Women's Foundation of Boston 2020 Annual Report

Dear Friends, Expertise. Focus. Connection. This is how the Women’s Foundation of Boston’s all-volunteer team was able to address the economic devastation that 2020 caused for women and girls in Greater Boston. By raising vital funds and making timely grants to nonprofits, WFBoston kept thousands of our region’s most vulnerable women and girls connected, learning and moving toward a better future. We are extremely proud of our tremendous growth and measurable impact during this challenging year. Thanks to generous contributions from foundations, corporations, and individuals, WFBoston raised $1. 9 million, up 25% year over year. WFBoston granted $1.2 million, wrote 27 grant agreements, and supported 6,000 women and girls. The majority of our grants supported those living beneath the poverty line and 85% of WFBoston’s beneficiaries were women and girls of color. In early 2020, need skyrocketed while charitable giving was redirected toward causes made more urgent by the pandemic. Women and girls disproportionally economically impacted, were at risk of being forgotten. We acted swiftly to create the first and only COVID-19 relief fund specifically for them. We quickly raised $500,000 and immediately deployed those funds, adhering to our intense vetting process. WFBoston’s Response Fund supported over 3,000 girls with equipment and software to stay connected to their uplifting and inspiring communities. We also prepared WFBoston for the future as a stronger, more effective, and sustainable organization. We completed our five-year strategic plan, created an advanced grant cycle process, built an impressive Advisory Council to complement our Board, initiated our successful Women and Girls Empowerment Webinar Series, funded an endowment, created proprietary programs including the Young Women’s Leadership Program and Board Hub, hosted a Giving Circles Summit, and expanded our Women In Nonprofit Network to over 270 nonprofit CEOs. We accomplished this by doubling our volunteer base to 100 talented professionals who offer their expertise in grantee relations, marketing, data analysis, tech management, development, research, program management, grant writing, and graphic design. Our volunteers worked a total of 10,500 hours, equating to over five full-time employees. We are humbled and inspired by this amazing team who drive our mission forward. Now in our fifth year, WFBoston remains focused on helping women rebuild their economic status post-pandemic, especially by expanding to Boston’s Gateway Cities where we will support women and girls who were undermined by the “shecession.” We are branching out to Worcester, Lawrence, Lowell and Lynn to amplify our work into these important communities. This is just the beginning. As we look ahead with optimism, we thank you for joining us in this crucial mission. With Gratitude, CHRISTINA GORDON CEO & Co-Founder LETTER FROM CEO