Our Story
In 1993, sixteen visionary women philanthropists were concerned about a lack of support for women and girls in poverty in Delaware. They researched the status of women and children in poverty and learned that services were limited and underfunded. The group proceeded to gather a core of women Founders and created the Fund for Women at the Delaware Community Foundation. The group's initial goal was 1,000 women contributing $1,000 each to establish a $1 million endowment. Their goal was reached in 2010 and now the Fund for Women (FFW) has far surpassed their goal with an endowment of over $5 million and over 2,275 "Founders.”
Swingin' With a Star (1993-2012), a local women's golf tournament, made the Fund for Women a beneficiary of their annual fundraiser. Their contributions added over $1 million to the endowment fund.
The first grants, totaling $2,500, were distributed in 1994 to two organizations: Girls, Inc., and the University of Delaware. To date, we have distributed over $3,400,000.
As the FFW grew, the organization actively worked to establish committees in each of the three Delaware counties to ensure that the FFW reaches women statewide in both Founders and grant recipients. Each county maintains a development committee responsible for growing the Founder base in their area.
A Message from Our Board Chair
For more than 30 years, the Fund for Women has brought people together through the power of collective philanthropy to invest in the lives of women and girls across Delaware. This past year we granted $234,145 to 17 nonprofits. Since 1993, we have awarded more than $4 million in grants to over 400 nonprofit organizations—supporting critical work in areas such as housing, healthcare, education and career training, domestic violence, recovery, and nutrition. We are proud of what we have accomplished together, and even prouder of the difference those investments have made in our communities.
But we know there is so much more to do. Each year, we receive far more worthy requests than we can fund. Behind every application is a woman or girl who deserves the opportunity to be safe, healthy, educated, economically secure, and able to reach her full potential. As Board Chair, I believe our next chapter must be about turning that unmet need into greater opportunity—and ensuring that the Fund for Women is positioned to make an even greater difference for generations to come.
That is why we have embarked on Doubling Our Impact—an ambitious ten-year initiative to significantly increase the resources we provide to organizations serving women and girls throughout Delaware. We envision a future in which the Fund for Women can award $500,000 in grants each year, while continuing to build a strong, sustainable endowment for the future. Reaching that goal will require all of us: our Founders, sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and those who believe deeply in the power and potential of women and girls. Together, we can build on what we have achieved—and create an even greater legacy of impact.
Kathy Kiernan, MBA, PCC
Board Chair, Fund for Women
About the Fund
Those who have been fortunate in their lives and livelihoods are helping women and girls overcome the many barriers that may stand in their way to success. Through the power of collective giving, our unique network aims to improve the potential of women and girls in Delaware by funding critical projects that meet their needs – from housing to health care, from career training to emergency food programs.
The Fund for Women is an endowment held at the Delaware Community Foundation. The interest from this endowment is given in grants to women's and girls' programs in Delaware each year.
While we are proud of the many ways in which we have supported women and girls in Delaware for more than 25 years, the need remains strong. We can only fund about 15% of the grant requests each year. With your help we can do more!
How can I Help?
Beyond making the financial commitment, you choose your level of involvement (no meetings required!) from making an additional sustaining contribution to attending events, organizing events, or other leadership opportunities. We welcome your help.
Who We Are
We are a volunteer-led, all-inclusive, diverse group with a common goal–to help all Delaware women and girls reach their full potential. We work within each county to attract new philanthropists for our statewide organization because together we are making a difference!
Fund for Women is a Nonprofit
The Fund for Women endowment is held at the Delaware Community Foundation. All donations are confirmed by receipt and are tax deductible under IRA 501(c)3 regulations.
The Fund for Women is an endowment held at the Delaware Community Foundation
Address: Fund for Women: PO Box 15101, Newark, DE 19711
Email: info@defundforwomen.com