The organization was created to deliver strategic resources to groups which elevated women's and girls' voices and solutions across race and class in communities nationwide, working to identify and support emerging and established groups poised to act when and where change is needed.
[citation needed] The Ms. Foundation was planned to seed and strengthen women's grassroots organizing around the country to create an inclusive movement in which everyone's voice was visible and heard.
[7] It quickly became apparent, however, that the Ms. Foundation would have to raise funds and provide direction for itself; and that for Ms. magazine to survive, it would also have to sustain itself.
[8] The founding group initially did most of the work for fund-raising for the Ms. Foundation until in 1975, a full-time executive director was hired.
[9] Sara K. Gould joined the Ms. Foundation in 1986 and created the Collaborative Fund for Women's Economic Development (CFWED).
[1] Those who opposed this decision were afraid that inviting men to be part of the board would indicate that the foundation was less supportive of women.
[1] The Ms. Foundation board "fully embraces the idea that deep diversity is fundamental to effective grant making.
[22] The impetus for creating the day was based on studies which showed that girls' self-esteem and confidence dropped during those ages.
[12] The Ms. Foundation has a program known as Collaborative Fund for Women's Economic Development (CFWED), which "brings local activists and funders together.
[10] After Hurricane Katrina, the Ms. Foundation moved quickly to fund grassroots organizations who responded to the crisis.