Grants philosophy & priorities

Leveraging resources creates a powerful investment.

The Women’s Fund made its first grant in 1989. Today, our cumulative granting total exceeds $3 million of support for women and girls throughout our community. 

It is our belief that real, long-lasting change happens where there is a focus on barriers that exist.  We are committed to leveraging the collective resources to influence a change in attitude, behavior and/or culture. Our focus is on systemic issues for the betterment of the lives of women and girls in our community. We select the projects that are innovative and create long-lasting change. We create collaborations so that our grants have the greatest impact.

OUR GRANT-MAKING FOCUS AREAS

Economic Empowerment

Making sure that all women and girls are a part of the economic mainstream.

Leadership Development

Making sure more women and girls become leaders and support the women and girls who are already leaders.

Education

Making sure all women and girls have access to an education of their choice and, that that they are educated about the issues affecting them.

Our primary goal is to provide financial support to organizations that demonstrate the ability to affect one or more of these impact indicators.

Change in definition… meaning an issue is understood with a new lens, or given new meaning.  As a result, a new attitude is created.  

Influence of behaviors… meaning with new information, people or communities behave with understanding and respect the journeys of others.  This builds a sense of personal empowerment for everyone.

Enhanced engagement… meaning that people, especially women and girls are more engaged, and taking action as a result of the work or activity.

Change in policies… this gets to the root of inequity and as result of the work or activity, an institutional, legislative, organizational practice changes to better serve women and girls.

Current position is maintained… meaning the resistance to change that would cause inequity can be held.

This work is about attitudes, behaviors, and culture!

Why It Matters

Millennial women are more likely than their male counterparts to have a bachelor’s degree or higher (36.3 percent, compared with only 28.3 percent of Millennial men), yet Millennial women have lower earnings than men in all but one state, and higher rates of poverty than Millennial men in every state in the nation. Economic parity is crucial and a priority for the Women’s Fund.

Grants Advisory Committee

Kosana Stojcevic, Chair
Celeste Cuffie
Sangeeta Edwin
Julie Gorens-Winston
Maysee Herr
Nicole Horvath

Felisa Parris
Donna Kleczka
Sheila Reynold
Chandra Rodgers
Rachel Whitt