Amplify Her® Foundation Announces $1M in Grants to Strengthen the Economic and Social Power of Underserved Women and Girls in New York City and Honors Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett with the GlassBreaker Award

With a sharp focus on leadership and career development, these grants will support women and girls to become transformative changemakers in their communities and beyond. Valerie Jarrett will be presented the award at the Give to Women and Girls Day Flagship Event on October 11th, 2024 at the The New-York Historical Society in New York City.


NEW YORK, NY, October 11, 2024—Amplify Her® Foundation, a private grantmaking foundation that supports women and girls from underserved communities in New York City, today announced that it has committed $1 million this year to support organizations working to advance the social and economic power of women and girls.


Amplify Her Foundation has selected grantee partners that address a diverse range of challenges that women and girls face, with a focus on girls' leadership development, women's leadership development, equitable representation, women's entrepreneurship, and advocacy. This year, Amplify Her Foundation is pleased to expand its portfolio to include more organizations dedicated to advocacy work, underscoring its commitment to fostering civic engagement and empowering the next generation of political leaders. 


Recognizing the crucial role of policy in driving the systems change necessary for achieving gender equity, Amplify Her Foundation is set to unveil its new Unified Policy Agenda in early 2025. This agenda will reflect the collective vision of organizations focused on gender equity in New York City, incorporating key policy changes reflective of their insights and experiences. A two-part event is planned, which will include training sessions for Amplify Her Foundation grantee partners on how to engage in and effectively carry out advocacy work.


Additionally, the organization has also announced CEO of the Obama Foundation Valerie Jarrett as the recipient of this year’s Amplify Her Foundation GlassBreaker Award. Valerie’s extraordinary leadership, unwavering commitment to gender equality, and tireless advocacy for marginalized communities have shattered countless barriers, inspiring women across the globe. As the longest-serving senior advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama, former Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, and current CEO of The Obama Foundation, Valerie has consistently amplified the voices of women and girls, paving the way for a more equitable future. 


“It is an honor to partner with this incredible cohort of grantees who are at the frontlines of empowering women and girls to become transformational leaders. In unlocking the potential of women and girls, we are not only advancing gender equity; we are fostering a generation of leaders who will drive meaningful change and uplift entire communities,” said Marti Speranza Wong, Founder, Executive Director and Board Chair of Amplify Her Foundation. “We also couldn't be more thrilled to present Valerie Jarrett with the GlassBreaker Award. Her long-standing dedication to empowering women and girls to take their rightful place at decision-making tables aligns perfectly with Amplify Her Foundation’s mission and the spirit of Give to Women and Girls Day.”


These grantee partners will be celebrated at the inaugural Give to Women and Girls Day NYC Celebration, co-hosted by Amplify Her Foundation. The free event will take place on October 11, 2024 at The New-York Historical Society in New York City, featuring giving opportunities and dynamic conversations about gender equality, women’s leadership and the philanthropic landscape.


Trust-based and participatory philanthropy practices are essential for creating the true, lasting impact we need for gender equity. Amplify Her Foundation’s grantmaking process is guided by its Leadership Network, a dynamic advisory group of women leaders who draw from their professional expertise and lived experiences to select grantee partners that are diverse, inclusive and reflective of local community needs. The grantmaking process is also informed by research-based interventions that help women and girls overcome systemic obstacles and meet their full leadership potential. This year, Amplify Her Foundation is proud to welcome seven new organizations as grantee partners. For the first time, it will also introduce several multi-year grants that provide sustained support for long-term impact.


“At Amplify Her Foundation, we are committed to working alongside our grantee partners to co-create solutions, share expertise, and build lasting relationships,” said Laura Risimini, Director of Grants at Amplify Her Foundation. “By fostering these partnerships, we aim to fill critical funding gaps and drive meaningful change in advancing women and girls' leadership across New York City.

Advocacy

  • "We are incredibly honored to have been selected as an Amplify Her Foundation grantee. This is a critical moment to engage, support and inspire young people, and especially young women of color, to embrace their political ambition and leadership potential. This new investment in IGNITE's work in the New York City area will help us continue to build a strong, diverse pipeline of civic and political leaders for generations to come," said Sara Guillermo, CEO, IGNITE.

  • “As PowHer New York enters its 10th year, we remain fully committed to our vision of inclusive gender justice, achieved  through a collaborative and intersectional approach. Funding from the Amplify Her Foundation will help increase the visibility of our issues, expand our work and reach, and engage and prepare young women, especially women of color, leaders, advocates  for the challenges ahead,” said Beverley Neufeld, President, PowHer New York.

  • "We are deeply grateful for Amplify Her Foundation's grant, which strengthens Women Creating Change’s mission to drive systemic change. This support amplifies the voices of underserved women and gender-expansive individuals, ensuring their perspectives shape policy in New York City. By prioritizing environmental justice, safety, health, education, and economic equity, we’re building a more just and equitable future. Together, we’re creating a city where women’s priorities lead, and civic engagement transforms communities,” said Sharon Sewell-Fairman, President & CEO, Women Creating Change.

Equitable Representation

  • “We are so grateful to Amplify Her Foundation for their confidence in Full STEAM Forward and their recognition that we are making a difference. This partnership enables us to maintain our rapid growth trajectory and inspire more young deserving girls of color to pursue careers in STEM,” said Joni Bessler, CEO, Full STEAM Forward.

  • "Girls Who Invest is honored to receive such significant funding from Amplify Her Foundation. Our partnership is transforming GWI's ability to reach more New Yorkers who we know will not only benefit from our career advancement programs in investment management but also ensure that their careers are rewarding and their voices are heard," said Katherine Jollon Colsher, President & CEO of Girls Who Invest.

  • "Thanks to the generous support from the Amplify Her Foundation, we can continue empowering young women of color in NYC public schools to pursue opportunities in law, leadership, and social justice," said Talia Scott, Founder and Executive Director of the Legally BLK Fund.

  • "We are honored to receive a grant from Amplify Her Foundation. This support will help us continue to raise women's voices, build powerful networks and change how women are seen. Film is one of the most powerful tools for building empathy and modeling behavior. With the grant from Amplify Her Foundation, we can provide the resources to hundreds of women so that they can use this tool more equitably,” said Tracy Sayre, co-Executive Director, Moonshot Initiative.

Girls’ Leadership

  • “Girl Scouts of Greater New York (GSGNY) is deeply grateful to the Amplify Her Foundation for its generous grant to further leadership development programming for Troop 6000, GSGNY’s signature program bringing the supportive community of Girl Scouting to young people living in the New York City shelter system. Through the foundation’s support, Troop 6000 will provide critical opportunities for skill building, career exploration, and experiential learning to over 1,000 Girl Scouts experiencing homelessness. Thank you to Amplify Her Foundation for empowering these young New Yorkers to grow their confidence as leaders and shape their views about their own potential,” said Karen Lundgard, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Greater New York.

  • "Girls Inc. of New York City is excited to partner with the Amplify Her Foundation to equip our high school students with the skills to advocate for meaningful change in the Bronx," said Dr. Pamela Maraldo, CEO of Girls Inc. of New York City. "Thank you to Amplify Her Foundation for supporting our Teen Leadership Circles as they forge relationships with community and elected leaders, and work with policy experts, to address challenges impacting their communities."

  • “We are very grateful to the Amplify Her Foundation for its generosity. The foundation's support will allow L.O.V.E. to continue expanding and growing its programs, which will help to increase our impact and serve more young women in NYC. By successfully implementing the L.O.V.E. Program, we can create long lasting change that allows young women to realize their goals- whatever that may mean for each of them,” said  Dr. Claudia Espinosa, Founder & Director, Latinas on the Verge of Excellence.

  • "Our partnership with Amplify Her Foundation has allowed us to dream abundantly and has empowered us to expand our reach and deepen our impact within the communities where Nashers (what our participants call themselves) live. Sadie Nash believes that young people are leaders NOW, in their schools, communities and in Sadie Nash spaces. We are incredibly grateful for their belief in our mission and the transformative change we are able to create together," said Tené A. Howard, Executive Director, Sadie Nash Leadership Project.

  • Seeds of Fortune Inc., an Amplify Her Foundation grantee, emphasizes its mission to empower young women of color through financial education and career development. Executive Director, Nitiya Walker, Seeds of Fortune states: "With the renewed support from partners like the Amplify Foundation, we are able to scale our efforts, ensuring that more young women of color can access the knowledge and resources they need to secure college scholarships, reduce student debt, and enter the workforce confidently prepared for success."

  • “South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is thrilled to receive renewed funding from the Amplify Her Foundation - further strengthening our vital and meaningful partnership. This support will help to expand and deepen our Young Women’s Leadership Program, a cornerstone of our organization. Support from Amplify Her Foundation is helping to ensure SAYA can provide culturally affirming and confidence-building programming to female-identifying high school students from immigrant communities throughout Queens. Thank you to the Foundation for believing and investing in our young people,” said Sonia B. Sisodia, Executive Director, South Asian Youth Action.

  • "The Amplify Her Foundation's steadfast support has been and will continue to be transformative for our students. Thanks to this generous grant, aspiring engineers at The Young Women's Leadership School of the Bronx will expand their robotics program, propelling them to the forefront of STEM leadership,” said Laura Rebell Gross, Senior Managing Director, Girls' Education, Student Leadership Network.

  • "Empowering women and girls isn't just about transforming lives—it’s about reshaping communities and building a more just and equitable world. When we invest in their potential, we ignite a ripple effect of progress that uplifts everyone. The Lower Eastside Girls Club has been doing just that for over 25 years. We are proud to join Amplify Her Foundation's impactful work to support tomorrow's leaders,” said Kathleen Rivera, Chief Advancement Officer, The Lower Eastside Girls Club.

  • “YWCA Brooklyn is thrilled to partner with the Amplify Her Charitable Foundation, which will help us to expand our YW Brooklyn LEAD program to ensure the young women of color we serve gain economic mobility by going into college, earning a bachelor's degree and obtaining a meaningful career after graduation,” said Martha Kamber, CEO & President, YWCA Brooklyn.

Women’s Entrepreneurship

  • “With Amplify Her Foundation's generous support, Custom Collaborative will focus on Leadership Development and Community Engagement, preparing participants to become community leaders and sustainability advocates. Our participants will have the opportunity to lead workshops, create impactful digital content, engage in advocacy at state and national levels, and mentor others, amplifying their voices in the movement for social and environmental change,” said Ngozi Okaro, Founder and Executive Director, Custom Collaborative.

  • “Amplify Her Foundation has provided crucial support for Hot Bread Kitchen's HBK Incubates program, which supports women entrepreneurs of color to seed, start, and scale food businesses into sources of sustainable income. We applaud the Foundation's commitment to supporting women's economic empowerment and leadership development across ages, sectors and communities. Our partnership with Amplify Her Foundation facilitates the launch of women-run small food businesses that build wealth and create opportunity for our entrepreneurs, their families, and their communities across New York City,” said Leslie Abbey, CEO, Hot Bread Kitchen.

  • We are incredibly grateful to Amplify Her Foundation for continuing to support our community of female and femme entrepreneurs and small business owners. Women have long been the matriarchs of Chinatown, stewarding the community's rich legacy, and it is vital that we empower and uplift them to ensure this legacy continues for future generations. This grant enables us to equip women entrepreneurs in Chinatown and the broader AAPI community through targeted programming that fosters innovation, connection, and economic resilience,” Victoria Lee, Co-Founder & CEO, Welcome to Chinatown.

Women’s Leadership

  • “Being a girl should not be a vulnerability to trafficking or sexual exploitation, but a journey of joy and opportunities to reach her full potential. We are so honored to partner with Amplify Her Foundation, which works towards creating these opportunities for every woman and girl of New York City. We are inspired and grateful to be part of Amplify Her Foundation’s unyielding vision of a world where women and girls not only benefit from systemic change, but drive it. Together, we look forward to continuing our work ensuring equality, safety, and joy for the women and girls of New York City,” said Taina Bien-Aimé, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women.

  • “Last year we were honored and humbled to be an inaugural grantee of the Amplify Her Foundation. Being awarded this renewal multi-year grant will enable us to build on what we have achieved and allow us to empower even more women in need across NYC on their journeys into the workforce and on the path to self-sufficiency. We are incredibly grateful to have the backing of Amplify Her Foundation as we strive to pursue our mission,” said Melissa Norden, Executive Director, Bottomless Closet.

  • "We are deeply honored and grateful to receive continued support from Amplify Her Foundation, especially as we celebrate our 10-year anniversary. This renewal not only validates the impact of our work in empowering immigrant women but also strengthens our capacity to create even more meaningful opportunities for them to enter or reenter the workforce, particularly in high-growth industries such as clean energy. With Amplify Her Foundation's partnership, we can continue expanding our programs and providing crucial resources that help immigrant women become confident leaders and changemakers in their communities. This support is pivotal in our mission to ensure that every woman has the tools and opportunities needed to achieve her career aspirations and build a better future for herself and her family,” said Arielle Kandel, Founder & CEO, New Women New Yorkers.

  • “We are proud to partner with the Amplify Her Foundation as we continue to address the critical gap in women’s leadership in senior positions across industries. The Foundation’s generosity ensures that we can continue to offer our free year-long Women inPower fellowship to talented and underserved women from across New York City as they unlock new career opportunities. It is so satisfying to see Women inPower alumnae advance long after their fellowships: reaching the c-suite, transforming their industries and becoming thought leaders. When we invest in women, everyone benefits,” said Seth Pinksy, CEO, The 92nd Street Y, New York.

Amplify Her Foundation is committed to helping build a world where all women have the voice, power and agency to drive systemic change. Learn more about the grantee partners here.


About Amplify Her Foundation

Amplify Her® Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that supports women and girls from underserved communities in New York City to become transformative changemakers. They envision a world where all women have the voice, power and agency to drive systemic change. Its grantee-partners are focused on addressing the unique needs of women and girls across girls' leadership development, women's leadership development, equitable representation, women's entrepreneurship, and advocacy. It centers trust-based, participatory philanthropy and is guided by its Leadership Network—women leaders who draw from their professional expertise and lived experiences to select grantee-partners that are diverse, inclusive and reflective of local community needs.