo parent whose ancestors have been here since time immemorial and paid with their lives to protect our resources and our cultures, I am here […]

Short and Long-Term Funding for Abortion Access Post SB 8

October 5, 2021 /

Image credit: We Testify On September 1, SB 8 went into effect, banning abortions after six weeks in the state of Texas. It not only bans abortion before many people know they’re pregnant, it allows any person, anywhere, to sue providers, abortion funds, and family members for any perceived violation of the ban. In the words of […]

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Disinformation in a News Desert: My Experience in Stockton

September 17, 2021 /

By Summer Migliori Soto (she/her), Programs & Initiatives Manager at WDN   The proliferation of disinformation on social media is something that both fascinates and horrifies me. I was born and raised in Stockton, CA, a beautiful yet complicated city scarred by decades of high poverty and racial, educational, and employment disparities. These disparities and […]

Photo of four people riding in a boat down a flooded residential street

Rapid Response Funding to Louisiana in the Wake of Hurricane Ida

September 8, 2021 /

Many will remember our deep multi-year involvement in the region after Hurricane Katrina, and the hard work and partnerships that we built, focusing on grassroots organizations founded and run by women who became leaders and partners of ours for many years. It is appropriate and fitting that we step up once again. WDN has made […]

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