FAQs
Why a Women’s Fund?
What is an Endowment?
What is a Philanthropist?
What is a Grant?
What is a Grant Collaborator?
What is Social Change?
Why a Women’s Fund?
Locally, nationally and worldwide, woman and girls are disproportionately represented among the uneducated; the poorest of the poor; and those who are physically, sexually and emotionally abused. In addition, only 7 percent of philanthropic dollars are given to address the specific needs of half the world’s population. While it is true that many give to programs that are in place to enhance, support, and uplift communities, history shows that without a focused intentional effort on addressing the issues that impact women and girls, this population will continue to remain underserved and disenfranchised. We believe that the full participation of women and girls is key to a strong, equitable and sustainable community.
The Women’s Fund works to support women and girls by creating awareness of the issues, educating the community on needs, and funding programs that will affect social change. Regardless of race, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or education level, women continue to have the role of caretaker of all that we deem important. Because of this, we believe we impact all of society when we support women. We believe that when we fund programs that allow women and girls to reach their full potential, these women will be better equipped to support and strengthen their families. Finally, we believe that strong families are the key to healthy communities.
What is an Endowment?
An endowment is a financial fund that is intended to permanently support an organization or it’s programs. The individual donations are invested to earn yearly interest, rather than spent immediately, and these earnings are used to support the work of the organization. This allows for the original donation to have both an immediate and long-term impact on the work of the organization.
The Women’s Fund exists today because in 1995, 108 women and men gave $1000 each to support its founding. Throughout our history we have built upon the initial gifts from our founding donors and have pooled the subsequent contributions received to build our endowment. Today, these pooled gifts to the Women’s Fund endowment, both large and small, and from many donors, have grown to over $1,350,000.
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What is a Philanthropist?
A philanthropist is an individual who makes an active effort to promote human welfare. Have you ever given of your time, talent, or resources to help another? If so, congratulations! You are a philanthropist. Many people have the misconception that philanthropic acts are reserved for the very wealthy, when in fact wealth is relevant only to the amount a person may be able give. If you are interested in women and girls issues, there are many opportunities in our community to give. Give to the Women’s Fund to support our grants, advocacy and education work now and in the future; give directly to an organization providing services for women and girls; and if you’d like to learn more, check out our resource page and research where you might be able to volunteer some of your talent and time as well.
What is a Grant?
Grants are funds given to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations by foundations, corporations, governments, small business and individuals. Giving grants to programs that serve women and girls is at the heart of the Women’s Fund mission. Annually, the Women’s Fund conducts a competitive grant application process, soliciting proposals from programs that support women and girls. A committee of volunteers evaluates the proposals and makes recommendations to the Women’s Fund Board of Directors for approval. The earnings from the Women’s Fund endowment support this grantmaking, although grant collaborator contributions are also used to increase the total amount available for grants.
What is a Grant Collaborator?
The Women’s Fund invites other organizations and individuals to donate money specifically to support our grantmaking. These gifts are added to the grant dollars available from our endowment and distributed during our competitive grant application process. The nonprofit organizations receiving the gifts are made aware that the Women’s Fund grant was provided in collaboration with the donating party.
What is Social Change?
The Women’s Fund works to create social change that results in improved lives for women and girls in the Fox Valley Region. Through grants, advocacy, and education we are working to solve the problems that negatively affect women and girls in our area. Through our competitive grants process we fund programs that address many needs and empower women and girls to reach their potential.
Research has shown that in the Fox Valley Region over 25,000 people are living in poverty while 60,000 residents have incomes low enough to be eligible for some form of governmental assistance. The majority of this group are women and children. In addition, violence against women has risen in recent years by almost 40 percent. In order to begin to meet these pressing needs, the Women’s Fund has launched two initiatives: Financial Fluency and Violence Prevention Education. These outcomes of these initiatives will be assessed based on their success at creating social change.
Social change is most recognizable when one or more of the following can be observed:
1) Shifts in definition or reframing of issues: The issue is defined differently in the community or larger society.
2) Shifts in individual or community behavior: People are behaving differently in the community or larger community.
3) Shifts in critical mass or engagement: People in the community or larger society are more engaged.
4) Shifts in Institutions/Policy: Organizational, local, regional, or state policies or practices have changed.
5) Maintaining Current Position/Holding the Line: Earlier progress on issues has been maintained, despite opposition.
By funding programs that address the underlying causes of deeply rooted societal problems, we can make a difference in the lives of women and girls now, and for the generations of women and girls who follow.
