[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/womens-history-month-spotlight-the-funding-gap-facing-women-led-black-led-nonprofits\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/womens-history-month-spotlight-the-funding-gap-facing-women-led-black-led-nonprofits\/","headline":"Women\u2019s History Month Spotlight: The Funding Gap Facing Women-Led & Black-Led Nonprofits","name":"Women\u2019s History Month Spotlight: The Funding Gap Facing Women-Led & Black-Led Nonprofits","description":"In Women\u2019s History Month we work to highlight the strengths of those around us, in this case, women-led nonprofit organizations. There are stark gender disparities in the workforce, the nonprofit sector is not a stranger to this. Women hold the majority of positions in human services but hold little leadership positions. When women do occupy […]","datePublished":"2026-03-23","dateModified":"2026-04-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/author\/admin\/#Person","name":"admin","url":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/author\/admin\/","identifier":1,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f847a7ceddb5597b51722fc0b37aff64c31b8d27add9f2c25355935a5623829a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f847a7ceddb5597b51722fc0b37aff64c31b8d27add9f2c25355935a5623829a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"admin","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/footerddd.png","url":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/footerddd.png","width":329,"height":111}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Closing-the-Funding-Gap-for-Women-Led-Black-Led-Nonprofits.jpg","url":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Closing-the-Funding-Gap-for-Women-Led-Black-Led-Nonprofits.jpg","height":768,"width":1366},"url":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/womens-history-month-spotlight-the-funding-gap-facing-women-led-black-led-nonprofits\/","about":["Business Consulting","Consulting","Empowerment","Fundraising","Leadership","Small Businesses"],"wordCount":740,"articleBody":"In Women\u2019s History Month we work to highlight the strengths of those around us, in this case, women-led nonprofit organizations. There are stark gender disparities in the workforce, the nonprofit sector is not a stranger to this. Women hold the majority of positions in human services but hold little leadership positions. When women do occupy positions of leadership they are met with funding gaps and challenges with access.\u00a0The American Association of University Women found that women hold 56 percent of chief executive positions when an organization has a budget of less than $1 million, as their budget increased the women in these positions decreased \u2013 down to 22 percent. The gap of leadership roles shows how difficult it can be for women to compete in this field. When there is a struggle for representation, there is a struggle for access at large.\u00a0This Women\u2019s History Month, we want to acknowledge these gaps and present a path towards equity in nonprofit organization and philanthropy. In combination, we will present a solution to bridging these gaps through infrastructure in organizations.The Disparities That Are PresentAs mentioned, women are experiencing barriers in their positions in the nonprofit sector, this is especially true for women of color. While nonprofit organizations are more representative of women and there is an increasing number of women in positions of power, the glass ceiling of gender and race has not disappeared. There is a continuous path towards equity in these positions.\u00a0The Council of Nonprofits emphasizes that the largest difference between men that are leading nonprofit organizations and women that do, is the budget that they are awarded. The sector as a whole works within an underfunded position but organizations that have men in the position of chief executive have larger budgets. This disparity is hard to eliminate due to the \u201cgendered\u201d position that nonprofit organizations are located but it must be done. This is to be done through a network of organizations working towards equity in philanthropy and supporting the individuals that build the backbone of the sector, women \u2013 women of color in particular.\u00a0How Readiness Infrastructure Can Create The ChangeOrganizations working within a different budget need to have an understanding of the infrastructure and how to operate in order to create better work. This can look like centering those who work in the organization. The majority of those working within the sector are women and by creating spaces that care for them it will strengthen the organization. Women\u2019s History Month is a perfect time to put this into effect and care for those who make the organization what it is. By building up the infrastructure from the inside, there can be an increase in quality services.Infrastructure can be adjusted based around the sources of funding. By working with other partners there can be a net created. Women-led and Black-led organizations may work within a different funding structure, due to smaller budgets, but this can be changed through adapting new sources.The infrastructure may be built with an existing gap but by preparing your organization and taking care of the women who are working alongside you, there can be a move towards equity in philanthropy.Frequently Asked Questions1. What is the “leadership gap” in the nonprofit sector?While women make up the majority of the nonprofit workforce, they are significantly underrepresented in top leadership at large-budget organizations. Data shows women lead 56% of nonprofits with budgets under $1M, but only 22% of those with larger budgets.2. Why do women-led and Black-led nonprofits face more funding challenges?These organizations often face systemic barriers to entry, including smaller professional networks, unconscious bias in philanthropy, and the “glass ceiling” that limits access to high-net-worth donors and large-scale foundation grants.3. What does “readiness infrastructure” mean for a nonprofit?Infrastructure refers to the internal systems\u2014such as technology, professional development, and supportive workplace culture\u2014that allow an organization to scale. By strengthening these “bones,” an organization becomes more attractive to diverse funding sources.4. How can I support equity in philanthropy during Women\u2019s History Month?Beyond awareness, supporting equity means intentionally directing funds toward women-led and Black-led organizations, advocating for transparent pay scales, and investing in the internal infrastructure of these nonprofits to ensure their long-term survival.Contact Us for Your Grant Consultants Middleburg Heights, oh & Nearby AreasCompany Name: Grantsmarts ConsultingAddress: 7055 Engle Rd Building 6 601, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130, United StatesPhone: +12162555151Website:\u00a0Visit Now\u00a0Google Business Profile :\u00a0Click Here\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Women\u2019s History Month Spotlight: The Funding Gap Facing Women-Led & Black-Led Nonprofits","item":"https:\/\/grantsmarts.com\/womens-history-month-spotlight-the-funding-gap-facing-women-led-black-led-nonprofits\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]