Description

The New York Women's Foundation’s Catalytic Grantmaking approach invests early, strategically, and sustainably in social entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, and community-based organizations. Often acting as a first investor, the Foundation commits its credibility, resources, and time to help partners build a track record and attract further support. It prioritizes New York City while also supporting state and national work that impacts the five boroughs and beyond.

The approach combines trust-based, participatory grantmaking with long-term partnerships to strengthen organizational capacity and advance sustainable change. Guided by women and gender-expansive people, it gives people affected by funding decisions a role in making them. The Foundation emphasizes emerging and underinvested causes, transparency, dialogue, and mutual learning.