Rachel's Network

Networking, education, and leadership programs: in 2023, we held educational and conversational webinars and book clubs throughout the year for our Network of women funders on a variety of environmental and philanthropic issues. We also held a five day in-person event in paicines and monterey, ca to hear from local environmental leaders.additionally, we held an in-person luncheon in santa barbara to hear from women's leadership in clean energy and climate justice in addition to three in-office events highlighting various philanthropic issues. In all these forums, members learned from each other and experts about interrelated challenges to the environment, human health, environmental justice, and community well-being, as well as the role that women leaders and philanthropists play in amending past and present harm and work towards building a more sustainable and livable future. Beyond their educational value, these events provide members a sense of community.

Grantmaking programs: our signature program, the catalyst award, celebrates women of color who are building a healthier, safer, and more just world by providing financial, leadership, and networking support. The program aims to help address racial inequality in the environmental funding space. In 2023, we recognized six awardees and ten finalists who are working for equitable clean energy, environmental justice and rights, and sustainable agriculture, among other topics. In addition to providing an annual $15,000 stipend to awardees and a $10,000 organizational (if applicable) grant to their affiliated organization, we foster their sense of community through a listserv and discussion groups to provide a community of advice and support. Additionally, if awardees choose to utilize a portion of their grant towards leadership services, we offer to help facilitate through one of our vendors. Our funder members who have participated in the catalyst award are funding more bipoc-led organizations than they did before participating.