Sara Ferree: Sparking Grassroots Development from San Francisco to Women's Organizations Worldwide

December 14, 2010

I am really lucky to have a job and even more lucky to have one in the field I wanted to work in, doing the work I enjoy in a way that follows my values.

After earning an undergraduate degree in economics, I spent two years in Jamaica with the Peace Corps. When I returned to the U.S. in 2005, I worked for a non-profit that was not internationally focused. While the experience was worthwhile, I felt a desire to get back into international development work.

I also wanted to truly bridge the world of economics, specifically development economics policy, in relation to the reality on the ground for communities in developing countries. For this, I felt I needed to return to school to study international policy.

Now as a Grant Writer at the Global Fund for Women, I write proposals and reports to foundations, corporations, multilateral organizations, and select government agencies for grants to fund our work and, therefore, the work of grassroots women's organizations throughout the world.

I am at what I consider the right part in the development process - which is really important to me - providing women's groups with unrestricted, general support grants. We trust that those closest to the situation hold the solutions and will do what they believe needs to be done with that money in the way that best meets their needs.

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