On Parity: New Grant Funding + Summer 2021 Newsletter

NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Friend,

To date, we’ve invested almost $6 million in national organizations that share our commitment to electing more women. I’m excited to announce that this summer we will invest more than $500,000 in state-based organizations. This expansion is a critical part of our strategy to reach 50% representation in all 50 states by 2050. I invite you to learn more about the groundbreaking working being done by The Ascend Fund and our partners below.

Onward!
Abbie Hodgson

NEW GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE

START WITH THE STATES: PATHWAY TO PARITY IN MICHIGAN, MISSISSIPPI, AND WASHINGTON
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The Ascend Fund seeks proposals from organizations in Michigan, Mississippi, and Washington to increase the number of women serving in state legislatures.

We will invest in organizations that will:

build coalitions committed to gender parity;
identify and dismantle the barriers women face when running for office;
set state-specific strategy;
coordinate recruitment and training of candidates; and
amplify a message on the importance of women’s leadership and a reflective democracy.

Organizations may apply for up to $100,000 in support and typical awards will range from $30,000-$60,000. Applications are due August 13.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

WHERE WOMEN SIT

"We know that when women lead, our nation is transformed. And yet, at the current rate of change, it could take women more than 100 years to reach political parity in the U.S.

The Ascend Fund has a plan to close to the gender gap in state legislatures by 2050, not merely because it’s fair, but because it’s what’s smart."

KEEP READING

UPDATES FROM OUR PARTNERS

VOTE MAMA FOUNDATION

Campaign Funds for Childcare

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"Imagine if not one potential candidate at any level of our government had to consider the costs of childcare when weighing their decision to run for office."

READ THE REPORT

VOTE RUN LEAD

RUN/51

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A groundbreaking strategy to achieve gender parity in the Georgia, Minnesota, and New York Legislatures by 2024.

L EARN MORE

PERSPECTIVES ON PARITY

FOR THE LOVE OF DEMOCRACY,
PAY ATTENTION TO WOMEN OF COLOR
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Women as a whole are underrepresented in politics, but women of color are even more severely underrepresented. Black women make up just 5% of Congress and Latina women make up just 2%.

Not only does proportional representation matter for the sake of fairness and democracy, but it has significant impacts on public policy. All political representatives bring their personal experiences to their jobs – it’s why voters care about the person they vote for in addition to the party or platform.

PRIDE IN POLITICS: OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWNING LGBTQ REPRESENTATION
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While 41% more LGBTQ women ran for office in 2020 than in 2018, they still account for only 0.08% of elected officials nationwide.

In order to lift up the voices of the LGBTQ community and advocate for public policy, we need more LGBTQ women in office.

WHEN
SHE
ASCENDS
WE
ALL
RISE

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