BACKGROUND
The Women’s Catalytic Fund (WCF) is a giving circle that believes in the power of women to drive social change. The circle has been active for 13 years and granted nearly $3.5 million to non-profit organizations in the Bay Area and California. In 2017, the circle moved its ‘home’ to EBCF.
In the past, the circle conducted an annual grant-making process. However, members recognized that women’s movements need the ability to respond to threats and opportunities with more flexible and responsive funding. This drove the circle to shift to shorter, more frequent grantmaking in 2019 in order to put resources into the hands of women more quickly.
Through its catalytic giving, the WCF is prepared to take risks, respond rapidly, and give directly to frontline organizers working to end gender-based inequity early, when resources are most needed. Typically, these are one-time $15,000 grants to ensure financial resources are not a barrier to action.
Grantmaking
Due to the challenging issues of 2020, including the Covid-19 pandemic and mounting pressure for racial, social and environmental justice, the Women’s Catalytic Fund opened our Fall 2020 funding cycle to the 12 organizations we funded in prior cycles. These organizations were invited to apply for one-time supplemental grants of $10,000. We are proud to announce that the following organizations will receive funding through our Fall 2020 cycle.
- Total Empowerment Life Coaching
- Justice Now
- Oakland Bloom
- California Coalition for Women Prisoners
- The Radical Monarchs
- Safe Return Project
- ACT for Women and Girls
- California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative
- Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance
- Esq. Apprentice
Grantees of the Women’s Catalytic Fund
Spring 2020
- Total Empowerment Life Coaching: https://www.twelc.org/mission-vision
- Justice Now https://www.justicenow.org
- Oakland Bloom: http://oaklandbloom.org
- Black LGTBQ + Migrant Project (BLMP) https://transgenderlawcenter.org/programs/blmp
Fall 2019
- California Coalition for Women Prisoners: #MeToo Behind Bars Documentation Project: https://womenprisoners.org/
- The Radical Monarchs: Radical Alumni Program: http://radicalmonarchs.org/
- Safe Return Project: Re-investing in Formerly Incarcerated Women & Girls: https://www.safereturnprj.org/
- ACT for Women and Girls: Truth to Power ACTion Team: https://www.actforwomenandgirls.org/
Spring 2019
- Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance: http://www.cocofamilyjustice.org/
- California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative: https://cahealthynailsalons.org/
- Esq. Apprentice: https://esqapprentice.org/
- Mamacitas Cafe: http://www.mamacitascafe.com/
Donate
Donate to the Women’s Catalytic Fund today and join our mission to end gender-based inequity early, when resources are most needed.
CONTACT US
The Women’s Catalytic Fund is now accepting applications via JustFund, a digital platform to connect social justice funders, foundations, and funds directly with grassroots organizations and urgent projects. The deadline to submit a proposal is Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 5:00 pm PST. For more information see our Spring 2021 Request for Proposals. If you have any questions about WCF or our grant process, please email WCFgrantinformation@gmail.com.
