Girl-Powered Giving

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“I feel very empowered and more knowledgeable about social issues. I would recommend the Girl’s Grantmaking Project to any girl because it was empowering and a safe place to share our  ideas.”

– Girls' Grantmaking Participant 2020

In 2012, the Women’s Fund started the Girls’ Grantmaking Project as a way for us to learn directly from local high school girls what issues are impacting them and to give them the opportunity to help other girls in the Fox Valley by awarding $10,000 in grant funding to local nonprofits.  The program has been very successful and well-received by the students, and expanded on that success in 2022 with a new and improved program.

 

Girl-Powered Giving will be held again in 2024 with a group of 15-20 girls and is designed to ignite their passion and inspire life-long community stewards.

Thank you to Blue Door Consulting for highlighting our Girl Powered Giving program!
Click here to see how we partner to bring this experience to high school girls in the Fox Valley.

Why Girl-Powered Giving

We want to better understand issues impacting high school-age girls and identify meaningful ways to improve the lives of all girls in our community. To do that, we are turning to the experts. We are gathering a group of high school girls from throughout the Fox Cities to participate in 3 days of leadership training, community service, and philanthropy education focused on making a positive difference for girls within their community. We are looking for a diverse group of girls who want to make positive change, will honestly share their thoughts and experiences and will respect the opinions of others.

Hey Girls – If this sounds like you, we would love to meet you!

During the program, you will engage in hands-on giving through strategic grantmaking and volunteerism. You will explore social causes, evaluate and serve local nonprofit organizations, learn to advocate for causes you care about, and have the opportunity to direct $10,000 in grant funding to address the needs of other girls in the Fox Valley. That’s right – YOU get to decide how to use $10,000 to help your peers.

As a Girl-Powered Giver, you will:

  • Meet and work with girls from throughout the Fox Valley
  • Identify and enhance your leadership skills
  • Raise awareness of issues important to you and your peers
  • Participate in a group community service project
  • Learn to lead a grantmaking process and award $10,000 to a nonprofit
  • Make a positive difference for girls in your community

See our Girl-Powered Giving program flyer for additional details.

 

 

Are you a nonprofit organization serving low-income middle school girls with diverse backgrounds? The 2024 Girl-Powered Giving Program is requesting nonprofit organizations to apply for their $10,000 grant if you provide access to supports to meet basic needs for low-income middle school girls from diverse backgrounds. Applications are accepted until April 12, 2024. 

Download your application here.

General Instructions:

  • Submit your application by email in Word Document format to grants@womensfundfvr.org by Friday, April 12, 2024.
  • Please use the Program Budget form provided.
  • Applications will be reviewed on April 24 with an opportunity for a short interview between 4-7pm, more details to come. Keep in mind that grant recommendations will be made by the girls with guidance from the Women’s Fund. Make sure your proposal is as clear as possible about how the identified priority will be met in a way that the girls can relate to.
  • If your program/project is funded, your cooperation with the Women’s Fund to promote the Girl-Powered Giving program, along with your specific program, is requested.
  • A final report will be required 30 days after program completion.

 

Please direct any questions to the Women’s Fund at grants@womensfundfvr.org.

 

 

Teaching Philanthropy at the High School Level

More information about each Girls’ Grantmaking cohort and the issues and projects they funded is below.

2023 – Appleton North, Little Chute, Kaukauna, and Menasha

2020 – Freedom, Little Chute, Kaukauna & Kimberly
2019 – Neenah, Menasha, and St. Mary Catholic High Schools
2018 – Appleton Central, Appleton East, Appleton North, Appleton West, Fox Valley Lutheran, St. Francis Xavier
2017 – Freedom, Little Chute, Kaukauna & Kimberly
2016 – Menasha, Neenah & St. Mary Central
2015 – Appleton Central, Appleton East, Appleton North, Appleton West, Fox Valley Lutheran, Xavier
2014 – Kaukauna & Kimberly
2013 – Menasha, Neenah & St. Mary Central
2012 – Appleton Central, Appleton East, Appleton North, Appleton West, St. Francis Xavier

 

6 Year Project Evaluation Report 2012-1017

Thank you to the Ether Keller Fund for Women for supporting the Girls’ Grantmaking Project!