In the push for stronger democracies and gender justice, there is a missing element: a full-throated feminist philanthropy movement.

Feminist philanthropy abides by three distinct tenets: respecting local contexts and knowledge; providing long-term, flexible funding to women’s rights organizations working on systemic change; and supporting women’s leadership at all levels.

(This essay is part of a Women & Democracy package focused on who’s funding the women and LGBTQ people on the frontlines of democracy. We’re manifesting a new era for philanthropy—one that centers feminism. The need is real: Funding for women and girls amounts to less than 2 percent of all philanthropic giving; for women of color, it’s less than 1 percent. Explore the “Feminist Philanthropy Is Essential to Democracy” collection.)