#United States #New York #Girl Rising #girls' education #She's the First

Girl Rising and She's the First Announce Merger

On October 15, 2025, the international nonprofit organizations Girl Rising and She's the First unveiled their merger on the International Day of the Girl. This strategic alliance aims to amplify the initiatives aimed at enhancing girls’ rights, education, and opportunities on a global scale. Both organizations are celebrated for their commitment to advancing educational opportunities for girls, and their union is set to create a more profound impact through integrated programs.

Shared Goals and Synergies

The merger will combine Girl Rising’s RISE program—which employs storytelling to educate adolescents about life skills and gender equality—with the extensive network of She's the First, known for its leadership programs and partnerships with women-led organizations. Over the next three years, the newly formed entity plans to provide in-person educational programming for over 500,000 adolescents and online resources to more than 7 million individuals worldwide.

Nidhi Shukla, President of Girl Rising, emphasized the importance of this merger at a time when educational funding gaps are widening and challenges to girls’ rights are on the rise. She stated, "Joining forces creates a seamless path from classrooms to communities, ensuring every girl has the resources to learn and lead."

Leadership Structure and Future Initiatives

Under the terms of the merger, She's the First will become part of Girl Rising’s 501(c)(3) organization, retaining its name and legacy within future programs and narratives. Christina Lowery and Nidhi Shukla will serve as co-CEOs, while Kate Kiama will assume the role of VP for Global Programs. The leadership team is committed to steering the organization toward long-term strategic goals, particularly in combating the prevailing backlash against women and girls' rights worldwide.

To kick off this new partnership, an integrated pilot program will be launched in Kenya, blending the RISE curriculum with mentoring and leadership initiatives provided by She's the First. This pilot aims to serve as a model for similar efforts in regions such as Latin America and South Asia.

Centers on Girls’ Voices

Both organizations have ensured that girls’ voices are prioritized throughout the merger process, facilitating focus groups and engaging in discussions with girls from their programs. Allison Choong, a 21-year-old Board member of She's the First, reflected on the merger's impact, expressing hope that girls will receive holistic support in their educational journeys. Growing up in Malaysia, she shared how both organizations would now offer resources that can interlink education at home and in schools.

The Bigger Picture

The announcement aligns with an op-ed published by Candid Insights, which discusses the value of nonprofit mergers in creating robust, sustainable organizations that can effectively champion the rights of girls. Leaders of both nonprofits also featured on the We Are For Good podcast to discuss the potential benefits of such strategic partnerships.

This merger has been supported financially by various donors and foundations, such as the Fledgling Fund and the SeaChange-Lodestar Fund, allowing the integration process to begin without detracting from ongoing programs aimed at benefiting girls.

Pending regulatory approvals in New York, where She's the First is registered, this merger marks a significant milestone aimed at ensuring that girl-centered programs not only survive but thrive in today's challenging sociopolitical landscape. For further information, you can visit the merger pages at girlrising.org/merger and shesthefirst.org/merger.