Girl Rising + She's the First
Stronger Together
For more than a decade, Girl Rising and She's the First have worked tirelessly for a simple but urgent belief: every girl deserves to be educated, respected, heard. Now, united under the Girl Rising name, we will multiply our reach and deepen our impact.
This merger comes at a moment when girls’ rights are under attack and funding for this work is shrinking. By joining forces, we are doubling down on bold, collaborative action. scaling proven solutions and ensuring that girls everywhere write their own futures.
Why This Matters
Girls face interconnected barriers to education, leadership, and opportunity.
They need more than one programme or one pathway. They need support in schools, in communities, and through relationships that help them build confidence, agency, and practical skills.
By merging, we can bring together:
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She’s the First’s Girls First Institute
Together, these approaches create a stronger model for supporting girls and the ecosystems around them.
Girls leadership programs through fellowships, Girl Rising Chapters and the Girls Council.
Together, these approaches create a stronger model for supporting girls and the ecosystems around them.
What This Merger Makes Possible
Our merger allows us to:
combine complementary programmes into a more connected model
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deepen support for girls in and out of school
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strengthen partnerships with teachers, families, and grassroots organisations
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grow a broader, more resilient organisation
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test and scale new integrated approaches
One of the first examples of this is Naserian, a new pilot in Narok County, Kenya.
Sharing What We Learn
We know nonprofit mergers are rare — and too often, their lessons are lost. That’s why we are committed to documenting this journey in real time and sharing what we learn with the sector.
Over the coming months, we will share insights on:
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programme integration
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leadership and governance
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organisational culture
Our goal is to create a practical, transparent resource for nonprofits, funders, and partners exploring new ways to collaborate for greater impact.
Looking Ahead
We believe nonprofit mergers should be considered more often — not only in moments of financial strain, but as a proactive strategy when missions align and integration can lead to deeper impact.
For Girl Rising and She’s the First, this merger is about building a stronger future for girls — and sharing what becomes possible when organisations choose collaboration over duplication.