News & Events

The Women’s Fund Awards $125,000 in Grants in 2013

In early April, The Women’s Fund was pleased to award grants to 13 Essex County non-profit agencies whose programs uniquely serve women and/or girls and focus on building leadership & empowerment, our 2013 grant awards field of funding.  These programs, which were funded for a period of 1 to 3 years, provide a range of solutions for at-risk or vulnerable teens and women which help them make sound life decisions, live safer and more secure lives, and build skills, self-esteem and self-confidence. These programs were selected from a larger group of applicants as a result of their targeted, effective focus on women and girls, the strength of the programs, and the need for the funding, among other criteria.  We seek to identify programs which make a significant difference in the lives of the women, their families, and in many cases, their communities.  Selection was based on evaluation of program applications, site visits and extensive vetting by our Grants Allocation Committee.  The final decisions were presented for vote to The Women’s Fund Advisory Board and Essex County Community Foundation. 

READ PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS            

 

The Women’s Fund of Essex County Data Cited
 
The Massachusetts’ Commission on the Status of Women kicked off their first Women’s Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House, June 13, 2012.  Members of The Women’s Fund of Essex County were invited to join an audience of close to 100 attendees including commissioners, legislators, and non-profit agency representatives. Speakers included the Mass. Commission Chair, Victoria Budson, the four County Commissioners, Senate President, Therese Murray, and Speaker of the House, Robert DeLeo, among others.

Patricia Fae Ho, Chair of the Essex County Commission on the Status of Women (ECCSW), presented highlights from The Women’s Fund of Essex County’s research report entitled “The Need is Real” and shared learnings from their discussions with many Essex County non-profit agencies. 
 
After their presentations, many of the commissioners went on to speak with their legislators about issues impacting women and girls and to advocate on behalf of priority legislation including An Act to Further Define Comparable Work (S931/H1415) and An Act for Housing Rights for Victims of Domestic Violence (S2203/H4108).  Based on these discussions, The Women’s Fund of Essex County was requested to send our research on to the offices of Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry and Representative Jerald Parisella.     READ THE ECCSW’s ANNUAL REPORT

The Women’s Fund Testifies on the Status of Women in Essex County

October 18, The Women’s Fund of Essex County testified before a joint hearing of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and the Essex County Commission on the Status of Women.

Representing The Women’s Fund, Advisory Board member Becky Hallowell shared with the commissioners some of the key findings of an analysis of the 2010 American Community Survey recently completed by The Women’s Fund. Just released, this data is the most up-to-date information available on the current social and economic situation of women and girls in Essex County and how they are faring in this difficult economy. Hallowell was the opening speaker, and her comments provided a framework for the rest of the evening’s testimony and input for the Commissions’ policy formation. Read Becky’s Remarks