There is growing awareness that gender is a cross-cutting issue relevant to all areas of philanthropic focus – be it education, migration, healthcare, or the environment. Indeed, recent research conducted by Mama Cash, the Foundation Center, and Weisblatt & associés shows that there is considerable interest in funding women and girls among European foundations. However, in practice a significant gap remains between interest and action. What stops foundations from acting? What are practical barriers? And what steps have helped foundations move from ideas to action?

To explore this issue further, the European Foundation Centre and Mama Cash are developing a brand new GrantCraft guide: ‘Investing in Women and Girls’. The guide aims to draw on the experience of fellow-practitioners to provide guidance to those foundations who are interested in either initiating or expanding their programmes benefiting women and girls.

To make this new guide as relevant as possible, we are looking for examples of where foundations developed new initiatives or adjusted their programmes to include a more intentional focus on women and girls in areas such as: health, education and training, aging, as well as science and research. Examples of efforts in other areas are also welcome.

GrantCraft is about sharing insights and experience. To share your story, please click here. Please also indicate if you would like your example to be kept anonymous. GrantCraft may use cases anonymously to illustrate good practice or learned  examples or – with your specific permission - develop a full case story (click here for an example).

Please share your stories by 29 February 2012 at the latest.

To learn more about GrantCraft, please visit www.grantcraft.org