Who We Are

The Women’s Foundation of the South (WFS) is a public foundation led by and working for womxn* and girls of color (WGOC) in the Southern United States

We raise money and invest it in nonprofits and businesses across 13 states as the only permanent foundation dedicated to centering and investing in the collective health, wealth, and power of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian womxn and girls across the entire American South.

We invest in womxn of color (WOC) because we know that when WOC-led organizations and businesses are well capitalized, they facilitate more just policies, hire more people of color, generate wealth in their communities, conduct relevant and effective programs as well as create the conditions necessary for everyone to prosper.
*use of “womxn” includes trans womxn and gender non-conforming people
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WHY WE EXIST

When womxn of color are successful, the entire community thrives. Yet, Southern states consistently fall below the national average in outcomes for womxn in areas like health, legal protection, and economic security.

Womxn of Color (WOC) in the South are more likely to have incomes below the federal poverty line, significantly higher maternal mortality and morbidity rates, are less likely to have access to caring, high-quality healthcare and health insurance, or have legal protection from domestic violence, reproductive injustice, and employment discrimination.
Census statistics project that the United States will have a “minority white” population by 2045. This means that current racial minorities (Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian people of color) will be the primary demographic engine of the nation’s future growth. Data also predict that womxn of color will be the majority of all womxn in the United States by 2060. We see glimpses of these shifts right now in the American South, where over half of the country’s Black population resides. If current outcomes experienced by people of color in Southern communities serve a bellwether of what we can expect for the country within a generation, then the very future of America is in danger. Simply put, what happens in the South is the predictor of the future success of the country. When we disconnect our most marginalized communities from prosperity, we cap the economic and political potential of the entire country.
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Our Approach

An investment in womxn and girls of color in the South is the surest way to change their lives and the future direction of our country. The time to invest in the outcomes we want is now.

Philanthropy is poised to lead by elevating innovation and best practices and investing in the people and organizations working to create and replicate transformational change. Yet, despite its charitable intentions, legacy philanthropy often causes further harm by limiting investments, access to power, and opportunities for organizations led by people of color, especially womxn of color.

Therefore, WFS is writing the next chapter for womxn and girls of color (WGOC) in the South. We believe that solutions are often held by those closest to impacts of the problem. By transforming the way philanthropy prioritizes its funding, we invest in the health, wealth, and power of Southern WGOC.

By 2026, WFS will serve the thirteen states of the American South: Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.

SPONSORS AND ENDORSERS

Individuals

Elaine Aglipay Delio
Ivye Allen
Jessica Allen
Melanie Allen
Dora Anim
Katharine Arnold
Denise Barreto
Natasha Berry
Allie Betts
Samantha Bickham
Marsha Bonner
Laquitta Bowers
Dahlia Brown
Melanie R Brown
Lynne Burkart
Alexandra Carmen
Lauren Y Casteel
Kellie Chavez Greene
Amelia Cobb
Ciara Coleman
Michelle Coleman
Rubie Coles
Elizabeth Cowan
Erika Davies
Felicia S Davis Blakely
Mekaelia Davis
Melissa DeShields
Robert L. Dortch Jr.
Shaleiah Fox
Michel Francois
Linetta Gilbert
Micah Gilmer
C'Ardiss Gleser
Ainka Gonzalez
Caronina Grimble
Alicia Grissom
Amber Hamilton

Corliss Harlen
Trista Harris
Audrey Jacobs
Carmen James Randolph
Alice Eason Jenkins
Alisha Johnson Perry
Euris Johnson
Lauren King
Jamie Koppel
Gladys Krigger Washington
Jason Lamin
Sequane Lawrence
KiTani Lemieux
Jade Lenore LeDuff
Sandra G Lilly
Marcus Littles
Maude B. Lofton
Felecia LaTryce Lucky
Tyra Mariani
Erin McQuade-Wright
Sandra Mikush
Oronde Miller
Jo Ann Minor
Katrina Mitchell
Robert Moorehead
Amoretta Morris
Andreanecia Morris
Anne Mosle
Laura Mountcastle
Kieta D. Mutepfa
Raquel Najera
Jacqueline Neilson
Ade Oguntoye
Jed Oppenheim
Heather D Parish
Lee Parker
Marc Philpart

Toya Randall
Shaunna Randolph
Joann M. Ricci
Constance W. Rice
Melanie Richardson
Bonita Robertson-Hardy
Christine Robinson
Nicole R Robinson
Julie L. Rogers
Lee Roper-Batker
Katherine Rosechild
Christy Ross
Meka S Sales
Ashley Shelton
Liz Shephard
Tamela Spann
Pamela Stevens
Rachel Swan
Esperanza Tervalon-Garrett
Jordan Thierry
Mary L Thomas
Susan Thomas
Carla D Thompson Payton
Linda Usdin
Taslim Van Hattum
Christy Wallace Slater
Marcus F. Walton
Jeanne Wardford
Nahliah L Webber
Sherece West Scantlebury Ph.D
Charles West
Gayle Williams
Rhea C Williams-Bishop
Michael Williamson
Donna-Marie Winn
Dakasha Winton
Dorothy Susan Wisely

Organizations

A Second Chance Charitable Foundation
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Matching Gift Fund
Casey Family Programs
Casey Family Programs Matching Gift Program
Chambers Initiative
Converge
Gayle Williams LLC
Group Health Foundation
Just Love by Jade Lenore
Kaleidoscope Pathways
Kresge Foundation
Marguerite Casey Foundation

Merck & Co Matching Gifts Program
Merck & Co.
Morgan Stanley Gift Fund
Network For Good
PayPal Giving Fund
Pierce Family Charitable Foundation
Pivotal Ventures
Schott Foundation for Public Education
Schultz Family Foundation
Stupski Foundation
Texas Women's Foundation
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation Matching Gift Program
Women's Foundation of Minnesota