Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Why should my company or foundation invest in the Resilience Fund?

The Fund is a unique opportunity for corporate investors and foundations to pool resources to invest in women-driven, locally led solutions to improve the health, safety, and well-being of women who form the backbone of global value chains. Recognizing the growing evidence of the limitations of approaches that are grounded in donor priorities, the Fund takes its lead from—and shifts power to—women-led organizations in impacted communities in order to drive effective, locally relevant systemic change.

Funding partners will build long-term connections with local women's funds and grassroots organizations, collaborating with grantee partners, feminist leaders, and other stakeholders through a robust Learning Hub, where shared learning and strategies will help drive greater impact for women.

What is the minimum financial commitment to be a partner in the Fund?

Companies with annual revenues over US$1 billion are asked to make a minimum US$250,000 annual commitment, with an expectation of a three-year investment. For companies with revenues under US$1 billion, the minimum annual investment is US$100,000, with a required commitment of three years.

What kind of input will my company or foundation have on funding decisions as a partner?

Funding decisions are made by a representative Advisory Board with a periodically rotating, balanced membership of investors and civil society/women's fund leaders. While not every investor will serve on the Advisory Board, all investors' interests will be represented and heard through an Investors Group that is expected to meet regularly to discuss Fund issues and learnings, provide strategic input, and confer with their Advisory Board representatives.

How are Advisory Board members selected?

The initial Advisory Board for the Fund’s start-up phase was selected to ensure strong representation of women’s fund experts and South Asia organizations, as well as a balance between investors and feminist leaders. Advisory Board members will serve a term of 6–18 months with the possibility of multiple terms. The current Advisory Board will design the process for selecting new members in order to ensure an ongoing representative balance of diverse geographies, industries, and expertise. The Advisory Board will also ensure that the number of voting members representing women's funds and community-based organizations that are the intended beneficiaries of investments equals or exceeds the number of voting members representing investors.

What is the amount of the grants, and how are they distributed?

One-third of the funding will go to women’s funds based in the Global South that can redistribute resources effectively to local women-led organizations, often in small amounts and in remote places. Two-thirds of Fund resources will go to predominantly women-led, community-based organizations in the form of direct grants of a minimum amount of US$50,000. These organizations may also subgrant to local partners where local laws permit.

How does the Advisory Board make funding decisions?

The grantmaking process will be designed and implemented by the Advisory Board. Board members will make determinations about funding by majority rule, guided by a consensus-based decision-making model.

How can my organization apply to receive funding?

The Advisory Board will make public announcements when the application process opens in the countries and regions where funding is being made available.

Does my organization qualify for funding?

Priority for all grants will go to women-led organizations (i.e., those with a female executive director or CEO and with at least 50% of senior management being women). We will also consider grassroots organizations that are significantly committed to gender equity or improving gender parity within their organizations. The Advisory Board may include additional criteria when grants are announced.

What types of projects or initiatives will be funded?

The Resilience Fund seeks to support organizations doing innovative work on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and advancing economic resilience in complex local contexts. Rather than being allocated to specific projects, funds are distributed to organizations unrestricted to allow the flexibility to pivot in rapidly changing times. Additional criteria will be released when grant opportunities are announced.

My organization would like non-monetary support or technical assistance. Does the Fund support that?

The Fund does not offer direct technical assistance. We view the Learning Hub, which will be a community network for grantees, investors, Advisory Board members, and Fund stakeholders, as an essential platform for strengthening real-time learning, knowledge sharing, and cross-sectoral linkages.

What geographic regions are being funded?

The Fund is embarking on its first phase in South Asia, with planned expansions to additional regions to be determined by the Advisory Board by early 2022.

Is this Fund for companies in any industry or sector?

Yes! The Fund welcomes investment from a wide range of industries that have a clear commitment to the health and well-being of women workers and to gender equity in their value chains. This includes but is not limited to apparel, agriculture, export manufacturing, and other industries where the global workforce comprises mostly women.

Does participation in the Fund represent an endorsement of those companies, foundations or organizations?

While we are pleased that companies, feminist organizations, foundations and other entities have decided to participate in the Fund, such participation whether as Advisory Board members, investors, or partners does not represent an endorsement of or agreement with their organizational policies, practices or external activities. Participation means that these organizations share a common interest in the success of the Fund in advancing its mission of democratized philanthropy and women-led change.

How can we invest in the Fund?

To inquire about becoming a funding partner, please contact us.