MADISON, Wis., [October 24, 2023] – As it celebrates 30 years of supporting women and girls in our community, A Fund for Women awarded $150,400 in grants to 13 organizations this week. These organizations work in the community with people who identify as women and girls, providing programs and support to empower them and strengthen their opportunities for success.
“When A Fund for Women started 30 years ago, it would have been hard to imagine awarding more in grants than the fund’s entire starting value,” Sue Gaard, chair of A Fund for Women’s advisory committee shared. “We are grateful for our supporters and fundholders who made this growth possible. Economic security for families in Dane County happens when we invest in women.”
This year’s grants will empower more women and girls to succeed in the workforce through their focus on literacy and bilingual training; remove barriers as they pursue education opportunities; shelter women fleeing domestic abuse; create bridges to stable housing for single mothers; and provide identity affirming programs to reduce barriers to employment for transgender women.
The 2023 grant recipients are:
Bayview Foundation
$15,000 (year two of a two-year grant) to the Women’s Advancement Planning Pilot team to identify the greatest barriers facing Bayview’s women and girls as they strive for success.
Centro Hispano
$15,000 to the Latinas in Savings initiative, helping participants understand their finances and overcome barriers to saving through culturally competent financial education and one-on-one support.
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
$5,000 to help cover the direct costs of operating the DAIS shelter, which provides support, information and resources to women fleeing domestic abuse.
Friends of the UW Odyssey Project
$13,000 to help provide wrap-around financial support for women in the UW Odyssey Project and their families so they can focus on continuing their education.
Latino Academy of Workforce Development
$10,000 toward mentorship of Latina young adults, providing Spanish-language GED courses, bilingual workforce training, college applications and job searches.
Literacy Network
$10,000 to the Community English program, teaching English language skills to women through online and in-person classes at partnering public schools and libraries throughout Dane County.
Madison Reading Project
$500 to the Empowering Girls Through Literacy program, connecting girls to books that affirm and reflect their identities.
Omega School
$15,000 to help provide personalized instruction, virtual learning platforms and wrap-around support services for women pursing a GED or HSED.
OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center
$15,000 to the Transgender Women Employment Program to offer mentoring, career and financial wellness coaching, and connections to LGBTQ+-friendly employers.
Road Home Dane County
$5,000 to the Women’s Employment and Training Fund, offering financial assistance to remove barriers for women in housing programs who are working toward obtaining and maintaining employment.
UNIDOS
$30,000 to the Mujeres Adelante (Women Moving Forward) Project, facilitating economic and financial independence for Latina survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking.
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation
$10,000 to help provide one-on-one mentoring, training and access to capital to improve economic growth and success for women entrepreneurs.
YWCA
$11,500 to the Third Street Program, providing affordable housing options and rental, transportation, employment, education and moving assistance to single mothers.
