By Elizabeth Bibb Binder, Maddie Holland, and Riti Mohapatra, the Bridgespan Group
When thinking about impact, funders often overlook gender. Consider that while in 2021-2022, Bridgespan Group research indicates that US donors made roughly 200 grants of $25 million or more to social change causes, just 16 per cent named gender as an explicit focus of their grants. Those who do incorporate gender in their work frequently view it as a discrete programme category, a focus that has been vital in improving the lives of women, girls, and gender-expansive people. Yet, gender matters across every issue area—and philanthropists who choose to ignore it risk leaving impact on the table.
Consider, too, the environment and climate change. An environmental funder who wants to stop deforestation in Indigenous territories can recognise that, with men moving to cities, women are often the frontline defenders of community resources. However, most local governance structures often won’t allow women to participate politically or own land, hindering their ability to protect the land. Channelling support to Indigenous women—to convene, strategise, and organise—can unlock new pathways for that funder to achieve their climate action objectives.
Adopting a gender lens can also have an impact on education. Women account for two-thirds of adults (515 million) globally who can’t read. According to the World Literacy Foundation, illiteracy costs the global economy about $1 trillion annually. Funders looking to improve literacy outcomes globally can therefore consider the unique experiences, circumstances, and needs of women and girls, both to understand what is driving this disparity and how best to address it. For example, those focused on primary and secondary education can consider the social norms that encourage parents to prioritise educating their sons rather than their daughters.
Gender also matters when it comes to political representation. Women hold only 10 per cent of political party leadership positions, and only 27 per cent of legislators globally are women. Yet research shows that having more women in government can positively impact a range of issue areas—including longer periods of peace and reduced levels of conflict, as well as an increased willingness to ratify environmental treaties and adopt policies that address climate change.
These are just a few examples. Gender equity is a valuable lens for every funder. In Bridgespan’s article Illuminating Impact: Why Gender Matters for Funders in Any Issue Area, we explore five practices funders can apply in their work. These practices were developed in conversation with over 80 funders, nonprofit leaders, and experts who generously shared their insights and perspectives:
- Understand your starting point. Do you know how outcomes vary by gender in your work? For many funders, the answer will be ‘No’. Our report shares a framework to help funders understand whether their current work is gender unintentional, gender-responsive, or gender transformative. Mapping your work to these categories can help you understand how you approach gender today—and which direction you may want to head in next.
- Analyse gender in your issue area. How gender intersects with an issue area may not be obvious. Research the current outcomes by gender, together with other dimensions of identity where inequities often exist such as race, socioeconomic status, ability, and sexual orientation. For the disparities that emerge, what are the root causes?
- Design a portfolio that addresses gender in your issue area. Based on your analysis, who and what will you fund differently? Consider funding more women-led organisations and collaboratives focusing on gender equity, including feminist funds. Choose strategies that can deepen your impact, from meeting basic needs to addressing root causes over the longer term.
- Invest in women’s leadership. Women leaders bring unique attributes that can help unlock impact in any issue, yet they face distinct barriers to accessing decision-making roles and remaining in them over time. Provide steadfast and flexible funding to women leaders across sectors so they can stay and thrive.
- Evolve your organisation to support your gender aspirations. To live into the practices above, change within your organisation is required. This can include revisiting your organisation’s culture, grantmaking processes, measurement, and structure to ensure they align with your gender equity goals.
Without question, more funding can and should go to dedicated efforts supporting women and girls. But the opportunity here goes far beyond ‘gender funders’. It’s an opportunity for every funder.
By consistently bringing a gender lens—paying unique attention to gender balances and biases—to the broader expanse of their giving, funders can accelerate progress on the issues they target in their work, whether in climate, livelihoods, health, or other areas.
As we note in our report, viewing the issues you care about through a gender lens is like wearing glasses you didn’t know you needed. We invite philanthropists to experience that joy and, in so doing, discover new pathways for impact.
Download the ‘Illuminating Impact: Why Gender Matters for Funders in Any Issue Area’ report to learn more.
Elizabeth Bibb Binder and Riti Mohapatra are Bridgespan partners, and Maddie Holland is a Bridgespan principal.
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