THINKING BIG. LEADING CHANGE. WINTER 2009

2009 Public Policy Platform MESSAGE Making change on a statewide level FROM THE PRESIDENT Grantmaking helps some women deal of programs, including but not limited to the with today’s issues, but our Public Policy following: Weathering the Storm reform work is vital to preventing every Colo- • Food Assistance During this time of economic uncer- rado woman from encountering the same • Temporary Assistance for Needy tainty, we thank you, our supporters, for problems tomorrow. In 2009 The WFCO Families your continuing support of the women and and its Women and Family Action Network • Aid for the Needy and Disabled girls of . Thanks to your generosity, will focus on Public Policy reform in the fol- • Old Age Pension the Foundation is well positioned to weather lowing areas: • SCHIP the storm and continue to serve the needs Colorado Benefits Management • Medicaid System The CBMS is a currently a barrier for of women and girls throughout our state. We are realistic about affecting public The Colorado Benefits Management low-income families seeking temporary policy change during a time of severe state System (CBMS) is the computer system public assistance. The database has not used by the state and county human ser- functioned correctly since its implementa- budget cuts, and also deeply aware of the vices agencies to determine an applicant’s tion and there are many negative outcomes, sharp increase in basic needs such as food eligibility for public assistance in a number including poor customer service, long delays and housing. We are thoughtfully investing

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THE WOMEN’S THE THE CHAMBERS CENTER CHAMBERS THE Message from the 2008 Annual Denver Luncheon Raises President $850,000! Continued from the cover… Laughter, joy and giving echoed through sors were Bank of Choice and Holme your dollars to impact the greatest number the walls of the Colorado Convention Center Roberts & Owen LLP, and the Corporate of women and girls. We are hopeful for a on November 13, 2008, as approximately partner was the Gay & Lesbian Fund for future for our state and country that reflects 2,400 donors, friends, community leaders Colorado. Our media partners are Com- a return to prosperity. And we are deeply and corporate sponsors came together for cast, CBS4, Post-News Community and grateful for the opportunity to help shape The Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s Denver Woman. The speaker was spon- that future. annual fundraising luncheon with keynote sored by Aetna and the VIP reception was Thank you for your passion for our work. speaker comedienne and co-host of ABC’s sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue We couldn’t do it without you. The View, Joy Behar. The 2008 luncheon Shield. was co-chaired by and In addition to the keynote and speak- Caz Matthews. ers at the luncheon, we announced the Fill Junior League partners Honorary Trustee Merle C. Chambers the Purse campaign to raise money and with WFCO to educate on made a generous gift announcement dur- awareness to help reduce the Colorado the Cliff Effect ing the luncheon to match every gift or new high school girls’ dropout rate and continue pledge at the luncheon to the Fill the Purse to support research and advocacy efforts. A grassroots education program about Campaign, up to $50,000. Chambers is a During the luncheon, ten candy-apple red the Cliff Effect in Colorado was recently former WFCO board chair and longtime sup- purse sculptures made out of fiberglass launched, a product of the strong partner- porter of The WFCO, and has included The and resin, representing different communi- ship between The Junior League of Denver Foundation in her enduring philanthropic ties in Colorado, were unveiled and will be and The WFCO. Junior League members are legacy to help support the organization’s roaming throughout the state over the next now prepared to take the message about the mission to improve the lives of women and six months, to be filled with donations at re- Cliff Effect out into the community. girls in Colorado. gional events and outreach programs. Thanks to a generous $15,000 grant “We are thrilled with the turnout and suc- from JLD, staff from The WFCO provided a cess driven at our annual luncheon,” said ‘train-the-trainer’ session. Junior League Gretchen Gagel McComb, President & CEO members were provided with a Party-In-A- of The WFCO. “From Joy’s humorous key- Box toolkit, stocked with tools necessary note of a woman on a mission to success to to throw a successful Cliff Effect Education Merle’s incredibly generous matching gift of- house party. House parties are an effective fer, we are so pleased with the entire event. way to spread the message of the Cliff Effect Through the money raised we are able to and prompt people to take action to mitigate continue to fund programs and research to help create positive change for women and its effects. girls in Colorado and guide them on a path If you’d like information about holding to economic self-sufficiency.” 2008 Board of Trustees Chair Mary Stuart introduc- your own house party, please contact Row- es Honorary Trustee at the 2008 Many thanks to our sponsors that helped Denver Luncheon, in front of the purse sculptures. eena Naidoo at [email protected]. fuel our success: Co-presenting spon- Fill the Purse/Power The Change Endowment Campaign The goal of the Fill the Purse • Provide funding so The WFCO can sup- • Improve financial stability for research, campaign (www.fillthepurse.org) is port research pertaining to why girls drop education, public policy and grantmaking. to raise $1 million by July 2009; out of school. Suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton once this $1 million will be a part of The • Increase grant funding for both women said, “A woman will always be dependent WFCO’s larger Power the Change and girls. until she holds a purse of her own.” The endowment campaign, which aims • Sustain and increase awareness around WFCO is working to Fill the Purse to help to raise a total of $15 million by the state about the pressing needs of build a better future for Colorado’s women July 2009. To date over $10 mil- women and girls. and girls. lion has been raised. The endow- • Assist in public policy pertaining to is- Visit www.fillthepurse.org for more infor- ment campaign will: sues affecting girls. mation. Call for nominations Mark Your Through different award programs, The mores are eligible for this 2-year program. Calendar Women’s Foundation of Colorado honors Nomination and application forms are avail- the work of three individuals who demon- able for download from our website: www. strate a commitment to Colorado’s commu- wfco.org. Nominations are due not later WomenGive Luncheon nity of women and girls. Nominations are than 5:00 p.m., March 2, 2009. • February 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. currently being accepted for both programs. • Fort Collins Country Club Dottie Lamm Awards WomenGive is our partnership with the The Dottie Lamm Award was created to United Way of Larimer County. Members, engage young women in philanthropic work, friends and prospective members, come cel- to honor their academic and community ebrate our success, revisit our mission, enjoy service efforts and to foster future leaders in the company of like-minded philanthropists! our community. Current high school sopho- Get more info at www.uwaylc.org. 2009 Legislative T i d b i t s t i d b i t s Breakfast • March 3, 7:30-10 a.m. Welcome New Board Members! The Women’s Foundation welcomes six • Chambers Center, Denver From left: Dottie Lamm, with 2008 awardees Emily Learn more about our 2009 Public Policy new members to its Board of Trustees Marquess & Marissa Shevins in 2009: Wade Buchanan, Denver; Platform at our Second Annual Legislative Kelly Condon, Denver; Cile Chavez, Breakfast, featuring guest speakers Rich Unique Woman of Colorado Littleton; Gail Kellogg, Steamboat Jones, The Bell Policy Center; Linda Meric, 9 Award Springs; Lynda McNeive, Englewood; to 5 Association of Working Women; Tracey Nominations are also being accepted and Pam Smith, Cordillera. Stewart, Colorado Center on Law and Policy. for the Unique Woman of Colorado Award. We also offer a fond farewell to For more information or to RSVP please visit This award is presented annually to one liv- Kathleen Eck, Lee Everding, Joanna our website: www.wfco.org. ing woman who has left her indelible mark Little, and Dean Prina, MD, who have on the community; she has demonstrated all completed their terms of service with WFCO Annual Meeting leadership and used her influence and ex- our board. We’ll miss you! • March 19, 5:30-7 p.m. ample to create a more equitable society for Congratulations to Jody Camp, • Chambers Center, Denver Colorado’s women and girls. The Unique Director of Programs, and Kelly Fox, Hear an overview of 2008 and our plans Woman of Colorado award is a collaboration Development Manager, who recently for 2009 and beyond. RSVP on our website: between , Lockheed Martin gave birth to charming baby boys. Brody www.wfco.org. and The Women’s Foundation. Camp Shepherd was born on Decem- For more information and nomination ber 12, and Shaun Thomas Fox was Grand Junction forms please visit our website: www.wfco. born on December 20. Luncheon Honoring org. Nominations are due April 24, 2009. Women • April 23, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. • Two Rivers Convention Center, WFCO Empowerment Council Grand Junction Launched Watch our website for details about the program, and tickets and sponsorship infor- The Women’s Foundation is pleased to The Empowerment Council is chaired by mation: www.wfco.org. announce the formation of the Empower- WFCO P.E.P. Club member Kelley Bergelt, ment Council, a committee of young and and is comprised of 13 women working in a Equal Pay Day Rally energetic professional women interested variety of professions throughout the Denver • April 28, Noon in the fundraising, policy-making, research metro area. The committee will participate • Capitol Building steps, Denver and development activities of The WFCO. in fundraising and informational events for If we’re going to be “in the red,” we Founded in September 2008, the Empower- women interested in contributing their time might as well wear it proudly to show our ment Council’s mission is to effect change and resources to the mission of The WFCO. determination to end the wage gap. Join us and contribute to the empowerment of Col- If you are interested in learning more about on the Capitol Steps at noon! orado’s girls and women through economic the Council, please contact Kelly Fox at self-sufficiency. [email protected]. WFCO 2009 Public Policy Platform Issues Continued from the cover… in processing applications, inaccu- the Pay Equity Commission and will partici- plan blatantly states that “welfare-to-work rate notifications to clients regard- pate and elevate the Equal Pay Day activi- mothers [are an] excellent opportunity for ing their status, high turnover of ties in April 2009. Equal pay for equal work check cashing and cash advance busi- county staff and denial of access is a key strategy in increasing a woman’s nesses.” Women are particularly vulnerable to basic goods such as food and wages and enabling her on the path to eco- to this form of economic exploitation. health care. nomic self sufficiency. Earned Income Tax Credit These work support benefits Reinstatement for the State are critical to Colorado families As a tax credit and wage supplement for living below the self-sufficiency low-income workers, the Earned Income Tax standard and they supplement the Credit (EITC) plays a critical role in providing high costs of a household’s basic resources to low-income families to make needs. Chief among a family’s work pay, and to help them make ends meet. needs is food. Per the Denver Research has shown the EITC to be an ef- Post, 258,000 households across fective poverty alleviation tool that can help Colorado use food stamps (Oc- low-income families to offset short-term dif- tober 22, 2008). Nationwide, ficulties due to job or income loss or more Colorado is 48th in funding for generally as they work to meet financial the food stamp program, yet the 2008 Equal Pay Day Rally on the steps of the State obligations. It also acts as a substantial eco- state’s outreach efforts target less Capitol building. nomic stimulus for the communities in which than 50% of the eligible popula- these low-income working families live, par- tion (USDA, July 2008). The Pay Day Lending Restrictions ticularly in those that have high concentra- State has asked food stamp ad- for the State tions of EITC recipients. vocates to postpone any outreach Predatory lending costs Colorado con- If you are interested in learning more campaigns because the CBMS sumers tens of millions of dollars a year in about our 2009 Public Policy Platform, join is not functioning well enough to stripped home equity and excessive interest. us for The Women’s Foundation of Colora- handle what would be a signifi- It also traps families in a cycle of debt that do’s Second Annual Legislative Break- cant increase in new applications can be devastating. Part of the problem can fast: Tuesday, March 3, 7:30-10 a.m., in (Burton, August 2008). Member be attributed to Colorado’s lax standards for The Garden room of The Chambers Center. organizations of the CBMS Coali- the payday loan industry and loose regula- For more information or to RSVP, visit our tion, as well as partner organiza- tion of mortgage brokers who cater to bor- website at www.wfco.org. tions of the Colorado Anti-Hunger rowers with spotty credit histories. Network and the Rocky Mountain Sources both inside and outside the Food Bank, have been actively industry suggest that payday lending im- seeking solutions to this unac- pacts women disproportionately. In a Utah Double the Power ceptable result. survey, 62 percent of respondents were Pay Equity women. An industry newsletter describes of your gift! The WFCO continues to sup- the customer base as being over 60 percent Thanks to a generous matching grant port the 14 recommendations for women. And one payday lender’s business from the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colo- rado, P.E.P. Club members have a special opportunity to double the power of their Volunteer/Internship gift for Colorado’s women and girls! For a limited time, all new or increased P.E.P. Opportunities with WFCO Club pledges will be matched for the first We have immediate openings for interns to work in our Denver office on several year. P.E.P. Club members’ multi-year projects within the Program department. This is a challenging, inspiring work envi- support allows us to make better plans, ronment with opportunities for interns to explore their own strengths and interests. fund more powerful projects and make a Please send a current resume with cover letter to [email protected]. sustained difference. Contact Eve Powell The Development department seeks volunteers to assist in general office work at [email protected] for more information and mailings throughout the year. Please e-mail [email protected] if you are inter- about how you can take advantage of this ested in assisting. match!