Fresh Name, Same Vision —Introducing Horizon Collective, BWF's Leadership Program

Boston Women’s Fund chose to run a leadership program in-house because we believed that a space curated by women and gender-expansive individuals of color for women and gender-expansive people of color could make a life-changing impact. We sought to offer the program of our dreams, one where racial justice, empathy, vulnerability, and community guided the process that would take our participants’ leadership and healing to new heights.

It was always about more than skill development for us. We’d had first-hand experience with the ways that systems of oppression in the workplace could leave women and gender-expansive leaders of color feeling isolated, less-than, and doubtful. We wanted to create a space to build these leaders up, where everyone could palpably feel that they belonged.

After two years of running the leadership program, it was time for a refresh. Boston Women's Fund believes that those who are closest to a challenge hold the strongest solutions. So, we convened alumni from each year of the leadership program to help redesign the initiative into the program of their dreams.

In addition to their recommendations, we also wanted to rename the program. There is so much power in a name, and we needed one that was as welcoming and inclusive as we are.

Today, we’re proud to announce Horizon Collective, a fresh identity for Boston Women’s Fund’s leadership program!

It’s still a program for women and gender-expansive leaders of color to grow in their leadership, heal in a safe space, and leverage the power of a supportive network.

The name "Horizon Collective" reflects the kind of growth that’s possible when you’re held and supported by an engaged network of leaders who’ve got your back. Just as the horizon symbolizes endless possibility, reflecting our leaders’ power to rise above limitations, this program catapults participants into a new era of leadership rooted in strength, resilience, and vision.

Horizon Collective is sponsored by the Barr Foundation, Angell Foundation, and Imago Dei Fund. All branding by DoodleDo.

Learn more about Horizon Collective and meet this year's cohort.

Interested in sponsoring this program? Share your contact information here.

Meet Our New Board Member — Qwin Mbabazi

The Boston Women's Fund recently added new leaders to our incredible Board of Directors!

Meet Qwin Mbabazi (she/any)! Qwin is currently the Senior Manager of Organizational Culture and Community Partnerships at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD). Over the last decade, Qwin's worked in grassroots mobilization, multi-operation coordination, fundraising, pride, Queer film festival organizing, front-line activism, and community engagement.

We connected with Qwin to learn more about what liberation means to her and the work she hopes to do with the Boston Women’s Fund!

Boston Women's Fund: Can you share a little about your background in philanthropy or activism work?

Qwin Mbabazi I have devoted my career to human rights awareness and equality with a focus on LGBTQ+ human rights in Uganda and East Africa, and currently in Massachusetts. For over ten years, my experience and work has been with grassroots mobilization, multi-operation coordination, fundraising, pride, Queer film festival organizing, front-line activism and community engagement. 

What initially drew you to the Boston Women’s Fund?

The leadership, the representation, and scope of we fund. An organization led by women that strives to support and expand opportunities beyond gender identity and expansion is strongly captivated and called onto me.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role as a BWF Director of the Board?

I am looking forward to supporting and expanding the mission and vision of BWF. To collaborate with the amazing staff, board, and donors of BWF in ensuring our services thrive and uplift the communities that need us. 

What does liberation mean to you?

Liberation is “Accessibility to all for all.” Regardless of one’s gender identity, expression, education background, race, or neighborhood they are from. We should try and give everyone a chance at resource accessibility. 

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about philanthropy, what would it be?

I would tear down red tape in the philanthropy world.

What are two fun facts about you?

I am left-handed and do not have the “turn right” in my brain. Every time I’m told right, I turn left.

Kingdoms are still very present back home and I hail from the Buganda Kingdom.

What’s one quote that gives you life?

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” 

— James Baldwin

The Rutland Corner Foundation Fulfills Its Mission Through Asset Transfer to Boston Women’s Fund

For immediate release: January 15, 2025

Contact: Aisha Woodruff, aisha@bostonwomensfund.org  210-373-1993

BOSTON — January 15, 2025 —After 150 years of serving women and girls, The Rutland Corner Foundation (RCF) today announced that it is transferring its $2.1 million assets to Boston Women’s Fund (BWF), fulfilling its mission to empower women and girls and more than doubling the endowment of the oldest women’s fund in Massachusetts.

 “We found our ideal partner in Boston Women’s Fund,” said Lisa Johnson, President of RCF’s Board of Trustees. “BWF has great enthusiasm, as we do, for making one plus one equal more than two. We are excited to see BWF carry forward Rutland Corner’s legacy of empowering girls and young women.”  

The RCF Board agreed their most enduring next step in the fight to support girls and young women entailed partnering with a like-minded organization, exceptionally aligned with RCF’s mission, committed to intersectional justice, and making strides in support for young people today. BWF’s community-driven approach to philanthropy, youth-led grantmaking processes, youth leadership initiatives, and more, caught the attention of RCF’s Board of Trustees. RCF will cease operations as a standalone entity. 

“We are thrilled with RCF’s vote of confidence and are full of gratitude,” said Natanja Craig Oquendo, Executive Director of Boston Women’s Fund. “This partnership means we can take our support for young people to even greater heights while continuing to grow our socially responsible investments through our endowment, allowing us to protect the future of BWF's community-centered support. With women’s, girls’, and gender-expansive folks’ bodily autonomy increasingly under attack, this boost could not have come at a better time.”

With these funds, BWF will also increase its grantmaking supporting girl and gender-expansive youth-led organizations, expand staffing, grow its youth program, and more.

Despite growing attacks on women, girls, and gender-expansive people’s rights, women’s and girls’ organizations still receive a mere 1.9% of all charitable giving in the United States. 

Rutland Corner Foundation

The Rutland Corner Foundation’s (RCF) roots go back to the foundation of the Temporary Home for Working Women in 1877. It transformed into the Rutland Corner Foundation in 1998. Since 2008, the Rutland Corner Foundation has made grants totaling more than $1.8M to over sixty Massachusetts nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to girls and young women in their community.

Boston Women’s Fund 

Boston Women’s Fund (BWF) invests in women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals leading grassroots organizations working toward racial, economic, social, and gender justice. Founded in 1984 by progressive women, BWF was the first women’s foundation in Massachusetts and is one of the oldest nonprofit women’s foundations in the nation. Through forward-thinking grantmaking practices, BWF predominantly supports Black and Brown leaders from communities persistently excluded from philanthropy, including LGBTQIA+, people of color, immigrant, refugee, disabled, low-income, and elderly communities. BWF has granted more than $7.9 million in over 400 grant awards. Learn more at www.bostonwomensfund.org.

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