Inspiring investment in women and girls
Rosa uses its unique position as a UK-wide funder of the women and girls sector to engage and inspire other funders and philanthropists to invest more. By expanding funding, we can secure the long term sustainability of the sector.
Thriving women’s and girls’ organisations are vital to a healthy society, but Rosa research shows that they are chronically underfunded: only 1.8% of charitable grants are awarded to women’s and girls’ organisations and fewer than 2% of UK funders cite women and/or girls as among their main funding criteria.
Government and public sector funding is complex to access and does not prioritise the work delivered by specialist women-led women’s and girls’ organisations.
How does Rosa inspire investment in the women and girls sector?
Evidence and research
Rosa’s evidence and research builds the case for funders and philanthropists to increase investment in the sector.
Mapping the UK Women and Girls Sector and its Funding This was the first research of its kind to map where the funding is going into the women and girls sector. You can also access the data about the organisations via this interactive women and girls charity dashboard or view the results presented in a webinar.
Underfunded, under resourced and under the radar This comprehensive survey of the women and girls sector highlights the tremendous pressure organisations are under. It was commissioned by Rosa and carried out by PBE.
of grants awarded went to organisations specifically focused on work with and for women and girls*
of grants recorded for women’s and girls’ work, went to non-women’s and girls’ organisations*
micro and small organisations make up most of the sector by number, yet they receive just 3.9% of the total income
over half of grants to women’s and girls’ organisations were less than £10,000
Working with other funders
We work with other funders to share expertise and advocate for investment in women-led women’s and girls’ organisations. Rosa is a member of the ACF (Association of Charitable Foundations) and co-convenes the ACF’s VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) network.
Rosa also hosts the secretariat of the Corston Independent Funders Coalition (CIFC), which brings together funders around the issue of women and the criminal justice system.
Last year we also engaged with Routes to Power, a network of funders and organisations that focuses on women and disability, contributed to the Advancing Gender Justice Funding steering group, facilitated by Fondation CHANEL, the Ariadne Network and the Oak Foundation; and participated in the Equality Impact Investing Project UK taskforce to redirect philanthropic investment.
Rosa events
Rosa events enable funders to hear directly from leaders of specialist women’s and girls’ organisations, bringing to life the power and impact of their organisations and making the case for investment.
In 2026, our Women driving change event heard how women-led organisations are responding to the intersecting challenges faced by Black and racially minoritised women and girls. And in 2025, our event Power of collective action event brought together representatives from Time’s Up UK and Reclaim These Streets and women from organisations funded through Rosa’s Justice and Equality Fund and Stand With Us Fund, who described the tangible change they have achieved.
Each year the Rosa online conference invites women and girls sector speakers to talk about the value and power of their work and offers a chance for organisations to connect directly with grantmakers via our funders’ panel. Catch up on the 2026 conference.
Speaking up for the sector
Rosa speaks up in the public sphere for the importance of investment in the women and girls sector. This includes attending government-focused events such as the Downing Street launch of the UK’s first ever national violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy, and an event marking the 10-year anniversary of Coercive and Controlling Abuse legislation.