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The donations are pledged to any of the 128 members of the Women's FundingNetwork, a global alliance of women's foundations and partners who raise moneyand award grants to initiatives that offer the greatest potential for lastingimpact on issues from dismantling poverty to women's leadership.
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Despite the economic downturn and the slow-down of other nationalfundraising efforts, the Women Moving Millions campaign has created a forwardmomentum. Women Moving Millions leaders are crediting their success to thecompelling case for advancing social change by investing in women and girls.
The initiative, which began with a $10 million gift from sisters andphilanthropists Helen LaKelly Hunt and Swanee Hunt, recognizes the growingfinancial clout of women, who now hold more than half the private wealth inthe United States. The goal of Women Moving Millions is to raise the bar onwomen's philanthropy and to push the aggregate power of women's foundationsbeyond $1 billion by April 2009.
Over the last two decades, women's foundations have given more than $400million in grants to nonprofits that benefit low-income women and girls. Thefunds currently have combined assets of $450 million. The $150 milliontargeted to be raised through Women Moving Millions will bring the totalfinancial power of the Women's Funding Network to nearly $1 billion.
"We've reached the $100 million point much sooner than anticipated,"commented Helen LaKelly Hunt, Co-Chair of the initiative. "It's clear we'vetouched a nerve, and that women of wealth are ready to become powerful changeagents in a way unseen in all of history."
"What we're doing is revolutionizing philanthropy," noted Christine Grumm,CEO of the Women's Funding Network and Co-Chair of Women Moving Millions."Women Moving Millions is an unprecedented partnership between donors andvisionary women's foundations worldwide."
The Women's Funding Network is a global movement of more than 128 women'sfoundations, raising money and giving grants to create lasting social changethrough the advancement and leadership of women and girls.
For more information on Women Moving Millions and particular funds, pleasevisit http://www.womenmovingmillions.org
SOURCE Women's Funding Network