Who we support

FEATURED GRANTEES

In our two decades (plus) of investing in people, organizations, and ideas, we’ve put our dollars where we think they will do the most good at the moment our funding is most needed. Sometimes our grant is a lone, early vote of confidence, other gifts are part of a massive campaign involving thousands of supporters. We’re early believers in organizations that we expect to outgrow us. We provide small amounts of initial capital, celebrating when a grantee has succeeded enough that we can no longer afford to be a lead sponsor.

Roll Red Roll
2. Storytelling
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Ms. Foundation
1. Leadership, 3. Convenings
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Annenberg Inclusion Initiative (MDSCI)
1. Leadership, 2. Storytelling
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Higher Heights (Leadership Fund)
1. Leadership, 3. Convenings
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Hello Neighbor
3. Convenings
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Unrest
2. Storytelling
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The Hunting Ground
2. Storytelling
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Sundance Institute
2. Storytelling
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Women Donors Network
1. Leadership
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Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
1. Leadership
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WHAT ATTRACTS INVESTMENT FROM US?

We invest in individuals and organizations working for a fairer world. We look for ways to create opportunities and advancement for women, girls, and other people who have been excluded by systems that weren’t designed for their success.

We invest not only our financial resources – we have decades of experience as donor partners we’re willing to share with our grantees.

Leadership

The strengths and weaknesses of each of our partners is vastly different. While some filmmakers prefer a crash course in financing, there are TED Fellows who need assistance developing business plans. While some organizations lack communications and marketing knowhow, others require leadership training. The tools and leadership support required to bolster brilliant ideas are unique and relative, which is why our approach to investing is about so much more than money. Our tailor-made grants allow our partners to identify the solutions specific to them, then create the path to move toward their goals.

Storytelling

Being seen. Being heard. This is a through-line in all of our work. Storytelling is one of the post powerful vehicles for change, which is why we invest in both individual stories and systemic shifts aimed at creating a more equitable landscape. We consider ourselves “Creative Producers” (a term we borrowed from our friends at Sundance), and prefer to work alongside mediamakers in order to identify how we can best support the full lifespan of a piece of media. This means not only finding the right audience, but presenting that audience with the tools they need to act.

Convenings

For over two decades we’ve invested in gatherings, conferences, special occasions and other events that bring people together, both online and in real life. When we’re in the company of others, the possibilities for creative outcomes multiply exponentially.

We partner with others to make sure that we’re convening a diverse and inclusive group of participants and leaders, as well as meeting with a purpose and a hoped-for outcome. We participate in collaborative philanthropy, a different kind of convening. Giving circles offer opportunities for people to pool their resources and maximize the effect of their collective investment.