Beyond the Checkbook: Deepening Solidarity with our Movements

So what does Third Wave Fund really mean when we say, “deepen your solidarity and let resources flow?” We got into it with Co-Directors MARS. Beard and Mo Willis and Director of Development Maryse Mitchell-Brody, and we wanted you, our trusted community, to be the very first to see it on our YouTube.

In keeping with our beautiful artwork from Artist-in-Residence Chi Nwosu, we chatted about what deepening our solidarity and letting resources flow looks like, and what your commitments made possible in 2025. There were so many mic drop moments you’ll have to watch the whole 20 minute video, but here are a few highlights:

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• MARS. kicked us off with an anti-capitalist reframe of what resourcing means: “We often tend to think only in terms of currency when we think about resources. But I'm also thinking about time. In what ways can we lend our time [and our skills] towards our movements and the ways that organizations are showing up in this moment?”

• Mo demonstrated why it’s so important that we’re a by-and-for gender justice funder, allowing “our amazing programs team to offer so much more to grantee partners than just cutting a check. We give as much as we can of our information, our networks, our time and expertise, through deep, sustained, relationship-driven support, from coping with grief and loss to finding new fiscal sponsors.”

• Maryse reflected on what solidarity looks like for white folks and people with class privilege, “Who am I connected to that I can help bring into right relationship with wealth redistribution and with showing up as co-conspirators for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color?”

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How will you deepen your solidarity in formation with Third Wave Fund and the gender justice organizers we support? We ask you to take Mo’s invitation “to show up publicly, share with your folks why you're giving, resist the temptation to maybe contract a little bit, or get more quiet.” Can you amplify our monthly donor campaign? Is it finally time for you to make a multi-year pledge in support of our work? Can you connect with one of our grantee partners in your region, and share your skills towards their powerful work? Got an idea but need a thought partner? Our Development team is here to help!

Whatever your solidarity looks like, now’s the time to dig deep, get in where you fit in, and let resources flow.

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