Like many diversity efforts, including women’s voices in grantmaking decisions—particularly women from historically marginalized groups—doesn’t often happen organically. Typically, it takes someone seeing a situation that needs to change and doing the work to change it.

As a follow-up to the Women in Philanthropy Institute’s 2023 Symposium, hosted by the Indiana University Lilly Foundation School of Philanthropy, we gathered four dynamic grantmakers to discuss how they are doing the work to amplify female voices, especially women, girls, and femmes of color, in philanthropy.

Jacqueline Ackerman from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute moderated the panel, which featured Dr. Monique Couvson, President and CEO for Grantmakers for Girls of Color, Natanja Craig-Oquendo, Executive Director of the Boston Women’s Fund, and Marsha Morgan, Board Advisory Member of the Community Investment Network and Black Women Give Back honoree.

Based on the conversation with these grantmakers, here are four ways grantmakers can make sure all stages of their funding programs include the voices and perspectives of women.

  • See Women and Girls. Intentionally.
  • Build Trust Through Relationships
  • Know Your Stories, Quantitatively and Qualitatively
  • Rethink Risk

Read the full article about equitable grantmaking at The Engage Blog.