WOMEN HELPING WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY
The Community Foundation 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.
The Women’s Fund makes grants to local nonprofit organizations for programs and projects that support women.
The application period for 2026 Women’s Fund grant applications is between will begin in early November. Click on Apply for a Grant for more information and to access the applications.
The 2026 Women’s Fund grant application period will begin in November, 2026. Check back for more information closer to the commencement of the grant application period.
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, 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
$712,000 in Lifetime Disbursements
BE A CHAMPION
The Women’s Fund turned 25 in 2025. In 2026 and beyond, 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.
For the 25th Anniversary of the Women’s Fund, we established a new category of donors: the Women’s Fund Champions. These are donors who believe in the original vision, and with that vision in mind, do what the Founders did: make a $1000 donation to create a continuing resource for the cause.
15 Champions
Johanna Allen
Pat Botkin
Sue Burback
Susan Bruchanski
Glenda Byers-Raye
Mary Jo Byrd
Betty Cupp
Drusilla Farwell Foundation
Shirley Gofrank
Connie Klix-Mercer
Abby L. Miller
Kristen Raetz
Anita Savio
Pauline Schafer
Betty Seifert
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 causes as long as there are women to support.
“The Women’s Fund has always been a fierce advocate for uplifting the women who seem to be downtrodden by the world, and that’s a mission that I absolutely want 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.