About WFNH: Our History

Women’s funds began to spring up in the United States roughly 25 years ago in response to scarce resources. In 1975, less than 1% of all foundation giving in the U.S. went to programs that addressed specific issues facing women and girls. Research shows, however, that women and girls are disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and wage- and workplace-inequities.

Over the past 30 years, women’s funds have been established in many forms, including private foundations, public foundations, and donor advised funds. Women’s funds have generally been founded by women, with the purpose of supporting the lives of women and girls across race and class lines. Words such as “entrepreneurial, progressive, collaborative, and effective,” are often used to characterize a women’s fund. Women’s funds both raise money and give it away.

In addition, the funds serve as a learning lab for innovative, community-based philanthropy and bring much-needed attention to today’s issues. There are more than 90 women’s funds in the nation and over 100 globally, united as members of the Women's Funding Network.

The Women’s Fund of New Hampshire (WFNH) is one of the younger women’s funds, having been founded in 1998. It is a public charity, which means it is supported by many different sources, including hundreds of gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations; interest from a small, growing endowment; and other types of donations.