Our History
Where we’ve been and where we’re going.
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Just Beginnings Collaborative grew from a multi-year collaboration between NoVo Foundation and Ms. Foundation for Women (2009-2014) initially focused on creating a national network of leaders and organizations working to end child sexual abuse. Just Beginnings was launched in 2015 and convened a cohort of eight fellows and ten organizations. Amplifying the stories of directly impacted survivors was embedded in the genesis of Just Beginnings—intended as an empowering intermediary fund.
This first iteration of Just Beginnings Collaborative sought to end child sexual harm through the efforts of, primarily, survivor leaders. However, the organization needed a deeper analysis of how power dynamics, systems, and the legacies of white supremacy, xenophobia, and patriarchy affected the relationship between funders and grantees.
In 2020, the Just Beginnings Collaborative Steering Committee welcomed its current Executive Director, Nicole Pittman, who was tasked with reimagining the organization’s scope, functions, and purpose. In 2022, Just Beginnings Collaborative launched its first Activist-in-Residence program, heralding an ongoing transformation from regranting intermediary into a strategic home for true child sexual abuse prevention.
