We have a three-pronged approach to making economic security a reality for women and children in our state. To achieve it we’ll leverage the power of our giving circle philanthropists, our Women’s Policy Institute fellows and our Stand with Women advocates.
One, through our giving circles, we’ll educate and unleash an entire generation of philanthroactivists, people steeped in the issues of economic security and eager to invest in and take part in this critical movement.
Our giving circles can make a real difference in our communities by infusing strategic, thoughtful grants into the field and by investing in women and women-led solutions to increasing economic security. Imagine, since 1999, which is when we launched our first giving circle, our circles have collectively given $10.4 million in grants to improve the lives of low-income women and their children!
Two, we’ll continue training grassroots women leaders through our Women’s Policy Institute. These women will work with our state and local elected officials to create public policies that champion low-income women and increase social mobility and economic opportunity in our state.
Public policy is very important and we can’t forget that one good bill can right a terrible wrong. Just this year, we contributed to the passage of a groundbreaking law. The Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (AB 241), only the third of its kind in the US, will extend overtime pay to all domestic workers, the majority of whom are low-income women who are heads of household.
Three, we’ll engage our vast network of supporters in active advocacy, awareness and media relations campaigns on behalf of causes that actively promote the economic security of women and families in our state. Stand with Women will be our laboratory for change where we’ll test ideas, collaborate with longtime and new allies and work to build a strong, relentless antipoverty movement.
Throughout it all, we’ll leverage our research, conferences, petitions, op-eds, media outreach and the voices of ambassadors like you to make public and visible both the plight and the power of California’s low-income women.
In 2014 we will:
- Fight for good jobs that provide good wages and benefits.
- Raise the minimum wage.
- Ensure that the safety net is there when women and families need it.
- Invest in organizations that support women and women-led solutions to ending poverty.
- Train women to lead policy change efforts in Sacramento and in their local communities.
- Grow the number of donors who pool their resources, do collaborative grantmaking and support organizations that advance women’s economic security.