The Need / Our Impact > The Need is Real

The Need is Real  

Research shows that traditional philanthropy is not meeting the needs of women and girls. 

Fifty-five percent of the nation’s poor are women and their children but less than 7.5 cents of every dollar donated by organized philanthropy go to programs which specifically address the needs of women and girls.

With increasing cut backs in public assistance and other public support programs, our non-profit partners play an ever greater role in providing the targeted assistance, outreach, and tools to help women and girls help themselves to build self-sufficiency and self-determination.

The Disadvantaged Status of Many Women and Girls in Essex County

Here, in Essex County, women and girls make up 52% of our population but bear a significantly disproportionate burden of poverty, workplace inequities, violence and other barriers to self-sufficiency and self-determination.  These are the findings of a recent analysis by The Women’s Fund of Essex County of the 2011 American Community Survey released by the US Census in September 2012.  This data is the most up-to-date snapshot available on the current social and economic situation of women and girls in Essex County, and the trends are consistent with Massachusetts and the nation.

Women in Poverty

By every measure, female householders in Essex County and their families have the lowest median income and highest poverty levels of all family households. READ MORE

Employment & Earnings

Females represent 49% of the employed workforce in Essex County but continue to earn significantly less than men. In most cases, women’s earnings are down and men’s earnings are up since 2010. READ MORE

The Power of Education

The data clearly demonstrates that educational attainment impacts financial security.  Across the board, higher educational attainment means lower levels of poverty.  READ MORE

Additional Information

About the Data

Snapshot of Federal Poverty Levels

Do you know Essex County’s Cost of Living?