News and Press
The Fund for Women and Girls is thrilled to announce $200,000 in Core Grants awards to local non-profits serving women and girls in our community.
The Fund’s community-led Core Grants Committee selected 17 grantees to receive two-year grants for their work in Chester County. The Core Grants Committee is comprised of nearly 20 individuals from Chester County with a variety of backgrounds. Using their lived experience and the philanthropic education they receive from The Fund grounded in a philosophy of trust-based philanthropy, the Committee reviewed grant applications and conducted interviews with potential grantees before making their decisions.
On this International Women’s Day, a day of global celebration of women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality, The Fund for Women and Girls is proud to announce the 13th recipient of the Kitchen Table Award, Daicy Cañas. Daicy will accept the award at the 19th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon on May 3, 2024, at The Desmond Hotel in Malvern.
We are thankful for Kim’s dedication to gender equity and The Fund’s mission to advance women and girls. We are grateful for her efforts, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.
As we move forward, we are committed to maintaining the stability and effectiveness of our operations. Blake Emmanuel, our Director of Programs and Advocacy, will be stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director to ensure continuity and to minimize any potential disruptions. A transition committee and search team managed by the Board of Directors will oversee the selection of a new executive director.
The Fund for Women and Girls convened 35 middle and high school youth from five nonprofit organizations located throughout Chester County to present to the Governor’s Advisory Commissions on Women and Next Generation Engagement.
The Fund for Women and Girls is excited to announce the opening of the Kitchen Table Award
nominations. The Fund’s Kitchen Table Award recognizes an outstanding Chester County woman who has translated their time, talents, and resources into substantive contributions, creating a legacy of positive change for women and girls in our county. Learn how to nominate a woman who inspires you! All nominations must be received by Friday, January, 26, 2024.
In December 2023, members of CivicG+ attended a meeting of the West Chester Area School District School Board to understand the intricacies of decision-making and to decipher the mechanisms behind the governance of their school district, something that impacts them every day.
The Fund for Women and Girls is pleased to announce the success of its 7th Annual Champions of Change Breakfast, held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at The Farmhouse at People’s Light. This inspiring event celebrated individuals and organizations who are dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in the workplace and leading the way toward a brighter future for all.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Champions of Change Awards to this year’s outstanding awardees: Susan Fiorentino, J.D., Countryside Consulting, Inc., and Chester County OIC.
On Saturday, October 14th, The Fund’s Girls Advisory Board and CivicG+ programs brought together 28 aspiring young minds for an engaging speed networking event. These enthusiastic high schoolers had the unique opportunity to interact with accomplished professional women from various sectors, offering them a sneak peek into the world of business and nonprofit leadership.
The Fund Welcomes New Engagement Manager, Yolanda George Turman
We are excited to welcome Yolanda George Turman as The Fund’s new Engagement Manager! Yolanda is a servant leader who is passionate about philanthropy and community service. She believes the power of collective giving (resources and time) makes a difference in the community she serves and beyond.
Currently, Yolanda serves on the Chester County Women’s Commission, is a former board vice president of the Maternal & Child Health Consortium, and is a member and former president of: the Chester County Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; an associate member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; the Montgomery County (PA) Chapter of The Links, Inc. (serving Montco and Chesco); Black Women of Chester County in Action, and a supporter of many endeavors. She is committed to her church’s mission, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, West Chester.
Professionally, Yolanda has a background that combines more than 25 years of entrepreneurial and corporate experience in strategic marketing, sales and training in leadership and consulting, with Merck, Genentech and Colgate-Palmolive. She and her husband reside in West Chester and are the parents of two young adults. She is proud that her only daughter Lauren, a journalist, is a former member of The Fund’s Girls Advisory Board (GAB).
The Fund is so lucky to have Yolanda on our team in this critical new position created for her!
The Fund’s Champion of Change Breakfast recognizes individuals and organizations committed to women’s economic advancement and equity in the workplace, nominated by members of their community. The Fund’s goal is to increase awareness about the disparities and challenges that women face in seeking economic and professional advancement and equity.
Executive Director Kim Andrews says, “The Fund celebrates not just the extraordinary achievements of individuals, corporations, and nonprofits advancing women in the workplace, but the unstoppable spirit that drives them to break barriers and champion change.” The Fund is proud to honor these exceptional champions who embody this spirit.
The Fund for Women and Girls launched its newly rebranded civic engagement youth program, CivicG+, formerly named GirlGov
Chester County. This program provides 20 high school students from Chester County with an opportunity to learn firsthand
about civics, government, advocacy, policy and leadership. With the support of West Pharmaceuticals, Aqua Pennsylvania, an Essentials Utilities Company, the Germeshausen Foundation, Chester County Solid Waste Authority, and CCRES, CivicG+ will expand its services to additional youth participants through partnerships with youth-serving organizations throughout the county.
The Fund Creates Change Through Impact Grants
Honoring Our Outgoing Board Members
Unveiling the Power of Youth Advocacy: Speed Networking with Elected Officials
It’s not every day you get the chance to speak face-to-face with elected officials, staffers, or government employees about pressing issues impacting you and your community, but on May 20, 2023, 15 participants in The Fund for Women and Girls’ youth advocacy program, GirlGov Chester County (now renamed CivicG+), did just that!
Yasmine Mustafa Headlines the 18th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon Fundraiser
Dynamic guest speaker Yasmine Mustafa, who grew up in Royersford, PA, will unite and inspire attendees in her keynote talk about her local roots, her path to adulthood, and her tech career at The Fund’s 18th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon fundraiser on Friday, May 5, 2023, at The Desmond Hotel in Malvern. Tickets go on sale this week at Annual Luncheon – The Fund for Women and Girls (thefundcc.org)
The Fund for Women Announces Kitchen Table Award Winner
On this International Women’s Day, The Fund for Women and Girls proudly announces Loretta Perna as the 12th winner of the Kitchen Table Award.
The Fund’s Girls Advisory Board Celebrates Grantees
Family, friends, and Fund staff and board members gathered together as the 2022-23 class of The Fund’s Girls Advisory Board (GAB) reflected on their philanthropic service and honored the amazing grantees the members selected.
The Fund for Women and Girls Ignites Change with Impact Grants
The Fund for Women and Girls has awarded $20,500 in grants to 3 non-profit organizations serving the needs of women and girls throughout Chester County.
A Devoted Advocate for Women and Girls
The Fund to Honor Fredda Maddox and WSFS Bank at Sixth Champions of Change Event
Join us on 10/26 at The Farmhouse at People’s Light to honor these champions for change in Chester County. Click to purchase your ticket today!
The Fund to Launch 2022 Blueprint Report on 9/13 at Colonial Theatre
The Fund’s 2022 Blueprint Report: Lighting a Path provides critical data to identify areas of progress for women and girls in Chester County and Pennsylvania, and indicates additional areas for improvement. Click to register for the free community launch event.
The Fund to Partner with Colonial Theatre for Hidden Figures Screening on 8/26
The screening will be followed by a discussion with technologist Darla Wolfe. Click to purchase tickets.
The Fund Chosen as Beneficiary of Whitford Classic
The event will take place in late September. Click to read more.
Kim Andrews Named as New Executive Director for The Fund
The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Andrews as Executive Director, effective May 2nd. Prior to this position, Kim served as Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. Click to read more about Kim and the search process.
The Fund to Honor Matrie Johnson with 2022 Kitchen Table Award
Matrie will receive the award at The Fund’s 17th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon on May 6, 2022. Click to read more about Matrie’s incredible accomplishments!
Nominations Open for 2022 Kitchen Table Award
The Fund is now accepting nominations for our 2022 Kitchen Table Award. Established in 2011 to honor a Chester County woman who represents the mission and values of the organization, the Kitchen Table Award is presented at our annual Making a Difference Luncheon; its recipient is an “outstanding Chester County woman who has made substantive contributions through service and/or philanthropy to improve the lives of women and girls through her own time, talent or resources.”
The Fund’s Fifth Annual Champions of Change Event Inspires Business Community to Elevate Women in the Workplace
The Fund hosted its fifth annual Champions of Change Event on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at The Farmhouse Bistro at People’s Light. The event raised over $45,000 in support of local women and girls. Nearly 75 business leaders, community supporters and elected officials gathered to honor Dr. JoAnne Reifsnyder, Phd, MSN, MBA, FAAN, and MacElree Harvey, Ltd.
Request for Proposals: Help The Fund Identify New Executive Leadership
The Fund has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Executive Recruitment of Fund Leadership to identify organizations or consultants experienced in nonprofit executive recruitment that can help The Fund identify candidates for leadership of our organization. Proposals due by 10/27.
The Fund Bids Farewell to Current ED, Announces Interim, and Looks Ahead to Diverse Executive Search
The Fund says goodbye to its current Executive Director, Michelle Legaspi Sánchez, and announces an Interim Executive Director Mary Beth Morrissey to assume the role on September 20, 2021.
Honorees Announced for Fifth Annual Champions of Change Event
The event will occur on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, from 8:00-9:30am at the Farmhouse Bistro at People’s Light and Theater. Honorees are JoAnne Reifsnyder, Phd, MSN, MBA, FAAN, and law firm MacElree Harvey, for breakthrough efforts to shatter the glass ceiling.
Important News from The Fund
Michelle Legaspi Sánchez has accepted a position at the Nonprofit Finance Fund and will be leaving her role as Executive Director at The Fund. Her last day is September 17, 2021.
The Fund Hosts 16th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon Celebrating 25 Years of Impact
The Fund marked 25 years of serving local women and girls at the 16th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon on May 7th featuring Keynote Speaker Uva Coles and Kitchen Table Award Honoree Mary Lou Sterge.
The Fund’s Inaugural Champions of Change Summit Inspires Business Community to Embrace Inclusive Leadership
Our first ever Champions of Change Summit: Bringing All Voices to the Table united previous honorees of the Corporate Champion of Change Award and Gladys Black ‘Woman of Distinction’ Award for a dialogue and panel discussions on best practices in diverse and inclusive leadership.
Members of The Fund’s Girls Advisory Board Grantmaking Program Award $19,000 to Local Nonprofits Serving Women and Girls
Members of The Fund’s GAB program awarded $19,000 in grant funding to five local nonprofit agencies serving women and girls.
The Fund Unveils Women’s Suffrage Mural to Inspire Community to Get Out and Vote
The mural honors the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted many women the right to vote, and celebrates the suffrage movement of the past, present and future.
The Fund’s Fourth Annual Champions of Change Event Leaves Business Community Inspired to Elevate Women in the Workplace
Nearly 100 business leaders, community supporters and elected officials tuned in to honor Charmaine Spence Rochester, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, and SEI.
The Fund Hosts Fourth Annual Champions of Change Event
The Fund will host its fourth annual Champions of Change Event on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, in a virtual format.
Remembering Claire Birney
The Fund for Women and Girls honors the life and legacy of one of our early and faithful supporters, Claire Birney, who passed away on May 13, 2020.
The Fund Unites Women and Girls for Virtual Girls in Action Summit and Virtual Luncheon to Raise Awareness About Impacts of COVID-19 on Women and Girls
We have responded to COVID-19 through innovative programs to raise awareness.
Members of The Fund’s Girls Advisory Board Grantmaking Program Award $19,000 to Local Non-Profits Serving Women and Girls
Members of The Fund’s Girls Advisory Board (GAB) program awarded $19,000 to five local non-profit agencies serving women and girls.
The Fund to Honor Pat Yoder with Kitchen Table Award at 15th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon
The Fund will honor Patricia Yoder – a passionate advocate for women and children in Chester County – with our Kitchen Table Award at the 15th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon on Friday, May 1st.
Remembering Betty Moran
The Fund for Women and Girls honors the life and legacy of one of our earliest and most faithful supporters, Mrs. J. Maxwell R. Moran (Betty Moran), who passed away on January 23, 2020.