Philanthropists and sisters, Ambassador Swanee Hunt and Helen LaKelly Hunt in partnership with the Women’s FundingNetwork (www.wfnet.org), today announced the launch of Women Moving Millions, a groundbreaking initiative to inspire gifts of one million dollars and above to effect lasting social change through improving the lives of women and girls. The initiative’s goal is to raise $150 million by April 2009, which will propel the collective grant-making and assets of women’s foundations worldwide over the $1 billion mark.

“As women’s control of wealth in the U.S. continues to rise, now is the time to raise the bar on women’s philanthropy and direct greater resources to woman and girls. Women are giving at unprecedented levels in a global initiative for woman,” said Helen Hunt, co-founder of Women Moving Millions. “This is an historic moment in the world of women’s philanthropy.” 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 U.S. 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.

“Over 80 percent of grants made by women’s foundations flow to women and girls with low or no income,” said Christine Grumm, President and CEO of Women’s Funding Network. “Together, we are creating new opportunities for these women, which simultaneously boost the strength of their families, their communities and ultimately whole nations. Our work is showing that such a ‘women first’ investment approach is the savviest way for donors to propel lasting community and social change.”

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 healthcare and education.

The Women’s Funding Network is a global movement of 124 women’s foundations, raising money and giving grants to create lasting social change through the advancement and leadership of women and girls.

For more information on Women Moving Millions and particular funds, please visit www.womenmovingmillions.org.
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