Dear Aisha,
This past Sunday would have marked the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Fifty years ago, we were celebrating our right to make decisions regarding our own bodies and lives. Today, yet again, we are in a fight for freedom from the government’s policing of our bodies.
It’s not just about abortion. We are talking about reproductive justice, a human right, which as SisterSong has taught us, includes sex education, STI care, sufficient pregnancy care and much, much more.
Black and Brown and low-income women, girls, and gender-expansive people — who are already at higher risk in the U.S. when pregnant — will continue to be the most impacted by Roe v. Wade’s reversal. We have always been affected the most by human rights attacks in this country. It’s no coincidence that it’s within these communities that leaders continue to rise up and build incredible movements for change. Leaders like BWF grantees Neighborhood Birth Center, working to create Boston’s first birth center, and Love Your Menses, an organization promoting menstrual equity.
The Boston Women’s Fund will continue to support grassroots leaders in Greater Boston as they tackle critical inequities in our communities. For this reason, we are centering reproductive justice in our 2023 Movement Building Grants. To put the grantmaking power back in communities, we’re calling on you. We will build our applicant pool from organizations nominated by the public. We will choose our next grantees with the leadership of a community Allocations Committee.
Keep reading for more details on how to nominate an organization you think we should consider for a $25,000 grant, and, if you’re interested, we’d love to see you join us at the decision-making table.
In Solidarity,
Natanja Craig Oquendo,
Executive Director
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“Throughout history when Black women do the work of liberation, everyone benefits. So when we’re at the table, we shake the table.”
— Ayanna Pressley
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Accepting Nominations for
Movement Building Grant!
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We are still accepting nominations for the 2023 Movement Building Grant. These will be unrestricted, one-year $25,000 grants to support organizations in Greater Boston doing movement building work led by women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. In this year’s movement building cycle, we will fund organizations whose work centers Reproductive Justice.
What is Reproductive Justice?
We lean on the expertise of leaders and organizations doing the work everyday. SisterSong defines Reproductive Justice as the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities. Reproductive Justice is a framework, movement, and personal embodied value that holds intersectionality and human rights at its center.
“Reproductive Justice is not just about abortion. Abortion access is critical, and women of color and other marginalized women also often have difficulty accessing: contraception, comprehensive sex education, STI prevention and care, alternative birth options, adequate prenatal and pregnancy care, domestic violence assistance, adequate wages to support our families, safe homes, and so much more.” — SisterSong
BWF will also support non-traditional approaches to reproductive justice organizing (creative ideas, partnerships between organizations, etc.).
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*Nominations close January 31 | |
Join the Allocations Committee | |
The BWF Allocations Committee is crucial in our commitment to community-led, participatory grantmaking — We do not believe in doing grantmaking work alone.
The Allocations Committee is comprised of individuals diverse in age and identity, from inside and outside of philanthropy. No prior grantmaking experience is required! Together, the committee facilitates conversations with nominated organizations and their community members, conducts research and drafts proposals, and uses a consensus model to select up to three organizations to receive Movement Building grants from BWF.
Join us in our mission to democratize philanthropy through transparency, equity, and inclusion.
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*Applications close January 31 | |
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Announcing the 2023 Boston Women's Fund
Leadership Circle
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We’re so excited to announce the 2023 Boston Women's Fund Leadership Circle! For the next six months, 15 women and gender-expansive leaders of color will come together to share their experiences and advance their leadership in a space tailored for healing from the challenges of white supremacy culture. Together, they’ll celebrate their strengths and learn and grow with one another. | |
Congratulations to this year's cohort! | |
Volunteer Communications Support to
BWF Grantees
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Are you a communications professional that's passionate about racial and gender justice? We're looking to connect BWF grantees with volunteers who can help support their communications efforts.
If you're interested, email alexandra@bostonwomensfund.org for more info.
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Apply for the Trans Leadership Academy
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition is now accepting applications for their first ever Trans Leadership Academy! This job skills and leadership training program is open to trans and nonbinary people who are BIPOC, low-income, and/or formerly incarcerated who live or work in the city of Boston. Learn more and apply here.
Attend No Longer 3/5th Coalition’s Community
Justice 4 Housing, a BWF grantee partner, is a member of the No Longer 3/5ths Coalition — a power building group of community leaders, individual activists, and incarcerated men and women working to restore voting rights in Massachusetts while simultaneously building monolithic people power. The coalition is holding their second Community Conversation event on February 4th at 1 p.m. Register here.
Apply for a Womenade Grant
Womenade Boston supports nonprofit organizations that positively impact the lives of women and teen girls in Greater Boston and within the I-495 corridor, including Lowell and Lawrence. They are currently accepting applications for their current grant cycle. Learn more here.
Apply for The Cultural Investment Grant
The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture has launched The Cultural Investment Grant. The grant will direct funds to build capacity for arts and cultural organizations directly working with and alongside communities in Boston most impacted by the pandemic, particularly communities of color. Grants range between $600K-$3M, depending on the organization’s budget, and will be distributed over a four-year period. Learn more and apply here.
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*Disclaimer: The above media do not reflect the views of Boston Women's Fund and are not endorsed by Boston Women's Fund. These are the items our board and staff are currently engaging with to further their learning and/or rest and find joy. | |
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