It would come as a surprise to most to learn that, of the nearly $35 billion given through foundation and corporate funding to charities in 2001, less than 6 percent went to programs that specifically serve the needs of women and girls. There are a variety of reasons for this, but the primary one seems to be that decision-makers at foundations and at other funding sources continue to be predominantly male. Informed women tend to narrow the gap between funding for men's and boys' issues and women's and girls' issues by earmarking donations for programs for women and girls and by participating in private sector and foundation decision-making about who gets funded.
Women's funds established by community foundations and other groups across the country have been successful far beyond their founders' dreams. WomenÕs Fund of Mississippi has been established and nourished by a group of women--and men--who voluntarily combine their resources to address the philanthropic needs of women and children, focusing for now in the tri-county area that CFGJ serves. These needs are wide-ranging, from homelessness to protection from domestic violence to role models for young girls to support for female artists to providing workplace attire for low-income women entering the workforce.
A second role of women's funds is to educate women about charitable giving. Although women now control 53 percent of the wealth in this country, many women have a significant history of volunteerism but little history of giving. This educational aspect is an important part of the plans for WomenÕs Fund of Mississippi.
In just six years of existence, the Women's Fund has received gifts in excess of $1 million. Gifts to the Women's Fund are split among the grants pool, a permanent endowment and the Fund's admininstrative costs. Fund raising for the Fund will be ongoing, and grants will be made each year to a variety of nonprofits.
You are invited to join The Women's Fund with a major founding gift or as a Member with a gift of $100 or more. Please click on the "Membership" tab on the left-hand side of this page for more information or e-mail us at info@womensfundms.org.
Steering Committee for 2008-2009:
Front (left to right): Jean Medley, Ouida Drinkwater, Judy Wiener, Jackie Bailey, Joan Bailey
Second row: Gwen Taylor, Claudia Hauberg, chair, Jan Taylor, Nancy Gilbert
Third row: Tianna Hill, Debby Egger, Lori Genous
Top row: Amanda Alexander, Susan Shands Jones, Irene Jones
The Women's Fund is part of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, which is confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations
