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Theory of Change

The Problem

Despite the achievements of the feminist movement in Puerto Rico, gender inequality remains deeply structural and worsens in times of political, economic, and climate crisis. Local feminist organizations face serious challenges in sustaining their work due to the lack of stable resources and institutional recognition.

Theory of change

Our theory of change is rooted in the urgency of strengthening these leaders as essential drivers for eradicating violence, transforming public policy, and building a more just and equitable society across the archipelago.

Vision

We envision an equitable Puerto Rico, committed to social justice, where women, girls, and gender-diverse people are protagonists and can fully thrive in freedom throughout their lives.

KEY ASSUMPTIONS

Feminist movements have the power to drive structural transformation.

In Puerto Rico, feminist movements have been historic engines of social change—from the fight for suffrage and the creation of the first Office of the Women’s Advocate to the declaration of a state of emergency over gender-based violence. Their power lies in their ability to craft community-driven responses, challenge structures of oppression, and propose fairer, more equitable models of coexistence.

Gender equity must be built at every level: from the individual to the institutional.

Sustainable change requires transformation at every level—personal, family, community, and systemic. In Puerto Rico, where patriarchal violence is normalized and the State has historically failed to protect women and gender-diverse people, it is essential to work from the roots—personal autonomy and healing—all the way to public policy shaped by a gender perspective.

Equitable democracy thrives when women and gender-diverse communities lead with their voices and participation.

In a colonial context where many decisions are made beyond the people’s control, including historically marginalized voices is essential to building a participatory, intersectional, and decolonial democracy. Without gender justice, there is no democracy.

Economic, administrative, and political resources are key to building the collective power of feminist organizations.

Feminist organizations in Puerto Rico often operate under precarious conditions with limited access to traditional philanthropic funding. When they have stable resources, they are able to design high-impact strategies, sustain their leadership, and become recognized voices in dialogue with both the State and civil society.

STRATEGIES

We promote access to more and better financial resources to strengthen the capacities of feminist and emerging women’s organizations in Puerto Rico. This includes unrestricted donations, operational funding, multi-year grants, and flexible support that allow organizations to sustain their work autonomously and strategically.

We promote a diversification of support that goes beyond traditional funding, responding to the real needs of feminist and women’s organizations in Puerto Rico. Our work is grounded in close technical and political accompaniment that recognizes the value of care, active listening, and collective building. We prioritize comprehensive training in areas such as organizational governance, sustainability, and fundraising, while also fostering spaces for collective healing and organizational well-being.

We foster collaborative alliances that strengthen collective impact and solidarity among feminist and women’s organizations in Puerto Rico. Through strategic partnerships, shared learning, and collective action, we support the development of stronger networks capable of advancing gender equity and social justice initiatives across communities and institutions.

We promote a diversification of support that goes beyond traditional funding, responding to the real needs of feminist and women’s organizations in Puerto Rico. Our work is grounded in close technical and political accompaniment that recognizes the value of care, active listening, and collective building. We prioritize comprehensive training in areas such as organizational governance, sustainability, and fundraising, while also fostering spaces for collective healing and organizational well-being.

Long-Term Outcomes

In the long term, we aspire for feminist organizations in Puerto Rico to have the financial and administrative resources necessary to exercise strong, autonomous, and sustainable leadership. Their strengthening will foster an increase in social capital, enhance their ability to access and manage resources, and expand their leadership role in the development and implementation of public policies with a gender perspective. Through partnerships with other like-minded organizations and foundations, they will be able to promote systemic, institutional, and cultural transformations aimed at achieving gender equity and eradicating multiple forms of oppression.

Likewise, the development of educational and training initiatives rooted in community needs will enable more women to become agents of change within their own organizations, promoting individual, family, and community transformations aligned with social justice. As a result, women, girls, and gender-fluid individuals will have greater access to feminist-centered services, support, and advocacy, contributing to a more equitable society at every level: personal, collective, and political.

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Nuestra comunidad conoce del impacto transformativo de la generosidad en la equidad de género. Sé parte de esta transformación.

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