MADRE is a left-of-center grantmaking organization based in New York City. MADRE advocates viewing all policies and actions through a feminist lens. MADRE advocates for left-wing environmental policies seeking to end all oil, natural gas, and coal emissions and blames the military for being a large polluter. MADRE has expressed the view that toxic masculinity fuels decisions on trade, aid, and foreign policy. The organization seeks to implement more left-progressive views in economic, foreign, and social policies.
History and Views
MADRE began in 1983 as a feminist grantmaking institution that donates money to feminist movements around the world. [1] MADRE states that social movements, and not nations or states, are the true guarantor of rights. [2] MADRE claims that the U.S. military is a bigger polluter than 140 other nations and praises shutting down oil and gas pipelines across the U.S. [3] The organization argues against sanctions to punish foreign countries claiming it hurts citizens and not the leaders of the country sanctioned. [4] MADRE works with the left-wing Congressional Progressive Caucus and has provided grant money to the caucus-affiliated Congressional Progressive Caucus Center. [5]
MADRE’s main initiatives are advancing feminism, fighting perceived global warming, ending wars, and fighting gender violence. [6] MADRE seeks to push progressive, feminist policies and push black, LGBTQ, and persons of color into policy making movements. [7] MADRE advocates for feminist “gender justice” in U.S. policy including advancing the Green New Deal, funding peacemakers in war-torn regions, and advancing “feminist economic justice.” [8] MADRE calls on the U.S. to have a feminist foreign policy that acknowledges the “toxic norms of masculinity” in foreign policy, trade, and foreign aid. [9]
MADRE claims that the Biden administration has not done enough to fight global warming, stating that net-zero carbon emissions are not sufficient. MADRE has sought absolute zero emissions and cuts to production of coal, natural gas, and oil. [10] A feminist Green New Deal that MADRE advocates not only wants cuts to traditional fuel sources but wants new technologies implemented that also include paid family leave and government-paid childcare for workers. [11] Kate Alexander, MADRE’s Policy and Campaigns officer, has referred to Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) as “a coal tycoon Democrat.” [12] MADRE has called for labeling “carbon-polluting corporations” as human rights abusers. [13]
Programs
MADRE implements advocacy through three fronts: grantmaking, organization strengthening, and legal services. [14] MADRE makes grants to organizations throughout the country and world to feminist organizations and disaster relief groups in war-torn areas. [15] MADRE provides training and teaching to local organizations around the world to bring-about social change in local areas. [16] Among this training is organizing and working to engage local policy makers. [17] On the legal front, MADRE has partnered with groups such as the City University of New York School of Law’s Center on Human Rights and Gender Justice Clinic to change legal frameworks internationally and broaden legal protections for women. [18] The program advocates changing definitions of gender and fights discrimination. [19]
Finances
Since its founding in 1983, MADRE has made contributions of over $52 million in grants and in-kind contributions. [20] MADRE has total assets of $14,878,099. [21] According to tax returns, in 2018 MADRE recorded $9,070,118 in revenue and $7,121,146 in expenses. [22] A majority of MADRE’s grants made outside the United States were to the Middle East, where it gave almost $1 million in 2018. [23] In 2002, MADRE received and unspecified grant from MacKenzie Scott. [24]
Leadership
Yifat Susskind is executive director of MADRE and has been with the organization in various capacities since 1997. [25] She has been executive director since 2011. [26] Susskind offers paid speeches through the AAE Speakers Bureau for $10,000-$20,000 per speech. [27] Susskind holds a B.A. in social thought and political economy and women’s studies from the University of Massachusetts. [28]