The Flash Grant program was initiated in 2017 in an effort to respond to requests and opportunities as they are presented. While still focused on advancing equity for women, these grants are for a very specific project. An informal process of requests allows for spontaneity; the grants are usually in the $500 – $1,500 range. The impact of these grants has exceeded expectations. There are limited funds allocated to this methodology.

In 2017, the Women’s Fund provided Flash Grants to several area non-profits. One of which was to St. Joan Antida, an all-girls high school in Milwaukee. The school used their WF Flash Grant to purchase a van to help with student transportation to events and field trips.

The Women’s Fund also made a Flash Grant to the Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear to enhance the profiles of the women featured in their museum. The Museum contains various themed shops from Avrum Chudnow’s (1913-2005) extensive and eclectic collection of early 20th Century Americana.  The Museum is rated one of the Top 10 Best Things to see in Milwaukee on TripAdvisor.com, so there are between 8,000 and 12,000 people exploring this boutique hidden gem. One caveat to the grant, was for the Chudnow to enhance the exhibits by adding information about the achievements and contributions made by women to the artifacts in the permanent collection…hence the installation of Women History Facts now prevalent throughout the Museum. Most Museum visitors are escorted on a private docent-led tour with stories shared to support the collection on display. Now those stories include information about women as inventors and innovators!

On March 1, the Women’s Fund hosted a reception marking the opening of the National Women’s History Month exhibit and the new Women’s History Facts.

A history teacher from St. Joan Antida High School attended the Opening Reception.  After reading the newly installed Women History Facts, she indicated she would bring her students studying women’s history in March, over in the van purchased with the WF Flash Grant, to read the Women’s History Facts, as a result of a WF Flash Grant. Truly a ripple effect…one grant to another…to advance equity for women.