Our Mission

To facilitate bold change to advance Fond du Lac area women and girls.

OUR VISION

An inclusive community where all women and girls thrive. 
No exceptions.


The Women’s Fund promotes positive change in the lives of Fond du Lac area women and girls through grants to local 501(c)3 organizations for programs consistent with its mission; engages women in philanthropy; and creates community understanding of the strengths and challenges of Fond du Lac women and girls. Our core values include: Education; Stewardship; Integrity; Equity-Fairness; and Collaboration. Our funding priority areas include:

  • Education
  • Leadership Development
  • Financial Self-sufficiency
  • Safety, Dignity, and Freedom from Violence
  • Health and Well-Being

Stories and More

$327K

GRANTS AWARDED SINCE 2004

>1,770

LOCAL WOMEN & GIRLS IMPACTED IN 2024

>16

SUPPORT FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS & PROGRAMS IN 2024

Educational Events

Be the change...

Our educational programs initiate community conversation about issues affecting women and girls. Programs have included Breakfast with Melissa Atkins Wardy, author of “Redefining Girly,” and a showing of the documentary “Miss Representation,” which showed how media portrayals of women limit their leadership options and negatively affect young girls. We became a 501(c)3 charitable and educational organization during 2013, allowing us to expand our programming and fundraising opportunities. Our commitment to education has never been stronger as we feel strongly that social change starts with shifting how we define and understand the issues facing women & girls in our community.

Our History

In 2004, a group of local, passionate women started the Women’s Fund. These women believed strongly that empowered women empower women, and were instrumental in kickstarting intentional funding for programs supporting women and girls in the greater Fond du Lac area.

A Message From Our 2025 President

Embrace the Future: Women & Girls Leading the Way in 2025

As we embark on an exciting new year, the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund is thrilled to announce our 2025 theme: “Forward Progress: Women & Girls Leading the Way.” This theme encapsulates our commitment to empowering women and girls in our community, encouraging them to take charge and lead initiatives that foster change and growth. We believe that by supporting their ambitions and providing the necessary resources, we can create a ripple effect of positive transformation throughout Fond du Lac. Together, we will celebrate the achievements of women and girls who are making significant strides in various fields, inspiring others to follow suit.

Looking ahead, we invite you to join us in this journey of empowerment and advocacy. Our events and programs will focus on fostering leadership skills, enhancing educational opportunities, and promoting community engagement among women and girls. By coming together, we can build a stronger network of support that champions equity and inclusion. Let’s make 2025 a year where every woman and girl feels inspired to lead, innovate, and create lasting impact in our community. We are excited about what lies ahead and look forward to your participation in making our vision a reality!

 

Morgan Schmidt
2025 Board President

Meet Our Team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Morgan Schmidt

Morgan Schmidt

President, Executive Committee Chair

Claudia Hawkins-Moise

Claudia Hawkins-Moise

Vice President, Executive Committee

Tasha Reider

Immediate Past President, Executive Committee

Jen LeCaptain

Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair, Executive Committee

Julie Scharschmidt

Julie Scharschmidt

Secretary, Executive Committee

Colleen Clift

Colleen Clift

Grants Committee

Tiffany Fisher

Tiffany Fisher

Community Education Committee

Aaron Goldstein

Chief Aaron Goldstein

Development Committee Chair

Bridget Guell

Special Events Committee Co-Chair

Patty Guldan

Development Committee

Sadie Howell

Development Committee

Kyle Jefferson

Kyle Jefferson

Grants Committee Chair, Governance Committee

Kaitlyn Kenealy

Kaitlyn Kenealy

Community Education Committee Chair

Meggin McNamara

Meggin McNamara

Past President, Governance Committee

Laurel Munger

Governance Committee Chair

Jen Nicklas

Communications Committee, Development Committee

Jen Nikolai

Grants Committee

Tiffany Parker

Tiffany Parker

Community Education Committee

Nicole Seidl Headshot

Nicole Seidl

Communications Committee Chair

Photo of Steph Selle

Steph Selle

Community Education Committee

Our Executive Director

Meet Jolene!

Jolene has a tremendous passion for our mission and a clear commitment and desire to help the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund uplift the community and make an even greater impact on the lives of women and girls throughout the Fond du Lac Region.

BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS AND PAST BOARD MEMBERS (*indicates past board member)

  • Janelle Anderson*
  • Alicia Arias-Madrigal*
  • Loretta Baxter*
  • Elise Barnhart*
  • Sara Battistine
  • Nan Baumgartner*
  • Amy Bayer
  • Jane Benson
  • Joan Bowser
  • Jenelle Bruno
  • Katie Calmes
  • Kathleen "Kate" Candee*
  • Helen Carew*
  • Anna Carlson
  • Kelly Collien
  • Stephanie Dahlke
  • Mary Dalzell*
  • Lani Dorlack*
  • Erin Flood*
  • Ann Freund*
  • Natasha “Tasha” Frye*
  • Morgan Gaffner
  • Mary Gerlach*
  • Erin Gerred*
  • Ginny Gilmore*
  • Sister Deb Golias*
  • Valerie Graczyk*
  • Tenille Graf
  • Molly Haack*
  • Rae Nell Halbur*
  • Alyssa Hallgren*
  • Paisley Harris*
  • Sally Herre*
  • Deborah Hoffmann*
  • Audra Hoffmann*
  • Katie Hornung*
  • Jane Hyde*
  • Gayle Hytrek*
  • Sommer Joslin
  • Carrie Kasubaski*
  • Mary Jo Keating*
  • Lisa Kidd*
  • Jenny Knuth*
  • Gail Kraig*
  • Bill Lamb*
  • Anne Lemke*
  • Julie Luetschwager*
  • Niki Mand
  • Therese Massey*
  • Lori McEathron*
  • Cathleen “Cathi” McGowan*
  • Ashley Muche
  • Isabell Mueller*
  • Kay Mullins*
  • Polly Nachreiner
  • Valerie Nevitt (Pfeiffer)*
  • Sarah Niehaus*
  • Kelly Norton*
  • Rick Parks*
  • Alan Patterson*
  • Zoelle Reinke
  • Denise Retzleff*
  • Sandi Roehrig*
  • Sheila Ruhland*
  • Bethany Rusch*
  • Sheli Sadoff*
  • Tracy Schneider
  • Melissa Schneider*
  • Amy Sebert*
  • Linda Selk-Yerges*
  • Marian Sheridan*
  • Laurice Snyder*
  • Ellen Sorensen*
  • Jill Stenson*
  • Meshelle Stokes
  • Shavana Talbert*
  • Sharon Teschke*
  • Juliane Troicki*
  • Katherine Vergos*
  • Julie Waldvogel-Leitner
  • Lisa Washa*
  • Sara Wild*
  • Tijana Williams
  • Christa Williams*
  • Nancy Witkowski*
  • Cathy Wolfe*
  • Melissa Worthington*
  • Alyson Zierdt*