Our Anger Fuels Our Fire for Justice and Protection

Hello Aisha,

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



BWF Welcomes New Board Members!

Q&A with Qwin Mbabazi

Join us in welcoming Qwin Mbabazi (she/any) as a member of the BWF Board. 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. Currently, she is the Senior Manager of Organizational Culture and Community Partnerships at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).

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

Read more about Qwin, what liberation means to her, and the work she hopes to do with the Boston Women’s Fund on our blog!

Nominate an Organization for a 2025 Movement Building Grant!

We are excited to announce that Boston Women’s Fund will award three grassroots organizations led by women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals with Movement Building grants in 2025! 

These will be one-year, unrestricted $25,000 grants to support organizations in Greater Boston doing movement building work advancing immigrant justice. 

We remove the application burden from grassroots leaders and instead rely on nominations from community members like you!

Do you know of any local organizations that are:

• providing legal, social, and/or economic resources to immigrants and refugees?
• building power among local immigrant and refugee communities?
• working to dismantle systems of exploitation targeting refugee and immigrant workers? 

We encourage you to nominate them for a Movement Building grant by

February 28.

GROWUP LeadHership: Kicking Off Grantmaking Sessions! 

Now in its second year, GROWUP LeadHership, a program in partnership with Jamila Gales from Growth Mindsets Co., is empowering nearly 40 youth leaders with the skills, power, and connections to shape their communities and drive change. The program centers young women and gender-expansive leaders of color, positioning them as key stakeholders in systems that affect their lives. 

On January 27, we launched the philanthropic and grantmaking component with an engaging first session. Youth leaders explored philanthropy through a social justice lens, participating in a "Four Corners" activity to reflect on their views on philanthropy and justice and connect their values to causes they care about. The session set the stage for them to define grantmaking criteria and allocate a total of $25,000 to causes they are passionate about. We're excited to support them as they use their voices and leadership to reshape philanthropy with a justice-driven approach and create lasting impact in their communities.

We know that when people of unique perspectives and different cultures join together, our impact is multiplied beyond the sum of our parts. Standing up for access, opportunity, and power for all makes everyone stronger. 

One simple way to start making a difference is to give to the Boston Women’s Fund today. Our grantees protect people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, the elderly, young people, and disabled people. BWF’s leadership initiatives help girls, women, and gender-expansive folks have the confidence and tools to usher in a better tomorrow for us all.

No gift is too small. When we’re working together, every little bit counts.

Apply for the NXTHVN Fellowship

Each year NXTHVN welcomes up to seven artists and two curators to participate in its paid 10-month intensive Fellowship Program. Through the fellowship, recipients will gain dedicated work/studio space; optional, subsidized housing in New Haven; monthly professional development sessions; and more. For more information, click here. 

Join the Queer Activist College Roundtable!

QuAC is a free program for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults (25 and under) offering workshops, trainings, and roundtables to spark advocacy and social change. On February 13, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, they are hosting a LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness roundtable that will focus on housing policy and ways folks can get involved in supporting a trans youth shelter in Boston. Food will be provided. RSVP here.

Apply to be Responder Team Manager at Cambridge HEART

Cambridge HEART is looking for a Responder Manager. The role requires a high level of strategic thinking, organization, emotional intelligence and cultural humility. They are looking for someone who is skilled in offering meaningful support and also able to hold high expectations. Most importantly, they wish to find someone who is aligned with Cambridge HEART’s values, including abolition. Does this sound like you? Find more information and the application here. 

Attend Black Excellence on the Hill

Black Excellence on the Hill is Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus’ premier black culture celebration. Join them in celebrating Black community leaders and trailblazers who are making big changes and helping their communities advance! Friday, February 28 at 11:00 am at the Massachusetts State House’s Great Hall, second floor. 24 Beacon St., Boston, MA, 02133. Find more information here.

Attend the The Love Your Magic Conference!

Join Love Your Magic on Saturday, March 29 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for the annual Love Your Magic Conference. Love Your Magic is an organization focused on uplifting Black and Brown girls and nurturing their positive identity development. The conference is designed to help young girls learn about self-love, self-advocacy, and sisterhood. To stay updated on the conference visit this link. 

Apply to be Program Manager at the Massachusetts Coalition of Domestic Workers

Exciting News! The Massachusetts Coalition of Domestic Workers (MCDW) is looking for a program manager. MCDW is on a mission to bring justice and dignity to all domestic workers in our state. The program manager is responsible for implementing the coalition’s programs building the coalition by bringing in new members and developing new partnerships. They are looking for an individual with excellent people skills and an ability to both work alone and be a part of a team. The ideal candidate is enthusiastic about MCDW’s mission, resourceful, a good problem solver, and organized. Assuring a steady completion of workload in a timely manner is key to success in this position. Interested? Apply here.



WE'RE READING

"How We Get Free: Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective," edited by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

“Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson

WE'RE WATCHING

TV Show: Clean Slate

Movie: One of Them Days

Documentary: Paris Is Burning

WE'RE LISTENING TO

Podcast: TransLash with Imara Jones

Artist: Lianne La Havas

*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.