In an era where feminist movements face increasing backlash, the infrastructure that supports them must be stronger than ever. Mama Cash, the world’s first international women’s fund, recognizes that women’s funds are the backbone of global resistance and progress. To bolster this community, they have opened applications for the 2026 Solidarity Fund.
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This is not just another grant; it is a commitment to participatory grantmaking. The Solidarity Fund is designed to shift power, allowing women’s funds to collaboratively decide how resources should be distributed to strengthen their own peers and the wider feminist ecosystem. If your organization is a self-led, autonomous women’s fund dedicated to transforming unjust power structures, this €40,000 opportunity is designed for you.
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Mama Cash Solidarity Fund 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | Mama Cash |
| Target Audience | Self-led Women’s Funds |
| Grant Amount | €30,000 to €40,000 |
| Duration | One year |
| Focus Area | Feminist Infrastructure & Ecosystem Strengthening |
| Application Deadline | April 30, 2026 |
About the Initiative 2026
Launched in early 2020, the Solidarity Fund is a dedicated pot of funding intended specifically for the strengthening of women’s funds. Mama Cash believes that for feminist movements to hold the line and advance their agendas, the funding infrastructure itself must be equitable and transparent. By utilizing a participatory model, the fund ensures that those most affected by systemic inequality are the ones making the strategic decisions about where the money goes.
Core Objectives of the Program
- Infrastructure Support: Strengthening the organizational and operational capacity of women’s funds globally.
- Power Shifting: Promoting participatory grantmaking as a more just and accountable form of philanthropy.
- Resilience: Helping feminist movements resist political attacks and gender-based backlash.
- Collaboration: Encouraging women’s funds to work together to decide the best path forward for their peers.
Benefits of the Solidarity Fund 2026
- Substantial Funding: Grants ranging from €30,000 to €40,000 for a one-year period.
- Institutional Strengthening: Funds can be used to improve the internal systems and strategic reach of the fund.
- Network Access: Joining a global community of feminist funders and activists.
- Equitable Process: Participation in a grantmaking process that values transparency and peer-led decision-making.
Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible for the Solidarity Fund, an organization must meet the following four criteria:
- Self-led: The fund must be led by the populations it seeks to support. Those involved in the issues (women, girls, trans, and intersex people) must be in leadership and decision-making roles.
- Feminist Mission: The primary mission must be upholding the rights of women, girls, trans, and intersex people, with a strategy to challenge unjust power structures.
- Autonomous: The fund must not be a program of a larger, non-feminist entity. It must have independent decision-making over grants and resource mobilization.
- Grantmaking & Mobilizing: The organization must actively raise funds to provide grants and support to other feminist groups and collectives.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Phase 1: Verify Your Autonomy
Ensure your organization is not a subset of a larger umbrella group. If you are currently under a larger entity, you must have concrete plans to become autonomous in the short term.
Phase 2: Demonstrate “Self-Led” Leadership
Review your board and staff composition. The application will require evidence that the people directly affected by the issues you fund are the ones leading the organization.
Phase 3: Prepare the Feminist Strategy
Draft a clear narrative of how your fund challenges power structures. Mama Cash looks for organizations that don’t just “help” but actively “transform.”
Phase 4: Financial Documentation
Have your recent financial reports and grantmaking history ready. You must show that your core business involves both raising money and distributing it to grassroots groups.
Phase 5: Online Submission
Submit your application via the Mama Cash portal before the April 30, 2026 deadline.
Jamnet Expert Advice
- Emphasize Participatory Values: Mama Cash is a pioneer in participatory grantmaking. In your application, highlight how your fund involves its community in decision-making.
- Focus on the Ecosystem: Don’t just talk about your own fund’s survival; talk about how this grant will help you strengthen the wider feminist movement in your region.
- Be Explicit about Trans & Intersex Inclusion: The Solidarity Fund is deeply committed to supporting the full spectrum of gender-oppressed people. Ensure your mission explicitly includes trans and intersex rights.
- Clarity on Autonomy: If you are in the process of becoming autonomous, provide a clear timeline. Potential is often funded if the roadmap is solid.
Deadline: April 30, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can a general human rights fund apply? Only if its primary mission is feminist and it is self-led by women, girls, trans, or intersex people.
- Is this fund for individual activists? No, the Solidarity Fund is specifically for women’s funds (organizations that do grantmaking).
- What is “Participatory Grantmaking”? It is a process where the people the fund serves are the ones who decide which projects get funded.
- Can we apply for more than €40,000? No, the current limit for the one-year grant is €40,000.
- What if we are a new fund? As long as you meet the “self-led” and “autonomous” criteria and are active in grantmaking, you can apply.
- Does Mama Cash fund globally? Yes, Mama Cash is an international fund and supports organizations from all regions.
- Can we use the grant for salaries? Yes, Solidarity Fund grants are often used for general support and strengthening the organization, which can include staff costs.
- When will winners be announced? Typically, the review process takes a few months following the April deadline.
