Gender-specific programs are underfunded. Less than 7% of philanthropic dollars go specifically to women's and girl's programs in the US. There is an undeniable connection between poverty, low self-esteem, inadequate healthcare, domestic violence...and being female. Until gender issues are better funded, women and girls will continue to suffer.

Dozens of books and studies have reached the same conclusion: so-called universal or co-educational programs do not help women and girls as well as gender-specific programs.

The members of The Women's Fund ultimately determine which organizations receive grants.  In the spring of each year, The Women's Fund releases a Request for Proposals and seeks letters of intent from interested organizations.  A grant review committee, consisting of Women's Fund members, invites full proposals from those organizations that meet the basic eligibility criteria.  The grant review committee then reviews the full proposals, evaluating the merits of the program design and the organization’s capacity to carry out the program along with other eligibility criteria. The committee selects the best proposals to move forward to our membership for voting.  Our members serve as the final reviewers and decision makers in our grant process.  All members will receive summaries of each proposal and each membership receives one vote to determine which proposals will receive funding. 

By giving to The Women's Fund you are leveraging your gift through the power of collective giving.  This allows your gift to make a greater impact because it is combined with others to make grants to organizations that are transforming the lives of women and girls in Forsyth County.  Organizations that do the best work serving women and girls need much more money. A goal of The Women's Fund is to stimulate new and increased giving by focusing more attention on women's issues. We hope that women will give to both The Women's Fund and their favorite organizations.

Our commitment to inclusiveness ensures that all women can become members of The Women's Fund of Winston-Salem.  Membership is $1,200 per year, which can be given by one women or a group of up to 12 women and girls.  Each membership receives one vote on which organizations/programs will receive funding. Women and girls unable to make this financial commitment, but committed to women's philanthropy, can apply for a participant scholarships.

ALL gifts matter! Please give. Your participation is far more important than the size of your gift. Why? Because every gift makes a statement. We want all women in our community to be members of The Women's Fund. We are asking every woman to carefully examine her giving patterns and consider whether she can do more. Knowing that not everyone will be able to commit to $1,200 per year, we have established group memberships to make it easier for any woman to join us.

Yes, individuals can make charitable bequests or other planned gifts to The Women's Fund. Also, gifts can be made in honor or memory of women and girls.

For more information, please email us at womensfund@wsfoundation.org or contact Tari Hanneman at The Winston-Salem Foundation by calling 336-725-2382.