Teresa Younger, Outgoing CEO of Ms Foundation, Reflects on the Pursuit of Equality

March 17, 2026

Teresa Younger is stepping down as CEO of the Ms. Foundation in June after leading the organization through significant social and political changes, including the #MeToo movement and challenges to abortion rights. During her tenure, she spearheaded a strategic shift to center women and girls of color in the foundation's grantmaking approach, raised over $100 million for its endowment, and produced influential research showing that less than 0.

Who is affected

Teresa Younger (outgoing CEO)
Women and girls of color (primary beneficiaries of the foundation's strategic focus)
Grassroots organizations in the South and Midwest that receive foundation support
Women experiencing domestic violence
Nonprofits led by women of color that provide multiple services (child care, diapers, reproductive justice advocacy)
The Ms. Foundation organization and its staff
Philanthropic funders and grantmakers
Charitable foundations that fund women's issues

What action is being taken

Teresa Younger is preparing to step down from her CEO role in June
The Ms. Foundation is refusing to back down from its DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) commitments despite political opposition
The foundation continues to center women and girls of color in its strategic plan
The foundation is planning to announce Younger's replacement later this spring

Why it matters

The Ms. Foundation's work matters because women and girls of color remain severely underfunded in philanthropy, receiving less than 0.05% of foundation grants despite being among the country's most marginalized populations. The foundation serves as a pioneer in developing new funding practices that other philanthropic organizations can adopt, addressing critical misalignments between traditional grantmaking approaches and the actual needs of grassroots organizations. Overall philanthropic support for women and girls has only increased marginally from 1.59% in 2012 to 2.04% in 2023, demonstrating the continued need for dedicated advocacy. The foundation's leadership transition occurs during a politically challenging time when DEI initiatives face backlash, making its commitment to centering marginalized communities particularly significant for preserving progress on gender equality and democracy.

What's next

The Ms. Foundation will announce Teresa Younger's replacement later this spring
Younger will step down from her CEO role in June
No explicit next steps stated in the article regarding Younger's personal plans after leaving the foundation

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint