2014 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Women Donors Network is a community with a purpose – together we connect, learn, and take action to further our shared vision of a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. As a community, WDN recognizes the systemic nature of many of the challenges we face as a society. We are committed to using an intersectional lens – including race, class, gender, and sexual orientation – throughout our work.

WDN programs are designed to ignite change, providing donors with opportunities to support progressive movement-building as we deepen our knowledge, take action in partnership with allies, and engage in nimble and strategic grantmaking.

CONNECTCOLLABORATECATALYZEFOR A JUST, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE WORLD

TOWARD A SOCIETY THAT WORKS FOR ALL

PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION FOR ALL

The political leaders who represent

us should demographically reflect

the constituencies they serve –

50% women, and much larger

percentages of people of color.

The policies our leaders pass and

implement should ensure that

everyone can thrive. It should

be easier for the full diversity of

citizens to elect our leaders and

hold them accountable.

OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

Everyone, in the U.S. and around

the world, has the right to live

a fulfilling, economically secure,

peaceful, and productive life.

These opportunities must be

accessible to those who have

long been marginalized, including

people of color, women, immigrants,

low-income people, and members

of the LGBTQ community.

A SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR ALL

Policies and practices should

promote a healthy and

sustainable environment for

current and future generations.

Communities of color and

low-income neighborhoods

should not be disproportionately

exposed to environmental harm,

and all should work to ensure

environmental justice.

WDN has several overarching goals, to which all of our programs are linked. Through our educational programs, circles, and initiatives, this is the kind of world we’re trying to create.

BE INSPIRED AND CONNECTED

GAIN IMPORTANT TOOLS AND FRAMEWORKS

LEVERAGE YOUR RESOURCES AND ACCESS

Imagine and Shape the Future

at WDN Connect 2014

At this year’s annual conference,

from Nov. 6-9, we will have a

chance to envision what the

world could look like 50 years

from now, and the strategic

choices WDN needs to make

toward this vision. With futurist

thinkers and progressive

leaders, we’ll explore key

trends, discuss important

opportunities, and strategize

collectively about our next

steps as a network.

Advance Systemic Change

On calls, at our annual

conference, and through

written materials posted on

our internal website, WDN

will highlight tools and

frameworks on topics

including movement-building

and systems change, using

an intersectional lens in

grantmaking and advocacy,

and effective evaluation

methods.

Join the Campaign for a

Reflective Democracy

This year, WDN is launching

a new organization-wide

initiative, focused on advancing

the leadership of women and

people of color to create a truly

reflective democracy. There will

be opportunities, both via webinar

and small-group meetings in many

regions around the country, to

provide input into this exciting

work and track the progress of our

new collective initiative.

Participate in Strategic Visioning

and Connect Locally

Members will have the chance to

connect with other WDN members,

and introduce new people to

WDN, through a series of regional

networking events. Through these

interactive small-group sessions,

you will add your voice to WDN’s

vision for the future.

Hear About Some of the Hottest

Campaigns at WDN Pitch Night

We are excited to pilot a new

regional program this year, modeled

after a tradition that builds events

around talented entrepreneurs and

committed investors. At this WDN

“Pitch Night,” donors will be invited

to meet and network with innovative

progressive leaders who have

applied to participate in this event.

These leaders will share, in under

10 minutes and with compelling

visuals, their newest big idea or

action campaign.

Explore How Progressive Donors

Can Be Effective Allies

A series of conversations

and materials will provide

opportunities to explore how to

be a good ally with historically

marginalized communities, so

that we are all working together

effectively to advance systemic

change. Topics will include

democratic philanthropy, shared

leadership, leading from the

inside out, and being a good

board member.

Examine Issues of Family,

Kids and Money

WDN will facilitate conversations

among members and provide tips

and perspectives from experts

on family challenges related to

progressive philanthropy. This will

include topics such as navigating

wealth differences between

partners and issues related to

children and wealth.

Stay Current on Opportunities

to Address Economic Inequality

We will continue our focus on

advancing greater economic

security and opportunity for

all through grantmaking and

advocacy. Look for emails with

regular updates about ways to

engage on this important issue.

Hold Corporations Accountable

Through Your Investments

In partnership with experts in

shareholder activism, we will

provide you with helpful tools

and advice on understanding

your portfolio with a progressive

lens. WDN members will have

opportunities to participate in

shareholder activism campaigns

with ally organizations on our

core issues. The first effort will

target reducing use of tar sands

fuel – some of the dirtiest, most

carbon-intensive fuel in the U.S.

and Canada.

Stay Current on Issues

Through WDN Donor Circles

Our donor circles will host

educational calls and meetings

focused on a range of issues, from

reproductive health, to peace in

the Middle East, to criminal justice

reform. Not only do these programs

help you be a more informed donor

on the issues you care about, they

also connect you to innovative

leaders and thinkers who are

moving these issues forward.

Learn How to Communicate

Effectively Through Writing

WDN will organize a week-long

exclusive writer’s retreat with

Hedgebrook on Whidbey Island,

Washington. This unique Master

Class with Gail Tsukiyama

from May 20-27 will combine

a retreat experience with the

opportunity to be in residence

and study with a master

woman writer and teacher.

Give Collectively Through

Donor Circles

In addition to our strategic

initiative on reflective democracy,

WDN also provides opportunities

throughout the year to support

organizations and efforts aligned

with WDN values and circle

priorities.

Advocate for Change with

WDN on the Hill

In this annual event, you have

the chance to become a stronger

and more effective advocate.

Through interactive training,

Gear Up to Promote

Greater Civic Participation

In the midst of disturbing

attacks on voting rights, we

are co-sponsoring a call series

this spring with multiple civic

engagement funder networks.

These calls will focus on what’s

at stake in the 2014 mid-term

elections, and highlight efforts

to protect and expand civic

participation.

Learn from Member Stories of

Success, Failure, and Impact

Story-sharing calls will allow

members to share their stories of

their work to support and advance

the progressive movement – their

successes, their failures, and

what they have learned that

informs their philanthropy. This

year, we will ask our storytellers

to include their lessons learned

about successful grantmaking and

identifying evidence of impact.

Learn About the Power of

the WDN Network Through

Electronic Mapping

In early 2014, we will share the

results of our first-ever network

mapping survey that highlights

how much we give, the leaders

we know, and the boards we

serve on, and strategize about

how to understand and use this

information.

you will learn best practices

of advocacy and lobbying.

You will then go out in small

groups to meet with Members of

Congress and other high-level

policymakers – leveraging our

members’ access to advance

change, in close partnership

with ally organizations. This

year’s event from April 8-10 will

include a focus on women’s

economic security, immigration,

international women’s issues,

and climate change.

At WDN you will build and expand relationships with fellow progressive women donors committed to structural change, and with cutting- edge leaders rooted in the perspectives of women, people of color, low-income communities, and other underrepresented groups.

Through high-quality programs and resources, WDN will provide you with a range of tools and frameworks that will empower you to grow as a philanthropist and an activist.

At WDN, we understand that together we can do much more than we ever could separately. WDN members multiply impact by giving collectively. We also will continue to learn to harness our networks, and our power as investors and shareholders, to advance change.

565 Commercial Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94111T: 415.814.1333 | F: 415.814.1334 | womendonors.org

ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT WDN EVENTS AND OTHER

OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WDN PROGRAMS, CONTACT:

REBECCA FLOURNOY

rflournoy@womendonors.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WDN MEMBERSHIP, CONTACT:

JENIFER FERNANDEZ ANCONA

jancona@womendonors.org

SAVE THE DATEWDN CONNECT 2014THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9PRE-CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6THE CLAREMONT HOTEL, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA