Donor Direct Action was founded in 2011 by Jessica Neuwirth with co-conveners Gloria Steinem and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. In 2015 it was integrated into the Sisterhood Is Global Institute, a feminist think-tank founded by Robin Morgan and Simone de Beauvoir in 1984.

Since its inception, Donor Direct Action has regranted over US $6 million to front line women’s rights organizations around the world. Today we support 16 partner organizations in 14 countries and manage two thematic funds – the Gloria Steinem Equality Fund to End Sex Trafficking with 12 grantees and the Efua Dorkenoo Fund to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with 5 grantees.

Donor Direct Action’s leadership includes prominent women’s rights activists with extensive experience in global advocacy for women's rights. They come with decades of engagement in the global women's movement both on the front lines and internationally.