Womenstrong International
WomenStrong International is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation dedicated to advancing gender equity by partnering with grassroots women-led organizations worldwide. Founded in 2014, the organization works in solidarity with local feminist leaders to amplify their capacity to drive meaningful change in their communities. The organization operates without geographical limitations and currently works with 19 partners across 17 countries.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$681K
-35.6% YoY
Grant Count
27
-18.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
-21.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: WomenStrong centers the work of local feminist leaders and amplifies their capacity to drive meaningful change in their communities. Together, they are building a world where all women and girls can thrive.
Vision: A just and inclusive world where all women and girls are free to prosper and to live their lives in dignity and peace.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Women and girls' health
- Girls' education and empowerment
- Prevention of violence against women and girls
- Economic opportunity and security for women and girls
The organization's approach is rooted in the belief that local women leaders are best equipped and positioned to serve their communities. This philosophy emerged from observations during work with Columbia University's Millennium Cities Initiative across sub-Saharan Africa, where local women leaders consistently demonstrated knowledge of what their communities needed despite lacking technical and financial resources.
Grantmaking
WomenStrong employs a trust-based grantmaking model that differs from traditional philanthropy:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WomenStrong has no geographical limitations and funds organizations globally. Current partners operate across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Bangladesh, Colombia, and the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
WomenStrong International is a certified 501(c)(3) organization committed to trust and responsible stewardship. The organization is a non-political, non-governmental, tax-exempt private operating foundation that relies on donations and partnerships to fund its work.
Tax ID: 47-1707505
Audited Financial Statements Available:
- 2019 Form 990-PF
- 2020 Form 990-PF
- 2021 Form 990-PF
- 2022 Form 990-PF
- 2023 Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
114 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Action for Development ($42,000), Centro Mujeres Ac ($40,000), Society for Labour and Development ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SOCIETY FOR LABOUR AND DEVELOPMENT | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SOCIETY FOR LABOUR AND DEVELOPMENT FOR SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SECURITY AND OPPORTUNITY IN INDIA. | $30,000 |
| MALI HEALTH DURHAM, NC | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MALI HEALTH FOR SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S AND ADOLESCENT GIRLS' HEALTH. | $16,000 |
| MUJERES ALIADAS TUCSON, AZ | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MUJERES ALIADAS FOR SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S AND ADOLESCENT GIRLS' HEALTH IN MEXICO | $16,000 |
| GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT CAMBODIA | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT CAMBODIA TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS. | $16,000 |
| CENTRO MUJERES AC | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR CENTRO MUJERES A.C. IN MEXICO TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS. | $40,000 |
| RWANDA WOMEN'S NETWORK | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR RWANDA WOMEN'S NETWORK IN RWANDA TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS. | $16,000 |
| THE ACTION FOUNDATION | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE ACTION FOUNDATION IN KENYA TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS. | $16,000 |
| COPPER ROSE ZAMBIA | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR COPPER ROSE ZAMBIA FOR SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S AND ADOLESCENT GIRLS' HEALTH | $16,000 |
| ROOTS OF HEALTH (UGAT NG KALUSUGAN) | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ROOTS OF HEALTH IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S AND ADOLESCENT GIRLS' HEALTH. | $16,000 |
| ASOCIACION MUJERES TRANSFORMANDO | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ASOCIACION MUJERES TRANSFORMANDO FOR SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SECURITY AND OPPORTUNITY IN EL SALVADOR. | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Dr. Susan M. Blaustein - Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Blaustein founded WomenStrong International based on observations from over 10 years of work across the sub-Saharan region with Columbia University's Millennium Cities Initiative.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR SUSAN M BLAUSTEIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
| HEATHER GOLDBERG MENDELOW | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOYCE MALOMBE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBIN SMALLEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CATHERINE LEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR GEETA MEHTA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAMELA SCHUTZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PEGGY SHEPARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN KASS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR HOWARD C MANDEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CYNTHIA NIMMO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NICKY LEROUX | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDINE SUTARJARDI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HELEN YANG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TIFFANY GREEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
WomenStrong has announced funding opportunities for climate and environmental justice work, welcoming new climate and environmental justice grantees to its partner network. The organization released a 2025 Evaluation exploring its impact and approach.
Funding for Climate & Environmental Justice: Open CallThe organization continues to expand its partner network and has published "A Funder's Playbook" addressing what women-led organizations need to thrive, reflecting its commitment to redefining philanthropy and shifting control to partners.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Womenstrong International fund?
**Mission:** WomenStrong centers the work of local feminist leaders and amplifies their capacity to drive meaningful change in their communities. Together, they are building a world where all women and girls can thrive. **Vision:** A just and inclusive world where all women and girls are free to prosper and to live their lives in dignity and peace. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Women and girls' health • Girls' education and empowerment • Prevention of violence against women and girls • Economic op…
How do I apply for a grant from Womenstrong International?
WomenStrong employs a trust-based grantmaking model that differs from traditional philanthropy: **Grant Characteristics:** • Unrestricted grants without burdensome proposals or reporting requirements • Designed to empower partners to focus on their missions and make decisions that best serve their communities • Flexible and designed to strengthen organizational and technical capacity **Grant Eligibility Criteria:** Organizations must meet the following criteria: • Led by women holding the major…
Where does Womenstrong International make grants?
WomenStrong has no geographical limitations and funds organizations globally. Current partners operate across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Bangladesh, Colombia, and the United States.
What size grants does Womenstrong International award?
In 2024, Womenstrong International awarded 27 grants totaling $681K — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Womenstrong International's EIN?
Womenstrong International's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1707504. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Womenstrong International's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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