A press release: October 19, 2006

On October 19, the Women’s Fund of the Capital Region hosted a Luncheon and Celebration to update the community on its progress since its membership launch in February 2006, and to announce the first phase of its grants process.

Founded in February 2006, the Women’s Fund of the Capital Region is a groundbreaking collaboration of the Community Foundation for the Capital Region, United Way of Northeastern New York and United Way of Schenectady County. The vision of the Women’s Fund is to promote the independence, growth, self-sufficiency and determination of women and girls by supporting projects that create systemic change and which move women and girls toward economic self-sufficiency. Motivation for the launching of the fund came from the discovery that only 6% of all grants made nationally directly benefit women and girls.

The event brought together over 180 prominent women from across the Capital Region to celebrate the 100 local women to date who have chosen to become part of the “The Founding 500.” These are women who pledged at least $500 to support the fund. The goal is to grow the fund as large as possible with carefully managed expenses. For 2006, 85% of monies raised will be granted out in 2007. Ten percent will be for an endowment and 5% for administrative expenses.

Seven new members have since joined the founding 500, they include Mary Seeley, Ellin Alexander, Charlotte Buchanan, Ann Bish and Diane Deveines, Nancy O’Keefe and Joanne Tobeissen.

Encouraged by the commitment of these women, the Women’s Fund launched its first request for proposal (RFP) phase, and is now seeking proposals from local groups that are designed to support economic self-sufficiency for women and empowerment for girls. Over 75 people attended the grants info session.

For more information about the Women’s Fund, please contact Megan Allen at 372-4761.