Redefining Risk: The Cost of Not Funding Women’s Rights Organizations

This report challenges conventional notions of financial risk in development and philanthropy by shifting the focus from the perceived risks of funding women’s rights organizations to the far greater risks of not funding them. It argues that current funding practices—often characterized by short-term, restrictive, and inconsistent support—undermine the ability of these organizations to drive meaningful and sustained progress on gender equality.

Through data and real-world examples, Redefining Risk: The Cost of Not Funding Women’s Rights Organizations demonstrates that women’s rights organizations are critical actors in advancing social, economic, and political change, yet they remain chronically underfunded. It highlights how this funding gap limits their capacity, weakens movements, and slows progress on key global goals, including gender equality and inclusive development.

The report also examines how traditional risk frameworks used by donors tend to favor large, established institutions while overlooking grassroots and feminist organizations that may operate differently but are deeply embedded in their communities. It calls for a rethinking of these frameworks to better reflect impact, trust, and long-term value rather than short-term financial certainty.

The report calls on funders and development actors to reframe risk, increase and sustain investments in women’s rights organizations, and adopt more flexible, trust-based funding approaches that enable these organizations to thrive and deliver lasting change.