The Power of Small Grants and Deep Listening to Fund the ‘Unfundable’

A group of visionary women came together in 1984 to award Boston Women’s Fund’s (BWF) first five grants totaling $20,000. These small grants went to those who’d been left out of consideration among traditional large-scale philanthropic institutions: women, girls, and gender-expansive people who identify as Black, brown, low-income, LGBTQ+, disabled, immigrants, and refugees. From the outset, our founding mothers created an alternative model of grantmaking that involved participation from community members and deep trust in their grantee partners. They knew those most affected by the problems we face also held the solutions, so they worked to democratize the sector and make philanthropy accessible to everyday people. 

Forty years later, we remain an influential intermediary funder that raises funds from institutional grantmakers and individual donors. We’ve awarded more than 385 small grants totaling over $7.6 million to emerging leaders and grassroots organizations. Here we’ll share our insights into how the practice of listening to the community and funding the supposedly “unfundable” on a small scale can achieve what traditional large-scale philanthropy cannot.  

Read more at Candid.com.

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.

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