The Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund Promotes Positive Change in the Lives of Area Women and Girls through Grants

The Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund promotes positive change in the lives of 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.

This week the fund granted 13 local agencies with donations.

1) Sophia Partners

Christa Williams of Sophia Transformative Leadership Partners is receiving a grant amount of $2200 from the Women’s Fund President Board of Directors Meggin McNamara. The money will allow emerging young leaders to see how our community works, where its opportunities lie, and how they can fit into future solutions.

2) Mahala’s Hope

Meggin McNamara, Board President of the Women’s Fund, presents a check of $2370 to Sandy Hardie, Executive Director of Mahala’s Hope at Riley’s Ranch of Recovery. The grant allocation will be used to continue Reiki therapy as a part of the holistic whole-person approach to long-term recovery for the women residents.

3) ASTOP Inc.

A check is presented to Isabel Herrera, Executive Director of ASTOP Center for Survivors of Sexual Violence, by Women’s Fund Board Member Tasha Rieder. The grant will enable ASTOP to purchase teaching aids for BIPOC students enhancing the Prevention Education program of Protective Behaviors.

4) Badgerland Youth for Christ

A check of $1000 was presented to Ron Riemersma, Executive Director of Badgerland Youth for Christ, by Tasha Rieder, Board Member of the Women’s Fund. The money will support Badgerlands “Parent Life,” an at-risk initiative in the Fond du Lac area, reaching pregnant and parenting teens and their children through intentional relationships with trained adults and community partnerships.

5) Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County

A check of $1000 is being presented By Colleen Clift, Board Member of the Women’s Fund, to Tammy Young, Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The money will support the teen program of diverse teenagers focusing on improving self-esteem and healthy relationships.

6) Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac

A check of $1500 is being presented by Colleen Clift, Board Member of the Women’s Fund, to Dan Hebel, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club. Tasha Rieder of the Women’s Fund is joining them on the right. The money will support the Club’s SMART Girls program working toward developing positive attitudes, building practical life skills, and feelings of empowerment to become responsible adult women through health, prevention/education, and self-esteem enhancement activities.

7) Fond du Lac Family YMCA Gymnastic Scholarships

Katie McCormick of the Fond du Lac Family YMCA Gymnastics program receives a check of $1000 from Colleen Clift, Board Member of the Women’s Fund. The grant allocation will be used toward gymnastic scholarships to ensure the Y’s program is available to all, regardless of their financial capabilities.

8) Fond du Lac Literacy Services

Colleen Clift of the Women’s Fund Board of Directors presents a check of $2500 to Juana Montes-Hernandez, Literacy Coordinator from the Fond du Lac Literacy Services. The allocation will strengthen free tutoring for adults in reading, writing, speaking, and math.

9) Girls on the Run Fond du Lac County

Colleen Clift of the Women’s Fund Board of Directors presents a check of $2500 to Pam Sippel, Council Director of the Girls on the Run program. Tasha Rieder of the Women’s Fund is joining them on the right. The grant allocation will inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using fun, experience-based curricula that creatively integrate running. The curriculum emphasizes developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution in young girls.

10) Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Tom Otte of Sleep in Heavenly Peace receives a check for $1600 from Women’s Fund Board President Meggin McNamara. The grant allocation will go to purchasing 20 mattresses for beds made for children 18 and under who do not have beds and are sleeping on the floor.

11) Moraine Park Technical College

Jackie Morgan, Student Community, Equity, and Engagement Specialist of Moraine Park Technical College, receives a check for $2500 from Meggin McNamara, Board President of the Women’s Fund. The grant allocation will go to the student emergency fund, assisting women enrolled at MPTC who risk dropping out due to unforeseen financial emergencies.

12) Solutions Center Shelter& Support Services Inc.

Aubriana Donahue, Director of Homeless Services at Solutions Center, receives a check for $1250 from Meggin McNamara, president of the board of the Women’s Fund. The grant allocation will enhance women and girl’s physical and emotional safety in our community, closing the gap between surviving and thriving through one-time financial assistance.

13) Working Families Grant

Kerry Strupp, Working Families Grant Program Director of Marian University, receives a check of $2500 from Linda Selk-Yerges and Meggin McNamara of the Women’s Fund. The grant allocation will assist in supporting economically disadvantaged single parents to achieve a four-year undergraduate degree by providing: coaching, mentoring, and life skills development; financial assistance for tuition, housing, childcare, food, basic living and hardship needs; budget counseling, personal counseling; academic advising and support; career assessment and development.

The FDL Area Women’s Fund’s core values are Our core values include Education; Stewardship; Integrity; Equity-Fairness; and Collaboration.