For Immediate Release
WHO Report on Violence Against Women Is A Wake-up Call for Philanthropy
Numbers show how the need out-paces foundation giving
Washington, D.C. (06/25/2013) – The new World Health Organization report on violence against women found that more than one third of all women from around the world are victims of physical or sexual violence. However, the latest available data show that in 2011, only 5.8 percent of total giving by the largest U.S. foundations was reported as intentionally benefiting women and girls. In response, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) released the following statement:
“Findings from a new World Health Organization (WHO) report released last week underscore the tremendous need for more philanthropic resources to address issues affecting women and girls, including physical and sexual violence,” said Aaron Dorfman, executive director of NCRP. “The security, health and well-being of women and girls are human rights and civil rights issues, and this is a classic case of how institutional philanthropy is not in step with the magnitude of the need for support.”
In 2011, the nation’s top largest foundations committed $1.4 billion to women and girls, according to our analysis of Foundation Center data.
The foundations that gave the most total grant dollars to women and girls issues in 2011 are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Ford Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
The foundations that dedicated the highest percentage of their grants to women and girls issues in 2011 are NIKE Foundation, Women’s Project Foundation, The Weberg Trust, The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and FISA Foundation.
Additionally, NoVo Foundation, founded by Jennifer and Peter Buffett and a recipient of NCRP’s 2013 Impact Awards, is a major supporter of efforts to combat violence against women and girls. It provided substantial support to 1 Billion Rising, a campaign that has engaged millions of people worldwide in efforts to end violence against women and girls. The foundation’s Move to End Violence program strengthens the anti-violence movement in the U.S. through leadership development, capacity building and forging alliances. It gives sizable grants to advocacy groups like National Domestic Workers Alliance, the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and others that help build public will for policies that work to end violence against girls and women, such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
We encourage other philanthropists to consider how they, too, can make a difference in the lives of billions of individuals, their families, their communities and the world by supporting causes that seek to eliminate violence against girls and women and help victims of abuse.
The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy in Washington, D.C., is a national watchdog, research and advocacy organization that promotes philanthropy that serves the public good, is responsive to people and communities with the least wealth and opportunity, and is held accountable to the highest standards of integrity and openness. Visit www.ncrp.org.
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