Region Overview
For over 40 years, Mama Cash has been at the forefront of social change, partnering with bold activists challenging the status quo. From the start, we’ve done things differently – focusing on early-stage organisations, and issues and regions overlooked by traditional philanthropy. We’ve listened, adapted and directed our work to activists in their relentless pursuit of social change.
What began in the Netherlands has now spread across Europe and beyond. To date, we’ve granted over €23 million to feminist groups in 43 countries throughout Europe and North and Central Asia. Thanks to this support, our grantee-partners have made groundbreaking strides in advancing human rights. Their achievements show the transformative impact of well-supported feminist movements.
Yet, the fight continues, and your donation is crucial. Help us fuel this vital work and support these courageous activists as they strive for a just and equitable future for all.
€23
Million
43
Countries
“Feminist activists have the vision and the power to transform our world”
“Towards strong, autonomous, pluralist, inclusive, and resilient feminist movements.”
Since our inception, Mama Cash has been committed to advancing racial justice both at home and globally by promoting and supporting the work of racialised feminists, including Black, Indigenous, Roma, Dalit, and Moro activists. We have amplified the powerful voices of racialised women, girls, and trans and intersex people, providing travel grants and conference sponsorships to ensure they are heard in spaces where they were once ignored. In the Netherlands, Mama Cash has supported organisations fighting against racism and for the inclusion of Black, migrant, Muslim, and refugee women. Together, these efforts have fostered solidarity and shone a light on the need to combat systemic racism.
But this work is far from over, and the challenge is growing. Our support to these activists is more important than ever. Join us to sustain this movement for change!
Impact Story
Elevating Black and migrant voices in Dutch culture
For years, Mama Cash has been a driving force behind elevating Black, migrant, and refugee women’s voices in the Netherlands. We’ve provided vital, early-stage funding to hundreds of grassroots groups led by these courageous women, and ignited transformative change. Our backing has powered a rich tapestry of initiatives – from groundbreaking media programmes and cultural festivals to vital helplines and self-defence workshops
One notable example of this impact is the Black Magic Woman Festival, launched in 1996 by the Krater Theatre to spotlight Black, migrant, and women artists. This festival showcased stand-up comedy, theatre, spoken word, music, and visual art, giving underrepresented voices a platform. Mama Cash was proud to be the first funder in 1997, helping to attract further support from major investors like VSB fonds, one of the Netherlands’ largest private investment funds. Although the festival ended in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, its legacy lives on, having profoundly shaped Dutch culture through the elevation of Black and migrant art and narratives. .
Mama Cash also played a pivotal role in creating spaces where Black, migrant, and refugee women could connect and grow. Stichting Zami, supported by ten grants between 1993 and 2004, has been a sanctuary for migrants and refugee women from around the world. Through training, artistic initiatives, and discussions on racism and whiteness, Stichting Zami has bolstered the voices and opportunities of thousands of Black, migrant, and refugee women, fostering a strong, vibrant community..
These efforts have been crucial in amplifying the struggles and triumphs of Black, migrant, and refugee women, helping them to be heard and recognised. Together, they’re not just challenging societal norms – they’re redefining them, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable Netherlands. They need your support now more than ever, as they confront the growing risk of losing fundamental human rights in today’s political landscape. Let’s support this ongoing fight for justice and racial equity together.
“Together, they are reshaping societal norms in the Netherlands and building a more inclusive country”
Mama Cash has always prioritised supporting lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) rights and communities, even when few other international funders did. In Europe, our support has helped pave the way for marriage equality, decriminalisation of same-sex relationships, and adoption rights for same-sex couples.
But as conservative forces gain strength across the continent, this work becomes more critical than ever. We continue to champion LBQ groups, united in amplifying their voices and advocating for their issues. Join us in providing vital support and solidarity to the LBQ community!
Impact Story
Pioneering Visibility for the LBQ Movement
In the early 1980s, despite an active and growing lesbian movement in the Netherlands, the voices of lesbians were often sidelined by feminist organisations, and by LGBTQ movements that centred the needs of gay men. Mama Cash’s co-founders saw this crucial gap and challenged the status quo. As Marjan Sax, a Mama Cash founder, eloquently put it, “lesbian women should be visible, and the heterosexual norm should be challenged.”
In response, Mama Cash channelled funds to lesbian-owned businesses and initiatives; from the literary magazine Lust en Gratie to theatre productions, art exhibitions, and projects that documented lesbian history and realities. These grants were more than financial support; they were a lifeline, creating spaces that brought LBQ people out of their isolation, and centred their voices and experiences
Between 1983 and 2001, Mama Cash supported LBQ groups with 110 grants, igniting a vibrant movement that reshaped Dutch society. Their relentless activism and dedication led to groundbreaking achievements: in 1998, same-sex couples gained the right to register as partners, and in 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage. This was the result of the passion and perseverance of thousands of activists, including Mama Cash’s grantee-partners, staff, and founders. But they were more than legal victories; they were a life-changing recognition for the rights of LGBTQ people.
The tireless efforts of LBQ groups helped pave the way for the rights and visibility that LBQ people in the Netherlands enjoy today. The progress we see now is a testament to their dedication, and it’s a powerful reminder of the change that is possible when we join forces.
Despite these successes, there’s still a long way to go. As opposition builds, the need for support is as urgent as ever. Join us in solidarity with those working on the frontlines to ensure every LBQ and trans person can live freely and without fear. Donate now and be part of this vital work for freedom, justice, and love.
“Mama Cash’s impact on the lesbian movement was really important. It brought lesbians more to the forefront” and “resulted in [their] being more visible.”
Lilianne Ploumen, Mama Cash’s first Executive Director
Once a symbol of international unity and progressive politics, Europe now faces the same conservative backlash and growing authoritarianism that can be seen elsewhere. In Western Europe, right-wing sentiments and racism are on the rise, while Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus experience increasing state pressure, anti-rights laws, and militarisation. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered economic instability, displacement, and heightened security concerns across the region.
These challenges have led to legislative changes that severely restrict freedom of assembly, speech, and association, making it increasingly dangerous for groups to organise and operate. In addition, these pressures and shifting priorities have resulted in a noticeable decline in international funding, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Your support is more than just a donation – it’s a lifeline. It’s a powerful act of solidarity with those who defend rights and freedoms, even in the most difficult of times, giving our grantee-partners the resources and solidarity they need to confront these challenges. Whether you make a one-time donation or a monthly commitment, every contribution helps our grantee-partners continue the fight for justice, equity, and freedom.
Together, we can safeguard and advance the rights and freedoms we all cherish, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for generations to come. Donate today and be part of this critical movement for change.