RCF appreciates the diversity and complexity of girls’ lives and recognizes that gender intersects with other social contexts, such as race, ethnicity, and class. Similarly, the foundation acknowledges that there are a variety of program models that can achieve positive outcomes for girls and does not require grant applicants to conform to a particular approach. RCF values organizations’ experience and expertise with girls and seeks to assist agencies in building upon their existing success. Rutland Corner Foundation supports programs who serve youth and young adults who identify as female or nonbinary regardless of assignment at birth.
RCF also values the research that has contributed to the field of gender-specific programming, as well as the lessons learned from successful programs. RCF recognizes the following research-based best practices as key elements in gender-specific program work:
- Respect girls and young women as experts on their own lives
- Involve girls and young women in program design and evaluation
- Provide leadership opportunities for girls and young women
- Promote positive relationships between and among girls and women
- Encourage girls’ and young women’s involvement in social change and activism
- Attend to girls’ and young women’s physical and emotional safety in and around program spaces
- Acknowledge girls’ and young women’s culture and traditions
- Invite family participation
- Encourage and facilitate critical thinking
- Teach both knowledge and skills and provide opportunities for girls and young women to apply them
- Invest in staff training on gender, the needs of girls and young women, and gender-sensitivity
(Adapted from: The New Girls’ Movement: Implications for Youth Programs, Ms. Foundation for Women 2000)
Rutland Corner Foundation also believes that co-ed organizations can be particularly effective in working with girls and young women when they proactively advance gender equity. Gender equity should not be misunderstood as sameness or as simple as 50/50 division of resources among boys and girls. Gender equity involves a commitment to strategies for overcoming barriers to participation, differential use of resources and achievement gaps based on gender.
- Equity of access: providing women and girls equal opportunity with men and boys. Equity of access is advanced not simply by opening the door to both genders, but actively identifying and implementing the appropriate accommodations and communications that must be made to ensure equal access to opportunity.
- Equity of treatment: offering the same level and quality of attention and resources. Equity of treatment is advanced when programs identify the necessary modifications and offer the necessary supports to ensure that the same level of attention and resources is offered to both genders.
- Equity of outcomes: examining and rectifying any potential gaps in achievement, knowledge, confidence and participation between females and males. Equity of outcomes is advanced when programs identify and pursue the different strategies and/or resources needed to ensure that girls and young women have the access needed to become equal contributors to society.
(Adapted from Mead, Molly. Gender Matters: Funding Effective Programs for Women and Girls. Battle Creek, MI: The W. K.Kellogg Foundation, 2001)