It’s an exciting time to celebrate Women! International Women’s Day, held annually on March 8, is an annual celebration during Women’s History Month to recognize and honor the social, economic, political and cultural achievements of women.

Did you know that women make up approximately 75% of the nonprofit workforce? Yet despite more women having ambitions to lead in the nonprofit sector, compared to corporate, there is still a lack of gender-balanced leadership. However, the awesome nonprofits highlighted here will show you why the slow, but steady progress in women leadership in nonprofits is worth recognizing and saluting!

Establishing equal opportunity for women to be acknowledged for their achievements in history, considered for and promoted to leadership positions, and financially backed for women-led, and women and girls serviced organizations paves the way for a more just society and better quality of life for women, men, children and families in the long run.

Giving circles continue to champion underfunded girls and women issues by filling the void with donations. Giving circle networks, such as 100 Who Care Alliance, Philanos, and Together Women Rise, formerly Dining for Women — all primarily women’s collective giving groups — provide significant funding, education, training, and opportunities to engage and invest in local communities on important causes that affect women and girls.

As you or your giving circle looks for organizations to support this March, check out this list of organizations that are making strides to guarantee that women and girls are living up to their full potential:

Acta Non Verba

Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project (ANV) was founded and is led mainly by women of color from the surrounding neighborhood and larger community. It elevates life in East Oakland, CA and beyond by challenging oppressive dynamics and environments through urban farming that engages and strengthens young people’s understanding of nutrition, food production, and healthy living as well as strengthens their ties to the community. Learn more

Bay Area Girls Rock Camp (BAGRC)

BAGRC empowers young people through music, promoting an environment that fosters self-confidence, creativity and teamwork. BAGRC supports a wide range of marginalized gender identities and expressions. In doing so, it challenges gender stereotypes, encourages collaboration and tolerance among peers, and provides a comfortable space for people of all backgrounds to express themselves.Learn more

Black Girl Ventures

Black Girl Ventures provides Black/Brown woman-identifying founders with access to community, capital, and capacity building in order to meet business milestones that lead to economic advancement for entrepreneurship through pitch competitions hosted around the United States. Learn more

BlackFem, Inc. 

BlackFem, Inc. transforms school-based learning so that girls of color in underserved communities have the skills, habits and resources to build and sustain wealth. Through collaborative school partnerships, an engaging, integrative educational model, and a focus on intersectional feminism, BlackFem, Inc. empowers underserved communities to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Learn more

Bold Futures

Bold Futures leads policy change, research, place-based organizing, and culture shift by and for women and people of color in New Mexico. Bold Futures works to build communities where all have what’s needed to make decisions about their own bodies and lives, and have room to live with respect and dignity. Learn more

Butterfly Dreamz

Butterfly Dreamz uses stories to change lives and empower young female leaders. Through writing and collaborating on books, receiving mentorship from female leaders, and various opportunities for leadership development, girls hone their communication skills, gain access to a network of inspiring women, and learn that they can change the world. Learn more

Dream Big!

Dream Big! helps girls from low-income situations achieve their dreams by providing them with the basic items and fees necessary to enable them to participate in sports and physical activities that contribute to their health, education and overall well-being. Learn more

FreeFrom

FreeFrom is a national organization, based in Los Angeles, whose mission is to dismantle the nexus between intimate partner violence and financial insecurity. FreeFrom works to create infrastructure for and believes in the power survivors have to achieve financial independence and to build communities that support individual, intergenerational and collective healing. Learn more

Gyrl Wonder

Gyrl Wonder is a professional pipeline shaping the next generation of Gyrl Leaders, ages 17-23, through social impact and career exploration. Young women leaders are introduced to new opportunities that align with their passions and skills. Learn more

H.E.A.R.T.S. (Helping Each Adolescent Reach Their Spark)

Based in Durham, North Carolina, H.E.A.R.T.S. educates adolescent parents and equips them with skills and tools needed to become independent and self-sufficient Learn more

Hopeful Solutions

Hopeful Solutions, serving the Dallas, Texas area, empowers single mothers by providing the holistic support needed to sustain sobriety, gain financial stability and maintain self-sufficient living with their children. Learn more

I’m FREE (Females Reentering Empowering Each Other)

To advance the life chances of women transitioning from corrections to community, I’m FREE advocates for gender-responsive, trauma-informed care; provides consultation to agencies and offers innovative services for women and their families. Learn more

ilooklikeLOVE

ilooklikeLOVE empowers families with resources for thriving babies, mentorship for personal growth, and tools for financial freedom. Learn more

Miami Workers Center

Miami Workers Center builds powerful campaigns that impact the lives of low-income Black and brown women, girls, and femmes. Through its Femme Agenda, Miami Workers Center seeks to empower women impacted by the feminization of poverty and to build movements which center the experiences of low-income Black and brown women and femmes, who are most impacted by social injustice. Learn more

Phenomenal I Am, Inc.

Phenomenal I Am, Inc. facilitates youth-led empowerment, enrichment workshops in order to explore and address common issues among the next female generation, and reinforce the idea that this generation of young females are phenomenal in their own right. Learn more

Prospera

Prospera partners with Latina entrepreneurs to launch businesses that foster cooperation, economic independence and well-being in immigrant communities. Through culturally-based programs, Latinas access the networks, tools and capital they need to become successful business owners and powerful community leaders. Learn more

Springboard to Opportunities

Springboard To Opportunities connects families living in affordable housing with resources and programs that help them advance themselves in school, work and life. This is done by working directly with families, as well as by establishing strategic partnerships with other organizations that help residents achieve their goals. Learn more

Why Not Prosper

Why Not Prosper helps women from prison systems discover their own strength by providing them with the support and resources that will empower them to become responsible, economically self-sufficient and contributing members of the community. Learn more