About
The Ms. Foundation for Women is the nation's oldest public women's foundation, working to build women's collective power in the U.S. to advance equity and justice for all. Established in 1973 by four visionary women to elevate women's voices and create positive change, the foundation achieves its mission by investing in, and strengthening, the capacity of women-led movements to advance meaningful social, cultural, and economic change in the lives of women. It is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.
Mission
The mission of the Ms. Foundation for Women is to build women's collective power in the U.S. to advance equity and justice for all. Its vision is a just and safe world where power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age, grounded in the belief that equity and inclusion are the cornerstones of a true democracy.
What they do
The foundation describes its approach as going beyond writing a check:
- Grantmaking that invests in women-led, grassroots movements for gender and racial justice
- Strategic capacity-building assistance that builds leadership, strengthens organizations, and seeds long-term solutions
- Advocacy for national and statewide policy change on challenges facing women, and narrative work to shift public discourse toward inclusive gender and racial equity
- Centering women and girls of color, on the belief that those most affected by systemic oppression have the solutions
In earlier public materials the foundation described supporting more than 100 organizations throughout the country working for change at the grassroots level. It also hosts the annual Women of Vision Awards; the 2025 gala raised over 130,000 dollars for its advocacy, grantmaking, and capacity-building work.
History
Four founders — Patricia Carbine, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Gloria Steinem, and Marlo Thomas, honored by the foundation as its Founding Mothers (with Marie C. Wilson recognized as an Honorary Founding Mother) — established the organization in 1973. Teresa C. Younger led the foundation as President and CEO for 12 years and in late 2025 announced plans to step down at the end of the fiscal year, marking the close of a 12-year tenure.
Financials
According to filings summarized by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 23-7252609), the Ms. Foundation for Women reported total revenue of about 12.2 million dollars and total expenses of about 15.2 million dollars for fiscal year 2023, with year-end assets of about 72.0 million dollars.
