Purpose
Third Wave Fund resources and supports youth-led, intersectional gender justice* activism. We build on the brilliance of our communities using responsive and participatory grantmaking so we can sustain our movements and thrive—now and long term.
Our grant-making and donor mobilizing advances the community power, well-being, and self-determination of young Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) most directly impacted by and best positioned to end gender oppression. We specifically resource grassroots movements that are 1) multi-issue, 2) community-led** and 3) unapologetically queer, trans, intersex, and sex worker-led.
Our grant-making and donor mobilizing advances the community power, well-being, and self-determination of young Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) most directly impacted by and best positioned to end gender oppression. We specifically resource grassroots movements that are 1) multi-issue, 2) community-led** and 3) unapologetically queer, trans, intersex, and sex worker-led.
*We define gender justice as a movement to end patriarchy, transphobia, homophobia, and misogyny. Since gender oppression is tied to capitalism, classism, racism, ageism, and ableism, gender justice can only truly be achieved when all forms of oppression cease to exist.
**We define "community-led" movements as being led by those who are directly impacted by oppression.
**We define "community-led" movements as being led by those who are directly impacted by oppression.
Vision
Our vision is a world where ALL people have full autonomy over our own bodies and lives. This means our people are fully resourced and empowered, and no longer need to rely on traditional philanthropic funding. In this world, wealth, power, and all forms of life-giving resources are redistributed and shared. Philanthropy is no longer understood as "charity" controlled by the few; but instead is in the hands of our communities so we can make decisions for ourselves on where to share and invest those resources.
Values
By-and-For Leadership: Third Wave is led by and for the constituencies we serve because there can be nothing about us without us. We believe that lived experience generates wisdom, creativity, and expertise. Those most impacted by oppression are best positioned to design and lead the way towards justice. Philanthropy has a responsibility to be responsive and accessible along that path to justice.
Youth: Young people bring critical analysis and power to all movements for justice and collective liberation. While we need young visionary leaders, they are most often underestimated and last to be invested in by philanthropy. In our by-and-for leadership, Third Wave centers work led by and for people under 35.
Justice: Our commitment to social justice and collective liberation runs through all we do and how we do it. All forms of injustice are inextricably interrelated and create systems of oppression at individual, community, and structural levels. We support our grantee partners in working toward personal and structural change. We focus on gender, racial, economic, disability, healing, and transformative justice to achieve well-being, self-determination, and liberation for all.
Youth: Young people bring critical analysis and power to all movements for justice and collective liberation. While we need young visionary leaders, they are most often underestimated and last to be invested in by philanthropy. In our by-and-for leadership, Third Wave centers work led by and for people under 35.
Justice: Our commitment to social justice and collective liberation runs through all we do and how we do it. All forms of injustice are inextricably interrelated and create systems of oppression at individual, community, and structural levels. We support our grantee partners in working toward personal and structural change. We focus on gender, racial, economic, disability, healing, and transformative justice to achieve well-being, self-determination, and liberation for all.