Overview

Overview:

We ensure young women, queer, and trans youth of color have the tools and resources they need to lead powerful movements, and that they have a seat at the table within philanthropy.

Third Wave supports gender justice groups from the ground up with rapid response grants, long-term funding for emerging groups, and capacity building.

Third Wave Fund is an activist fund led by and for women of color, intersex, queer and trans people under 35 years of age. We work to ensure that  young folks are decision-makers at the cutting edge of philanthropy where they are commonly absent.

We hold the following beliefs:

  1. People directly impacted by an issue are best positioned to design and lead solutions.
  2. leadership of young women of color, trans, intersex, queer and gender non-conforming youth brings critical analysis and power to all social justice movements.
  3. We will only achieve deep and lasting change if we address the root cause of an issue.
  4. We believe youth are leaders and experts, not in the future, but now, and that youth need to be supported and reflected in philanthropy.

For twenty years, Third Wave has been a leader in gender justice, a movement to end patriarchy, transphobia, homophobia and misogyny. We fund groups that recognize gender oppression is linked to classism, racism, ageism and ableism, and that only by squashing all forms of oppression will justice be realized.

As a community fund, we partner with donors and activists to ensure that young people have the tools to make lasting change in their communities. We have an impact through our grantmaking, leadership development and philanthropic advocacy initiatives.

Details:

    • Amount: Varies based on specific grant type
    • Apply: Anytime throughout the year

Spud’s Thoughts:

I just read about this group through Fast Company and they seem to be doing amazing work. I love that they are big believers in youth as leaders today – not tomorrow.