August 2021 marks 10 years of ConnectHER! What began as a crowdfunding campaign to support Edna Adan’s maternity hospital in Somaliland has evolved into a high-impact grantmaking nonprofit and film festival. Our community supports an ever-growing number of female-founded, locally led projects that improve the lives of women and girls around the world. The ConnectHER Film Festival provides a powerful platform for young filmmakers to tell stories about global women’s issues and spark change. On our 10th anniversary, we are continuing to support projects like Edna's as well as new projects like August 2021's project partner Women LEAD Nepal while also preparing for our next Film Festival this fall. Thank you to our Gems, sponsors, Giving Circle, filmmakers, project partners, our wonderful board, our team, and everyone cheering us on for your commitment to lift up women, to make their voices heard—and, in the process, to make the world a better place.
With gratitude,
Lila Igram
Founder
2011
ConnectHER launches its crowdfunding platform
2012
ConnectHER raises nearly $20,000 for 7 projects, including DiscoverHope
Muhammad Yunus joins as a finalist judge for our anticipated film festival
Christy Turlington Burns joins as a finalist judge for our anticipated film festival
Stahl Family Foundation joins as a project partner sponsor
2013
Elizabeth Avellán joins as a finalist judge for film festival
An afternoon with Khalida Brohi & Edna Adan
2014
Film Screening at Paley Center for Media in New York City
Gems host Leymah Gbowee
Film Festival at Harvard University
2015
ConnectHER Power of Women event featuring Alexis Jones, Elizabeth Avellán, Khalida Brohi and Magatte Wade
2016
Asma enrolls in school for first time at 13 years of age thanks to ConnectHER supporters
Film Festival at Harvard University with Presenting Sponsor Eloise DeJoria
2017
SXSW Panel “Inspiring Global Change through Women’s Stories” with Lila Igram, Dr. Alaa Murabit, Sakena Yacoobi, and Sarah Jehaan Khan.
Film Festival in Austin with Presenting Sponsor Eloise DeJoria
$100,000+ given in film festival scholarships to date
International Women’s Day Film Screening at Stateside Theater in Austin
2018
Film Festival in Austin with Presenting Sponsor Eloise DeJoria
Gems fireside chat and book signing with Khalida Brohi
ConnectHER produces "Centering the Voices of Black Women and Girls" with Jyarland Daniels
2019
Gems award Sakena Yacoobi with a $10,000 donation for her work in Afghanistan
Film Festival in Austin with Presenting Sponsor Eloise DeJoria
Joint Fundraiser with Ian Somerhalder Foundation in NYC
2020
Day of the Girl screening events held in 30 cities worldwide
2021
Launches Fellowship Program to support youth-led filmmaking workshops
$500,000+ given in project funding to date
