Resourcing strategies in an era of permacrisis
Critical lessons from feminist philanthropy
We are living in an era of permacrisis - a continuous state of conflict, instability, and upheaval. Yet the challenge is not a lack of solutions. Around the world feminist movements are already responding effectively to crisis. The real gap lies in how this work is resourced.
This research, led by the Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York and commissioned by the Urgent Action Sister Funds explores how funding models can better support grassroots, movement-led responses to crisis.
It:
offers the first known, in-depth, examination of the external and internal resourcing practices of Feminist Funds led by an academic institution;
introduces under-theorised and new frameworks to understand feminist resourcing practices; and
provides a new model for effective crisis resourcing.
Five key findings
1. We already have the solutions
Grassroots feminist movements are already delivering trusted, intersectional responses across the continuum of crisis, but lack sufficient and sustained funding to scale their impact.
2. There is no such thing as a neutral crisis
Crises are inherently shaped by political decisions and structural inequalities, yet funding systems that prioritise ‘neutrality’ undermine efforts to address root causes and achieve just outcomes.
3. Funding is fuelling the wrong side
Anti-rights actors benefit from long-term, flexible, and strategic funding, while funding for feminist movements is limited, short-term, and fragmented - creating a structural disadvantage.
4. Feminist Funds offer an alternative
The Urgent Action Sister Funds demonstrate more effective resourcing models through decentralised, equity-driven, and holistic approaches that strengthen movements’ collective power, and ability to respond to complex crises.
5. Power must shift to movements
Achieving effective crisis response requires shifting power from donor-led frameworks to movement-led funding that centres the knowledge, leadership, and strategies of grassroots actors.
Explore the research
Visit the microsite to explore the findings and recommendations in an interactive format
Download the short report for a concise overview of the key insights
Download the full report for the complete research and analysis (forthcoming)
Research in action
Watch the lead researcher and Urgent Action Sister Funds talk about the research and why every crisis is political
A working paper on addressing the protection gap informed by insights from the research will be published in the next few weeks.
Art Direction by Mrinalini Godara