2026 Pathways Grants Awarded to 15 Organizations Supporting 1,500 Women and Girls

New Haven, Conn. (Aug. 13, 2026) – The Community Fund for Women & Girls is awarding $170,000 through its Pathways for Women and Girls grant program. The funding is for 15 nonprofits that are helping women and girls succeed at home, in their careers and in their communities.

The grantmaking program originally launched in 2022 as the Pathways to Economic Security program after a study identified rising inequities around unemployment and childcare accessibility in the state. In 2026, the Fund expanded application criteria to help broaden the number of eligible organizations serving women and girls, which led to a 70% increase in applications.

The programs receiving grant funding in 2026 support more than 1,500 local women in the areas of financial and digital literacy, health and wellness, job training and coaching, and organizing, advocacy and leadership. See the full list of grantees below.

“Every one of these organizations is helping women and girls move forward in a meaningful way — whether that's finding stable employment, building financial confidence, accessing health care and legal services, or developing the skills and support to lead,” said Fund Chair Maggie Moffett. “We're proud to invest in nonprofits that are helping create a Greater New Haven where women and girls are not limited by barriers, but empowered by opportunity.”

For more than 30 years, the Fund has helped to strengthen programs that uplift and inspire women and girls across Greater New Haven.

“When a woman gains economic stability, when a woman earns and secures meaningful employment, when a woman advances her education, starts a business, or finds the support she needs to overcome barriers, the benefits are felt by her children, her family, her neighborhood, and ultimately our entire region,” said The Community Foundation President and CEO Karen DuBois-Walton. “That's why gender-focused philanthropy matters.”

2026 Pathways to Economic Security for Women Grant Awards

Anchor Health – $15,000 to support three key projects within Anchor Health’s Case Management and Advocacy Department: (1) a survivor-centered health navigation resource, (2) leadership and advocacy development for LGBTQ+ women and gender-diverse individuals, and (3) direct case management support to improve access to care and basic needs.

Collective for Refugee and Immigrant Women’s Wellbeing – $7,500 to support the Pathways to Learning (P2L) Program, CRIW's Coordinated ESOL and Literacy Program, which includes digital and financial literacy, for refugee and immigrant women.

Elena’s Light – $15,000 to support the Elena’s Light Workforce Pathways Program, serving refugee and immigrant women in Greater New Haven through job readiness training, case management and connections to employment and educational opportunities.

Havenly – $15,000 to support livelihood stipends for the Havenly Fellowship, a 6-month economic empowerment program that provides refugee and immigrant women with intensive career training and job placement support.

Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. – $15,000 to support the strengthening and refinement of the FutureHER model, positioning it as a high-impact, replicable program with measurable outcomes.

IRIS - Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services – $15,000 to support the Family Literacy program, which provides crucial support to immigrant mothers of young children with limited English proficiency.

Phenomenal I Am – $10,000 to support The H.E.R. Circle, a yearlong healing-centered leadership program for 15 to 20 BIPOC girls in grades 7 to 10 in Greater New Haven.

The New Haven Club of NANBPWC, Inc. – $10,000 to support an integrated model advancing economic security for women and girls through workforce development, leadership access, youth mentorship, wellness programming and direct community support addressing immediate economic needs.

Trachouse Cares Foundation – $10,000 to support the expansion of Future Beauty Pro Pre-Apprenticeship program and Beauty workshops to serve a greater number of young women.

4-CT – $15,000 to support and build upon our programming in support of victims of DV/IPV/SA. This program provides direct cash transfers to women and girls who are victims of, or at risk of, violence.

Good Neighbors Community Fund – $7,500 to support a weekly, facilitated group for women who are unhoused or housing insecure. The group will provide emotional support and make referrals to services.

She CAN Edit, Inc. – $10,000 to support a school-based after-school program "The Edit Suite," funding professional instruction, equipment and student support for 30 girls ages 13 to 19 at Hamden Public Schools during the 2026-2027 academic year across two 18-week cohorts.

The WorkPlace – $10,000 to support general operating expenses of the Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County New Haven Chapter.

Total Joy Are You Autism Foundation – $7,500 to support the EmpowerHER program, including quarterly workshops, monthly dance classes and direct financial assistance for mothers to offset participation costs for girls with different abilities.

Wealth Beacon Group Foundation – $7,500 to support housing stabilization and integrated financial empowerment education, leadership development and wellness programming for women-led households transitioning from housing instability.

About the Community Fund for Women & Girls
The Community Fund for Women & Girls is a component fund of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and is Greater New Haven’s only permanent charitable endowment dedicated solely to advancing women and girls. The Fund advances women’s influence and gender equity through education, information and convenings, and supports programs and services for women and girls. The Fund has distributed more than $2 million in funding since its founding in 1995. Learn more at fundforwomenandgirls.org and join us on social media on Facebook and Twitter.

##

Press Contact:
Katie Pellico
Communications Officer
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven 
(203) 500-9774
Email