Women and Girls' Fund
- Our Mission
- History
- Grant Distribution
- Committees
- News and Events
- Contributing to the Women & Girls' Fund
- The Women & Girls' Fund Program Grants
Visit the Women & Girls' Fund Facebook page for all the latest news and happenings.
Our Mission
Make it possible for women and girls to improve the quality of their lives.
The Women & Girls' Fund was created in 2001 as a community based endowment of the Main Street Community Foundation. The Women and Girls' Fund exists because we believe in the potential of women and girls and the power they have to build strong communities. This fund serves females of all ages in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott. We tap into the power of women to strengthen their communities by:
- Funding programs and organizations that help women and girls obtain the skills they need to lead successful lives. Over $225,000 in program grants has been awarded over the past eleven years.
- Empowering and celebrating women by hosting events such as the annual WOW fundraiser, publishing a newsletter, sponsoring community presentations, and by inviting women to serve on the Women & Girls' Fund board and committees.
- Increasing public awareness of the needs that exist for women and girls and the opportunities available to help bridge the gap.
Advisory Board Officers
- Pattie Dunn, Chairperson
- Jeannine Audette, Co-Vice Chair
- EJ Conlin, Co-Vice Chair
- Victoria Hickerson, Treasurer
- Susan Dantino, Recording Secretary
- Deidre Tavera, Past Chairperson
- Cathryn Addy, Member-at-Large
- Jarre Betts, Ex-Officio
History
The idea of the Women and Girls' Fund was brought to the Board of Directors of the Main Street Community Foundation in 2000. With the Main Street Board's approval, the Women and Girls' Fund became a community based endowment, the income from which supports programs that work to improve the conditions and opportunities for females of all ages in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott.
Since its inception in 2001, the Women and Girls' Fund has provided funding to over 80 organizations. The funds for these grants come from two sources, the proceeds of the annual WOW spring event and an annual distribution from the endowment.
The Advisory Board of the Women & Girls' Fund directs the activities of the fund. The Board sets funding goals and strives to reach more and more women as the fund grows each year.
As part of a new development plan, the Women & Girls’ Fund recently launched an Endowment Building Program to increase our endowment to $500,000. In the Spring of 2011, thanks to the generosity of Women & Girls’ Fund Founding Member Noreen Schumann, the Women & Girls' Fund was challenged to raise $25,000 in gifts toward the endowment by December 31, 2011. We did just that, and as a result, we increased our endowment by over $50,000 in 2011.
We thank all current and future supporters of the Women & Girls' Fund who are investing in our community by providing funding to a variety of organizations that address the vital needs of women and girls of all ages... now and in the future.
Grant Distribution
Since 2001, the Women & Girls' fund has awarded over $225,000 in program grants to organizations in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott.
The 2012 annual grant cycle for the Women & Girls’ Fund is complete. You may contact us to discuss applications for 2013. Applications will be available online in mid-July 2013.
Click here to see the 2012 program grants
Committees
The Women & Girls' Fund Advisory Board cordially invites you to join one of our committees. We ask that you bring your ideas, talents, community spirit, and your dedication to assisting women and girls to obtain their goals! We welcome your valuable time and expertise in any of these committees:
- Bylaws
- Community Engagement
- Distribution
- Events
- Board Development
Please consider attending a meeting of any committee or speak with its chairperson or members to gather more information. To make a connection, please contact the Main Street Community Foundation, 860.583.6363, or send an email to . We'll make sure you get the contact information you need, and the welcome you deserve!
News and Events
- The Women & Girls' Fund 2012 Fall Newsletter is now available. Click here for your copy!
- January 9, 2013 - The Women & Girls Fund announced its 2012 grant distributions! Read more here.
Save the Date!
Wonder of Women 2013 - April 22
Click here for the flyer.
Mark your calendars for the 2013 Wonder of Women (WOW) event! It will be held on
Monday, April 22, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. Our guest speaker this year is Grace Killelea, a mentor, author and coach, who has received numerous national awards and honors.
Grace Killelea passionately believes that everyone is the CEO of their own career and life. Through her unique story telling, one‐on‐one executive coaching, group workshops and keynote presentations, Grace has helped thousands in their leadership development, personal branding and professional development. Drawing from her 35 years of corporate experience with a focus on developing individual and team leadership, Grace inspires people to move beyond barriers to achieve sustainable success, both professionally and in their personal lives. During her remarkable career working with managers, directors and executives on multiple levels, Grace identified four areas that play key roles in leadership and professional development that have become the cornerstones for her firm: Reputation, Relationships, Results and the critically important Resiliency. Grace focuses on these four Rs in her trainings, presentations and speeches.
Seats are $55 per person and can be reserved by contacting Main Street Community Foundation by phone at 860.583.6363 or via email at office@mainstreetfoundation.org.
A Big Thank You to Our 2013 WOW Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor Platinum Sponsor Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors |
Bronze Sponsors Friend Sponsors |
Contributing to the Women & Girls' Fund
To make a donation directly to the Women & Girls' Fund, please click the link below.
To contribute to any other funds, please visit our Donate now page.
Click the Donate Now button below to make your contribution.
To make this gift in honor or memory of someone fill out the optional fields below.
The Women & Girls' Fund Program Grants
Since 2001, The Women & Girls' Fund has awarded over $225,000 in program grants to organizations in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott. In 2012 grants were awarded to the following causes, programs and projects:
Boys & Girls Club and Family Center of Bristol - $2,000
To support the SMART Girls Program
Bristol Family Resource Center - $4,000
To support the professional development of women in licensed home based child care
Bristol Girls Little League Softball - $4,000
To support skills & confidence building pre-season clinics
Bristol Technical Education Center - $1,620
To support a group a female students at the Center with education in two 10 session from Prudence Crandall on safe and healthy life choices.
Bristol Youth Services - $1,600
To support the Skills to Pay the Bills program
Charter Oak State College Foundation - $3,600
To support the Women in Transition Program
Living In Safe Alternatives - $5,900
To support the “Girls on the Rise Project” which provides young girls with academic support and the tools to negotiate key life decisions
YWCA of New Britain - $2,280
To support a teen empowerment group at Plainville High School
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Connecticut 06011-2702
