THE GLOBAL VOICE FOR WOMEN IN MUSIC
Founded by award-winning soprano and passionate advocate Gabriella Di Laccio MBE, the Donne Foundation leads a global movement to amplify women’s voices in music.
From building the world’s largest database of women composers to breaking a Guinness World Record and partnering with iconic institutions like the Royal Albert Hall, we are reshaping the music industry to celebrate and elevate women’s talent.
Through advocacy, connection, and empowerment, we invite you to join us in creating a more equitable and inspiring future for music.
In addition to our advocacy and partnerships, the Donne Foundation publishes groundbreaking data on gender inequities in music. Our research, featured in The New York Times and BBC World Service, continues to inspire conversations and drive change across the industry.
At the heart of the Donne Foundation is a belief that true equality will only be achieved when women have equal opportunities to create, perform, and lead.
Join us in reshaping the music industry. Explore our database, support our mission, or subscribe to our newsletter today.
Vision
We envision a world where women have equal opportunities to contribute, thrive, and lead in the music industry. Through groundbreaking research, dynamic collaborations, and global advocacy, the Donne Foundation fosters an inclusive and equitable musical landscape — one where women’s talent is celebrated, their contributions are valued, and future generations are inspired by a legacy of equality and opportunity.
WHAT WE DO
SUPPORT
We create supportive material to educate and transform the future of the music industry.
INCLUDE
We research the presence of women composers in concerts and advocate for their inclusion.
CELEBRATE
We raise awareness
and inspire audiences globally
to celebrate women in music.
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR INITIATIVES
THE BIG LIST
The BIG LIST of Women Composers is an ever-expanding list featuring more than 5,000 women composers (and counting).
From pre-medieval composers to 21st century singer-songwriters, pick a country, a century, a music genre:
YOU WILL FIND A WOMAN HERE.
Someone, I tell you, in another time,
will remember us.
We are oppressed by fears
of oblivion.”
SAPPHO (c. 630-c.570 BC)
Our goal is to leave a legacy of inspiration for future generations
on how we include, support and promote women in music.
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
Research and analysis of performed repertoire is an important initiative on the fight for equality. We are committed to continuing to share our findings as well as further analyses, which have been done by projects all over the world. Visit our page for more information.
INEQUALITY IN MUSIC:
WOMEN COMPOSERS BY NUMBERS IN 2023-2024
Only 7.5% of the repertoire performed by 111 orchestras worldwide was composed by women.
