What is a foundation? I mean I’d heard the term before but never thought of its inclusion in the name of my organization, Third Wave Foundation. So I came in pretty clueless to what I’d be doing / what they did, even though it was all in the name. After a struggle with transportation (although I discovered today that it’s only a fifteen minute walk from our apartment) to the office, I was met by the staff. Right now there are only three permanent staff members at Third Wave as well as two other interns.
Anywho, once introductions started, the true job of a foundation was revealed. They raise money (TADA!). I’m pretty sure if I wasn’t all nervous I could have figured this out weeks ago. It turns out my position (external relations intern) is extremely similar to my job at Fuqua, which takes some of the edge off. It will be interesting to research sources of funds, both individual and other foundations, while having to make sure these sources also support our general mission, as well as the organizations we represent.
What is our mission you may ask? Third Wave looks for moneyz to provide grants to organizations that fit with their views. While it is a complicated formula of sorts (check it out here www.thirdwavefoundation.org) my abbreviated spiel would be that Third Wave provides grants to organizations that are movement leading, multiissue, multistrategy that work for gender justice (both for women LGBTQ youth). The grantees they currently sponsor (which can also be seen on the website) really do work to promote the intersectionality (women’s studies term, ftw!) of people’s lives and oppression. There’s three pronges, or categories, that the grantees fall under: reproductive health justice, freedom from violence, and empowered leaders. And I’d say 99% of the grantees from 2011 fit under all three!
Working with Third Wave will help me to see and embrace the multidimensional struggle for liberation. It will also help me to have a critical eye towards organizations. What I mean by this is that some organizations may not identify as promoting gender equality but many of them are working for women, LGBTQ, youth, prisoners, racial equality. And all of these organizations deserve recognition … and money. I look forward to moving away from the Fuqua fundraising methods that I observed and get down to the nitty gritty. Scouring event programs looking for new donors, keeping tabs on old donors, helping to plan events and learning from my fellow employees. I admire the ambition and bridge building Third Wave does to make sure all types of issues are addressed and their emphasis on the mobilizing of youth. It’s looking to be an amazing summer! Cheers to MOXIE!
