Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism

In 2024, not only did we here at Urgent Action Fund support more frontline activists than ever before, but we also advocated for increased resources for feminist activism and integrating collective care into human rights philanthropy worldwide. 2025 is not going to be easy. Make a gift to our Rising Justice Campaign today, and help us keep up the momentum. https://lnkd.in/gTVauJ7a

What do we mean when we say that we make rapid response grants? At Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism, we're talking about awarding grants quickly, in a flexible and trust-based way. We’re talking about quickly moving resources directly into the hands of frontline activists to navigate unexpected opportunities, mitigate threats, and advance the rights of all people. Women, trans, and non-binary activists working to reclaim justice often face tremendous pushback, becoming targets of violence, harassment, and intimidation. Their lives, safety, and movements are constantly at risk and being prepared is critical. For feminist activists mobilizing to meet unexpected opportunities, challenges, and political landscapes, one grant from us means more than just funding. It means safety, care, and trust for them and their movements. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eShmYVKr

"Climate-focused feminist funds, such as Global Greengrants Fund, the Pastoral Women’s Council, Urgent Action Fund, and MADRE, fund across movements to promote more systemic change." Thank you to The Bridgespan Group for highlighting the importance of funding feminist movements in the fight on climate change and for the shoutout to our work at Urgent Action Fund. https://ed.gr/d632s

Integrity. At Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism, we value integrity, which includes the practices of transparency, honesty, reliability, and accountability—especially in challenging moments. We think critically and actively listen to grantees, donors, advisors, partners, and movement allies with whom we build relationships based on mutual respect and trust. We learn and grow from their constructive feedback. 📸 : Mwabonje-Ringa

The impact report from CatalyticAction, an Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism grantee, is just one inspiring example of the power of collective action to strengthen a community. The report highlights the impact one of our grants had in supporting the organization’s efforts to actively mobilize the community, advocate for public space rights, and facilitate the establishment of the Karantina Park Women's Collective in Karantina, Lebanon, a neighborhood impacted by the Beirut Port Explosion in 2020. For further details about the impactful work undertaken by CatalyticAction and our support, visit page 31 of their impact report: https://lnkd.in/euxTUtcQ #CommunityEmpowerment 📸: CatalyticAction

Read how we brought government representatives from the Netherlands, France, Canada, & Mexico and diverse civil society actors, including trans and sex worker activists from the global south, to share learning in a fun, feminist way! #FundWhatWorks https://t.ly/-TM1c

Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism is one of four Sister Urgent Action Funds that together form a global consortium. We provide grants to women, trans, and non-binary human rights defenders in Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, The Caucasus, The Balkans, Canada, and the United States. Our sister funds, Urgent Action Fund- Africa, Urgent Action Fund- Latin America & the Caribbean, and Urgent Action Fund- Asia & Pacific, provide grants to women’s and non-binary human rights defenders in those regions. https://lnkd.in/gCd4gYMt

The current Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) practices followed by mainstream funders have significant barriers and risks. The most noticeable ones create extra burdens for women and girls, puts their safety and security at risk, and silences their voices. Whereas feminist MEL can help examine power dynamics and structural inequities, uplift the stories of women and girls, actively engage women in the MEL process and shine a strong light on the change they catalyze. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eVURwJqv

Recognizing the need for care among feminist activists is critical. At Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism, we know that feminist activists working tirelessly on the frontlines need more than funding. This was evident in 2023, as many of the activists we supported were facing trauma and burnout from constantly being exposed to crisis situations. That's why our grants went beyond immediate needs and included resources for self-care, mental health support, and mutual aid initiatives. See how the activists we work with are nurturing resilience and collective care within feminist movements: https://lnkd.in/e9j4bFAR

As we celebrate Human Rights Day, feminist activists around the world are risking persecution, censorship, imprisonment, and more for defending rights. Urgent Action Fund has been supporting this fight for over 25 years. With deep roots within feminist communities, we work in partnership with activists and organizations leading this work to protect human rights, democracy, justice, and our planet. Join us in supporting organizations and the brave activists who fuel our shared struggle for equity and justice through our Rising Justice Campaign. https://lnkd.in/gTVauJ7a