10 Nonprofits working to empower women across the globe

The role of nonprofit organisations in advancing women’s empowerment is essential.

According to a report from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, giving to women’s and girls’ organisations exceeded $10 billion for the first time in 2024 – but even with this growth, funding for women and girls still represents less than two percent of charitable giving in the US.

In a world where gender inequality remains a pressing and growing issue, there are some important organisations that support and implement various initiatives and programs aimed at positively impacting the social, economic and political challenges women face every day.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting ten nonprofit organisations dedicated to bringing about change across the globe, one woman at a time.

From grassroots initiatives to international movements, these nonprofits are working on the frontlines to empower women across the globe.

(Are you a grantmaker looking for a better way to manage your funding?
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Global Fund for Women

• Mission: The Global Fund for Women aims to advance gender equality and women’s rights worldwide by providing financial resources, advocacy and support to women’s rights organisations.
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA.
• Notable achievements: Over the past 32 years, the Global Fund for Women has provided 12,242 grants to 5,000 women’s groups in over 175 countries, totaling $184,790,901. These grants support initiatives ranging from economic empowerment and political participation to ending gender-based violence and advancing reproductive rights.

Women for Women International

• Mission: Women for Women International is an NGO working for women’s empowerment by providing marginalised women in conflict-affected areas access to resources, education and economic opportunities.
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA.
• Notable achievements: Women for Women International has served over 500,000 women in conflict-affected regions, offering programs that include vocational skills training, business development support and rights awareness education. They’ve facilitated transformative changes in the lives of countless women, enabling them to rebuild their communities and pursue sustainable livelihoods.

CARE International

• Mission: CARE International fights poverty and social injustice globally, with a particular focus on empowering women and girls through education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Notable achievements: CARE has implemented numerous projects worldwide, such as providing access to education for girls, improving maternal and child health and promoting women’s economic empowerment through initiatives like Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). They’ve also been instrumental in advocating for policy changes to address systemic barriers to gender equality.

Plan International

• Mission: Plan International promotes girls’ rights and equality worldwide, empowering them through education, skills training and access to healthcare and protection.
• Headquarters: Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom.
• Notable achievements: Plan International has reached millions of children and their families through various programs, including initiatives to improve girls’ access to education, prevent child marriage and combat gender-based violence. Their advocacy efforts have led to increased investment in girls’ education and empowerment globally.

UN Women

• Mission: UN Women is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, working globally to advance women’s rights through various initiatives and advocacy efforts.
• Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA.
• Notable achievements: UN Women has played a key role in advancing gender equality globally, including efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment, end violence against women and increase women’s participation in political decision-making processes. They’ve also led campaigns such as HeForShe, engaging men and boys as allies in the fight for gender equality.

Girl Effect

• Mission: Girl Effect focuses on empowering adolescent girls in developing countries through education, health, economic opportunities and social inclusion.
• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
• Notable achievements: Girl Effect has developed innovative programs and campaigns to address the unique needs of adolescent girls, including mobile-based platforms for education and information dissemination. They’ve successfully reached millions of girls in marginalised communities, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and resources to make informed decisions and pursue their aspirations.

Kiva

• Mission: Kiva, a women empowerment NGO, connects lenders with entrepreneurs, including many women in underserved communities, providing them with access to capital to start or grow their businesses.
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA.
• Notable achievements: Kiva has facilitated over $400 million loans to entrepreneurs in more than 94 countries, empowering individuals, particularly women, to lift themselves out of poverty through entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Their platform has enabled countless success stories of women entrepreneurs creating sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.

Vital Voices

• Mission: Vital Voices, one of the best NGOs for women’s empowerment, invests in women leaders worldwide, providing them with training, mentorship and support to drive social change and economic empowerment in their communities.
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA.
• Notable achievements: Vital Voices has trained and mentored thousands of women leaders, including political leaders, entrepreneurs and human rights activists, equipping them with the skills and networks needed to effect positive change in their societies. Many Vital Voices-supported women have gone on to lead successful businesses, advocate for policy changes and inspire others to join the fight for gender equality.

Women’s World Banking

• Mission: Women’s World Banking works to expand access to financial services for low-income women worldwide, promoting economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
• Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA.
• Notable achievements: This women’s empowerment NGO has partnered with financial institutions in over 40 countries to design and deliver financial products and services tailored to the needs of women, including savings accounts, credit, insurance and digital financial solutions. Their work has helped millions of women gain access to financial services, build assets and improve their economic well-being.

She’s the First

• Mission: She’s the First supports girls’ education in low-income countries, empowering them to be the first in their families to achieve an educational milestone.
• Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA.
• Notable achievements: She’s the First has provided scholarships, mentorship, and support to thousands of girls, enabling them to access quality education and pursue their dreams. In total, the organisation has helped 563,741 girls in 42 countries.

Interested in learning how you can support nonprofits in empowering women? Learn how to become a mission ambassador.