We are pleased to announce this new grant opportunity. Could your organization be a good fit? Do you know of an organization that could align with our funding criteria and might be interested in applying?
A little about us at WE: Women’s Empowerment International (WE) is a nonprofit organization (based in San Diego, CA, United States) with a mission to empower women with tools to work their way out of poverty, care for their families, and strengthen their communities. We do this through grantmaking for economic empowerment programs for women experiencing poverty—locally (in San Diego County and our border region) and internationally. We envision a world without poverty in which women are empowered, uplifted, and equal partners in society. Since 2004, we have raised money for and distributed over $2.8M in grant funding for 15 partner organizations in nine countries. Current grant partners operate programs including microloans, women’s entrepreneurship and small business development support, training, education, and other income-generating and barrier-breaking initiatives.
We have implemented some exciting additions to our grantmaking, and we currently have an open Letter of Inquiry (LOI) for three types of grant funding: https://form.jotform.com/251608843588065. Submitting an LOI is the first part of the application process. If our Grants Committee sees a good fit, an organization will be invited to complete our full grant application.
Please read through our general Funding & Selection Criteria to assess overall eligibility and alignment: https://womenempowerment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/WE-Funding-Selection-Criteria.pdf. An applying organization should be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (or fiscally sponsored by one) if registered in the U.S., or under a related certification if registered in another country. Funded programs and services should align with WE mission, vision, and guiding principles, as well as criteria on the document linked above. WE funds must be used to support the economic empowerment of women and girls only (inclusive of all those identifying as such), specifically those who are living at or below the local poverty line. Grants are not awarded for fundraising events or campaigns, endowments, or for any religious or political activities.
Prospective new grant partners are eligible to apply for three of WE’s four grant types: I. Seed/Innovation Grants
II. Scale-up Grants
III. One-time/Micro Grants
The LOI is open until July 24; however, submissions will be evaluated on a rolling basis. The sooner you are able to submit your LOI, the sooner we can provide feedback and a potential invitation to the complete grant application. We encourage you to complete the LOI as soon as possible.
Grant applications will build on the LOI and will be due by August 8.
August 25 – September 5 – we expect to hold video meetings with 3-5 selected applicants for follow-up conversations to better understand your proposed grant program, organization, and operations.
Grant awards will be announced by September 28.
Funding will be distributed at the end of 2025 or early 2026 depending on grant size.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or referrals for our open LOI to Sarah Adams, WE Executive Director, at SarahAdams@womenempowerment.org.
When Hanna Borysiuk arrived in San Diego from Ukraine, she felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her. The war with Russia forced her to leave her homeland, and she arrived in the United States unprepared for the challenges of starting over in a foreign country. Life was confusing as she tried to figure out how to support her family in this new environment.
Hanna’s eldest daughter, understanding the depth of her mother’s skill and passion for sewing, managed to bring Hanna’s beloved Singer sewing machine from Ukraine.
Sewing had always been a constant in Hanna’s life; she couldn’t live without it. She had always altered and repaired clothes for her husband, two daughters, and two granddaughters. This act of love sparked a glimmer of hope.
Hanna learned about the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in San Diego and enrolled in several programs, including the TVESL driving lessons cohort and the employment capabilities program. Through these programs, she was referred to those funded by WE grants within the IRC’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which became essential for her to start, develop, and grow her business. With the support of the IRC SBDC, Hanna completed the Business Women in Action (BWIA) training course. This cohort was designed for newly-arrived Ukrainian women aspiring to start businesses.
Hanna was considering turning her sewing skills into a viable business to support her livelihood in her new country. She describes her business advisor as a compassionate and encouraging counselor who helped her pivot her loving hobby of sewing into an entrepreneurial one. Her advisor has been with her business every step of the way to formalize her business with the City of San Diego, fulfilling her goal to alter and sew clothing for others besides her immediate family members.
Hanna advertised her services to her community and started getting orders for clothing alterations. However, she quickly realized that her single sewing machine wasn’t enough to meet the growing demand. Although Hanna could sell her services, she was not making enough to afford a new sewing machine to meet her customers’ needs. So, she returned to IRC to discuss her problem and strategize with her business advisor, who informed her that she could qualify for a women entrepreneur microgrant to purchase another machine. Hanna was overjoyed with this news. She asked her business advisor about the requirements and wasted no time, diligently working to submit all the required documents. Hanna received a $1,000 microgrant from IRC SBDC, which allowed her to purchase another sewing machine and the necessary supplies.
Hanna says, “When I received my new sewing machine, I was very happy! I could do almost everything that was brought to me for repair and make people happy because I was giving a new life to their favorite things. I am grateful to [IRC and my business advisor] for supporting me in achieving my dreams and giving me the opportunity to make a living in my new country.”
From the UN: “The 2024 International Day of the Girl theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. This year’s theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future. Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality. Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures.
Yet, recent analysis shows that girls are not only courageous in the face of crisis, but hopeful for the future. Every day, they are taking action to realize a vision of a world in which all girls are protected, respected and empowered. But, girls cannot realize this vision alone. They need allies who listen to and respond to their needs. With the right support, resources and opportunities, the potential of the world’s more than 1.1 billion girls is limitless.”
WE funding can impact and change stats like “nearly 1 in 5 girls are still not completing lower-secondary and nearly 4 in 10 girls are not completing upper-secondary school.” Women participating in WE-funded programs are able to ensure their daughters can attend and stay in school, creating futures that can break generational cycles of poverty for their families.
Oct. 11: Give to Women and Girls Day
Give to Women and Girls Day is a national campaign to raise awareness and increase funding for organizations that support women and girls. The Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) launched Give to Women and Girls Day to address the disparity in funding for women’s and girls’ organizations. According to the WPI, less than 2% of all philanthropic support in the United States goes to these organizations. This underfunding can hinder the advancement of gender equality and the work of these organizations. The UN states, “Achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only the right thing to do but is a critical ingredient in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and climate change.”
This is where WE comes in, contributing to gaps in funding, where our grants—and your donations—are most needed and can create the most impact, advancing gender equality to eliminate poverty for women and girls here in San Diego and around the world.
Diana Franco, Vice President of Women.NYC, highlighted the critical need for efforts like this, “Investing in women’s initiatives is fundamental to building a world that offers equal opportunities to all. It directly reflects the values of our society and organizations. The lack of investment in empowering women in every aspect of their lives is a duty we all have to assume from the top down, not with flattering words and commitments but with action and financial support.”
Oct. 10: DAF Day
DAF Day is hailed as a new kind of giving day that draws attention to Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) as a way to make charitable contributions to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. It recognizes that many donors don’t know about DAFs as a way to give and increase their giving capacity. It also highlights that too many DAF accounts go unused each year.
DAFs are tax-advantaged charitable giving accounts, often compared to an account like a 401(k) or HSA. Any person, couple, family, or company can open a DAF account with providers around the country, including banks, investment and financial services companies, and local community foundations. With a DAF, you can: contribute cash, securities, or appreciated assets to a charitable fund; receive a tax deduction for the current year; and, make strategic giving decisions. DAFs have increased in popularity in recent years because of their effectiveness at increasing giving capacity and streamlining philanthropy.
Do you have a DAF? Please consider recommending a gift be made to WE now to ensure your donation can be received before the end of the year!
Are you considering opening one? We encourage you to explore and look into options for the current year!
WE grants have funded the growth and success of Nyaka’s Grandmother Microfinance project in Uganda since 2014, and it continues to create significant impact in reducing poverty for women caring for their grandchildren. Microloans for grandmothers, combined with other support systems such as training, follow-ups, vocational skills, and products, have demonstrated a significant impact on household income. Over the span of 4 years, daily income is increased from as low as $1.06 (below the International Poverty Line) to $2.78 (with grandmother-led families now living above that line), resulting in a remarkable 480% return on investment during the same period.
Meet Kiconco from Uganda Kiconco Annet, 55, is a member of the Nangara Grandmother group with Nyaka. She cares for her two grandchildren, Manige Rebecca (14) and Twinamasiko Timothy (12). She is a leader, as treasurer of her Grandmother group, entrepreneurial, and business savvy.
Kiconco has attained agricultural skills and improved her farming practices, leading to increased yields from her garden. Kiconco obtained a revolving microloan of UGX 200,000 (about $53) from Nyaka which she used to buy quality seeds and organic pesticides. She grows cabbage for family consumption and sells the surplus for income.
Kiconco has also invested in a successful brick-making venture, thus diversifying her sources of income. Brick-making is not a common business for grannies, particularly because of their age. Kiconco is stronger for her age, saw an opportunity, and is the first granny Nyaka has had in their program with a brick-making business. She operates her own kilns and hires others to do the labor of the brick work until the point when the bricks are ready for sale, which she handles herself. Brick is a common building material for houses in Uganda – for those who can afford it – as it is more durable than mud walls.
Kiconco Annet appreciates the support she and others have received through the Nyaka Grandmother program, noting the impact on their well-being.
“Thank you… for thinking about grandmothers and changing their lives,” she says.
Women’s Empowerment International 20th Anniversary The Power of 20: Celebrating Two Decades of Economic Empowerment
“Almost half the world right now is living on under $2 a day, we are trying to reach [women in economically disadvantaged communities] and give them a chance to break that cycle of poverty.” – Co-founder Win Cox
It’s been 20 years since Women’s Empowerment International (WE) gave out its first grant to help women start on stronger economic paths and break cycles of poverty.
While progress has been made in promoting women’s economic empowerment in society, significant challenges and disparities persist globally. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies that tackle structural barriers, promote gender equality in education and employment, and enact supportive policies and legal frameworks. That’s where WE comes in, helping to fund programs for women locally and internationally that work to break barriers and open opportunities for financial stability and self-sufficiency.
WE recently dove into the archives to reminisce and introduce those new to the mission of why WE exists.
Back in 2003, when Co-founders Win Cox and Leigh Fenly decided to start Women’s Empower International, it was a calling that they imagined locally and abroad uniting women with the larger vision of creating stronger economies. Together, they personalized their approach by getting directly involved with the populations affected.
In celebration of these 20 years, let’s look at the difference WE has made in the lives of both the grantees and supporters.
In 2004, WE gave its first grant of $4,025 to Grameen de la Frontera, which was the perfect start because the organization directly focused on the economic growth of women. With this first grantee, WE formed a close relationship and founders and board members traveled to Sonora, Mexico to see WE’s funding in action. This involvement became a distinguishing quality about WE that put it in a category of its own.
Over the years, WE has partnered with organizations in nine countries, getting to know the nonprofits and women in the regions, understanding their way of life and how WE can help.
As of 2024, WE has provided over $2.6 million dollars in funding that has helped change the lives of women and families by:
Helping young women locally purchase cars, so that they can attend school, maintain steady employment, and take care of their children and families
Assisting women in launching businesses that help sustain families through micro-loan programs and business development support and training
Providing microloans to grandmothers in Uganda to fund their ability to create sustainable businesses to help take care of and educate orphaned grandchildren
Contributing to increasing women’s income in Haiti through their operation of community health stores
Providing financial literacy training for girls through an innovative mobile-based app
Supporting loan support groups for women in Mexico who have experienced human trafficking, immigration challenges, and other traumas
Helping to provide new sources of income for indigenous Maya women in Guatemala, along with leadership training and growth opportunities
Along the way, WE has won a number of awards for our impact, including recognition for the Co-founders team, the Philanthropy Partner of the Year award from the International Rescue Committee in San Diego, and most recently a proclamation from the City of San Marcos for our “amazing dedication and remarkable achievements advocating for gender equality.”
Courtney Brown currently serves as a Director of Development at Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS). Courtney received her B.A. in Global Studies from UCLA and her M.Sc. in Sociology of Crime, Control, and Globalization from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is passionate about advancing women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrants’ rights. Courtney previously worked for Tahirih Justice Center and Casa Cornelia Law Center, where she served as Director of Philanthropy. Courtney has been a member of Women Give San Diego (WGSD) for over 10 years, during which she took on various volunteer leadership roles including the position of Co-President from 2017-2019. Courtney is originally from Houston, Texas and now lives in Poway with her husband Zac, their son Isaiah, their daughter Blair, and their dog Farrah.
This will be the beginning of Courtney’s journey with WE, and she is excited for the opportunity to do great things with WE! And we are so pleased to welcome her to the Board. Thank you, Landen, for your service!
1. How did you first find WE or get introduced to WE? I was introduced to WE through Win Cox. Win is a supporter of Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS)’s immigration work – especially the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) Migrant Shelter – so this is how I met her. She joined us for a tour of the Shelter and we later met for coffee. We really hit it off given our shared interests and Win told me all about WE. I was excited to learn more about getting involved! I was also excited to see that Amina Sheikh Mohamed is on the board, as I met Amina years ago through Women Give San Diego and really admire her work as well.
2. What sparked your interest in joining the Board? Though I am a professional fundraiser, I have always felt I could only fundraise for organizations that I deeply personally support. I feel the same way about joining the Board of WE. I really like that WE provides loans and other poverty alleviation grants not just locally but internationally. The Board members and staff have impressed me in their willingness to learn from the Partner organizations and have real collaborative and trusting relationships with them, not just top-down/funder-grantee relationships. I can’t wait to learn more as I begin my Board service.
3. What are you most excited to contribute to the Board and WE’s governance? I’ve spent my career on the staff side of non-profits, and I’ve been working closely with non-profit Board members for a long time. I am hopeful that my background at various organizations (large and small) serving immigrants and refugees, coupled with my understanding of how non-profit Board members can successfully support a growing organization, will allow me to contribute in meaningful ways. Of course, I look forward to contributing fundraising ideas as well!
4. How do you spend your time when not volunteering with WE? My day job is Director of Development on the Individual Giving Team at Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS). JFS’s social services are very expansive, and I specialize in our Welcome the Stranger work, which includes refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and SDRRN Migrant Shelter. I work with donors and my team to help bring supporters closer to the humanitarian work being done and help to realize our donors’ philanthropic goals as well. Outside of JFS and WE, my 3.5 year old, Isaiah, and 1.5 year old, Blair, keep me quite busy! They are both hilarious little bundles of energy. I feel fortunate that one of my biggest stress relievers – cooking – also benefits my family (a real win-win). One of our favorite family activities is going to the Safari Park in Escondido.
5. What’s one of your favorite inspirational/motivational quotes? “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” John Augustus Shedd
6. What was the last good book you read or what’s next on your reading list? (Or movie or show…) I just finished reading “The Guest” by Emma Cline, which I thought was a great summer read. My husband and I are currently watching the new season of Black Mirror, a very scary but thought-provoking show on Netflix. I also unapologetically love many reality shows, particularly on Bravo, though I am woefully behind on several of them. One of the best (scripted) shows I’ve seen in recent years is Fleabag, especially Season 2; I highly recommend it.
