Washington, DC – Support for women and girls’ organizations make up less than 2% of all philanthropic giving in the United States. Although there is growing work in this space from local and national nonprofits, this underinvested area showcases an opportunity for philanthropy to help increase visibility and allow for more collaboration and coordination in the sector. Joining national momentum to encourage, prepare, and support women in leadership, the Crimsonbridge Foundation began supporting local and national organizations through its Women and Girls Leadership and Civic Engagement grant-making program in 2018.
This year, Crimsonbridge Foundation awarded $105,000 to eight grantee community partners: All In Together, Chica Project, Girls on the Run DC, Girls on the Run of Montgomery County, Girls Rock! DC, IGNITE, Running Start, and She Should Run. Since 2018, Crimsonbridge has invested a total of $238,500 in 11 local, regional, and national community-based organizations promoting women's and girls' leadership and civic engagement.
“Crimsonbridge is committed to building the power of women and girls. Our approach of supporting leadership development and civic engagement programming and infrastructure is anchored in increasing representation of women in leadership roles, and encouraging the engagement of women and girls - who have been historically excluded from decision-making tables, boards, and elected positions,”
says Robyn Attebury Ellis, Program Officer of the Crimsonbridge Foundation. "Women and girls lead, problem-solve, and innovate, without equal support and generally managing more care work. Investing in women and girls’ leadership and civic engagement is a way to recognize, resource, and prepare current and future generations.”
Founded in 2015, the Crimsonbridge Foundation is an engaged and active community partner that takes an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, one that goes beyond the grant transaction. Through their community partnerships in Women and Girls Leadership and Civic Leadership, the foundation is supporting leadership development programming for all ages, trainings facilitated in cohorts, and the development of national curriculum and resources for civic participation, for a more representative future in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and nationally.
For questions or media inquiries, please contact office@crimsonbridge.org.