A new report examines funding for girls among private sources, both individuals and organizations.

Written by Alisha Miranda, managing director of philanthropic consultancy I.G. Advisors, the report aims to ‘provide a definitive landscaping’ of the logistics concerning funding for girls worldwide: who was giving money, how much they were giving, and why. However, according to Miranda, the research uncovered stories of collective action and collaborative efforts to create ‘real holistic and systemic change for girls.’ These form the basis of several case studies.

One case study focuses on Educate Girls, an organization launched in India in 2007 by Safeena Husain. Educate Girls was launched to bring ‘a unique model of authentic community ownership to enroll girls in education, keep them there, and ensure that they learn well.’ The organization is expected to be present in 25,000 schools by 2018, drawing further attention from funders and social investors attracted by the impact of a new financing tool on girls’ education.

Husain says that the ‘perfect funder’ will make the most impact through funding ‘multi-year outcome-based projects.’  She also encourages funders to allow the recipients to decide where the funds can best be allocated – and says that unrestricted funds allows risk taking on behalf of the recipients that is ‘required for sustainable change.’

The report makes four main recommendations. The first is to create partnerships in order to grow organizations and strengthen the strategic relationships between funders and recipients. Second, the report stressed understanding the context behind important issues, and trusting that funds will be put to the best use by those active on the ground. A third takeaway was the significance of long-term investments in helping organizations to fill unforeseen gaps in their operation more effectively. Lastly, the report encouraged organizations to capitalize on core skills shared through their partnerships with funders and other organizations.

The report, ‘The State of Funding For Girls,’ was published in July 2017 and can be accessed here.