Women Moving Millions
In November 2007, Ambassador Swanee Hunt and her sister, Helen LaKelly Hunt, along with the Women's Funding Network, launched Women Moving Millions, a ground-breaking initiative to inspire gifts of $1 million and above to effect lasting social change through improving the lives of women and girls. Remarkably, as the United States entered an economic crisis in the fall of 2008, women stood fast in their commitment to boldly fund women and girls. The initiative's first phase drew to a close in April 2009 with 100 donors giving more than $176 million--over $25 million more than the campaign's goal.
According to The Foundation Center, philanthropy focused on women still lags within the mainstream. Only 6.4 percent of grants from 1,154 larger foundations in the US gave specifically to women and girls in 2005. Women Moving Millions will turn that tide by injecting significant capital into projects to empower girls and women.
Worldwide, women’s foundations within the initiative cite work to eradicate poverty through the empowerment of women and girls as their top area of funding or grant making. Other common priorities are combating violence against women and improving access to health care and education.
The Women’s Funding Network is a global movement of 126 women’s foundations, raising money and making grants to create lasting social change through the advancement and leadership of women and girls.
Press Coverage of Women Moving MillionsSERIES: Funding Serious Change for Women's LivesWomen's eNews
December 7, 2007
How Women Approach Philanthropy Differently Than MenBy Caroline Preston,
Chronicle of Philanhropy Give & Take
May 27, 2009
An Historic Day for Women, and Well Worth a DittyBy Leah Hunt-Hendrix,
Huffington PostMay 19, 2009
Affluent Women Give $176 Million StimulusSquawk on the Street, CNBC
May 15, 2009
GETTING PERSONAL: Women Take Philanthropic Reins
By Shelly Banjo,
Wall Street JournalMay 13, 2009
Downturn Creating Opportunity for Women, Funds' CEO Says
Foster's Daily Democrat
May 8, 2009
Women and Philanthropy: 4 Ways to Get Started
By Kimberly Palmer,
US News & World ReportSeptember 23, 2008
Over Time, She Developed Her Theory of GivingBy Lynne Rosenthal, Women's eNews
August 18, 2008
Wealthy Women Give to Women
By Jane Lampman,
Christian Science MonitorJuly 30, 2008
How Donating Money Can Make You Feel RicherBy Kimberly Palmer,
U.S. News & World Report's "Alpha Consumer"
June 17, 2008
The Year of Giving GenerouslyBy Sharmila Devi,
Financial TimesJune 14, 2008
NH Women's Fund Receives $200,000 Anonymous Donation
Boston GlobeJune 9, 2008
She 'Bends Toward Justice' by Giving Her AllBy Laurie Emrich, Women's eNews
June 5, 2008
Time for a She ChangeBy Liz Porter,
The AgeJune 1, 2008
Revolution ReduxBy Joanna L. Krotz,
ContributeJanuary/February 2008
Story-Teller Found Her Passion in GivingBy Barbara Bridges, Women's eNews
January 28, 2008
A Charity Challenge: Fund Women FirstBy Judith H. Dobrzynski,
MOREDecember 2007/January 2008
Women's Groups Hitting Their Strides in Giving ArenaBy Naomi Kooker,
Boston Business JournalDecember 7-14, 2007
Charity Drive Targets WomenBy Patrick Johnson,
Springfield RepublicanNovember 22, 2007
Initiative Supports Feminist Causes
By Harvy Lipman,
Bergen RecordNovember 14, 2007
US Initiative Calls for Million-Dollar Gifts to Women's Foundations
Listen to the story or
read the transcriptBy Alex Villarreal, Voice of America
November 13, 2007
The Million Dollar Sisters on a MissionBy Lauren Foster,
Financial TimesNovember 13, 2007
Oil, Disney Heiresses Launch Nonprofit Focused on Women's IssuesBy Vinnee Tong,
San Diego Union-TribuneNovember 13, 2007
Helen LaKelly Hunt writes "Making Change Happen And Helping Women Move Millions"
By Helen LaKelly Hunt,
Huffington PostNovember 13, 2007
Helen LaKelly Hunt interviewed in "Women Moving Millions"
By Anya Strzemien,
Huffington PostNovember 13, 2007
Swanee Hunt profiled in "Girl Power"By Michael Blanding,
Boston Globe Sunday MagazineNovember 11, 2007
Related News
Grants for Women and Girls Grow Faster Than Other Foundation Giving, Study FindsBy Holly Hall,
Chronicle of PhilanthropyJune 23, 2009
Report: Women's Philanthropy Outpaces the Pack
By Kayla Hutzler, Women's eNews
June 23, 2009
Help Eliminate Poverty--Invest in Women
By Christine Grumm,
Christian Science MonitorOctober 17, 2008