The Women’s Foundation of the South
Philanthropic foundation investing in women of color.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | $50.0k | Grant | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
The Women’s Foundation of the South (WFS) is a public foundation dedicated to securing the health, wealth, and power of women and girls of color in the southern United States. Launched in August 2021 and based in New Orleans, WFS was established to address the significant underfunding of nonprofits and businesses led by and serving women of color in the region. The foundation was co-founded by Carmen James Randolph, who serves as the Founding President and CEO, and three other women. Randolph brought over two decades of experience in philanthropy, where she witnessed firsthand the funding disparities faced by women of color-led organizations.
WFS operates as a healing-centered, endowed institution, functioning as a channel for donors, corporations, and investors to direct capital towards women and girls of color. The organization's model is designed to disrupt traditional philanthropic practices by centering racial and gender equity. Its client base consists of nonprofit organizations and women entrepreneurs of color across 13 Southern states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The foundation raises money and distributes it through multi-year general operating support grants, leadership development programs, and capital for entrepreneurs. One of its signature programs, WŌC @ Rest, provides grants and healing-centered retreats for women of color leaders.
The foundation was initiated with the support of nearly 100 Black women in philanthropy who contributed their own funds and encouraged others to match their gifts. WFS has a goal to change the economic trajectory for 2.5 million women and girls of color by 2031 and has launched a $100 million fundraising initiative to support this vision. The organization is led by a board and staff composed primarily of women of color with extensive experience in grantmaking.
Keywords: women of color, girls of color, Southern US, philanthropy, grantmaking, racial equity, gender equity, economic security, leadership development, community investment, nonprofit support, entrepreneurship, social justice, wealth building, capacity building, WOC-led, BIPOC women, healing-centered philanthropy, strategic grantmaking, social impact investing