The Global Fund for Women, first envisioned during a dinner meeting in 1987, has raised more than $3 million and made grants to more than 400 local women's groups in 94 countries. With 80% of its money coming from foundations, the Fund fills a need often overlooked by larger philanthropies by providing small, strategic grants ($5000-10,000) to support projects which fall under the general category of fostering women's human rights. The Fund believes that women in need must be empowered to generate their own development agendas. Therefore, the Fund has awarded grants to such groups as women in Nigeria working against the practice of early marriages, women in South Korea setting up a center for victims of domestic violence, women in South Africa who were working together interracially before it was legal to do so, three women in China who have started a national women's hotline, and women in the Philippines trying to improve conditions for women migrant laborers. Most of the groups receive the money when they have only an idea and the beginning of a plan. Many have become so successful they have attracted larger operating grants from major foundations. This experience mirrors that of the Global Fund itself, which was started with a $5000 grant when it was at the idea stage. At first, the major problem confronting the Fund was raising money. While that is still a concern, more people understand that the Fund is putting money into the hands of women who are working to improve and change their own societies.
