Why TrueChild
Gender impacts every practically issue philanthropic institutions address. Two decades of research has found that harmful gender norms and inequities are a key to improving life outcomes for at-risk communities. Yet foundations and grantees often overlook gender, or disconnect it from race and class.
International donors like PEPFAR, UNAIDS, UNFPA, USAID, and WHO (and leading NGO's like CARE, EngenderHealth, International Center for Research on Women, International Planned Parenthood, and Population Council) have all
implemented "gender transformative" initiatives that address gender norms and inequities and found them effective. USAID no longer funds new programs that lack a
strong gender analysis, and PEPFAR has made gender norms central to its funding
in dozens of developing countries.
A small core of domestic donors have done likewise. Yet as Dr. Hortensia Amaro first observed in 1995, whether the issue is reproductive health, civic engagement, partner violence or educational under-achievement, the US still tends to promote better outcomes for at-risk communities "in a gender vacuum.”
Who We Are
TrueChild helps donors, policy-makers and practitioners reconnect race, class and gender through "gender transformative" approaches that challenge rigid gender norms and inequities. We are especially interested in the impact of gender on at-risk communities, including those that are of color, LGBTQ, or low income.
What We Do
Our experts provide expertise and consulting services to philanthropic officers, policy-makers, and non-profits that increases the efficacy of philanthropic efforts, public policy and programmatic efforts while maximizing social returns. Specifically we:
1. Conduct trainings and briefings that help foundations, policy-makers and non-profits integrate a strong gender lens;
2. Convene scholars, practitioners, policy-makers and donors so that research begins to inform practice;
3. Develop reports, tool-kits, and other intellectual collateral that promote greater understanding of gender; and,
4. Partner with community organizations to develop and disseminate model "best practice” interventions.
Training & Technical Assistance
Some of the organizations to which we have been privileged to provide briefings, training and other technical assistance:
Government
Centers for Disease Control, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
Centers for Disease Control, Division of Violence Prevention
Centers for Disease Control, Division of Reproductive Health
Office of Adolescent Health, Dept of Health & Human Services
Office on Women's Health, Dept of Health & Human Services
White House, Domestic Policy Council
White House, Office of National AIDS Policy
White House, Office on Public Engagement
Schools
DC Public School System
San Diego Unified School District
Corporations
Goldman Sachs
IBM
Non-Profits
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Diversity Best Practice
ETR Associates
Guttmacher Institute
JSI Research & Training Institute
National Minority AIDS Council
National Native American AIDS Prevention Center
Planned Parenthood - Mar Monte, CA
YWCA of Watsonville, CA
Working Mother Media
Foundation & Corporate Support
American Airlines
Atlantic Philanthropies
Bastian Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation
California Endowment
California Wellness Foundation
District of Columbia, Mayor's Office, Justice Grants Administration
Heinz Endowments
Herb Block Foundation
Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Ittleson Foundation
Motorola Solutions Foundation
Small Change Fund
Ted Snowdon Foundation
True-Benefit Inc.
