Our Origins
The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation was established in 2010 as The Pussycat Foundation, named after Helen’s favorite term of endearment, and thanks to the trust of David and Helen Gurley Brown. Since then, the Foundation has been actively awarding grants to individuals and to fund programs from their inception. Read more about the Foundation’s vision, values, and unique components below.
Helen and David’s values are the building blocks of the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation. Their deeply-held beliefs in equality, creativity, and innovation guide our grant-making process from start to finish. These same values help define our focus on the following:
Our Program Areas
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Programs working together towards gender equality.
This program are addresses the gender gap that is still widespread. We aim to do so by empowering women to be leaders in their respective fields. The Foundation believes in empowering networks of women to become change agents and creating a pipeline of women to top leadership positions who are supported by mentors throughout their career.
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Programs working with children and adolescents.
By supporting under-resourced children and adolescents in the pursuit of their dreams, however big they may be, we hope to have an impact on generations to come. Our youth programs provide the tools and mentorship needed for children to develop into their best selves.
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Initiatives and people who have transformative ideas.
Our third program area funds programs that allow creators’ innovative projects and ideas to come to fruition. This program area supports transformative ideas that disrupt the status quo. Whether we are supporting larger institutions or creative individuals: innovation is at the core of what we look for.
Our Vision…
To transform the world by supporting the development of dreams, however big they may be.
We Believe In…
dreaming big
creating magic
disrupting the status quo
building community
leaving a legacy
Our Guiding Principles
Helen and David’s values continue to shape and influence the Foundation’s decision-making and selection process. The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation supports projects and initiatives that resoundingly answer ‘Yes!’ to the following questions:
Would Helen or David love the idea?
Does it think big or could it work on a large scale?
Is it a unique concept?
Does it disrupt the status quo?
Each concept, idea, or proposal must align with one of our three program areas: empowering women, empowering the future, or empowering innovation.
Some of our current grantees were initially selected during Helen’s later years as part of the Helen Gurley Brown Trust, while others have been developed from scratch. While David strongly believed in the power of institutions to enact change, Helen was all about people and the power individuals have to do good.
Across all of the Foundation’s programs, you will find components that align with Helen’s and David’s vision and values. These components often work in tandem to ensure program success. Read about them below.