The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County recently awarded $236,000 to 17 nonprofits. The amount is their record for grants awarded aimed at advancing the well-being of women and girls in multiple aspects of their lives.
According to a WGF press release, the organization has distributed more than $1.8 million to nonprofits since 2004.
Who received the prizes and what will they do with the money?
The recipients of the highest amount awarded, $20,000, were Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County, SHARP Literacy, NAMI Southeast Wisconsin and Wellpoint Care Network.
PR manager for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee Megan O’Shea said their organization would use the grant money to support Camp Whitcomb/Mason’s Leader-In-Training program.
“(It) will provide girls with fun and enriching outdoor experiences that build confidence, leadership and problem-solving skills by participating and leading a variety of outdoor activities and conversations,” O’Shea said.
NAMI Southeast Wisconsin plans to use the grant for family programs, 75% of which are women, said Angela Riley, NAMI director of development and marketing.
Wellpoint healthcare network marketing and communications coordinator Rachel Frye said the network will use their grant to address culturally sensitive, trauma-informed mental health care for children, adolescents and families in Waukesha County.
Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County plans to use the grant to support construction of their Domenica Park affordable housing development, according to director of development and marketing Brett Peloquin. New homes will be built nearby for 20 low- to moderate-income families in Waukesha County.
“The support from the Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha County is especially meaningful for this project because of the families assigned to Domenica Park to date, 10 of whom are single mothers,” Peloquin said.
SHARP literacy Chief Innovation Officer Nandini Sinha said SHARP will use their grant to expand their program in Waukesha. They will be able to offer their technology-based Design Through Code program to 100 more fifth-grade students than the 700 they currently serve.
Other WGF grant recipients:
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Community smiles dentally
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Concordia University
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Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin
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Girl Scouts of Southeastern Wisconsin
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Free clinic in the Lake Area
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LOTUS Legal Clinic
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The Women’s Center
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Waukesha free clinic
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Bloom360 Learning Community
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Family service
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Girls on the run in Southeast Wisconsin
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IMPACT, Inc.
How did WGF raise the money for the grants?
The money was raised through the Women of Distinction luncheon held by the organization every May. This year there were more than 650 attendees and more than $200,000 was raised, which will be used to fund future grants.
Another primary source of grant funding comes from WGF Endowment revenues.
What are the criteria for winners?
The press release states that the nonprofit organizations that received awards were chosen because they promote the health, well-being, education and empowerment of women and girls and their quality of life.
“Empowerment knows no boundaries when women come together in unity and strength,” said Genevieve Schmidt, president of Women of Distinction. “We are proud of all the grant partners who truly embody the spirit of excellence and resilience in Waukesha County.”
This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County awards $236,000 to nonprofits
