Marti Speranza Wong | New York, NY
What is the most impactful investment you have made through your gender lens philanthropic giving? Why did this gift resonate with you in particular?
Amplify Her Foundation was created to support women and girls from underserved communities in New York City to become transformative changemakers. We envision a world where women have the voice, power and agency to drive systemic change. At the heart of our approach is a simple, yet powerful belief – when women and girls succeed, we all succeed. To that end, we grant in five areas: advocacy, equitable representation, women’s leadership, girls’ leadership development, and women’s entrepreneurship. We believe that these are the key pathways to advance the leadership of women and girls locally.
All of our grantee partners are making a tremendous impact. One example is Seeds of Fortune which empowers young women of color to achieve sustainable success through a holistic approach that integrates financial literacy, college readiness, professional development, and direct financial support. Their Founder, Nitiya Walker, was inspired by her personal experiences navigating the college application and financial aid process, during which she witnessed firsthand the inequities faced by girls of color. Seeds of Fortune is far more than a typical college access program – it delivers real, measurable outcomes that advance economic mobility and significantly reduce student loan debt. In 2024, their 192 scholars collectively earned $34 million in scholarships and grants, with 53% of students receiving full-ride scholarships. Remarkably, the average student debt was reduced to just $5,686, compared to the national average of $53,430 for African American students.
Our investments in grantee partners, like Seeds of Fortune, resonate deeply because they demonstrate the multiplier effect of investing in women and girls, address systemic barriers through comprehensive solutions, and showcase how lived experience drives transformative change. Through our partners, we’re not just changing individual lives – we’re seeding a movement for generational impact.
What is your process for identifying and supporting grantee partners who are aligned with your values and who you believe will move the needle on advancing gender equality?
At Amplify Her® Foundation, we’ve reimagined the traditional grantmaking process through the lens of trust and collective leadership. The cornerstone of our approach is the Amplify Her Leadership Network – a diverse group of cross-sector leaders who bring their expertise to our participatory grantmaking process.
We have eliminated written grant applications in favor of direct dialogue. Through in-person conversations, we speak with prospective partners to learn about their work, their challenges, and their vision for impact. This relationship-centered approach, combined with rigorous research like our If She Can Make it Here report, ensures our investments reach organizations that are truly moving the needle on gender equity in New York City.
This model multiplies our impact: Leadership Network members not only help evaluate grants but actively deploy their skills and networks to amplify our partners’ work, creating a powerful ecosystem for change that extends far beyond traditional funding relationships.
What does it mean to you to be part of a community that shares your values and vision for a gender equal world? How do you apply the idea of community to your broader work?
It is energizing to be part of a network of people who believe in the transformative power of investing in women and girls. This year, Amplify Her® Foundation was honored to collaborate with Women Moving Millions and 25 organizations to host the first-ever Give to Women and Girls Day celebration in New York City. The event brought together more than 1,000 attendees in-person and online to spotlight the importance of funding for women and girls. Having Sarah Haacke Byrd’s support as a panelist was particularly meaningful. Her expertise and leadership in the gender equity space enriched the conversation and underscored the power of community-driven efforts to accelerate progress.
The event led to the creation of a new ‘Women and Girls’ cause page on the giving platform, Every.org, which saw a growth rate of 533% in 2024 – over $3M to women and girl-serving organizations across the United States. This event exemplified how collective action can elevate awareness, inspire action, and move us closer to a gender-equal world.
What opportunities do you see for impact in the wider philanthropic landscape and what advice would you give to others considering a bold investment in women and girls?
At Amplify Her® Foundation, we believe the path to lasting change lies at the intersection of grantmaking, community building, advocacy, and thought leadership. These four core activities, outlined in our Theory of Change, work in tandem to create systemic impact. Born from the work of a 501(c)4 focused on electing progressive women to local office, advocacy is part of our DNA. We’ve built on this legacy through our Unified Policy Platform, a set of 10 policy priorities identified in partnership with our grantees as critical to advancing women’s leadership in underserved communities across New York City.
The most effective organizations don’t just provide services – they weave together direct impact with advocacy to transform the systems that perpetuate gender inequity. To those considering investing in women and girls: be bold and embrace the power of change!
