CEO Message: Funding Cuts Impact Our Grantees
In our last issue, I shared with you the overwhelming response we received for our 2026 Featured Grants – over 600 applications from across the Global South. This response highlights the extraordinary passion, innovation, and determination of women-led organizations working to create a better future for women and girls in their communities.
Yet, we are also seeing the severe challenges these organizations are facing. Around the world, 90% of women-led organizations are experiencing financial stain. Some of our own grantees have been directly impacted, including No Means No South Africa, our November 2024 Featured Grantee, which had to close its operations due to major disruptions in global funding.
Much of their funding was provided by No Means No Worldwide (NMNW), its parent organization and fiscal sponsor for the Rise grant. Unfortunately, the U.S. government’s foreign aid freeze has significantly impacted NMNW’s finances, and it was unable to continue to support this South African partner. NMNW reported to us that they have gone 90 active implementing partners in 13 countries to 15 active partners in 6 countries.
This is part of a wider trend: massive cuts to foreign aid by some of the world’s wealthiest nations are creating ripple effects that are being felt deeply on the ground. The U.S. alone has reduced its foreign aid commitments by approximately $60 billion, and other governments—including the UK, France, Germany, and Canada—are making similar cuts.
These reductions are not just numbers—they have real-life consequences. They threaten access to maternal healthcare, hinder the fight against gender-based violence, and stall progress on human rights. But even in the face of these setbacks, the strength and resilience of our grantees shine through. Many are finding ways to adapt, streamline, and continue their essential work with remarkable creativity and courage.
This moment calls for us—not just as an organization, but as a global community—to rise. When governments pull back, people-powered movements must push forward. That’s exactly what we’re doing at Together Women Rise.
Our board is actively working on new strategies to increase our impact and ensure long-term support for the incredible women-led organizations we serve. I look forward to sharing more about these efforts in the near future.
In the meantime, I invite you to be part of the hope. Our “25 in 2025 Campaign” aims to add 25 new Rise chapters this year—expanding our reach, our voice, and our collective power. It’s one powerful way we can meet this global moment together. Don’t miss the exciting incentive we’re offering to those who start or seed a new chapter—read all about it.
Our mission has never been more urgent—or more important. Together, we can help women and girls not only weather this storm but lead the way toward a more just, equitable, and empowered future.
Thank you for your ongoing support! If you want to learn more about the current environment, we have compiled some recent articles and reports to help inform you.
‘The will die’: Foreign aid cuts hit women and girls the hardest as NGOs face closure
Humanitarian funding cuts threaten women’s rights
How cuts to international aid are impacting women and girls
Women Peacebuilders Bear the Brunt of the Funding Freeze
