WOMEN’S WAY Launches Gender Economic Equity Program To Strengthen Care Sector
For Immediate Release | Philadelphia, PA | May 1, 2025
WOMEN’S WAY, Philadelphia’s leading nonprofit dedicated to achieving gender equity, is proud to introduce its newest initiative, the Gender Economic Equity Program (GEEP).
This initiative will provide multi-year general operating grants to organizations in the care sector–one of the most essential yet underfunded pillars of the economy. Encompassing child care, elder care, health care, domestic work, and disability care, the care economy relies heavily on women and people of other marginalized genders to shoulder a disproportionate share of both paid and unpaid care work. This imbalance remains a key driver of gender inequity.
“The Gender Economic Equity Program allows us to invest deeply in the care sector and support organizations that are building equitable, inclusive care models,” said Diane Cornman-Levy, Chief Disruptor at WOMEN’S WAY. “Through GEEP, we aim to advance efforts that lead to lasting social transformation by economically empowering women and other gender marginalized people across our region.”
In its inaugural year, 4 grantee organizations will participate. Each grantee organization will receive $235,000 over three years: $50,000 a year in general operating support, $25,000 a year for staff wellness initiatives, and a $10,000 accelerator grant for a gender equity pilot program. In addition to financial support, GEEP is designed to:
- Strengthen grantees’ capacity to integrate gender equity into their operations and workplace culture through participation in a 6-month Gender Equity Designer Program.
- Foster shared learning, collaboration, and support through a community of practice.
- Encourage the prioritization of self-care and wellness.
- Generate a deeper understanding of how to strengthen care models that are inclusive and contribute to long-term social transformation.
- Develop evaluation tools to measure systems-level change and guide sector-wide improvements.
- Encourage policymakers and funders to invest in equitable care systems.
GEEP aligns with WOMEN’S WAY’s ambitious new 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, which centers on creating equitable economic systems that address the root causes of gender inequities. At the heart of this plan is a bold commitment to building capacity for systems transformation and uplifting the leadership of women and other marginalized genders.
“Our new strategic plan is rooted in the understanding that gender inequities are a result of entrenched systems of oppression. To challenge these systems, we need to invest deeply in our partners who are working to build a more equitable future,” said Cornman-Levy. “The Gender Economic Equity Program is one example of how we’re doing that.”
Applications for GEEP were by invitation only. Recipients of the inaugural cohort of grantees will be announced in June 2025. For more information about GEEP and WOMEN’S WAY’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, visit womensway.org
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ABOUT WOMEN’S WAY
WOMEN’S WAY is a Philadelphia area nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving gender equity by building collective power to disrupt oppressive systems and strengthen alternative models centered on love, dignity, and liberation. Through education, research, advocacy, and grantmaking, WOMEN’S WAY envisions a region where security, dignity, freedom, and joy are accessible to all – especially those historically impacted by gender inequities. To learn more, visit womensway.org and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
For press inquiries, please contact Misha Rodriguez, WOMEN’S WAY Director of Communications at mrodriguez@womensway.org or (215) 985-3322.
