Womens Fund of Rhode Island

Our goal is to advance gender equity in Rhode Island through research, advocacy and grant making. Our current strategic plan lists the following goals:
1) WFRI will be leading voice for women's progressive issues in Rhode Island
2) WFRI makes a significant and sustainable impact, evidenced by systemic change and the removal of barriers that prevent an equitable playing field for women and girls in Rhode Island
3) Use current research on status of women and girls to provide focus on grant making priorities

WFRI is focused on systems change. As such, our research on the status of women and girls identifies areas where there may be gender gaps. We train women to run for elected office and to successfully advocate on behalf of women's rights in RI. We also work with businesses and organizations to identify and eradicate gender bias within their walls. As part of our strategy, we make grants to other gender focused organizations and programs to increase their capacity to help women and girls succeed in RI.

Currently, WFRI has 2 FTEs and over 75 volunteers who assist in delivering our mission. We have an endowment that provides roughly $140,000 annually which allows us to pay for operating costs and make grants to organizations. With additional funding, we can expand our programs, grow our advocacy and increase grant making capabilities.

Since its inception, WFRI has contributed $760,000 in grants to programs using a gender lens to create systemic change in RI. In addition, we have trained over 76 women across RI to draft legislation and advocate for policies that will make RI an equitable place to live. Laws we helped to pass include the Temporary Caregiver Insurance Act (paid family leave), Earned Sick & Safe Time Act (paid sick leave for most RI employees), RI Parentage Act (updating parenting laws to include LGBTQ+ parents), Reproductive Health Act (codifies Roe vs. Wade in RI), workplace pregnancy protections, repealed the Tampon Tax,

In 2021, our accomplishments included:
- Gave $60,000 in grants focused on gender and racial equity
- Hosted five events featuring 22 women leaders on feminist topics with 460 participants
- Trained 600 individuals on gender equity in the workplace, salary negotiation skills, women in fund development, advocacy 101, men as allies, self-advocacy, running for office
- Trained 29 fellows in grassroots advocacy for legislative change through our Women’s Policy Institute
- Launched our Women’s Well-Being Index at https://wfri.org/rhode-island-womens-well-being-index/
- Advocated for Fair Pay Act (passed); Safe Voter Access; Investing in Childcare Infrastructure; Safe Staffing and Nursing Home Quality Care Act (passed); Source of Income Discrimination (passed); Perinatal Doula Health Insurance Coverage (passed); Protecting Explanation of Health Benefits Information; Prohibiting Gender Rating in Health Insurance Products; Free Feminine Hygiene Products in Public Schools & Prisons (passed)
- Hired two additional staff