Courtesy of The Rita Fund
Women's organizations around the world now have another ally on their side: The Rita Fund, an organization that exists to [url='http://theritafund.org/about/background/']fill the
It is meant, though, to be a different kind of fund—the point, says Kurland, "is to add value beyond just the grant."
Kurland wants to put money directly in the hands of women who are finding solutions to their own and their communities' problems—but to also be a partner to these women and their organizations, and not just a source of funding.
Kurland wants to break out of the conventional funder-grantee relationship and hopes that with time, the groups can start to think of themselves as partners. She wants them not to worry about appearances with the funder and instead, if questions arise, to feel comfortable enough seeking advice.
The grantee and funder share the same goals, so the relationship should feel less like a constant test and more like a partnership. Kurland recognizes that to help a women's group achieve its goals, some trial and error is going to be involved, and she's not looking to punish anyone for trying something that doesn't work.
What she's looking to do is empower women who are trying to improve lives around them, women like those who belong to the five groups in Mexico, Nicaragua, France, India, and Chile who received The Rita Fund's very first round of grants this summer.
There's no geographic requirement of the grantees, but since grants are small, said Kurland, "we tend to work where amounts like $7,000 can really make a difference."
Another way the fund stands out is its willingness to fund—or even seek out—groups that have no funding history. Kurland recognizes that it's often hardest for a group to get initial funding. Having at least one source of funds usually helps attract more—it helps to be able to say, 'look, someone else is already supporting us.'
Now, that someone can be The Rita Fund.
