Our Anger Fuels Our Fire for Justice and Protection

There’s no other way to say it. The first weeks of this administration have left us furious at our government’s complete disregard for the most vulnerable communities in our country and the people that the Boston Women’s Fund was founded to protect. 

The promise of America is so great — a democracy offering freedom and opportunity for all — but instead of feeling protected by this promise, we are on high alert for how recent executive orders will increase immigration raids in Greater Boston and beyond, separating families and placing thousands in harm’s way. We are watching for additional attacks on trans and non-binary individuals, particularly those of color, disregarding their personhood, identity, and freedom. We know the path to economic justice for all will be made steeper by the fallout from egregious tariffs; efforts to halt all diversity, equity, and inclusion measures have already impacted people of color; and environmental violence affects us all. 

U.S. leaders are toying with systems that greatly impact people this country already owes a debt to, and the fascism at play behind it all is thinly veiled at best. The barrage of assaults is terrifying, exhausting, and sadly, intentional. This administration wants anyone who might challenge it to feel overwhelmed and helpless. But we at BWF are not frozen in our tracks. We are fueled by our rage.

Our anger drives our fire for justice and protection, for realizing a nation where everyone can thrive, regardless of their gender, race, age, or who they love. When systems are weaponized against vulnerable people, it’s grassroots organizing and community care that are a lifeline — and grassroots organizations need support and protection now more than ever. We are in close contact with our grantee partners to understand what they need most right now and for the fight to come. Our newest grantmaking round will fund three organizations focused on immigrants and refugees. You can nominate an organization doing impactful work here and pitch in to fortify grassroots organizations here.

BWF’s commitment to racial, gender, economic, and social justice at large wasn’t a trend for us — it is sewn into the fabric of who we are. Join us today.

In Solidarity and Power,

Natanja Craig Oquendo, Executive Director

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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