The Young Women’s Initiative (YWI) is a national initiative of prominent women’s foundations to ensure all young women—particularly young women of color—lead, prosper economically, and live safe and healthy lives. We put young people at the helm of advancing solutions to the problems they encounter in their lives and communities to advance gender equity and racial justice in DC and surrounding regions.
Our comprehensive strategy to achieve YWI’s mission in Washington, D.C. and Prince George’s County, Maryland includes:
We engage young women and gender-expansive youth of color as agents of change in their communities through participatory grantmaking by our Rock Star Fund.
We provide flexible and reliable funds to organizations building youth's voice, power, and leadership to advance gender equity and racial justice.
We support coalitions and groups advocating for policies and practices that center the needs and solutions of young women and gender-expansive youth of color.
Launched in 2019, the Rock Star Fund is an innovative participatory grantmaking program that amplifies the voices of young women, girls, and gender-expansive youth of color in Washington, D.C. and Prince George’s County, Maryland. Through our partnership with our grantee partners, its youth review applications, and select awardees on our behalf, advancing gender and racial equity while channeling more funds directly to grassroots initiatives.
Since 2019, our Young Women’s Initiative has:
Provided over $100,000 in seed funding to Rock Stars.
Awarded 54 young women and gender-expansive youth of color, allowing them to invest in their own learning, leadership, and community projects.
Strengthened and amplified leadership and advocacy skills of over 300 young women and gender expansive youth of color in DC and provided opportunities for them lead change.
Given funding to launch the DC Girls’ Coalition, the only coalition in DC that centers the leadership and addresses the needs of young women and gender expansive youth of color.
Expanded into Prince George’s County, Maryland in 2024.
Uplifted the voices and priorities of young women and gender-expansive youth of color in D.C. and Prince George’s County, Maryland through our Blueprint for Action.
Meet the awardees of our 2026 Washington, D.C. Rock Star Fund! Through this program, nine outstanding individuals were selected through our Young Women’s Initiative’s participatory grantmaking process, each bringing forth their unique vision and projects that align with our Blueprint for Action. With a grant of $2,000, we aim to cultivate the leadership potential of these young changemakers and support them in effecting positive change within our community.
Interested in learning more about the Young Women’s Initiative or our Rock Star Fund? Contact our Program Officer, Chika Onwuvuche!
