Accomplishments

Now in its fifth year of operation, the Women’s Fund is successful due to the collaborative effort of over 300 women - donors, volunteers, community and business leaders – all helping women become financially independent. We are proud of our accomplishments which are summarized in this slide show, shown at the Fourth Trailblazer Awards Luncheon.

• Over 250 women have pledged at least $500 to support women in our community; and more than 100 more women have provided financial, volunteer and in-kind support services.

• We have provided 18 grants to community organizations, totaling $168,500.

• We have created a new education initiative: a scholarship program gives a needed boost to women who have returned to the educational system, and an emergency financial assistance program to aid women the educational system.

• Fourteen scholarships, totaling $35,000, have been awarded.

• Five women have been assisted through the Emergency Financial Assistance Program, totaling $2,650.

• We have hosted several events highlighting women in our community and bringing in nationally recognized experts to speak on women’s issues.

• Continuing to grow the Women’s Fund Endowment that will support initiatives for women and girls for generations to come.

• Held the third annual Trailblazer Luncheon on May 20, 2009, attended by over 300 people, where grant recipients were announced and women in philanthropy were honored.
  

• Received our first planned gift.
  

• Held the second annual Trailblazer Luncheon on June 3, 2008, attended by over 300 people, where grant recipients were announced and women in philanthropy were honored.
  

• Showcased a success story from one of our first grants.
  

• Raised almost $24,000 at the Sephora Pre-Opening Fundraiser , November 2007, attended by 600 people.
  

• Held the Second Annual Grant Program Kickoff in November 2007, attended by 75 people. At this program, Laurie Bacheldor of United Way of the Capital Region shared learning about both the value of collaboration and the challenges found in collaborative efforts.
  

• Held the first annual Trailblazer Luncheon on May 15, 2007, attended by almost 300 people, where grant recipients were announced and women in philanthropy were honored.
  
  

• Continuing to build our funding base by reaching out to individuals, the business community and public/private sector organizations.

• Held the grants kickoff on October 19, 2006 with Susan Wefald, Vice President of Planning and Strategy at the Ms. Foundation, and Ai-jen Poo, Lead Organizer for the Domestic Workers United, as our speakers, with nearly 200 in attendance.
  

  
  

• Defined our guidelines for grant making.

  
  

• Held focus groups in May 2006 to explore the issues of economic self-sufficiency for women and maximizing opportunities for girls.
  

• Held our inaugural event on February 16, 2006 with Abigail Disney, past president of the 19-year-old New York Women's Foundation, as our keynote speaker.

  photo by: JoanHeffler.com