HELPING WOMEN and GIRLS in DELAWARE making a difference collectively, philanthropically, in perpetuity MAY 2019 Our Story Our Mission In 1993, sixteen visionary women philanthropists were concerned Through collective about a lack of support for women and girls in poverty in Delaware. philanthropy, the They researched the status of women and children in poverty and learned that services were limited and underfunded. The group Fund for Women proceeded to gather a core of women Founders and created invests and advocates the Fund for Women at the Delaware Community Foundation. The group’s initial goal was 1,000 women contributing $1,000 each to by bringing together our establish a $1 million endowment. Their goal was reached in 2010 knowledge, passion, and and now the Fund for Women (FFW) has far surpassed their goal commitment to empower with an endowment of over $3.6 million and over 2,020 “Founders.” women and girls in Delaware Swingin’ With a Star (1993–2012), a local women’s golf tournament, to achieve their potential. made the Fund for Women a beneficiary of their annual fundraiser. Their contributions added over $1 million to the endowment fund. The first grants, totaling $2,500, were distributed in 1994 to two organizations: Girls, Inc., and the University of Delaware. To date, we have distributed over $2,870,000. As the FFW grew, the organization actively worked to establish committees in each of the three Delaware counties to ensure that the FFW reaches women statewide in both Founders and grant Our Vision recipients. Each county maintains a development committee All women and girls in responsible for growing the Founder base in their area. Delaware are empowered* to achieve their potential.** *Empowered—made stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights. **Potential—latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success. 2 About the Fund How Can I Help? Those who have been fortunate in their lives and Beyond making the financial commitment, you choose livelihoods are helping women and girls overcome the your level of involvement (no meetings required!), many barriers that may stand in their way to success. from making an additional sustaining contribution to Through the power of collective giving, our unique attending events, organizing events, or other network aims to improve the potential of women and leadership opportunities. We welcome your help. girls in Delaware by funding critical projects that meet their needs – from housing to health care, from career training to emergency food programs. Fund for Women Grants The Fund for Women is an endowment held at the In 2019, twelve (12) nonprofit agencies in all three Delaware Community Foundation. The interest from Delaware counties received a total of $168,595 for this endowment is given in grants to women’s and projects that help women and girls avoid abuse and girls’ programs in Delaware each year. poverty, improve their physical and mental health, gain financial independence, and address many other While we are proud of the many ways in which we social issues. Please see page 8/9 for our 2019 have supported women and girls in Delaware for more grantees or visit our website to see our most recent than 25 years, the need remains strong. We can only grantees (www.delcf.org/ffw). fund about 15% of the grant requests each year. With your help, we can do more! Since 1993, the Fund has awarded more than $2.870 million in grants to hundreds of nonprofit How do I join this awesome organizaton? programs statewide. Grant applications are due in January, and the awards are announced in May. • You can become a Founder by making a $1,000 The application is available online beginning in commitment, payable over 5 years ($200 a year) December each year. • If you are 21-35 years old it is $500 payable over 5 years at $100 a year or $25 a quarter. To become a Founder, make someone else a Founder, 25th Anniversary 3-year or to become a Sustainer (give an annual donation to our operating fund after completing your original Collaborative Grant pledge), please complete the form on the back page or visit our website (www.delcf.org/ffw). For the first-time, the Fund for Women awarded a $25,000 3-year grant to fund a collaboration between multiple organizations who provide programs that are designed to keep girls in school. The Fund for Statewide Women’s “Empowering Young Women for Success We are a volunteer-led, all-inclusive, diverse group After High School” first installment of $25,000 was with a common goal–to help all Delaware women and presented to the YWCA of Delaware, the lead girls reach their full potential. We work within each organization. Collaboring with the WYCA is: county to attract new philanthropists for our statewide • Delaware Adolescent Program, Inc. (Statewide) organization. • Delta Outreach and Education Center (NCC) • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (NCC) • Girls Inc. (NCC) Advocacy • Pathways to Success (Sussex and Kent) We have an advocacy committee making sure we are at the forefront in understanding issues facing women and girls in Delaware. Our focus areas include: Early Education, Making girls successful after high school, and Pay Equity. If you are interested in learning more about our advocacy efforts, please sign up to receive our targeted emails at: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/ADV 3 2019 Grants Awarded Agency How Grant will empower women and girls Region Grant Grant Will Serve Amount Catholic Charities, Inc. Catholic Charities’ Bayard House Youth Project provides supportive Statewide $15,000 (Bayard House) services in a homelike environment for Delaware’s homeless, pregnant, and parenting youth (ages 16 to under 22) and their dependent children, to promote a successful transition to self-sufficiency, sustainable living and well-being. Delaware Center for Justice, Through this grant, The Delaware Center for Justice will enhance its New Castle $15,000 Inc. existing pre-release and re-entry programming by providing gender County responsive, trauma informed, and evidence based care management to jailed and recently released women in New Castle County. Family Promise of Northern When you have a roof over your head, you shouldn’t have to sleep on Statewide $14,997 New Castle County, Inc the floor. After our families overcome homelessness and move back into housing, Family Promise of Northern New Castle County’s “Welcome Home” program ensures they have the supplies they need for lasting independence. Fresh Start Scholarship Women’s education can be interrupted for a variety of personal reasons. Statewide $15,000 Foundation Fresh Start awards scholarships to Delaware women based on financial need, academic history and personal motivation. Each scholar is paired with a mentor. Our graduation rate exceeds 70%. Nanticoke Health Services Through the Fund for Women grant Nanticoke Health Services will be Sussex $14,908 providing breast cancer screenings for black women age forty or older, County or for those younger than 40 who are at high risk for breast cancer. National Coalition of 100 Black The Delaware National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Mary Anne Statewide $15,000 Women, Delaware Chapter Inc. Shadd Cary and Margaret Rose Henry Civic Engagement Program is a statewide leadership development and empowerment project targeting women. The outcome is to increase women’s active engagement in local, state and federal affairs to impact the living conditions of brown and black communities. Planned Parenthood of Planned Parenthood of Delaware’s Teen Council empowers teens to Statewide $14,950 Delaware educate their peers, families, and communities about human sexuality and healthy decision making, while inspiring teens to use their voices to advocate for justice, equality, and access to sex education. Ronald McDonald House The Ronald McDonald House of Delaware’s Housing & Support for Statewide $15,000 Women with Infants in Wilmington area Neo Natal Intensive Care Units program provides housing and support services to Delaware mothers with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at Nemours/ Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, or at Christiana Hospital in Newark. Serviam Girls Academy’s Serviam Girls Academy’s Strategic STEM Initiative is designed to New Castle $14,400 Strategic STEM improve tech literacy, increase exposure to STEM fields, and County maximize efficiency in tech management programming in order to prepare our students for success in the 21st century. STEHM, Inc. (Supportive STEHM helps homeless women achieve self-sufficiency through our New Castle $4,300 Transitional and Emergency transitional housing ministry. A key part of our mission is the Financial County Housing Ministry) Independence Program which provides residents core money management skills by working one-on-one with a certified financial coach and attending workshops. Survivors of Abuse in Recovery Survivors of Abuse in Recovery (SOAR) is providing mental health Statewide $15,000 (SOAR) counseling free of charge to 20 female victims of sexual abuse so they can cope with the trauma of their past and become empowered to be- lieve in themselves and thrive. UrbanPromise Wilmington UrbanPromise, StreetLeader Young Women’s College Readiness & Re- New Castle $15,000 tention Program StreetLeaders are teens employed as junior counselors County in our After School Programs and Summer Camps. Young women are provided with mandatory tutoring, mentoring, college tours, and cultural activities. The program prepares young women for college to ensure they enroll and graduate from college and grow as community leaders. Total Grants Awarded $168,595 4 Our Strategic Goals First Founders I: INFORMATION– TO gather knowledge and data by Terry F. Bovarnick Carolyn S. Burger collaborating with agencies, nonprofits, and Audrey K. Doberstein legislative efforts to improve our focus on Sandra Dull the needs of women and girls in Delaware.