Grants and Investments / Enduring Progress Initiative
Women and Girls of Color Deserve More
We believe in trust-based philanthropy. And that means unrestricted investments in the leadership and vision of women, especially women of color. Women of color face unique barriers when it comes to securing funding for their critical work. That's why we founded the Enduring Progress Initiative. Through the program, we invest $50,000 in organizations led by and for women of color to support their leadership and capacity building.

Why The Women’s Fund?
According to the Pocket Change report, public foundations like The Women’s Fund can uniquely support organizations led by and for women of color. Our deep community relationships, transparent processes, and ability to be nimble funders enables us to quickly address specific funding barriers that affect women of color.
enduring progress advisory committee
Dr. Sierra Austin-King - Educational Service Center of Central Ohio; The Ohio State University
Jay Baliga - Kaiser Consulting
Whitney Crane - Philanthropist
Sophia Fifner - Columbus Metropolitan Club
Alyvia Johnson - American Election Power Foundation
Lindsay Karas Stencel - Thompson Hine
Steven Moore - The Columbus Foundation
Letha Pugh - Bake Me Happy
Julialynne Walker - Africa and Diaspora Development Linkages
Heather Whaling - Geben Communication

“I often say I started working full-time at Zora’s House in January 2021, but the truth is, I had been working at Zora’s House full time from the moment we opened in 2018. Thanks to Enduring Progress, 2021 was the first time I was being compensated for my work.”
LC Johnson, Founder and CEO, Zora’s House
Application Process
There’s not one. EPI is rooted in our trust-based approach to philanthropy, which means as few administrative hoops as possible. Enduring Progress Initiative prospects are invited to a pitch session with the Enduring Progress Advisory Committee to share why an investment would help build their capacity and get them to next. If you or someone you know is interested in being considered for a future pitch session, please contact us.