Giving Compass' Take:

• Writing for the Chronicle of Social Change, Kiersten Marek explains women's funds and foundations are well-positioned to chart a new path for public safety alongside youth-led movements.

• The Young Women's Initiative is mentioned as one coalition driving this effort, as well as the Women's Funding Network. How can other organizations support or emulate their model?

• Women-led philanthropy is often a driver of change. Be sure to read this report about impact giving by and for women.

Are we finally listening to the children? An estimated 185,000 youth walked out of school and onto the streets on March 14 to protest the lack of adequate gun control in America. Thousands more will descend on Washington, D.C., today to raise their voices and most importantly lay out a responsible path forward. Youth-led social movements are demonstrating that they are the force to be reckoned with.

Funders ready to acknowledge and bolster youth-led movements are in the right place at the right time to help chart a new path for public safety. Among the funders who are well-positioned for this niche are women’s funds and foundations.

In key respects, many women’s funds have already done groundbreaking work for youth-led movements in recent years. Scaling these movements up could be an effective way to fight back against a government currently held hostage by the powerful moneyed interests of the gun lobby.

The growth of youth-led advocacy supported by women’s funds started because they recognized the essential value of young women’s voices and experiences. This work was cultivated further in 2016 with the launch of Prosperity Together, a collaboration of 32 women’s funds across the country who have committed to investing $100 million over five years in improving economic security for low-income women, particularly young women.

Read the full article about women's funds and youth-led movements by Kiersten Marek at The Chronicle of Social Change.