Last week, attending the Innovations in International Philanthropy Symposium, I was heartened that ‘Taking Action Now’ was one of the core tracks. This was an especially welcome theme for the global consortium of regional feminist funds I work with, the Urgent Action Funds, because our support for feminist activists and organisations via quick infusions of cash at critical moments is all about taking action now. Too often, philanthropy is slow to catch up to the needs we face globally. But at the International Philanthropy Symposium, I heard a clarion call from panelists and a clear desire from attendees to move resources now to address the growing crises facing humanity and our shared planet.

The question is always, how do we do this effectively and responsibly? Sessions on topics such as localisation, supporting societies in prolonged crisis, taking into account intersectionality while funding, and philanthropy’s role in bolstering civil society in Ukraine all sought to answer this question. Keynotes featured activist leaders from different regions and movements, like Jamila Afghani and Moky Makura sharing their perspectives on how donors can step up.

Across each session I attended, a simple yet powerful theme emerged: the most lasting positive change comes about when local communities are leading the way. Donors should provide flexible resources that support folks on the ground to call the shots, because they know what is best for their communities and their contexts.

For U.S.-based philanthropists seeking to fund internationally, providing flexible resources to local communities can be hard to navigate. These donors may not be closely linked to communities on the ground experiencing the impact of the issues donors seek to address. Because of this distance, it can be difficult to know who or what to fund, or how to best move money to organisations that do not have 501c3 status.

The closing keynote speaker on the second day of the conference, Jhannel Tomlinson of GirlsCARE in Jamaica, offered a clear answer to these barriers donors may face: work with collaborative funds that have close ties to local communities and movements.

Jhannel shared about the first contributor to GirlsCARE, FRIDA: The Young Feminist Fund. She noted how impactful FRIDA’s support is because FRIDA deeply understands the ecosystem in which GirlsCare operates and the needs they have. Both individual and institutional donors can lean on the experience and connections of feminist funds and other types of collaborative funds, partnering with them to effectively move resources in ways that are accountable to local communities. Donors can seek out funds that have meaningful ties to and leadership from the issues, geographies, and movements that they want to support. For feminist funds in particular – which partner closely with grassroots women, trans, and non-binary activists and movements working across a variety of geographies and issues, including peacebuilding, the climate crisis, reproductive rights, LGBTQI rights, health, education, and more – donors can use the membership list of Prospera-International Network of Women’s Funds to find feminist funds that match your giving goals. For a broader list of collaborative funds, donors can look to this database compiled by Bridgespan, which includes many funds with expertise in different areas. For example, this database includes the Global Greengrants Fund, a climate justice fund that Jhannel also mentioned as an exemplary partner to GirlsCARE.

Take action now by working with a fund that already has the connections, experience, and expertise to move money exactly where it most needs to go.

Celia Turner, Partnerships Managing Officer, Urgent Action Fund