Women’s Funding Network – DP Cogan Consulting

What role can philanthropy play to help keep democracy alive?

Last notes from Women Funding Network’s Feminist Funded 2025.

1. “You want impact?” Long-term, core, flexible funding. If we want to win, this is how it’s done.

The Right does it and it works. The evidence is there.” -Happy Mwende Kinyili. Co-Executive Director, Mama Cash Fund.

2. “A lot of transformational breakthroughs come from small organizations most people have never heard of. Fund them.” -Raquel Willis. Co-Founder, Gender Liberation Movement.

3. “Oppressive systems are coordinated. Our response has to be just as coordinated and more.” -Carmen Perez-Jordan. President and CEO, The Gathering for Justice.

4. “Get off the sidelines. Move C3 and C4 dollars for the change you need. C4 funds help get a candidate elected; C3 dollars help them implement policies. When Progressives win, knives are out. They don’t have the resources and support to lead once they are elected.” -Amoretta Morris. President, Borealis Philanthropy.

If you ever wonder who you are in this moment, consider these words from Smith College Associate Professor and MacArthur Fellow Loretta J. Ross:

“I used to regret not being old enough to sit-in at lunch counters or march in the 60s for freedom, justice, and democratic values. This is our lunch counter moment. Are you standing up or sitting-in for justice or spitting on those who do?”

Professor Ross is one of the activists who coined the term “women of color” in 1977 and co-developed the theory of Reproductive Justice. She moderated a panel celebrating 40 years of Women’s Funding Network at Feminist Funded 2025.

“What I wish I had known as an activist or a donor.”

Bold ideas come from civil society.
Data only matters when it moves. People need to know information exists and what it means.
Our language must invite people (outside of philanthropy, academia, policy) into the conversation.

Jessica Stern is Co-Founder and Principal, The Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice. Stern spoke at Women’s Funding Network’s, Feminist Funded 2025, the largest gathering of global leaders in feminist philanthropy.