Support girls' STEM education in Kenya and midwives in Afghanistan; learn about our upcoming member survey; and mark your calendar for some unmissable events later this summer and fall.
JULY/AUGUST 2026 ISSUE
CEO Message: We Want to Hear From You
Earlier this year, we launched Rise’s new strategic plan with a bold goal to increase our fundraising so that we can increase our grantmaking by 75% over the next three years. The key to this is growing our chapters, broadening the definition of a Rise member, and introducing new, innovative member engagement models.
To support this work, we will conduct an anonymous member survey in early August to better understand what motivates you to give, engage with Rise, and value most about your membership. Your responses will guide future member engagement initiatives, including a new member-at-large program planned for this fall for those who want to support Rise’s mission outside the traditional chapter model.
Your survey responses will also inform Rise’s first-ever Impact Report, which will be released as part of our 25th anniversary in 2028. The report will reflect Rise’s impact on grantees, beneficiaries, and gender equality since our inception, while also helping us capture and quantify the impact Rise has made on our members.
Please be on the lookout for the survey in your email in early August. All responses will be anonymous, and only aggregated results will be reported in future Rise communications.
We want to hear from you; so, I strongly encourage you to complete the survey when you receive it. Your response will help shape how Rise engages members, funds more grants, and supports more women and girls.
With appreciation,
Beverley Francis-Gibson, CEO
July Featured Grantee:
Building Capacity of Girls' Schools in Kenya
In July, we are featuring our grant to the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy (KGSA) Foundation, which provides free, holistic high school education and boarding to 150 girls in Kibera, Kenya, one of Africa's largest informal settlements.
Sylvia's Story
Through KGSA, Sylvia received a free high school education, safe boarding, and opportunities to pursue her passion for science and technology. Read her story.
Our August Featured Grant will fund One Day's Wages to improve maternal health outcomes in Afghanistan by strengthening the professional capacity of midwives and expanding access to midwife-led care.
Roshina's Story
Midwife Roshina cares for more than 100 patients each week, providing lifesaving care to mothers and babies after receiving advanced training through One Day's Wages. Read her story.
Our Uganda trip is rescheduled for February 24 - March 3, 2027 and a few spots are available.
Our 2027 Nepal trip is filled, but you can still join the waitlist.If there is sufficient interest, we will consider adding a second trip.
Transformation Partnership Profile:
How Landesa and Stand for Her Land are Growing Futures Through Women's Land Rights
By Claire O’Donnell, Together Women Rise Transformation Partnerships Writer
Why do so many women who farm and steward the land lack the right to own it? Learn how Together Women Rise’s Transformation Partner, Landesa, is helping women around the world secure land rights that strengthen economic opportunity, climate resilience, and gender equality. Read blog.
The Growing Digital Frontier:
Fighting for Women’s Cyber Safety in the Global South
By Carson Jones, Together Women Rise Communications Intern
As generative AI transforms the digital landscape, it is also fueling new forms of abuse that disproportionately target women and girls. Learn how technology-facilitated gender-based violence is affecting women in the Global South and how Together Women Rise and its partners are working to protect women's rights and safety online. Read blog.
Upcoming Events
July 12-14 -- RESULTS National Conference Register here.
July 22 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT -- Advocacy Webinar on HIV/AIDS and Maternal Child Health. Register here.
August 12 at 12 pm ET / 9 am PT -- Special webinar in recognition of the 5th anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, including panel discussion with several Rise grantees. Registration coming soon.
September 9 at 12 pm ET/ 9 am PT -- Virtual Volunteer Fair Register here.
September 16 at 12 pm ET/ 9 am PT-- Women's Philanthropy as a Global Movement webinar. Speakers and more details coming soon.
October 17 from 2 to 4 pm PT in San Jose, CA -- In-person event to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child. Registration opening soon.
Thank You to our Retiring Staff Member
Join us in congratulating Cindy Waldron on her retirement from Rise, effective July 10th! Cindy joined the Rise team in 2023 as our Accounting and Data Associate. Her professionalism, commitment to our mission, and positive attitude have made a lasting impact on our organization. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her all the best as she begins this exciting new chapter!
Welcome New Staff Member
Please join us in welcoming Ashley Odom as our new Accounting and Data Associate. She brings a strong background in data and operations and will help keep our donor and financial records running smoothly. Outside of work, Ashley is a published writer who enjoys indie bookstores, community involvement, and hiking local trails.
Milestones
Congratulations to our IL, Springfield-3 chapter on celebrating their 15-year anniversary! The chapter is co-led by Jeanne Van Gieson, Vicki Megginson, and Sandy Bellati.
TX, Austin - 9, co-led by Suchitra Chander and Fran Wolffwelcomed Rise's summer Video Intern, Judy Zhu (front, right) to a recent chapter meeting.
Our OH, Sylvania-1 chapter, led by Mary Toneff, celebrated their 20th anniversary with a 2-hour cruise of the local Maumee River. 28 members came together to enjoy food and fellowship, and the difference they have made in empowering women and girls around the globe over these past 20 years.
