In case you missed the memo, philanthropy has reached a critical turning point. Too often, it overlooks the voices of those who are driving the most transformative changes at the grassroots level – women who are deeply connected to the challenges and opportunities in their communities. But a shift has already begun, and we are here for it – though more needs to be done.

International Day of the Girl Child 2024, coming up tomorrow on 11 October with its theme of ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future,’ reminds us that the next generation of leaders already has a vision for change – they just need the tools to make it a reality. In other words, girls and women know what they need. The question is, are we truly listening to them?

This isn’t just about reallocating resources; it’s about recognising that true leadership comes from those closest to the problem. For too long, philanthropy has operated in a top-down manner, funnelling resources to large institutions and expecting the impact to trickle down. But this approach misses the mark. Despite the rhetoric of supporting gender equality, the resources rarely reach the grassroots leaders who are best positioned to drive lasting change.

The women and girls who are making real progress in their communities are often left out of the conversation – not to mention out of the funding pipeline. The fact is that it’s often those that we don't see or hear from who are the champions of the transformation that we're looking for – and we should be looking for any opportunity to lift them up, both for their sakes and for the sake of us all!

That’s why we’re here to call for a radical shift in philanthropy’s approach. The sector must prioritise trust if we are ever to move forward. That means trusting women and girls to lead and trusting that their lived experiences equip them with the knowledge to tackle complex issues in ways that external organisations, far from the issues both geographically and sentimentally, simply cannot.

Yet, we must ask ourselves why donors don't tend to trust grassroots organisations when, frankly, they're more accountable both to their own communities and the funder. You can see what they're doing right in front of your eyes. No paperwork is required to understand what that money is doing. Maybe donors have become used to the impressive-looking spreadsheets and sparkly PowerPoint presentations that look oh-so-professional and make us feel oh-so-satisfied that we are making an impact. But are these really the priority at the end of the day? Should these really be our markers of success?

No, they should not. For one, we shouldn’t ask activists to be putting in that kind of work. We should be going to them, asking what they need, trusting them to make the impact that they themselves are more invested in than anyone else. This is the heart of transformative philanthropy – trusting women and girls to lead and giving them the resources they need to succeed. And secondly, it’s the impact that we should all be prioritising above all else. (Yes, even sparkly PowerPoint presentations…)

It’s the number of people reached, the number of lives changed for the better, and how those lives have been changed for the better – which are not always measurable and can’t be pinned on a nice, satisfying bar chart.

Philanthropy should be proactive in seeking out these grassroots leaders rather than expecting them to navigate the complex web of proposals, applications, and reporting requirements. This is particularly true when it comes to young women and girls.

We have seen first-hand how philanthropy can fall short in supporting those on the front lines of change. In our collective experience, funds are often allocated to large international NGOs or government programs. And while these institutions play an important role, they are not always connected to the women and girls who are driving local solutions. This disconnect creates a gap between what philanthropy says it supports and what it actually achieves.

This approach is particularly limiting for grassroots women’s organisations, which are often excluded from major funding opportunities because they lack the institutional size or structure to meet the demands of traditional philanthropy. But these are the very groups making the most innovative, on-the-ground changes. They don’t just theorise solutions; they implement them. They don’t just react to crises; they anticipate them – and build resilience within their communities to respond to them.

In order for philanthropy to support real, lasting change, it must move beyond viewing grassroots organisations as passive recipients of aid. Or, worse still, as volatile, disorganised groups that can be tokenised, sure, but should not be taken seriously. Instead, we should see them as fundamental and irreplaceable partners in the process of creating a more just and equitable world. This requires a drastic rethinking of how we engage with grassroots leaders. We cannot simply offer financial support from a distance. We need to be in constant dialogue: listening, learning, and adjusting our approaches based on their feedback.

Girls and women are not asking for charity – they are seeking partnership and support. They want the resources to build sustainable futures for themselves and their communities, and they want to be recognised as equal stakeholders in the global movement for gender equality. Philanthropy can play a critical role in facilitating these connections, not only by providing funding but by creating spaces for collaboration and shared learning across borders.

As we reflect on International Day of the Girl Child, we must remember that today’s girls are tomorrow’s leaders. They are already shaping their communities in ways that challenge the status quo and push for progress, but we have a responsibility to play a part, too. We must ensure that their voices are heard, their work is supported, and their visions are realised. The future of philanthropy is something that we need to continue to look at, but that is wholly going to be dependent on relationships, trust, and supporting the grassroots women and girls who are leading the charge for equality. It’s not enough to simply talk about gender equality – we must back those words with action. It’s time for philanthropy to evolve, to be bolder, and to recognise that the solutions to the world’s most pressing problems are already here. All we need to do is listen.