WOMEN HELPING WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY
The Women’s Fund is a Celebration of the Past, a Philanthropic voice for the Present, and a Gift to the Future.
After recognizing the needs of the women around us and the organizations that serve them, the Women’s Fund was established by 100 Founders in 2000.
Our vision has always been to strengthen and grow a legacy of giving that supports these groups within our community.
THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING WITH US!
The Women’s Fund was established in the year 2000, and it has been a critical financial resource in our community for the past 25 years.
We celebrated this important milestone at Meadow Brook Hall on April 26th.
Click below to see highlights from the event, and let us know if you’d like to find out about future Women’s Fund events!
BE A CHAMPION
The Women’s Fund is 25 in 2025, and we are excited to share the mission and vision of the Women’s Fund with the next generation of donors.
The first 100 women to give $1000 to the Women’s Fund are known as the Founders. Those who have given a total of $1000 or more over time are known as Partners.
Anyone who donates $1000 by the end 2025 will be recognized in our newest category of donors: the Champions of the Women’s Fund.
It is time to raise up the next generation of philanthropists. If you think the Women’s Fund is something that your daughter, your colleagues, or your friends might want to be part of, do what the Founders did: invite them for a cup of coffee. Host a gathering, invite them into your home, and invite us to join to share with them the impactful message of the Women’s Fund.
100 Founders
194 Partners
7 Champions so far:
Betty Seifert
Anita Savio
Pat Botkin
Shirley Gofrank
Abby L. Miller
Mary Jo Byrd
Glenda Byers Raye
The Women’s Fund Grant Application Period will open in October, 2025. Until then, general purpose grant applications are always available.
OUR IMPACT
The Community Foundation Women’s Fund was founded in 2000 by a group of 100 women who saw a need in the community to champion women’s causes.
Since it was established nearly 25 years ago, the Community Foundation Women’s Fund has been supporting causes that uplift women in our community through advocacy, partnership, and financial support. The Women’s Fund is an endowed fund, meant to provide an avenue of support for the women in our community for years to come.
If you are passionate about uplifting women, if you are committed to providing support to women in need, if you are determined to provide compassionate support for your neighbors and friends, then the Women’s Fund is a cause you can support.
100 Founders, 194 Partners
$1,205,668 Total Gifts Received
$672,202 in Lifetime Disbursements
WHO WE SUPPORT: STORIES FROM OUR GRANT RECIPIENTS
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN:
Over the years, the Women’s Fund has consistently given to the Assistance League of SE MI in support of Assault Survivor Kits. Any time a woman goes to the hospital as the result of reporting an assault, her clothes become evidence. Each Assault Survivor kit provides…
Grace Centers of Hope
Grace Centers of Hope is a faith-based, long-term life skills program for people afflicted by homelessness, chemical dependency, and abuse in southeast Michigan. GCH provides help and hope to those in need, and they operate their programs and shelter without any government funding. …
Hope Against Trafficking
The United States is the #1 consumer of human trafficking in the world. Trafficking is a $150 billion dollar industry, affecting an estimated 27.6 million victims worldwide.
The founders of Hope Against Trafficking realized there was a lack of long-term …
In addition to the organizations mentioned above, the Women’s Fund has also supported numerous other organizations throughout the Oakland County and Southeast Michigan region that continually lift up women and women’s causes.
Among the organizations that the Women’s Fund has provided financial support to over the years are Dutton Farm, the Gary Burnstein Clinic, HAVEN, Rochester Area Neighborhood House, New Day Foundation, Rainbow Connection, Families Against Narcotics, Jewish Vocational Service, Chaldean American Women of Charity, OPC Social & Activity Center, Faith Works Michigan, Paint a Miracle, and more.
The Women’s Fund has proven itself an active and dedicated community partner to many organizations, and we remain committed to continuing our legacy.
OUR LEGACY: A HISTORY OF PHILANTHROPY
Our Mission
To make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of women in our community through targeted financial support for women’s causes.
Our Vision
To create a legacy by providing an enduring financial resource for charitable organizations that uplift, support, and nurture women.
Our People
We invite all women in the community to join us by making a donation to the Women’s Fund. Our donor base is passionate, engaged, and dedicated: we are Women Helping Women.
Our Promise
The Women’s Fund provides a permanent legacy for the future of women in our community. We continue to be dedicated to women’s health and wellness as long as there are women to support.
The Women’s Fund
The Women’s Fund is a permanently endowed fund owned and administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester.
The Women’s Fund was established through the generosity of 100 women, the Women’s Fund Founders, who each donated $1,000.
Since being established, more than 1,200 unique donors have contributed over 6,000 gifts, supporting the funding of $638,779.46 to local nonprofit programs and projects that help women in need.
Over the years, the Women's Fund has consistently given to the Assistance League of SE MI in support of Assault Survivor Kits. Any time a woman goes to the hospital as the result of reporting an assault, her clothes become evidence. Each Assault Survivor kit provides new clothing and toiletries for survivors of abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault.