By Brooke Williams, Communications Specialist

She's the First (STF) is proud to announce we are a new board member of the esteemed Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). We serve as one of the four civil society organization (CSO) representatives on a board that also includes four UN agencies and four donor countries.

The Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund is a global partnership that works tirelessly to empower women in conflict zones and areas affected by humanitarian crises. Since its inception in 2016, the WPHF has supported women's rights and women-led civil-society organizations, providing them with the necessary funding, capacity-building support, and advocacy platforms to enhance their participation and leadership in peace, security, and humanitarian actions.

The Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund has supported 1,202 community organizations, mobilized 183 million USD in grants, and significantly increased women's participation in peace, security, and humanitarian processes. You likely are familiar with their Global Ambassador, Kristen Bell. 

Impact and Opportunities Ahead

"This is a big first for us—the first board seat She's the First has held as an organization. Kate Kiama, Director of Programs & Impact, and I are proud to represent STF," said Tammy Tibbetts, She's the First CEO and Co-Founder. "We are eager to contribute our team's expertise, and we hope to connect the grassroots organizations in our wider network to much-needed funding opportunities."

The Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund supplies funding for women and youth-led grassroots organizations in conflict, post-conflict, and humanitarian settings with grants, on average, between $2,500 and $250,000. For many recipients, it is their first UN grant. Given She's the First does not provide emergency response funding, we felt this was a way to connect our extensive grassroots network to opportunities.

The inclusion of She's the First on the WPHF board is an honor and a testament to our organization's unwavering commitment to building the skills of women who run community programs for girls. Over the next three years, this partnership will leverage STF's expertise in grassroots mobilization and education, enriching the board's collective ability to enact systems-level change that leads to stronger outcomes for women and girls worldwide.

A Win for Girls Everywhere

Ultimately, She's the First joining the board of the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund is a win for girls and women worldwide. By combining STF's grassroots expertise with WPHF's global platform and resources, this alliance is set to create more inclusive, equitable, and peaceful communities where girls can thrive and lead.

As we celebrate this alliance, we look forward to the impactful initiatives and transformative changes that will emerge from this collaboration.