“This fund is about securing our future,” Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, general secretary of the World YWCA told delegates at the 26th World YWCA Council, “it is about making sure that women and girls everywhere will always have the chance to develop leadership through this great movement.”

A ceremony was held on July 9 to launch the Power to Change Fund. It was a unique moment in the history of the World YWCA movement, YWCA women from every corner of the globe have created a legacy that will develop the power of women and girls to change lives and communities in perpetuity. “Women from all over the world each gave what they could to participate in this effort – to be part of the power to change,” Susan Packard-Orr, chair of the Packard foundation and keynote speaker during the launch commented, “It is really fantastic that so many individuals contributed to the campaign.”

YWCAs developed innovative fundraising strategies in pursuit of the campaign goals, and embraced a spirit of equal generosity. “The campaign has shown us that we have enormous capacity within our movement to mobilise around common priorities,” Dr Kanyoro noted. Through the campaign’s focus on building the capacity of women leaders to mobilise resources, over 2000 women from 90 countries have been trained. The campaign has expanded the donors supporting the YWCA’s work, and raised global visibility of YWCA programmes with women and girls in 125 countries.

“This is a great achievement and fine first step.” Packard-Orr congratulated, “I hope you won't stop now.” Women and girls around the world will now start to benefit from expanded opportunities to develop their power to change lives and communities thanks to the Power to Change fund.

“Work with the YWCA is an ideal prospect for support,” Packard Orr observed as she encouraged the YWCA movement to continue with its fundraising efforts and build the fund to USD 25 million. “These gifts tell a powerful story about the depth of commitment to the organisation,” she said in reference to the generous individual giving that has helped build the fund, “They inspire other to stretch in their giving.” The Fund is driven by the World YWCA vision of a fully inclusive world where justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and care for the environment are promoted and sustained through women’s leadership.

YWCAs will be able to apply to the fund from April 2008.

• Download flyer for information on the Power to Change Fund (178 kb) PDF
• Read speech by Susan Packard-Orr, chair Packard Foundation