Women & Girls
The Community Fund for Women & Girls is Greater New Haven's only endowment dedicated to promoting the social and economic advancement of women and girls. We work to improve the quality of life for women and girls in our region, through information, education, advocacy and – most importantly – by encouraging women's philanthropy. Join us!
EVENTS | INVESTMENTS | NEWSMAKERS | BOARD | ISSUE BRIEFS | GIVE TODAY
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2020 GRANTSEEKERS
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the Community Fund for Women & Girls, and with that historic event will come a change to the Fund’s grantmaking process.
The change is a strategic decision made by the Fund’s Advisory Board in coordination with Foundation leaders to amplify the Fund’s impact.
Instead of a request for proposal process, Fund leadership will use knowledge gained from prior grant processes, grantee partnerships and research to strategically invest in longer-term opportunities that support the economic mobility and advancement of women and girls.
Women and Philanthropy: Leaving a Legacy
In 1995, a founding group of committed women established The Community Fund for Women & Girls. Women of all backgrounds have joined to build the endowment and create individually named funds that are a permanent resource for women and girls' programs in Greater New Haven.
MakingWaves Leadership Giving Program
The Community Fund for Women & Girls thanks the generous supporters for participating in the MakingWaves Leadership Giving Program with a gift or pledge. The Program was created in honor of the Community Fund for Women & Girls’ 20th Anniversary to grow the endowment and the Fund’s grantmaking resources for local nonprofits for the benefit of women and girls.
Past Events
The Community Fund for Women & Girls holds convenings and events, inviting inspirational women to Greater New Haven to impart their knowledge and giving local advocates a chance to meet and discuss regional, national and global issues affecting us all.
2019 Women & Girls Annual Meeting: The Care Economy »
06.25.2019
The consequences of undervaluing care work and policy strategies for improving the lives of care workers were the focus of an in-depth panel discussion hosted by the Community Fund for Women & Girls on June 20 at its 2019 Annual Meeting.
Investing in Women and Girls
The Community Fund for Women & Girls supports organizations which meaningfully impact women and girls and evaluates all requests for funding through a gender-specific grantmaking framework. As the region’s grantmaker focused on women and girls, the Fund will only support gender-specific programming and advocacy initiatives.
- Awards - More than $1,048,400 Million to advance women and girls since 1995
- Ages Served – girls (20%), teens (25%), women (28%) and mature women and inter-generational programs (27%)
- Grants By Fund Priority Area– health (30%), economic security – including education (41%), violence prevention (6%), political participation (8%) and enrichment/education programming (15%)
- Grants By Geography– Greater New Haven region (27%), New Haven (53%), Suburbs/Valley (18%) and Statewide (2%)
Based on 2011-2017 data
Community Fund for Women & Girls Advances Gender Equity with $130,000 in Grants »
06.24.2019
The Community Fund for Women & Girls announces grants to partner organizations working to advance gender equity.
Newsmakers
Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Women & Family Life Center »
12.27.2019
The Women and Family Life Center has empowered women and families for almost 30 years.
Campaign for Paid Family Leave Prevails »
12.27.2019
Connecticut passes the most comprehensive paid family and medical leave in the nation.
Dive Into The Issues
Undervalued and Underpaid in America Women in Low-Wage, Female-Dominated Jobs »
05.03.2020
From the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.
05.02.2020
Millions of women work long hours caring for the needs of the elderly, the infirm, and children. For large numbers, particularly women of color, their earnings are so low that they and their families live in poverty.
Investing With a Gender Lens »
11.06.2015
In philanthropy and the private sector, there is a growing movement to direct financial and human resources into supporting women and girls, expanding their leadership opportunities, and challenging the traditional roles and expectations of both women and men.
Officers and Advisory Board Members
2019 Officers
Karen Peart - Chair
Heather Calabrese - Vice Chair
Christine Kim - Treasurer
Janna Wagner - Immediate Past Chair
Kellyann Day - Community Foundation Board Liaison
2019 Advisory Board
- Daisy Abreu
- Meredith Gavrin
- Amy Marx
- Tressa Spears Jackson
- Barbara Chesler
- Anne Godsey
- Liza Janssen Petra
- Cynthia Watson
- Mary Beth Congdon
- Maribel Lopez
- Carol Ross
