Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism (formerly Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights) is an advocacy organization based in California that claims to be a support group for “women, trans and nonbinary” left-of-center activists. In 2024, it claimed to have provided funds for left-of-center groups and individuals on policy issues of abortion, transgender issues, sex workers, and the environment. 1
Background
Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism (originally Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights) was formed in 1997. According to its website, the Fund was originally created to deliver “rapid response” emergency funds to “frontline feminists and their movements.” 2
Activities
Urgent Action fund for Feminist Activism operates in the United States as well as Canada, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. It has three other independent “Sister Funds:” UAF-Africa, UAF-Latin America & the Caribbean, UAF-Asia & Pacific. It has provided “funding and resources to feminist activists as well as “trans and non-binary frontline activists” in over 160 countries. 2
In June 2024, the group was referenced in an article written Solidaire Network executive director Rajasvini Bhansali for Inside Philanthropy, claiming that they provide “rapid support for urgent safety priorities” of left-of-center protestors. Bhanasali grouped it alongside its own Janisha R. Gabriel Movement Protection Fund as well as Piper Fund’s Right to Protest Fund and the Emergent Fund as “great models and places to contribute” for those interested in helping groups that “protect front-line organizers.” 3 4
Urgent Action Fund has official partnerships with Count Me In!, the CLIMA Fund, and ProtectDefenders.eu. 5
Financials
In 2022, Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism reported an income of $19,035,723, $18,891,339 of which was from grants. It reported total expenses of $13,681,325 and net assets of $28,238,435. 6
Grantmaking
In 2023, Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism claimed to have provided roughly 512 grants worth a collective $3,791,340 across 39 countries. In 2021, it financed a climate justice initiative through its “Feminist Innovation Fund.” Since 2022, it has spent $3.5 million on grantmaking in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 7
Its “Security Grants” are provided to advocacy groups in which the “primary decision makers” are “women trans, or non-binary people.” The Fund clarifies too that said grants are not for “cisgender men or male-led organizations or networks.” 8
Leadership
As of 2024, India Adams is the executive director and board coordinator of Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism. She previously worked for Oxfam America in Boston as well as the International Center for Not-for Profit Law in Washington, D.C. 9
References
- “Who We Are.” Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://urgentactionfund.org/who-we-are/
- “Mission & History.” Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://urgentactionfund.org/mission-history/.
- [1] Bhansali, Rajasvini. “Philanthropy Must Safeguard Our Right to Protest, a Key Pathway to Progress.” Inside Philanthropy, June 27, 2024. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2024/6/27/philanthropy-must-safeguard-our-right-to-protest-a-key-pathway-to-progress.
- “Rajasvini Bhansali.” Solidaire Action. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://solidaireaction.org/team/rajasvini-bhansali/.
- “Partnerships.” Urgent Action Fund. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://urgentactionfund.org/partnerships/.
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism. 2022. Part I, lines 8, 12, 18, 22.
- “Grantmaking.” Urgent Action Fund. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://urgentactionfund.org/grantmaking/.
- “Security Grant.” Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://urgentactionfund.org/our-grants/security-grant/.
- “People.” Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://urgentactionfund.org/people/.