Washington Area Women's Foundation
Encyclopedia
Washington Area Women’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization located in Washington, DC that brings together women who act as donors and activists. This network of women invests in the lives of low-income women – and single moms in particular – so they, in turn, can enrich the lives of their children.
The Women’s Foundation’s mission is to foster a powerful wave of philanthropy
to improve the lives of women and girls in the surrounding region. The Women’s Foundation accomplishes this by: expanding and leveraging women’s philanthropy; increasing social change philanthropy in the community; providing grants, operational resources and technical assistance to local organizations; and serving as a regional voice for women and girls.
Washington Area Women’s Foundation serves Washington, DC, Montgomery County
and Prince George's County
in Maryland
, and Alexandria
, Fairfax County
and Arlington County
in Virginia
. The Women’s Foundation is the only public foundation in the metropolitan DC area that is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. It is one of the fastest growing women’s funds in the country, both in terms of supporting donors and the number of grants made.
In 1998, Washington Area Women’s Foundation was officially established. It was founded on the principle that women, working together, can enhance the physical, social, and financial well-being of women and girls in the Washington metropolitan area by providing financial resources to local nonprofits already engaged in innovative, effective work for communities in need.
In its first year, The Women’s Foundation increased its individual donors from 75 to over 300 with creative fundraising
strategies, including over $5,000 from Beanie Baby sales at Sandy Rubin’s store, garnering her The Women’s Foundation’s first Entrepreneurial Philanthropy award.
Since 2006, The Women’s Foundation has granted over $1 million per year to area nonprofits.
Individuals
Some participants choose to be individual donors, making one-time, occasional, or regular donations both large and small.
Giving Circles
There are two giving circles that allow women to come together and contribute as a group. The Rainmakers Giving Circle, founded in 2003, supports programs for young women and girls between the ages of 10 and 21 that empower and increase competence in the areas of employment, education, health and life skills. Rainmakers Giving Circle members commit to give $5,000 each over two years. To date, they’ve invested more than $200,000 in nonprofits supporting young women and girls in the DC metropolitan area.
Since 2004, the African American Women’s Giving Circle has invested nearly $120,000 in nonprofits supporting African American women and girls. The circle includes 15-25 women who have each made a financial commitment of at least $2,000 over a two-year period and agreed to work together to determine which local nonprofits will receive grants.
Leadership Networks
The Women’s Foundation has also created two Leadership Networks.
The Washington 100 combines the resources of more than 100 women and men who make a two-year commitment of $10,000 each. The result is more than $1 million of critical support to fuel programs that build strong communities through investments in women and girls.
The 1K Club is a network of emerging philanthropists committed to strengthening the effectiveness of The Women’s Foundation and its work. 1K Club members each contribute a minimum of $1,000 paid over a two-year period -- or approximately $42 per month.
Leadership Luncheon
The Leadership Luncheon is The Women’s Foundation’s annual fundraising event. It is designed to bring together nonprofits that benefit from The Women’s Foundation, donors, and others involved with The Foundation for an afternoon of raising money, networking, learning more about The Foundation, and celebrating those involved.
Since 1998, The Women’s Foundation has assisted more than 100 Grantee Partners who aid women and girls in the DC metro area. The Grantee Partners deal with a wide range of issues including: homelessness
, healthcare, child care, immigration
, poverty
, rape
, women’s rights, human trafficking
, reproductive rights
, home ownership, domestic violence
, and job training.
In 2005, The Women’s Foundation launched Stepping Stones, a multi-year, regional initiative with the goal of building long-term financial independence and economic security
of low-income women and women-headed families. It’s a data-driven strategy focused on single mothers earning between $15,000 - $35,000 per year. From July 2008 to June 2009, despite being in the middle of an economic downturn, Grantee Partners that received money from Stepping Stones helped nearly 1,000 women increase their assets by $2.2 million, helped 66 women become homeowners, and helped over 70 women increase their income by more than $600,000 due to job placements.
The Leadership Awards is an annual program that invests in the work of outstanding, emerging community-based organizations that serve the critical needs of women and girls. It provides an opportunity for members of The Women’s Foundation community to volunteer in the selection of awardees through “citizen philanthropy.” Each year, 40-60 volunteers evaluate organizations that apply for the leadership awards through interviews and site visits. The volunteers then choose 10 nonprofits to receive Leadership Awards. An online vote opens up the process to the rest of the community, allowing anyone to cast a vote for the organization of their choice to get an additional monetary award.
The Be That Woman movement stemmed from a video that was created for Washington Area Women’s Foundation by RP3 Agency. Debuting at the 2009 Leadership Luncheon on October 20, 2009, the video is an animated short that tells the story of a woman who receives assistance in a time of need and is then inspired to help others. Luncheon attendees were encouraged to forward a link to the video to others. The link to watch and share for the "Be That Woman" video, created by RP3 Agency is: Be That Woman, or http://www.bethatwoman.org.
This groundbreaking study’s principal conclusion was that low-income, women-headed families – single mothers and their children – are, by far, the most economically vulnerable population in our region.
The Portrait Project was the result of a two-year process during which The Women’s Foundation collaborated with a wide cross-section of community-based organizations, foundations, research institutions and individuals. An accurate “portrait” of women and girls in the region, The Portrait Project has been a proven community asset for nonprofits, policymakers and philanthropists to better inform their programming and grantmaking.
The Women’s Foundation’s mission is to foster a powerful wave of philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
to improve the lives of women and girls in the surrounding region. The Women’s Foundation accomplishes this by: expanding and leveraging women’s philanthropy; increasing social change philanthropy in the community; providing grants, operational resources and technical assistance to local organizations; and serving as a regional voice for women and girls.
Washington Area Women’s Foundation serves Washington, DC, Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
and Prince George's County
Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation....
in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, and Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
, Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
and Arlington County
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The Women’s Foundation is the only public foundation in the metropolitan DC area that is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. It is one of the fastest growing women’s funds in the country, both in terms of supporting donors and the number of grants made.
History
The organization was first conceived by a small group of women who got together for a Sunday afternoon tea on May 18, 1997 in Bethesda, MD.In 1998, Washington Area Women’s Foundation was officially established. It was founded on the principle that women, working together, can enhance the physical, social, and financial well-being of women and girls in the Washington metropolitan area by providing financial resources to local nonprofits already engaged in innovative, effective work for communities in need.
In its first year, The Women’s Foundation increased its individual donors from 75 to over 300 with creative fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
strategies, including over $5,000 from Beanie Baby sales at Sandy Rubin’s store, garnering her The Women’s Foundation’s first Entrepreneurial Philanthropy award.
Since 2006, The Women’s Foundation has granted over $1 million per year to area nonprofits.
Philanthropy
The Women’s Foundation encourages philanthropic investments in the community in a number of ways intended to encourage members to donate at whatever level is best for them.Individuals
Some participants choose to be individual donors, making one-time, occasional, or regular donations both large and small.
Giving Circles
There are two giving circles that allow women to come together and contribute as a group. The Rainmakers Giving Circle, founded in 2003, supports programs for young women and girls between the ages of 10 and 21 that empower and increase competence in the areas of employment, education, health and life skills. Rainmakers Giving Circle members commit to give $5,000 each over two years. To date, they’ve invested more than $200,000 in nonprofits supporting young women and girls in the DC metropolitan area.
Since 2004, the African American Women’s Giving Circle has invested nearly $120,000 in nonprofits supporting African American women and girls. The circle includes 15-25 women who have each made a financial commitment of at least $2,000 over a two-year period and agreed to work together to determine which local nonprofits will receive grants.
Leadership Networks
The Women’s Foundation has also created two Leadership Networks.
The Washington 100 combines the resources of more than 100 women and men who make a two-year commitment of $10,000 each. The result is more than $1 million of critical support to fuel programs that build strong communities through investments in women and girls.
The 1K Club is a network of emerging philanthropists committed to strengthening the effectiveness of The Women’s Foundation and its work. 1K Club members each contribute a minimum of $1,000 paid over a two-year period -- or approximately $42 per month.
Leadership Luncheon
The Leadership Luncheon is The Women’s Foundation’s annual fundraising event. It is designed to bring together nonprofits that benefit from The Women’s Foundation, donors, and others involved with The Foundation for an afternoon of raising money, networking, learning more about The Foundation, and celebrating those involved.
Focus Areas & Partnerships
Washington Area Women’s Foundation distributes funds primarily through grants for which local organizations apply. The Women’s Foundation also provides visibility and technical assistance to local nonprofits referred to as Grantee Partners.Since 1998, The Women’s Foundation has assisted more than 100 Grantee Partners who aid women and girls in the DC metro area. The Grantee Partners deal with a wide range of issues including: homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
, healthcare, child care, immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
, women’s rights, human trafficking
Human trafficking
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or a modern-day form of slavery...
, reproductive rights
Reproductive rights
Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows:...
, home ownership, domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
, and job training.
In 2005, The Women’s Foundation launched Stepping Stones, a multi-year, regional initiative with the goal of building long-term financial independence and economic security
Economic security
Economic security or financial security is the condition of having stable income or other resources to support a standard of living now and in the foreseeable future...
of low-income women and women-headed families. It’s a data-driven strategy focused on single mothers earning between $15,000 - $35,000 per year. From July 2008 to June 2009, despite being in the middle of an economic downturn, Grantee Partners that received money from Stepping Stones helped nearly 1,000 women increase their assets by $2.2 million, helped 66 women become homeowners, and helped over 70 women increase their income by more than $600,000 due to job placements.
The Leadership Awards is an annual program that invests in the work of outstanding, emerging community-based organizations that serve the critical needs of women and girls. It provides an opportunity for members of The Women’s Foundation community to volunteer in the selection of awardees through “citizen philanthropy.” Each year, 40-60 volunteers evaluate organizations that apply for the leadership awards through interviews and site visits. The volunteers then choose 10 nonprofits to receive Leadership Awards. An online vote opens up the process to the rest of the community, allowing anyone to cast a vote for the organization of their choice to get an additional monetary award.
The Be That Woman movement stemmed from a video that was created for Washington Area Women’s Foundation by RP3 Agency. Debuting at the 2009 Leadership Luncheon on October 20, 2009, the video is an animated short that tells the story of a woman who receives assistance in a time of need and is then inspired to help others. Luncheon attendees were encouraged to forward a link to the video to others. The link to watch and share for the "Be That Woman" video, created by RP3 Agency is: Be That Woman, or http://www.bethatwoman.org.
Research
Washington Area Women’s Foundation also funds research and reports. In 2003, The Women’s Foundation published A Portrait of Women & Girls in the Washington Metropolitan Area (The Portrait Project)—the first and only comprehensive look at the status of women and girls in the region.This groundbreaking study’s principal conclusion was that low-income, women-headed families – single mothers and their children – are, by far, the most economically vulnerable population in our region.
The Portrait Project was the result of a two-year process during which The Women’s Foundation collaborated with a wide cross-section of community-based organizations, foundations, research institutions and individuals. An accurate “portrait” of women and girls in the region, The Portrait Project has been a proven community asset for nonprofits, policymakers and philanthropists to better inform their programming and grantmaking.