International Network of Women's Funds


The International Network of Women's Funds is a membership organisation bringing together women's funds from around the world, in order to promote "philanthropy with a feminist perspective". INWF was founded in 2000 with nine members, including the oldest international women's funds Mama Cash and the Global Fund for Women, and in 2014, had 42 members globally. From 2010, the Executive Director has been Emilienne de León.

History

In 1999, the Global Fund for Women and Mama Cash brought together six women's funds from around the world for a brainstorming session. In 2000, the first meeting of INWF was held, with nine members. According to Shirley Waters, founder and chair of the Women's Hope and Education and Training Trust, "these international women's funds provide an easily identifiable way to support the work of women's groups in other countries." Similarly, while discussing women's funds and the history of the INWF in 2013, Musimbi Kanyoro said, "Organized philanthropy can make a difference if the funding is targeted towards addressing the root causes of women’s vulnerability."