Imogene Grant
Head of Marketing at Funraisin
Fundraising has always been a space where women lead.
Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working alongside incredible women who aren’t just raising funds but actively fighting for the equality, protection, and care of girls and women.
One of the moments that shaped my perspective early in my career was meeting Chantelle Baxter, co-founder of One Girl. I first met Chantelle in 2013 at a professional development event where Charity: Water was presenting their peer-to-peer and digital-first fundraising strategy—groundbreaking at the time. It was the kind of session that made you rethink everything about what was possible in fundraising. But what struck me most that day wasn’t just the strategy—it was Chantelle.
Chantelle had this unstoppable energy and a get-it-done attitude that was truly awe-inspiring. Later, when I worked at Oxfam, I joined a session where she spoke to the team. She captivated the room, not just with the impact One Girl was achieving—giving girls in Sierra Leone and Uganda access to education—but with the way she made you believe that big, ambitious change was within reach.
One of the things I loved most was Do It In A Dress, One Girl’s major fundraising campaign for 10 years. This campaign—Chantelle’s brainchild—took peer-to-peer fundraising to the next level, rallying thousands of people around the world to put on a school dress and take on challenges to raise funds for girls’ education. It was bold, fun, and effective.
Chantelle sadly passed away in 2022, but her impact lives on. The movement she built continues to change lives, proving that when fundraisers dream big and take action, they can reshape the world.
Progress doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens because of people and organisations that fight—every single day—for women’s rights, safety, and equality.
This International Women’s Day, I want to spotlight a handful of the female-focussed nonprofits making history, challenging inequality, and driving real change for women everywhere.
Women’s Aid Ireland
Standing up against domestic violence.
Women’s Aid Ireland provides life-saving support for women and children escaping domestic abuse. Through crisis helplines, refuge services, advocacy, and education, they work to create a world where no woman has to live in fear. Their fundraising efforts power these critical services, ensuring that every woman who reaches out for help finds safety, support, and hope for a future free from violence.
Women’s College Hospital Foundation
Advancing healthcare for women, by women.
Women’s College Hospital Foundation is dedicated to closing the gender gap in healthcare by funding research, treatment, and advocacy that put women’s unique health needs first. Their Metals & Mountains challenge is a bold fundraising initiative where participants take on an epic multi-day trek through the mountains to support advancements in women’s health. By pushing their own limits, they’re raising critical funds to drive medical innovation and equity in care.
Inherited Cancers Australia
Fighting to save lives through prevention and early detection.
Women shouldn’t have to wait for a cancer diagnosis to take action. Inherited Cancers Australia gives women the knowledge and tools to understand their genetic risk, access testing, and take life-saving steps early. They’re breaking the cycle of inherited cancers and changing the future for generations of women.
WomenCan
Funding research to give women with gynaecological cancer more time.
Every year, thousands of women across Australia and New Zealand are diagnosed with gynaecological cancers. WomenCan funds vital research through ANZGOG to develop better treatments, improve survival rates, and give more women a fighting chance.
Breast Cancer Trials
Pioneering world-first breast cancer treatments.
Breast Cancer Trials is behind some of the most groundbreaking breast cancer research globally. Their work has led to real breakthroughs—like the POEMS trial, which gave young women a way to preserve fertility during chemotherapy. Their research is giving women more options, more hope, and more time.
Mum for Mum
Ensuring no new mother faces the transition to parenthood alone.
Motherhood can be overwhelming—especially for women without support systems. Mum for Mum’s network of trained volunteers provides emotional and practical support to expectant and new mums, helping them navigate one of life’s biggest changes with care and connection.
Mother’s Day Classic Foundation
Mobilising an entire country to fight breast cancer.
What started as a small community event has become Australia’s biggest movement for breast cancer research. Every year, thousands of Australians walk or run in the Mother's Day Classic, raising millions to fund life-saving breast cancer research and keep pushing for better treatments.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
Driving action to create a future without breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ isn’t just funding research—they’re advocating for better access to screening, improving early detection, and ensuring no woman faces breast cancer without support. Their work is changing outcomes for women across New Zealand.
Share the Dignity
Ending period poverty in Australia.
No woman should have to choose between buying food and buying period products. Share the Dignity fights for menstrual equity by providing free period products to women in need, advocating for policy change, and breaking the stigma around periods.
National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia
Working towards zero deaths from breast cancer.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is leading the charge towards a future without breast cancer, funding world-class research to improve detection, treatment, and prevention. Their International Women’s Day fundraising campaign invites supporters to take action by hosting events, fundraising, or donating to accelerate breakthroughs that will save lives. Every dollar raised brings NBCF closer to its goal of zero deaths from breast cancer.
Safe. Everywhere. Always. – UN Women Australia
Supporting the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women.
Safe. Everywhere. Always. is a national fundraising challenge by UN Women Australia, dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. Participants across Australia commit to walking, running, or rolling a set distance over 16 days, raising funds for the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women. These funds support frontline organisations working to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, providing life-saving services and advocating for long-term change.
Pink Ribbon Belgium
Supporting breast cancer awareness, prevention, and care.
Pink Ribbon Belgium is dedicated to raising awareness and funding initiatives that support breast cancer prevention, research, and care. Their fundraising efforts help provide crucial support services for those affected by breast cancer while driving education and early detection programs that can save lives.
The Brilliant Breakfast – The King’s Trust UK
Funding opportunities for young women facing barriers to employment.
The Brilliant Breakfast, an initiative of The King’s Trust UK, is a nationwide campaign that brings people together over breakfast to raise funds for young women facing barriers to education and employment. The campaign helps provide mentorship, skills training, and career opportunities, ensuring that more women can build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
It all starts with fundraising
None of this change happens without fundraising.
Every breakthrough in women’s health, the fight for equality, every program that provides safety, dignity, and opportunity—it all starts with people raising money to fuel these missions.
And more often than not, it’s women leading that charge.
To every female fundraiser out there—whether you're writing the appeals, building the campaigns, leading the org, rallying supporters, or standing on the frontline of change—your work matters. You bring heart, creativity, and determination to a job that is equal parts strategy and soul. Because of you, these organisations have the funding they need to do the work that changes lives.
So this International Women’s Day, while we celebrate the impact of these incredible charities, let’s also recognise the fundraisers who make it possible. Keep pushing. Keep raising.
Because fundraising is the engine of progress, and there is no change without it.
