Dear G4GC Community,
April marks five years since I stepped in as the inaugural CEO for G4GC. I find myself reflecting on all that we have achieved and the powerful partnerships and relationships we have cultivated in that time. We’ve not just built an organization that nurtures ecosystems supporting our youth, we’ve ignited a movement grounded in love, vision, and we have amplified an unshakable belief in the brilliance of girls and gender-expansive youth of color.
We’ve moved over $26 million in less than four years—an unprecedented pace in philanthropy. We’ve fostered deep, trusting relationships with over 400 organizations that are transforming communities by centering joy, healing, and the leadership of young people that is too often overlooked. We have led with a notion of understanding philanthropy through a lens of reciprocity, intersectionality, and cultural responsiveness.
Our work has been a bold reimagining of what is possible when we trust the brilliance and leadership of our youth to lead us toward solutions. We recognize them as architects of liberation, innovators of justice, and holders of ancestral wisdom.
This work has demanded courage, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to abundance from each member of our team, our partners, and the programmatic efforts we resource, even when the world insists on scarcity. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been necessary.
Five years in, as justice is challenged and our communities are asked to bear more than they should, we are just getting started. We remain rooted, ready, and resolute to move forward with our mission. G4GC is a home where we honor who we are, live into the wisdom of our ancestors, and continue collectively building a future where our young people not only thrive, but soar.
Let’s keep building.
In community,
Monique Couvson
G4GC President & CEO
Quick Links: ✨Click here for Grants & Fundraising Opportunities✨ | G4GC News | Movement Building | Events
✴ G4GC NEWS ✴
To commemorate five years of Black Girl Freedom Week, February 17-21 we looked back on past panels that exemplify the joy and power of our annual celebration of Black girls and gender-expansive young people! Our trip down memory lane lifted up some of our favorite clips showcasing the best of Black Girl Freedom Week.
We’re so grateful to all our collaborators who have made each Black Girl Freedom Week unforgettable, and we look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate Black girls and gender-expansive youth. Watch the videos, learn more, and support HERE.
On January 28, our New Songs Rising Fellows, a group of Native and Globally-Indigenous young people, met for a deep analysis and conversation around the intersection and inseparability of Indigeneity and gender. Fellows heard from guest speakers Jakey Sala Siolo of Nuanua Collective and a New Songs Rising Initiative grantee. The conversation explored Indigenous concepts of gender that have existed since time immemorial, how to use person-focused and/or gender-neutral language, and understanding our individual places within the universe of gender.
We’re honored to host conversations that deepen our fellow’s sense of identity and belonging. Learn more about NSRI HERE.
This February, G4GC President/CEO Dr. Monique Couvson was named one of TIME Magazine’s 2025 ‘The Closers’ honorees, which featured phenomenal Black leaders working to end the racial equity gap, where Dr. Couvson amplified the importance of creating spaces for young people to lead in significant ways: “It’s about our young people being able to step into leadership in a way that honors their brilliance and wisdom in this very critical moment that impacts their lived experiences,” she says. Read the article HERE.
We’re thrilled to celebrate the upcoming release of Girls, Unlimited: How to Invest in Our Daughters with More Than Money, by none other than our President & CEO, Dr. Monique Couvson, who is also a bestselling author! In this groundbreaking work, she draws on over 30 years of experience and interviews with girls and key stakeholders to make a compelling case for why investing in all girls, especially girls of color, is essential to creating a better, more just world. The book features our work at G4GC and the incredible work of many grantees. Learn more HERE.
Resourcing A Global Movement
Pictured: Maheen Kaleem, G4GC, Tarana Burke, metoo., Monica Ramirez, Justice for Migrant Women, Dr. Ramatu Bangura, We Are Purposeful, and Sonya Passi, FreeFrom, speaking at a pre-Skoll World Forum summit.
In early April, we partnered with Justice for Migrant Women, FreeFrom, me too. International, Collective Future Fund, and We Are Purposeful, to convene activists, experts, funders and allies in Oxford, England before the start of the Skoll World Forum summit to discuss the global urgency of resourcing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Executive Director of ‘me too.’ International (and co-founder of the #1Billion4BlackGirls campaign) Tarana Burke reminded the packed room of nearly 200 people that SGBV is a solvable problem.
Our VP of Operations and Programs, Maheen Kaleem (top left), joined Tarana and other experts to leave the audience feeling inspired, energized and hopeful, as well as committed to connecting the dots across movements, across borders and working towards a world free from gender-based violence.
G4GC joins ‘AI for Nonprofits Sprint’ cohort 💡
As artificial intelligence (AI) is being used more and more, we’re in a learning journey about how nonprofits are using AI. We know that many of our communities have complicated relationships to AI and are eager to learn more. G4GC is participating in the AI for Nonprofits Sprint, a structured peer-learning program for nonprofits. Led by the Fund for the City of New York, the Sprint is helping 100+ organizations in New York assess how their teams are using AI, create internal guidelines, learn which AI tools can and are being used, and what questions organizations should consider thoughtfully and with intention. The free 90-minute webinars are open to all nonprofit professionals interested in learning more about how AI affects our world, and the next webinar is on April 23 (click to register).
Our grantee partners celebrate Trans Day of Visibility
While Trans folks continue to be under attack, our grantee partners are centering joy and celebration for trans youth of color. Many celebrated this year’s Trans Day of Visibility (March 31), with events and inspirational social media posts. Our G4GC grantee partner Transformations hosted a community picnic where transgender resilience was on full display through stand-up comedy and storytelling. Transformations is creating safe, thriving communities for trans and gender-expansive folks of color (The Dolls) in the Midwest. Some of their innovative programming includes hosting a Liberation Camp, an affirming retreat for trans and gender-expansive youth of color located in the Ozarks. You can learn more and support their work HERE. Let’s continue to follow the lead of our trans-serving grantee partners by celebrating young trans folks all year long.
✴ MOVEMENT BUILDING & CONFERENCES ✴
We are stronger together, and our community benefits from our shared experience. Below are some conferences and presentations where some of our G4GC team members will participate.
G4GC at Upcoming Conferences
- Narrative Power Summit in New Orleans, LA, May 7-10: Lisann Ramos and Josefina Casati.
- Asian Americans / Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy Conference in Chicago, IL, May 19-21: Maheen Kaleem, Sam Lee, Tran Ton Nu, and Amirah Fauzi.
- Hispanics in Philanthropy and Native Americans in Philanthropy joint Conference in Albuquerque, NM, June 15-19: Rana LaPine, Lisann Ramos, Josefina Casati, Cidra Sebastien, and Nneka Nwaifejokwu.
- Amirah Fauzi presented with grantee partner BrownBoi Project at Funders For LGBTQ Issues’ Funding Forward conference in Houston, TX last week (April 2).
✴ TEAM ACCOLADES ✴
Congrats GUTC Leader Fellows! 👏
We’re thrilled to announce that Solace Mensah-Narh, G4GC’s Data Analyst, has been selected as a 2025-2026 Grantmakers United for Trans Communities Leaders Fellow. This 12-month fellowship empowers trans and gender-nonconforming professionals through ongoing support, networking, and leadership development.
“In a time when our transgender communities face erasure, this new cohort brings vital light, breath, and leadership to philanthropy,” said GUTC Project Director Luna Moreta Avila. Congrats to all the fellows, their leadership is urgently needed to embody the true essence of philanthropy—love for humanity. Learn more HERE.
Women in Power
G4GC’s Director of Organizational Health, Operations, and Learning, Kyndall Clark Osibodu, joined the 2025 Class of Women inPower, a fellowship program aimed at advancing women+ to the highest levels of leadership across all sectors.Women in Power is a unique Fellowship program for senior-level women-identifying leaders across all professional sectors who want to focus on social impact. Offered by the 92nd Street Y in New York, the fellowship provides professional development and executive mentorship. We look forward to the learnings and collaborations made possible by this opportunity.
Change Leaders in Philanthropy 🙌🏽
Our VP of Operations and Programs, Maheen Kaleem, was selected to be part of the 2025 Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellows (CLIPF) with Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO)!
This opportunity allows fellows to deepen their leadership, build connections with peers, and explore new ways to drive meaningful, equity-centered change in philanthropy. We’re eager to be a part of these collaborations bringing bold ideas to the sector.
G4GC’s Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Nneka Nwaifejokwu, celebrated Women’s History Month at In Her Hands: Women Driving Change, an empowering event dedicated to advancing conversations around philanthropy, gender equity, and the transformative power of the arts. Nneka was one of the panelists, along with other leaders in philanthropy, the arts, and advocacy who are driving change and advancing strategies to empower women and girls locally and globally.
Pictured: Nneka Nwaifejokwu speaking at the Women Driving Change event.
We’re so grateful for Amanda Seales’ unwavering support, thank you! 🎉
We’re excited to amplify the beautiful ways that others show up to support our youth and G4GC, and we’ll be sharing these folks we celebrate in our newsletter and social media channels. We’re calling it “In Community” because together we get closer to achieving our mission.
First up is comedian, actress, writer, and producer, Amanda Seales – an unwavering supporter of G4GC and the #1Billion4BlackGirls campaign. Amanda has platformed Black women’s experiences throughout her artistic career and weaves together her deep expertise on social justice with her art to create original content under her production company,
Smart Funny & Black Productions. We’re deeply grateful and celebrate Amanda for being our partner in uplifting the brilliance of our young people!
A Bookkeeping Cooperative
Financial Foundations: Build skills and confidence in org financial fundamentals, whether you’re just getting started or want a refresher. Registration is now open for two opportunities to take this 4-part workshop series charged on a sliding scale, starting at $100.
Building Shared Futures: Planning with Budgets, Cash Flow, Savings, and Reserves. Explore how to create a budget, how to use a budget as a guide throughout the year, and how to plan for savings and reserves in service of your group’s goals. Registration is now open for two opportunities, charged on a sliding scale starting at $75.
Calling all young women aged 14-21, to ignite their potential at Embrace Her Legacy Academy NYC Summer Institute, now accepting applications. This is a passport to social-emotional, personal, and leadership development, designed to empower and inspire. Apply and details through their website.
✴ FELLOWSHIPS & INTERNSHIPS ✴
- Tools and Tiara Summer Camp | Organization: Tools and Tiara | For girls 6-14 interested in exploring a career in trades or STEAM, hosted in Queens, NY in July (14-18) or Brooklyn, NY (August 4-8). More info HERE.
- Social Justice STEAM Camp | Organization: EmpowHer Institute | Forgirls ages 11–15 residing in Los Angeles, CA who are interested in exploring environmental science, ocean science, and environmental justice, with a focus on how marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Deadline: April 18. More info HERE.
- Innovation Research Scholar | Organization: Seeds of Fortune | For high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Deadline: May 5. More info HERE.
✴ GRANTS & FUNDING ✴
💸 Yéigo Action Grant – First Peoples Fund
For individual Native artists and culture bearers needing financial assistance with a specific professional development opportunity or towards a hardship hindering their creative practice. Amount is between $100 and $2,500; deadline is the 10th of every month – learn more and apply HERE.
💸 Community Action Fund – NDN Collective
For Indigenous frontline organizations, groups, and individuals for direct action initiatives. Amount is up to $20,000; applications are received on a rolling basis until October 31, 2025 – learn more and apply HERE.
💸Community Grant Application – New Hampshire Women’s Foundation
For organizations and programs working to address issues impacting women, girls, and marginalized genders in New Hampshire. Amount is $2,500-$7,500; deadline April 11. Apply HERE.
💸Letters of Inquiry (LOI) – Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF)
Portals are open for two funding opportunities for organizations that are committed to advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice (REEJ). Most grants will be between $50,000 – $250,000 and most Program Related Investments (PRI)s will be between $250,000 – $750,000; deadline is June 30 – learn more and apply HERE.
Support our mission
G4GC is a philanthropic intermediary that resources organizations across the U.S. that center the wisdom and well-being of girls and gender-expansive youth of color. We welcome your support!
