Welcome to the Women’s Fund of Central New York’s first blog.  The Women’s Fund has been supporting, empowering and recognizing the advancement and full participation of CNY women and girls since our first grant awards in 2001.  Since then, we’ve also been trying to efficiently get the word out about the impacts that we’ve made and the other fund “doings”.  So, now we are blogging!  We plan to update you on Fund happenings as often as we can.  

The Women’s Fund of CNY is an all-volunteer organization.  Our Governance Council members and other volunteers are going to take turns writing the blog each week.  This will let you get to know the Women’s Fund personally.  We are a diverse group of women who all have our own stories and motivations for volunteering.  This diversity keeps us energetic and fresh.  It brings out new ideas and makes things fun as we work to move the Women’s Fund forward.  

Right now, the Women’s Fund of CNY has $850,000 in our endowment.  We hope to be at $1 million by the end of March 2014.  With this milestone, we will be able to increase our grant dollars to programs that are focused on improving the lives of CNY women and girls.  Every year, we have to turn down funding for great programs because we just don’t have enough.  We look forward to the day when we can fully fund these initiatives.  

A secondary focus of the Women’s Fund is to encourage and develop women as philanthropists.  We hope that as you learn more about us that you will be motivated to join us through your contributions and/or your volunteerism.  With your participation, we’ll reach $1 million!

Talk to you soon!

Diana Gerrish 

Chair, Women’s Fund of CNY