The Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay supports self-esteem and leadership development initiatives for women and girls. Women with the appropriate education for their situation will take the reins of leadership—whether that is leadership in their families, workplaces, or communities, or in the form of control of their own lives. Education not only leads to higher income and better jobs , but educational attainment also is linked to health, voter turnout, life expectancy, self-esteem, and the ultimate success of one’s children. The Women’s Fund aims to develop leadership and self-esteem in women ages 16 and older, both directly through the promotion of education and training opportunities specifically for women offered by non-profits, and indirectly, by breaking down obstacles to these women reaching their goals and being independent.

The Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay is particularly interested in innovative programs and services that will reach women aged 16 and older and from diverse backgrounds in Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto counties, Wisconsin. Programs may achieve the women’s goals of educational attainment either through direct training and education (for example, job readiness, budgeting and financial management, entrepreneurship, health education), case-management, mentoring, or peer support strategies. Priority will be given to programs addressing single women in poverty and the working poor. We will not fund scholarships to individuals. The Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay hopes that developing self-esteem and leadership through providing consistent and stable role-models and life and work skills will allow this population to overcome barriers to independence and self-sufficiency by providing access to higher levels of education, and have long-term effects for themselves and their children.

Qualifications

• The applicant must have a 501(c)(3) IRS tax exempt designation or be a governmental, educational, or religious organization.
• The program must provide opportunities for and/or meet the needs of women and/or girls who are residents of Brown, Oconto, or Kewaunee counties.

 
Restrictions
The Women’s Fund does not fund individuals, for-profit organizations, capital projects, endowments, debt reduction, fundraising events, campaigns to elect candidates, conference attendance, travel, or programs that promote religious or sectarian activities.

Evaluation Criteria 

• Grants will be made for programs that support and expand opportunities for all women and girls to help enhance or develop their self esteem and leadership potential.
• In addition, grant reviewers will look for organizations that consult and collaborate with other agencies to enhance existing programs and augment opportunities; have a board, staff and volunteers that reflect the diversity of the community served; and demonstrate women and girls served are involved in planning and implementation of the projects and programs.

 
Funding Priorities

• Programs uniquely designed or specifically geared to women or girls, or for their particular challenges or situations; not programs where half of the participants are female.
• Imaginative, results-oriented projects. These may be on-going, expansions, or modifications of existing programs.
• Sustainable programs.
• Programs that expand the horizons and empower women and girls.
• Programs resulting in positive change in our community.
• Collaborations among organizations.

We strongly encourage you to speak with Martha Ahrendt at the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation to discuss potential project ideas prior to completing the application and narrative. She can be reached at 920-432-0800 or martha@ggbcf.org.